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Wicked Blue

(5,751 posts)
Thu Jan 21, 2021, 10:29 PM Jan 2021

Right on schedule, Republicans pretend to care about deficits again

Washington Post
Opinion by Catherine Rampell
Columnist

It’s almost like clockwork. As soon as a Democrat enters the White House, Republicans pretend to care about deficits again.

“The one thing that concerns me that nobody seems to be talking about anymore is the massive amount of debt that we continue to rack up as a nation,” Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) complained during a confirmation hearing this week for Treasury Secretary-nominee Janet Yellen. “For me,” he continued, “that is a huge warning sign on the horizon, the fact that we have an ever-growing deficit, an ever-growing debt and no apparent interest in taking the steps that are necessary to address it.”

His colleague Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) likewise carped that U.S. deficit levels are “frightening.” Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) piled on, saying that waiting for interest rates to rise to indicate that debts are unsustainable would be “too late.”

***

And so Republicans laid the groundwork for blocking the Biden administration’s request for more covid-19 fiscal relief, on the grounds that further spending is not merely unnecessary but also irresponsible. Despite ongoing economic and public health needs.

These foul-weather fiscal hawks neglect to mention, of course, that the GOP’s prized 2017 tax cuts added nearly $2 trillion to deficits — back when the economy was doing okay.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/right-on-schedule-republicans-pretend-to-care-about-deficits-again/2021/01/21/a749e500-5c17-11eb-a976-bad6431e03e2_story.html

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Right on schedule, Republicans pretend to care about deficits again (Original Post) Wicked Blue Jan 2021 OP
how many congressional dems will go along with the repubs attempt to keep power nt msongs Jan 2021 #1
The Dems response must change... RainCaster Jan 2021 #19
I believe there are a whole bunch of tax cuts that can be rolled back PoindexterOglethorpe Jan 2021 #2
Must also take the earnings that they got using that money. NCjack Jan 2021 #7
Bingo! Repeal the 2017 Tax Scam bill. That should be a no-brainer. alwaysinasnit Jan 2021 #8
Honestly, they need to be politely thanked and told to their faces that they onecaliberal Jan 2021 #3
+1 n/t Laelth Jan 2021 #5
+100000000000000000000000000000000 x 2 AmyStrange Jan 2021 #11
Yep! (n/t) OldBaldy1701E Jan 2021 #16
And ethics. They're going to be so very, very, very concerned about ethics now. tanyev Jan 2021 #4
Every time OldBaldy1701E Jan 2021 #17
HYPOCRITES Skittles Jan 2021 #6
Republican interest in the deficit/debt keithbvadu2 Jan 2021 #9
Not only are they pricks, but... AmyStrange Jan 2021 #10
I gather that you're not crazy about him Wicked Blue Jan 2021 #13
Oh, I just loooooooooooooooove the guy, but... AmyStrange Jan 2021 #14
Y'all lost twodogsbarking Jan 2021 #12
Perfect answer to republicans: "Don't worry, Mexico will pay for it."😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 W T F Jan 2021 #15
Repugs are so predictable rickyhall Jan 2021 #18
The blatant hypocrisy aside, Republicans aren't really against deficits. King_Klonopin Jan 2021 #20
So true nt Wicked Blue Jan 2021 #21
Regan invented the deficit lie. Repukes have used it ever since. The Jungle 1 Jan 2021 #22

RainCaster

(10,585 posts)
19. The Dems response must change...
Sun Jan 24, 2021, 05:36 PM
Jan 2021

"You know, you're right. To reduce the deficit, we will need to raise taxes on the top 1% beyond the tax break you gave them."

onecaliberal

(32,373 posts)
3. Honestly, they need to be politely thanked and told to their faces that they
Thu Jan 21, 2021, 10:44 PM
Jan 2021

Forfeited any right to judge ANYTHING. We do not care what they think or say.
We care what 84 million Americans think. 84 million people voted against them. Elections have consequences.

Democrats need to proceed with America’s agenda and tune out republicans. It’s crystal clear republicans do not want the federal government to exist. The country is a fucking train wreck. They are nothing but noise in the background.

OldBaldy1701E

(4,915 posts)
17. Every time
Sat Jan 23, 2021, 10:10 AM
Jan 2021

a rethug says that word, everyone around him/her should just start hysterically laughing. And, the more they try to be heard saying it the more we should laugh and shake our heads.

 

AmyStrange

(7,989 posts)
10. Not only are they pricks, but...
Fri Jan 22, 2021, 12:06 AM
Jan 2021

-

they're hypocritical ones too!

At least now, Mitch the Mouth CAN'T block this vote, the fucking, small minded, shit-for-brains, greedy, low-life, ugly, toilet-faced asshole!!!

And THAT description is NOTHING compared to what I REALLY think of him.
========

 

AmyStrange

(7,989 posts)
14. Oh, I just loooooooooooooooove the guy, but...
Fri Jan 22, 2021, 10:49 AM
Jan 2021

-

my other lawyer just wants to rip his face off...



=========

W T F

(1,145 posts)
15. Perfect answer to republicans: "Don't worry, Mexico will pay for it."😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Fri Jan 22, 2021, 12:00 PM
Jan 2021

King_Klonopin

(1,305 posts)
20. The blatant hypocrisy aside, Republicans aren't really against deficits.
Mon Jan 25, 2021, 02:23 AM
Jan 2021

That is just the cover excuse they use for the true objection they have.

Republicans love to spend taxpayers' money.
They just hate it when the Democrats spend taxpayers' money.

Why?

They don't give a crap about the spending or the racking up of huge debt.
The issue is: WHO ARE THE RECIPIENTS OF THE MONEY?

If it goes to tax cuts for the obscene rich, defense contractors, building jails, bail-outs for banks,
then they are more than happy to run up a bill.

However, if the the money is spent on affordable housing, SNAP, public schools, healthcare for the poor,
or anything which benefits the poor or working class (IOW, those POC who are lazy and undeserving)
then they will OBJECT in feigned-concern unison.

It isn't the spending of money which they object to, it's the recipients of the money.
They just can't come out and say it directly.

 

The Jungle 1

(4,552 posts)
22. Regan invented the deficit lie. Repukes have used it ever since.
Mon Jan 25, 2021, 10:45 AM
Jan 2021

Reagan promised to cut taxes, cut government spending, balance the budget and increase defense spending. America believed him!
Just like America believed trump's lies. Reagan called it trickle down economics and it did not work.
Reagan tripled the deficit and got reelected to a second term. I think we all know trump would have been reelected if not for the virus.

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