Monday morning political quarterback
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
Given that it's 47 degrees with a non-tropical wind blowing from the arctic, I'm writing this from a state of mind near the observation deck close to the U.S. 1 first and last mile marker…
OK. You can't say I didn't warn you.
Do not, I repeat DO NOT go to this website: http://www.usdebtclock.org/#
I TOLD YOU NOT TO DO IT!
For those of you who were smart enough to heed my advice rather than give in to temptation, I'll tell you what you missed.
The website is a U.S. total debt clock which calculates the $58,000-per-second spending spree known as the federal government. It brings to mind the old adage that no one should see sausage or government being made.
***
This just in from The Washington Post…. "The Obama administration will begin to tap federal retiree programs to help fund operations after the government lost its ability Monday to borrow more money from the public, adding urgency to efforts in Washington to fashion a compromise over the debt."
Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner says the government is likely "to default on some of its obligations, which he says would cause enormous economic harm and the suspension of government services, including the disbursal of Social Security funds."
Meanwhile, Obama is proposing tax increases and a few spending cuts to rein in the debt.
Wonder if the Prez has seen that $58,000-per-second spending calculator? He can raise taxes 'til the cows come home, but it won't help. The bigger question is this: Can anything help? Or is OUR government permanently FUBARed?
****
Two down and a few more to go…
God bless, Mike Huckabee and Donald Trump. At least two erstwhile GOP presidential wannabes had the common sense that God gave a goose and quietly bowed out of the 2012 presidential campaign. Thank you.
ABC News quotes "The Donald" this morning: "I maintain the strong conviction that if I were to run, I would be able to win the primary and ultimately, the general election."
No, you wouldn't. Neither would the Huckster. Good riddance to both.
Now if Newtie could just follow their example.
The Washington Examiner's Byron York writes today that Republicans are livid – as well they should be – for Gingrich's recent assault on Congressman Paul Ryan.
According to York, "On 'Meet the Press' Sunday, Gingrich denounced House Budget Committee chairman Paul Ryan's plan to restructure Medicare, saying, 'I don't think right-wing social engineering is any more desirable than left-wing social engineering. I don't think imposing radical change from the right or the left is a very good way for a free society to operate.'"
Aah, the hypocrisy in Gingrich's tirade.
Former U.S. Education Secretary Bill Bennett had this reaction, York wrote: "Referring to Ryan's Medicare plan as 'right-wing social engineering' is an unforgivable mistake, in my judgment.
"Bennett went on to say that Gingrich 'has taken himself out of serious consideration for the [2012] race.'"
Bennett then offered a clip of an interview he conducted with Gingrich on April 5.
"At that time, Gingrich was full of praise for the Ryan budget, saying: 'Paul Ryan has stepped up to the plate. This is a very, very serious budget and I think rivals with [what] John Kasich did as budget chairman in getting to a balanced budget in the 1990s, just for the scale and courage involved…"
"Paul Ryan is going to define modern conservatism at a serious level," Gingrich added.
Maybe Newt can catch up with Huckabee and Trump for a round of golf or some gulf coast fishing. Anything would be better than a presidential bid. Gingrich has his chances. It's time he – and the GOP – move forward.
There are a few good presidential candidates out there. Gingrich just isn't one of them.[[In-content Ad]]
OK. You can't say I didn't warn you.
Do not, I repeat DO NOT go to this website: http://www.usdebtclock.org/#
I TOLD YOU NOT TO DO IT!
For those of you who were smart enough to heed my advice rather than give in to temptation, I'll tell you what you missed.
The website is a U.S. total debt clock which calculates the $58,000-per-second spending spree known as the federal government. It brings to mind the old adage that no one should see sausage or government being made.
***
This just in from The Washington Post…. "The Obama administration will begin to tap federal retiree programs to help fund operations after the government lost its ability Monday to borrow more money from the public, adding urgency to efforts in Washington to fashion a compromise over the debt."
Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner says the government is likely "to default on some of its obligations, which he says would cause enormous economic harm and the suspension of government services, including the disbursal of Social Security funds."
Meanwhile, Obama is proposing tax increases and a few spending cuts to rein in the debt.
Wonder if the Prez has seen that $58,000-per-second spending calculator? He can raise taxes 'til the cows come home, but it won't help. The bigger question is this: Can anything help? Or is OUR government permanently FUBARed?
****
Two down and a few more to go…
God bless, Mike Huckabee and Donald Trump. At least two erstwhile GOP presidential wannabes had the common sense that God gave a goose and quietly bowed out of the 2012 presidential campaign. Thank you.
ABC News quotes "The Donald" this morning: "I maintain the strong conviction that if I were to run, I would be able to win the primary and ultimately, the general election."
No, you wouldn't. Neither would the Huckster. Good riddance to both.
Now if Newtie could just follow their example.
The Washington Examiner's Byron York writes today that Republicans are livid – as well they should be – for Gingrich's recent assault on Congressman Paul Ryan.
According to York, "On 'Meet the Press' Sunday, Gingrich denounced House Budget Committee chairman Paul Ryan's plan to restructure Medicare, saying, 'I don't think right-wing social engineering is any more desirable than left-wing social engineering. I don't think imposing radical change from the right or the left is a very good way for a free society to operate.'"
Aah, the hypocrisy in Gingrich's tirade.
Former U.S. Education Secretary Bill Bennett had this reaction, York wrote: "Referring to Ryan's Medicare plan as 'right-wing social engineering' is an unforgivable mistake, in my judgment.
"Bennett went on to say that Gingrich 'has taken himself out of serious consideration for the [2012] race.'"
Bennett then offered a clip of an interview he conducted with Gingrich on April 5.
"At that time, Gingrich was full of praise for the Ryan budget, saying: 'Paul Ryan has stepped up to the plate. This is a very, very serious budget and I think rivals with [what] John Kasich did as budget chairman in getting to a balanced budget in the 1990s, just for the scale and courage involved…"
"Paul Ryan is going to define modern conservatism at a serious level," Gingrich added.
Maybe Newt can catch up with Huckabee and Trump for a round of golf or some gulf coast fishing. Anything would be better than a presidential bid. Gingrich has his chances. It's time he – and the GOP – move forward.
There are a few good presidential candidates out there. Gingrich just isn't one of them.[[In-content Ad]]