Sequester will test GOP’s cut/cut/cut strategy
Unless Congress comes to an unlikely and very quick agreement, most domestic federal spending must by law be slashed by an immediate 8.2 percent on March 1, with only Social Security, Medicaid and veterans’ benefits exempted.
According to estimated from the Office of Management and Budget, defense spending will have to be cut by 9.4 to 10 percent, depending on the category. Payments to Medicare providers — doctors, hospitals, etc. — will be cut by 2 percent.
And because the law dictates that the cuts be across-the-board, rather than targeted, the impact is some areas could be severe. Agency directors have very little if any leeway in trying to protect particular programs.
James Clapper, director of National Intelligence, has warned that “the sheer size of the cut will create an immediate national security crisis situation” in the CIA, FBI and other agencies. Border Patrol agents will be laid off, as will federal prosecutors and airline security officers. (If you’re flying, you might want to double the time needed to get through security.)
On the social-spending side, to cite just a few specific examples, some 10,000 Americans will be cut off from the AIDS drugs that keep them alive; 70,000 children will be pushed off Head Start; 373,000 seriously mentally ill people will no longer have a means of treatment. The list goes on and on.
The overall economy will likely suffer as well. According to the Congressional Budget Office, that reduced federal spending will dampen growth and cut job creation by some 750,000 through the end of the year.
Unfortunately, there appears to be little to no hope in Washington that such cuts can be avoided, at least at first. Our leaders have come to the conclusion that no matter how much pain these reductions cause the American people, the political pain they themselves would suffer by having to compromise would be greater still. So instead of acting, they are preparing to blame each other when the outcries come.
The Republicans are basing their PR strategy on the claim that the sequester was actually President Obama’s idea, and they are correct: The Obama White House did propose the idea of a sequester back in 2011, believing that if the required budget cuts were painful enough, both sides would be compelled to compromise in order to avoid them.
However, the sequester — or “Obamaquester”, in the GOP’s strained terminology — was made necessary in the first place because House Republicans had made it quite clear that without a mandatory mechanism to slash spending, they would refuse to raise the nation’s debt ceiling, potentially sending the country into a disastrous default. That was back before the election, when House Republicans were so full of themselves that they seemed fully capable of doing just that.
(Just to refresh your memory — these artificial fiscal crises do tend to blur into one another by now — this particular confrontation in 2011 is the one that convinced Standard & Poors to lower the nation’s bond rating.)
In other words, the record shows that Republicans forced the crisis, and now want to blame Obama for proposing an escape hatch. I don’t believe the tactic is going to work, in large part because once again, the GOP has put itself into a position of trying to sell a hard argument. In this case, after stomping their feet, holding their breath and generally making public fools of themselves demanding harsh spending cuts, they are going to try to put the blame for spending cuts on Obama?
Good luck with that.
Paul Ryan, chairman of the House Budget Committee and the GOP’s spending guru, is on record back in 2011 as lauding the sequester, and his fellow House Republicans voted 174-66 in favor of it. (House Democrats split right down the middle, with 95 supporting it and 95 voting against it). In addition, Ryan has promised House conservatives that he will soon produce a budget that will balance the budget within 10 years, and do it without new taxes. The magnitude of spending cuts required to make that happen will dwarf those being implemented under the sequester.
The sequester, in other words, can be seen as a mini test drive for the GOP’s overall fiscal policy. What happens to government services when we implement just a fraction of the massive spending cuts that the GOP is demanding? What happens to the economy when federal spending falls by a relatively minor $85 billion between March and the end of the fiscal year in October?
By already trying to put the blame on Obama, the GOP is in effect predicting that the results won’t be pretty.
– Jay Bookman
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897 comments Add your comment
Keep Up the Good Fight!
February 19th, 2013
11:26 am
Sinkie only listened to part of the speech…..
The Truth
February 19th, 2013
11:26 am
Republicans don’t care about spending cuts. These chickenhawk$ freak out about cuts in the Pentagon, but they don’t acknowledge that we spent 700 billion plus dollars (close to three quarters of a trillion dollars) in 2011 (in one year!) on defense which is more than the next 11 countries COMBINED which includes Russia AND China. Keep in mind that some on these 11 countries are our ALLIES. Nope, the Cons are HYPOCRITES when it comes to cutting the deficit. But I guess we already knew that…
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 19th, 2013
11:26 am
Fred – 11:25 – olive oil, baby … liquid gold, I tells ya
St Simons - he-ne-ha
February 19th, 2013
11:26 am
fake Christian Conservative
don’t comment…”
Just pointing out your ignorance…..
just pointing out what a hypocrite fake ‘christian’ looks like
in case anybody was considering that religion –
there’s your shining example right there.
What an example you’ve set – congratulations
and the black guys still president, after your trolling
and pull your pants up son, you look stupid like like that
Butch Cassidy (I)
February 19th, 2013
11:26 am
F.Sinkwich – “Hey doofuss, then why did you sign the bill into law?”
Becuase he thought that the Republicans were smarter than they turned out to be.
Fred ™
February 19th, 2013
11:28 am
Thank you Keep. I’ll be here all week (maybe). Don’t forget to tip the wait staff………
Uh Huh.......The GOP are like angels dancing on the head of a pin
February 19th, 2013
11:28 am
@Christian Conservative
February 19th, 2013
11:01 am
Lets have an honest debate. If the sequester comes it will have absolutely no effect on me and my family. So that’s why I’m for it because we must stop spending money we don’t have….
Its amusing reading what those on the left think about Christ. I don’t think he taught us that the government should take care of us. The church and the people in it should take care of those in need. Its a fact that Christians give more to charity and volunteer more of their time than anyone else in this country yet you people on the left want to leave it to the government.. Its sad really….
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
HE TAUGHT US THIS:
Acts 20:35
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Proverbs 19:17
Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.
Matthew 25:35-40
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ …
Galatians 6:2
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Deuteronomy 15:11
For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’
Matthew 5:42
Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Proverbs 14:31
Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.
Jay
February 19th, 2013
11:28 am
Hey doofuss, then why did you sign the bill into law?
Because otherwise, the House Republicans would have refused to raise the debt limit, forcing a default and leading to massive economic disruption.
That is why.
Progressive, Liberal, Lefty
February 19th, 2013
11:29 am
“Christian-Conservative”=oxy moron.
This is all BS. Pure politics. There’s not a chance in hell that any of the obstructionists tea-publicans really give a damn about spending or taxes or anything else. This is an effort to denigrate the President. That’s what it is, that’s all it is. Same with the teabags who post on this blog. They’ll never convince me that their motives are anything less than unadulterated evil.
Tim
February 19th, 2013
11:29 am
as the republican conservatives go sailing off into the sunset the American people rejoice at their demise.Good riddance to the southern disease of intolerance and stupidity.This will be tough on a lot of folks but the republican will rejoice in their pain.After all thats what republican conservatives do is take pleasure in their hoards of gold despite the fact that they stole everything they have from poor people who do the real work..When you die can it come with you?Still come 2014 despite all the gerrymandering it will be a great day to see you and your ilk go down the crapper.There you can wrestle around with each other trying to find that last quarter.You will like that won’t you?
getalife
February 19th, 2013
11:29 am
Cue the gop are weak on national security ads.
GT
February 19th, 2013
11:30 am
Southerngent the Republicans always end in the same place no matter the movement of their lips. This is why you will soon not have a GOP any more. You can only live on lies so long. Is there one thing you think your party has done wrong? Maybe this is your biggest lie, you are never wrong in your own mind. I can tell you I don’t like our policy on Wall Street of letting big banks off the hook criminally and having a license to break the law. Now surely there is something you can find wrong with your party.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 19th, 2013
11:30 am
“But the idea that liberals give more is a myth. Of the top 25 states where people give an above-average percentage of their income, all but one (Maryland) were red — conservative — states in the last presidential election.”
“When you look at the data,” says Syracuse University professor Arthur Brooks, “it turns out the conservatives give about 30 percent more. And incidentally, conservative-headed families make slightly less money.”
http://townhall.com/columnists/johnstossel/2006/12/06/who_gives_to_charity/page/full/
barking frog
February 19th, 2013
11:30 am
Allowing tax deductions for religious contributions is
a violation of the separation of church and state as it
allows the IRS to regulate the involvement of churches
in politics.
Christian Conservative
February 19th, 2013
11:30 am
Peadawg
February 19th, 2013
11:08 am
“Its a fact that Christians give more to charity and volunteer more of their time than anyone else in this country”
I’m sure you have a link to back that up.
I’m sure you have a link to refute my claim.
Use logic man!!
Keyser Soze
February 19th, 2013
11:31 am
“To hoist the GOP by their own petard?”
“Becuase he thought that the Republicans were smarter than they turned out to be”
So, it’s the President’s job to try and embarrass and eliminate the opposing party? Awesome!!
Christian Conservative
February 19th, 2013
11:32 am
barking frog
Allowing tax deductions for religious contributions is
a violation of the separation of church and state as it
allows the IRS to regulate the involvement of churches
in politics.
You should take that up with your elected representatives if you don’t like it….
Gator Joe
February 19th, 2013
11:32 am
Jay:
The silver lining in this sequester cloud is that some of the pain will be experienced by Wall Street and Big Business (especially defense contractors). The loudest wails will come from these fat cats when the damage from the Republican scorched earth, no-compromise response to the sequester damages the economy.
Butch Cassidy (I)
February 19th, 2013
11:33 am
Christian Conservative – “I’m sure you have a link to refute my claim.
Use logic man!!”
Uhhhh…. you do realize that you made the claim. Therefore, it is your place to defend it. Or did you not learn that in your home schooling?
St Simons - he-ne-ha
February 19th, 2013
11:34 am
I have hurt the cons with accounting facts. It happens. A lot
Their fantasy world comes crashing down.
You should have seen the porn stash fund I had to report
at the First Church of the Jaysus Hypocrites.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 19th, 2013
11:34 am
“Christians and Conservatives Give More to Charity, ABC Says”
“People of faith give far more to charities than non-religious people, and conservatives give more to the poor than do liberals. That’s the finding of a study by author Arthur Brooks and the conclusion trumpeted by a John Stossel report on ABC 20/20 this week.”
http://therooftopblog.wordpress.com/2006/12/01/christians-and-conservatives-give-more-to-charity-abc-says/
Butch Cassidy (I)
February 19th, 2013
11:35 am
Keyser Soze – “So, it’s the President’s job to try and embarrass and eliminate the opposing party? Awesome!!”
Is this your first visit to the political arena skippy?
Jm
February 19th, 2013
11:36 am
“What happens to government services when we implement just a fraction of the massive spending cuts that the GOP is demanding? What happens to the economy when federal spending falls by a relatively minor $85 billion between March and the end of the fiscal year in October?”
“You’d be amazed by the amount of the government you wouldn’t miss.” – Mitch Daniels
Fred ™
February 19th, 2013
11:36 am
USinUK: Italian is better.
OK so I DO use the Greek stuff lol. I substituted ox dung because it’s funnier. Actually Greece’s main industry, shipping, outstrips it’s Olive oil exports I think. They have the largest merchant marine fleet in the world. But still to compare their weak ass economy to the US is ludicrous. They don’t even have 1/4 the economy of the State of California, much less the rest of the US. Hell they would rank 16th as a State in the US right behind that powerhouse state Maryland.
Yeah, let’s compare the US economy to Greece. It works if you are an IDIOT FOXBOT.
Christian Conservative
February 19th, 2013
11:36 am
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801:
Throwing facts at liberals is useless. It could be right in front of their face and they would still either not believe it or ignore it… They are a sad group of people…
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 19th, 2013
11:37 am
““Actually, the truth is that they’re giving to more than their churches,” he says.”
which makes me wonder what would happen if you took churches out of the equation.
DownInAlbany
February 19th, 2013
11:39 am
Jay
February 19th, 2013
11:28 am
Got a link for that? or are you just making stuff up?
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 19th, 2013
11:39 am
Fred – 11:36 – agree – Italian is better … at olive oil and many other things
Butch Cassidy (I)
February 19th, 2013
11:40 am
Christian Conservative – ” It could be right in front of their face and they would still either not believe it or ignore it… They are a sad group of people…”
I’d say that’s a harsh way to describe Fox News viewers.
Christian Conservative
February 19th, 2013
11:40 am
USinUK – former Girl Scout
““Actually, the truth is that they’re giving to more than their churches,” he says.”
which makes me wonder what would happen if you took churches out of the equation.
Actually the debate is Christians feel their money is put to use more wisely by giving to charity’s and churches instead of the government. Stay on task…
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 19th, 2013
11:40 am
Butch – 11:35 – I thought it was a perque, not a job description
barking frog
February 19th, 2013
11:41 am
Christian Conservative
You should take that up with your elected representatives if you don’t like it….
………………………………………………………………………….
I have but the stupid greedy church members want to give up their
freedom for a minor reduction in taxes. Go figure.
willie lynch
February 19th, 2013
11:41 am
I’ve been amazed all along at the ridiculous approach of the GOP concerning the economy from the very beginning. If you’re in a depressed economy how do you then proceed to cut services and in turn jobs? They have been obsessed with privatizing the government services (medicare, medicaid and SS) since “W” came into office and they still have the same short-sighted game plan .
Ryan has been debunked, yet they still hold him out as their great hope to craft legislation. Without increased spending otherwise known as the jobs bill, the country will continue to grow slowly and if we follow this foolishness the GOP is hanging their hat on we will sink back to 2008 all over again.
But in simpler terms why are we even listening to the losers?
Jefferson
February 19th, 2013
11:41 am
So who has gov’t spending hurt ?
Itchy Finger
February 19th, 2013
11:41 am
CC
USinUK – former Girl Scout
““Actually, the truth is that they’re giving to more than their churches,” he says.”
which makes me wonder what would happen if you took churches out of the equation.
Actually the debate is Christians feel their money is put to use more wisely by giving to charity’s and churches instead of the government. Stay on task…
Chasing rabbits… That’s just what they do….
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 19th, 2013
11:42 am
“Actually the debate is Christians feel their money is put to use more wisely by giving to charity’s and churches instead of the government. Stay on task…”
no – you were the one who stated that Christians were more charitable than liberals – stay on task, yourself, buddy.
Butch Cassidy (I)
February 19th, 2013
11:43 am
DowninAlbany – “Got a link for that? or are you just making stuff up?”
Whose sequester?
In the debate, Obama said he didn’t propose sequestration, Congress did. (We asked the White House for comment, but didn’t hear back.)
To determine the question of ownership, we turned to Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward’s new book The Price of Politics.
Woodward’s reporting shows clearly that defense sequestration was an idea that came out of Obama’s White House. But the intention was to force Republicans to negotiate, not to actually put the cuts into effect.
Woodward summarizes the thoughts of the Obama team: “There would be no chance the Republicans would want to pull the trigger and allow the sequester to force massive cuts to Defense.” Democrats, meanwhile, didn’t want to see their favorite domestic programs cut.
As the negotiations proceeded, Republicans seemed to think the same thing.
“Boehner told the House Republican leadership and other key members not to worry about the sequester … ‘Guys, this would be devastating to Defense,’ he said. ‘This would be devastating, from their perspective, on their domestic priorities. This is never going to happen,’” Woodward wrote.
Nonetheless, sequestration is now looming.
TaxPayer
February 19th, 2013
11:43 am
“Hey doofuss, then why did you sign the bill into law?”
Obama had heard that Jindal said that the GOP had to stop being the stupid party and so Obama just wanted to find out if the GOP listened to Jindal. Apparently not.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 19th, 2013
11:43 am
“Actually the debate is Christians feel their money is put to use more wisely by giving to charity’s and churches instead of the government. Stay on task…”
And a lot of money that goes to churches is done simply to funnel it out from there to charities chosen by the church.
That’s what ours does ……… and makes sure our money is VERY wisely spent as opposed to throwing it down the government trough with all of the overhead, waste, fraud and abuse !!!
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 19th, 2013
11:44 am
Are you libs. still ignoring those studies I posted ??
Uh Huh.......The GOP are like angels dancing on the head of a pin
February 19th, 2013
11:44 am
@Christian Conservative
February 19th, 2013
11:01 am
Its amusing reading what those on the left think about Christ. I don’t think he taught us that the government should take care of us. The church and the people in it should take care of those in need. Its a fact that Christians give more to charity and volunteer more of their time than anyone else in this country yet you people on the left want to leave it to the government.. Its sad really….
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Giving differences (to charities) do not disappear when income is neutralized.
Furthermore, research on philanthropy has consistently shown that the POOR tend to give more frequently — and a higher percentage of their incomes — than the MIDDLE CLASS.
For example, economist Charles Clotfelter and others have shown that the poor tend to give a proportion of their income to charity that is comparable to the giving proportion of the very wealthy — and nearly twice that of the middle class. This seems to be true only for the working poor.
Uh Huh
getalife
February 19th, 2013
11:45 am
I think the turtle will cut a deal again.
Oscar
February 19th, 2013
11:45 am
Sequester – Odd name for a spending cut. Sounds very official. And clinical. Something no one could be blamed for. It’s not a cut, it’s a sequester.
curious
February 19th, 2013
11:46 am
This reminds me of the rich making a big production of how much they put in the collection plate and how little the poor put in.
Based on several posts, we can now substitute conservative for rich and liberal for poor.
F. Sinkwich
February 19th, 2013
11:47 am
“Because otherwise, the House Republicans would have refused to raise the debt limit, forcing a default and leading to massive economic disruption.”
Poor widdle Barry. Those meanies made him do it…
Christian Conservative
February 19th, 2013
11:49 am
USinUK – former Girl Scout
February 19th, 2013
11:42 am
“Actually the debate is Christians feel their money is put to use more wisely by giving to charity’s and churches instead of the government. Stay on task…”
no – you were the one who stated that Christians were more charitable than liberals – stay on task, yourself, buddy.
I stated an obvious fact when called on it… And. I’m not your buddy….
Fred ™
February 19th, 2013
11:49 am
USinUK: Off topic briefly: What brand of olive oil do you use? i’ll bet you have access to more than we do here. My Greek neighbor turned me on to a great one. I can’t remember the name lol, and I threw away the container, but he said it’s the best he’s had since he left Greece where they pressed their own. Before tasting his, I never knew it had flavor. I had only had the cheap crappy super market kind. Now I’ve become a bit of a snob about it. I use it in everything, as you put it, I put in a few good glugs………
When I find the brand I’ll let you know.
Oscar
February 19th, 2013
11:49 am
Across the board cuts are always a bad idea. Some progams need cutting more than others. Some need increasing. People should be willing to sit down and make those decisions. That is what they are electted to do.
Mke cuts, but make them where they should be made.
barking frog
February 19th, 2013
11:50 am
0311
That’s what ours does ……… and makes sure our money is VERY wisely spent as opposed to throwing it down the government trough with all of the overhead, waste, fraud and abuse !!!
……………………………………………………………………………………………..
and for that you give up the ability of your Church to participate as
an organization in politics which is unlimited for all for profit
corporate bodies.
Doggone/GA
February 19th, 2013
11:50 am
“” Its a fact that Christians give more to charity and volunteer more of their time than anyone else in this country”
And that has NOTHING whatsoever to do with the fact that Christians FAR outnumber any other religious, or non-religious group.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
February 19th, 2013
11:51 am
Are you libs. [sic] still ignoring those studies I posted ??
You cut and pasted some nonsense. How surprising.
But yes, we ignore them for the most part. See Box 26. 
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 19th, 2013
11:51 am
“DowninAlbany”
totally off-topic, but every time I read this handle as “Downton Albany” … which means I hear his posts in a Mr Carson voice
Paul
February 19th, 2013
11:51 am
I stopped skimming, was looking for an explanation of
Spkr Boehner says ‘no compromise.’
Other Republicans say “President’s proposals are dead on arrival.’
Sequester comes up.
Republicans say “But the President SUGGESTED it… we HAD to adopt it….. it’s HIS fault!”
Do I have that right?
getalife
February 19th, 2013
11:51 am
“USinUK: Italian is better. ”
Sicilians are better.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 19th, 2013
11:52 am
“and for that you give up the ability of your Church to participate as
an organization in politics which is unlimited for all for profit
corporate bodies.”
Nope. Right now many churches are trying to get a court case going on just that subject and the IRS/government is looking the other way because they know they will probably lose.
Even the pulpit has “free speech” !!!
alex
February 19th, 2013
11:52 am
I think cuts in defense should be part of the discussion, along with SS, Medicare, etc. The economist has suggested eliminating the interest deduction of home mortgages and of course stopping company and personal tax dodging….
Peadawg
February 19th, 2013
11:53 am
“I’m sure you have a link to refute my claim.”
That’s not how it works on here. YOU make a claim YOU back it up.
getalife
February 19th, 2013
11:53 am
Paul,
Nailed it.
I think the turtle will cut another deal on this and the debt limit.
Looney Bin
February 19th, 2013
11:53 am
So funny – “King”, “Emperor”, “Exalted One”, “Chosen One”…all phrases applied to our President by our Righty leaning posters here.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 19th, 2013
11:53 am
Christian Conservative :
Isn’t it halarious (sad really) that your liberal accusers on here have gone silent after I posted those studies (especially the one by ABC) on your behalf ?
Butch Cassidy (I)
February 19th, 2013
11:54 am
F. Sinkwich – “Poor widdle Barry. Those meanies made him do it…”
Poor widdle Republicans, mean old Barry made them agree to it.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 19th, 2013
11:54 am
Ignorance in face of the bold truth is no excuse !
Uh Huh.......The GOP are like angels dancing on the head of a pin
February 19th, 2013
11:54 am
@0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 19th, 2013
11:43 am
“Actually the debate is Christians feel their money is put to use more wisely by giving to charity’s and churches instead of the government. Stay on task…”
And a lot of money that goes to churches is done simply to funnel it out from there to charities chosen by the church.
That’s what ours does ……… and makes sure our money is VERY wisely spent as opposed to throwing it down the government trough with all of the overhead, waste, fraud and abuse !!!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
“That’s what ours does ……… and makes sure our money is VERY wisely spent as opposed to throwing it down the government trough with all of the overhead, waste, fraud and abuse !!!”
Religious Financial Fraud
The $34 Billion Scandal
The International Bulletin of Missionary Research reported that Christian religious leaders will commit an estimated $34 billion in financial fraud.
Researchers from the Center for the Study of Global Christianity estimate that Christian religious leaders will commit $90 million in financial crimes daily and the fraud is growing at a rate of 5.97% each year.
If the researchers are correct, religious financial fraud among Christians will almost double in 14 years to $60 billion annually by 2025.
Dr. David Barrett, the first editor of the World Christian Encyclopedia and a researcher for the Center, has been studying religious financial fraud for more than 20 years. According to Dr. Todd Johnson, the Center’s director, these statistics were the result of Barrett “developing a balance sheet for global Christianity.” Barrett was “trying to understand the totality of Christian finance.”
Uh Huh
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 19th, 2013
11:54 am
“I stated an obvious fact when called on it… And. I’m not your buddy….”
awwwwwww … diddums … why so tense?
barking frog
February 19th, 2013
11:55 am
Has anyone else noticed that Windows 8 is the worst piece
of crap foisted on the computer scene ever, especially the
39.95 upgrade that totally blows Windows 7 ?
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 19th, 2013
11:55 am
“Kim Jung Un had NO military experience whatsoever before Daddy made him a four-star general. This snot-nosed twerp had never accomplished anything in his life that would even come close to military leadership. He hadn’t even so much as led a Cub Scout troop, coached a sports team, or commanded a military platoon. So he is made the “Beloved Leader” of North Korea . Terrific!
Oh crap! I’m sorry. I just remembered that we did the same thing. ‘We’ took an arrogant community organizer, who had never worn a uniform, and made him Commander-in-Chief. A guy, who had never had a real job, worked on a budget, or led anything more than an ACORN demonstration, and we made him President of the United States – - – - TWICE !!!”
Paul
February 19th, 2013
11:57 am
0311
““When you look at the data,” says Syracuse University professor Arthur Brooks, “it turns out the conservatives give about 30 percent more. And incidentally, conservative-headed families make slightly less money.””
True enough. But it doesn’t answer ‘why.’ According to Prof Brooks, it comes down to what route people think is appropriate to enact charitable goals. Conservatives tend to view it as nonstate routes – such as a church. Liberals tend to view it as governmental – meaning, all of us in the country working together.
So when calls come for tax increases for social programs, liberals will often say ’sure, that’s how it’s done’ and conservatives scream bloody murder because they think charitable goals is an inappropriate use of government.
Butch Cassidy (I)
February 19th, 2013
11:57 am
UsinUK – former Girl Scout – “awwwwwww … diddums … why so tense?”
He goes by Conservative Christian and you wonder why he’s so tense? Geez, I’m actually amazed that peoole like CC can actually talk without having to poop because their heads are shoved so far up their A**
barking frog
February 19th, 2013
11:58 am
0311
Even the pulpit has “free speech” !!!
…………………………………………….
Not unless it gives up its tax exempt status, thus the
lawsuit to try to have its cake and eat it too.
That Black Guy
February 19th, 2013
11:58 am
Steve
February 19th, 2013
9:47 am
Americans are not going to blame Obama for this, let’s be clear. The GOP controlled House is going to be blamed. – This is part of the problem. The politicians spend more time trying to make sure the “other” party gets the “blame” vs ACTUALLY solving problems.
Americans aren’t as stupid as some of the Confederates in here. – Who are “the Confederates”?
Peadawg
February 19th, 2013
11:59 am
Hey CC, it’s sad that 0311/8541/5811/1811/1801 had to do your work for you and provide a link. Lazy.
Butch Cassidy (I)
February 19th, 2013
11:59 am
0311…… – “Oh crap! I’m sorry. I just remembered that we did the same thing. ‘We’ took an arrogant community organizer, who had never worn a uniform, and made him Commander-in-Chief. A guy, who had never had a real job, worked on a budget, or led anything more than an ACORN demonstration, and we made him President of the United States – – – – TWICE !!!””
So are you mad that Obama is still President, or that he didn’t get the job because of his daddy? Because, afterall, who wants a President that got into office because of his daddy? Oh wait….
Christian Conservative
February 19th, 2013
12:00 pm
Peadawg
“I’m sure you have a link to refute my claim.”
That’s not how it works on here. YOU make a claim YOU back it up.
I did… You may want to scroll back up and educate yourself…
getalife
February 19th, 2013
12:00 pm
scout,
Try posting something credible and folks might respond.
Good luck with that.
Thomas
February 19th, 2013
12:00 pm
Persons in poverty under current administration up 6.4 million.
Folks in poverty have much higher mortality (as many folks die of poverty each year as they do lung cancer)
Simple thoughts for simple blog writers and followers. Folks really loved Bush and similar simple folks really love Obama.
Madmax
February 19th, 2013
12:01 pm
Let’s see Jay – It was Obama’s idea, the majority of Democrats in both housess voted for it and Obama signed it into law and yet in the liberal fantasy worl, it’s the Republicans fault. Only in America – brought to you by the party of malaise and Jimmy Carter. If Obama thought it was a bad idea then, why did he sign it (hint – he was playing politics).
Keep Up the Good Fight!
February 19th, 2013
12:01 pm
uh oh…Senior Digits is checking his daily spam. Now comes the barrage of cut and paste.
Peadawg
February 19th, 2013
12:01 pm
“I did… You may want to scroll back up and educate yourself…”
No, 0311/8541/5811/1811/1801 posted it.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 19th, 2013
12:03 pm
Uh Huh…….The GOP are like angels dancing on the head of a pin :
I hear you and that’s why we are VERY selective in who we support and what we do.
Compared to the government and other charities fraud it’s a drop in the bucket !
barking frog
February 19th, 2013
12:03 pm
It amazes me that no one accepts G.W. Bush at his
word that he attacked Saddam Hussein because
“He tried to kill my Daddy”.
getalife
February 19th, 2013
12:03 pm
frog,
I heard it sux.
Windows 7 is good though.
curious
February 19th, 2013
12:04 pm
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
“Oh crap! I’m sorry. I just remembered that we did the same thing. ‘We’ took an arrogant community organizer, who had never worn a uniform, and made him Commander-in-Chief. A guy, who had never had a real job, worked on a budget, or led anything more than an ACORN demonstration, and we made him President of the United States – – – – TWICE !!!””
We would have voted for you, if you had run for President!
You’re the reason Obama got elected.
USinUK - former Girl Scout
February 19th, 2013
12:05 pm
“Has anyone else noticed that Windows 8 is the worst piece
of crap foisted on the computer scene ever, especially the
39.95 upgrade that totally blows Windows 7 ?”
I dunno, what Vista did to excel should be classified as a war crime …
комиссар (Occupation)
February 19th, 2013
12:05 pm
Jm: “You’d be amazed by the amount of the government you wouldn’t miss.” – Mitch Daniels
Which, translated, really means:
“You’d be amazed by the amount of the government you wouldn’t miss, if you’re a hedge fund manager, or other expert rider of the government-lobbying revolving door, like me” – Mitch Daniels.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 19th, 2013
12:05 pm
barking frog:
“Not unless it gives up its tax exempt status, thus the
lawsuit to try to have its cake and eat it too.”
Exactly ………. and they would probably win ! That’s why the IRS is choosing NOT to try to enforce “their” rules.
Jefferson
February 19th, 2013
12:05 pm
Someone is about stupid to compare any president of the US to the dictator of n korea. They are just throw in chit balls into the fan and likes the smell of chit.
Obama to Turn Up Pressure for Deal on Budget Cuts – New York Times | Android Tablets
February 19th, 2013
12:06 pm
[...] press for stopgap sequester fixWashington PostObama agenda: Sequester crunch timeNBCNews.com (blog)Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -ABC News (blog) -Los Angeles Timesall 135 news [...]
Uh Huh.......The GOP are like angels dancing on the head of a pin
February 19th, 2013
12:06 pm
@0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 19th, 2013
11:53 am
Christian Conservative :
Isn’t it halarious (sad really) that your liberal accusers on here have gone silent after I posted those studies (especially the one by ABC) on your behalf ?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
SILENT?
Matthew 6:1-34
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others.
Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. …
Uh Huh
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 19th, 2013
12:06 pm
Paul:
Fair enough.
But the bottom line is Conservatives and Christians give more than liberals and athiests.
Christian Conservative
February 19th, 2013
12:06 pm
Peadawg
Hey CC, it’s sad that 0311/8541/5811/1811/1801 had to do your work for you and provide a link. Lazy.
Christian Conservative
February 19th, 2013
11:09 am
http://philanthropy.com/article/FaithGiving/133611/
Try and keep up….
barking frog
February 19th, 2013
12:07 pm
getalife
Windows 7 is good until you apply the Widows 8
upgrade then not so much and no way to go back
within my limited knowledge.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 19th, 2013
12:07 pm
Jefferson:
Ever hear of hyperbole? Satire? Even comedy?
Check out Luckovich in the AJC …………. he does it all the time but I’m betting you don’t have a problem with it as long as a liberal does it.
Translation:
Hypocrisy !
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 19th, 2013
12:09 pm
Uh Huh…….The GOP are like angels dancing on the head of a pin :
Thank you. Good verses !!!
By the way ………. you don’t know who I am or how much I give.
Only God does.
P.S.
Do you believe the miracles that Jesus did in feeding the thousands from just mere small baskets of food ?
That Black Guy
February 19th, 2013
12:10 pm
Steve
February 19th, 2013
9:56 am
As soon as someone blames gas prices on Obama you immediately know that they probably never made it past sophomore year in a rural high school.
_____________________________________________________
Did you say that when Bush was blamed for high gas prices by democrats?
http://www.democrats.com/gas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9Oek6ZboAI
Christian Conservative
February 19th, 2013
12:10 pm
Butch Cassidy (I)
He goes by Conservative Christian and you wonder why he’s so tense? Geez, I’m actually amazed that peoole like CC can actually talk without having to poop because their heads are shoved so far up their A**
Thanks for joining the debate and pointing out your well below average intelligence…
Dekalb comments
February 19th, 2013
12:10 pm
The sad thing is we continue to play the “blame game”.
At my company when I joined a cross-functional team that was consistently missing deadlines and objectives, I observed the “blame game”. It was always some other department’s fault. I changed that by establishing clearly-defined responsibilities and requiring commitments of them. We learned to focus on the objective and to compromise. Since then we have improved overall performance by over 80%.
The analogy to politics isn’t 1:1 but is appropriate. Regardless of who did what, we are in a situation in which significant automatic cuts will take place in less than 2 weeks. Most economists agree these cuts would wreak havoc on a fragile economy and possibly send us back into recession.
So what do we do? We have one side that believes only in cuts (without being willing to plug revenue holes such as subsidies to enormously profitable industries such as oil and gas) or consider other ways to increase revenue, the other side believes we can make targeted cuts to defense, etc. but wants to preserve social programs while increasing revenues.
Neither of these positions, by themselves, are viable. We need to begin to carefully draw down the deficit and that is going to require not only reductions in expenditures with EVERYTHING except Medicare and Social Security on the line as well as raise revenues through (a) growing the economy (and no that is not achieved by cutting taxes on corporations and the wealthy – that is well documented), (b) plug loopholes and eliminate tax giveaways to those that no longer need them and (c) selectively INCREASE taxes in a number of areas.
We will never cut our way out of the deficit. Look at what austerity has done to Europe. It has driven them into recession. What does that mean? More unemployment, fewer people paying taxes, etc. This is a downward death spiral.
Any attempt to “right the boat” must include a combination of smart, targeted cuts to expenditure as well as smartly increasing revenues through elimination of wasteful subsidies and loopholes and selectively increasing taxes.
We were in a surplus when Clinton left office. Bush and his two unfunded wars, unfunded senior RX plan and unfunded tax cuts that disproportionately benefitted the wealthy, reversed that historic trend.
getalife
February 19th, 2013
12:10 pm
frog,
You might have to wipe out your hard drive and install 7.
Vista sux too.
I still run XP until they stop doing updates.
barking frog
February 19th, 2013
12:11 pm
USinUK
I dunno, what Vista did to excel should be classified as a war crime …
I thought Vista was the worst they could do but they have surpassed
themselves with windows 8.
Itchy Finger
February 19th, 2013
12:12 pm
That Black Guy:
You better get back on the plantation!!!
F. Sinkwich
February 19th, 2013
12:12 pm
Even with the sequester government spending will increase, so no credence can be given to the Chicken Littles like the MSM and O’bozo.
And if Mr. Save-the-Planet has a problem with it, where is his proposal?