Ken,
Somehow i get the feeling that if the dems had predicted the CBO would score their plans at 871 billion and the CBO came back reporting 1.5 trillion you'd be hyping how the CBO must be listened to, but since the CBO has scored the democratic proposals at BELOW the levels initially predicted, you'll spit out a rant about how the CBO can't be trusted. As for getting spending under control, please explain how leaving the status quo in place won't cause EXPLODING deficits in the next 10 years and how the only way to bring costs down is the types of reforms being pushed through congress. Either spend 871 billion over 10 years to institute reform or spend 3 trillion doing nothing...

As for your reference to the so-called "promise that reform would keep unemployment below 8%," that's nothing but another distortion being pushed by the rightwing noise machine.

Web Link

And back to the thread seen time and time again...what do you propose we do instead?

In reality when you remove all of the smoke and mirrors there are only about 8,000,000 who need healthcare so something could be one to help them far less than this trillion dollar joke. Heck we could but them all free policies for far less than this amount of money. The democrats could be taken to be more serious if they were to include tort reform................and they do not do so because they are getting their pockets padded including our wonderful dictator obambi. Love the fact that his ratings keep dropping. Anybody see Corzine in New Jersey and Lil Harry Reid's election prospects? Very heartwarming.

And the conclusion of the article you linked up PB? "And so we rule the statement by Cantor — and other Republicans who have said the same thing — Barely True." A little different from a "distortion being pushed by the rightwing noise machine"
The rightwing noise machine, at the time, suggested alternatives to wealth redistribution and printing up more money that we don't have, putting us deeper in check to those who hold our debt.
Here was one, that never saw the light of day. Cut taxes. Increase incentives toward economic activity by suspending capital gains taxes for instance. I could go on, but what is the point? Alternatives were never explored, for we were at the brink of economic disaster!
Oh, but we did cut taxes, shame on me, 95% of all Americans got a tax cut, including those that pay no taxes. That amounted to what $8-13 per pay check. Ask a few friends if that was any economic stimulus to them? Better do it quick, because California's new budget includes an increase in everyone's withholding from their paycheck, a bigger increase than any cut Obama ever gave us. They moved the taxes from one line of your check stub to another. Smoke and mirrors.
We had to rush a 1000+ page piece of legislation through without reading it. So we pass a stimulus that spends most of its money in the out years, spending really kicks in right when the 2010 elections are rolling around.
To get back to ObamaCare, name one government entitlement program that stayed within it's initial spending projection. Name one that didn't spend double the initial projection, even accounting for inflation? Difficulty factor: don't include anything passed under GWB.

Hey Pee-boy,
Your first post puts words in my mouth that I would not have used. First, it was Pelosi and Obama who told us that the stimulus (not the reform) bill would keep unemployment from topping 8%. Anyone who supported that (Republicans, Democrats, and Indies) should be ashamed of themselves for continuing the unchecked spending in Washington. Second, I don't care whether the CBO, PTA, or local fire department estimates costs at $900B or $1.5T - spending like that is just insane and puts future generations at risk. So, stop 'feeling' my words and read them instead.

"suggested alternatives to wealth redistribution"

I can't believe Republicans are still using this term. They are some of the biggest redistributers of wealth around Bush/McCain/Palin supported TARP.

Web Link

TARP is welfare. It is welfare for the rich. It takes the tax dollars of the middle class and pays the rich. Republicans only have a problem with wealth redistribution if it goes to the poor or middle class.

I am considering switching over from the Democratic party and becoming a liberarian. Way to much government and control of private property going on.

Patti:
Kudos on switching! I know it is difficult to change political beliefs.

A long time ago, I switched from being a democrat and have never regretted it. I am a conservative and do not consider myself a republican. I liked Bush's strong position on national defense but did not like him abandoning free market principals by supporting the bailouts. If the republicans in govt ( including here in Calif) would adhere to conservative principles, our nation would be in much better shape.

If you have not read Mark Levin's "Liberty and Tyranny" I would strongly recommend that you do so. He grew up in the Philly area and lived and breathed American history ... where the Declaration of Independence was signed. His passion to educated others regarding how far America has strayed from what the Founders envisioned is very evident. His book should be required reading for all US citizens in my opinion.

Sorry for rambling but just wanted to congratulate you for apparently realizing that the ideals and policies of democrats do not promote a strong America.

Lived and breathed American history - where the Declaration of Independence was signed? Clearly the much more interesting fact about Mr. Levin is that he apparently has access to a time machine!
Please, if we adhered solely to conservative principles, our country would have a whole different, yet equally troubling, set of problems. Both viewpoints, left and right, help keep things in check. Imagine living on a world of 'Bangs.'. The horror.

!

I am just shocked by what I see the government trying to do to our civil liberties and freedom. I voted for him and now feel as if I have contributed to the demise of my own country. I loved Bill Clinton and he must be just shaking his head. I could not be a republican but like the libertarian outlook or viewpoint.

Patti, I know! I hate the way my civil liberties and freedom have been stripped under the Obama administration!!!
Wait.
What?

No Way!

At a time when we are in 2 wars and our military leaders are awaiting direction in Afghanistan, unemployment is at 10%, we are in danger of slipping into a depression (Biden's words not mine), no healthcare, cap and trade, debt being held by China beyond belief, pay czars, car czar, environmental czars, government ownership of GM, Chrysler, AIG etc. that the President is flying around going to fundraisers in San Francisco and complaining about Fox News, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Politico, etc. yes I believe he is misguided or I voted for someone completely in over his head. I can hardly wait to here his plan for paying for all of this.

You forgot to include global warming, global hunger, poverty, drugs, international relations, gun control, abortion, decaying infrastructure, immigration, and religious freedom. It's like a pandora's box opened when he was elected, and the only thing he has done since January is fly to SF for a fundraiser. Boy, did we get snowed!