One More Chance for the House to Save the Economy

[CG6468]

One More Chance for the House to Save the Economy
Jeffrey L. Scribner

Even after agreeing to establish a "Super Committee" and kicking the can down the road, the U.S. House of Representatives still has one more card to play if there are enough Congressmen with guts.

FY 2012 begins on October 1st of this year -- a scant month and a half from now.  Absent a "continuing resolution" by both Houses of Congress, there is no authority to spend any money after September 30th because there is no FY 2012 budget yet.

The committee chairmen of the House could quickly prepare a FY 2012 budget by picking a budget from history (like, perhaps, the budget for FY 2000) and copying the spending side thereof for all departments.  The totals would not be the same because of the automatic spending for entitlements, but the resulting budget should produce significant savings by comparison to FY 2011 and will present the "Super Committee" with a fait accompli, forcing them to concentrate on entitlements to reach the paltry cuts agreed to in the debt ceiling debacle.

Any bets this won't happen?

One More Chance????

[RightCoast]

no chance

[Eupher]

The below to be uttered in a monotone with Zombie expressions on the countenance.......

We Have No God But Obama.

And No Budget.

Continuing Resolution Is Our Mantra.........

[Kryder]

But in 2000 we weren't occupying 2 countries, faced with over 18 million unemployed Americans, and dealing with an ever increasing trend by corporations to relocate their assets overseas to mitigate a 35% corporate tax rate on revenues.  I don't think we should fund a bunch of bs, but how can you justify cutting costs when the economy is still basically on life support?  We're kinda screwed, because if you lower spending, you widen the income gap even more. If you increase revenues through taxation, you reduce consumer spending, and increase the amount of outsourcing from US corporations.  The truth is that we should figure out how to reduce spending and taxation, but what would bridge the gap from the time they do this to the time we realize it's benefits? That's a pretty big gap where we could face an implosion of society. I'm somewhat stumped.   

[docstew]

But in 2000 we weren't occupying 2 countries, faced with over 18 million unemployed Americans, and dealing with an ever increasing trend by corporations to relocate their assets overseas to mitigate a 35% corporate tax rate on revenues.  I don't think we should fund a bunch of bs, but how can you justify cutting costs when the economy is still basically on life support?  We're kinda screwed, because if you lower spending, you widen the income gap even more. If you increase revenues through taxation, you reduce consumer spending, and increase the amount of outsourcing from US corporations.  The truth is that we should figure out how to reduce spending and taxation, but what would bridge the gap from the time they do this to the time we realize it's benefits? That's a pretty big gap where we could face an implosion of society. I'm somewhat stumped.   

Income gap? Who gives a rat's ass? I could care less about someone who is able-bodied yet lives hand-to-mouth on taxpayer dollars. They don't have income, they have their hand in someone else's pocket.

[Kryder]

Income gap? Who gives a rat's ass? I could care less about someone who is able-bodied yet lives hand-to-mouth on taxpayer dollars. They don't have income, they have their hand in someone else's pocket.

I'd agree with you, if it were that simple.  There are reasons why people aren't working beyond simply being lazy.  If we were to cut unemployment benefits what do you think the 18 million people would do to feed themselves? There's a line that people cross when they're starving.  But you're right, there are a lot of people taking advantage of this and would rather sit on their duff and receive 1200 a month than to go out and work making minimum wage.  We can start by reducing the unemployment benefit..

[docstew]

I'd agree with you, if it were that simple.  There are reasons why people aren't working beyond simply being lazy.  If we were to cut unemployment benefits what do you think the 18 million people would do to feed themselves? There's a line that people cross when they're starving.  But you're right, there are a lot of people taking advantage of this and would rather sit on their duff and receive 1200 a month than to go out and work making minimum wage.  We can start by reducing the unemployment benefit..

How about a phase out? first 13 weeks on unemployment, you get full disbursement. next 4 weeks, reduced by 10%, next 4 weeks, another 10% off, etc. once payouts reach 50%, they cut off.

[Eupher]

How about a phase out? first 13 weeks on unemployment, you get full disbursement. next 4 weeks, reduced by 10%, next 4 weeks, another 10% off, etc. once payouts reach 50%, they cut off.

That's appropriate.

At the risk of stating the obvious, unemployment is supposed to be a temporary bridge. Far too many (including many of my unionized family members) look at unemployment as being a God-given right.

****tards. 

[thundley4]

That's appropriate.

At the risk of stating the obvious, unemployment is supposed to be a temporary bridge. Far too many (including many of my unionized family members) look at unemployment as being a God-given right.

****tards. 

What has always amazed me is how the construction trades have made unemployment compensation a part of their wage/benefits package, especially in the northern states. I know some electricians that draw UI every winter for several months.

[Eupher]

What has always amazed me is how the construction trades have made unemployment compensation a part of their wage/benefits package, especially in the northern states. I know some electricians that draw UI every winter for several months.

It happens in the auto industry as well, especially during model changeover (right about at this time of year, in fact).

All the doods and doodettes very much look forward to their upcoming party time, paid for by those who buy those cars and trucks. 

[NHSparky]

What has always amazed me is how the construction trades have made unemployment compensation a part of their wage/benefits package, especially in the northern states. I know some electricians that draw UI every winter for several months.

Ding ding ding!!!  And to make matters worse, I see a lot of the travellers who STOP in MA for just long enough to start drawing UEI in MA rather than in their home states.  It's amazing how few unemployed construction workers live in NH compared to Maine, Vermont, or Mass.

Sorry, my fellow New Englanders, just saying.  Yes, it IS hard to get on unemployment here.  As it should be.