Sen. Rand Paul (R., Ky.) tells National Review Online that he supports the 59 House Republicans who broke with leadership and opposed the Boehner-White House spending deal this afternoon. “Are we really cutting anything? What have we cut?” he asks. “The people back home want to know whether we are spending more money this year than last year. I try to look at it in those terms. And I think the people are with us.”
Paul took to the Senate floor earlier today to chastise both parties for how they handled the CR. “The budget bill that we’re talking about has now been scored by the CBO, and it will cut almost nothing, maybe a couple hundred million dollars,” he observed. “It will increase defense spending by $8 billion and it will cut spending by $8 billion. The net is about zero.”
“Our deficit this year will be bigger than last year. Our overall spending will be bigger this year than last year,” he continued. “We are not yet serious in Washington. We have not yet here recognized the severity, the enormity and the significance of how big this deficit is.”
While the sentiment is there, I can't help recall what I learned in business, "You can't boil the ocean."
Lasting change is incremental.
It requires perseverance and accepting little wins. You keep building on the little wins; you build momentum and with that momentum you can do more and more until such time that your opponents can't hold back the wave.
Nickles and dimes add up quicker than you think.
We need to persevere and keep chipping away and not grow bitter and disillusioned because we don't get everything we want right now. To do so would make us more like childish liberals who over play their hand at every opportunity.
Another saying to keep in mind, "Slow and steady wins the race."
Paul hits the nail on the head. The WAPO ran a picture yesterday of Boehner and Reid standing together with big smiles on their faces for the "insider" deal they just put over on the American public. Boehner should step down since he's not up to the job. Better luck to him in his next round of golf.
So I guess we are supposed to give up on the GOP, right ? I mean thats what I'm reading here at NRO. They can't get the job done.
Guess what, we don't have an election for almost 2 years and 2 more annual budgets will be fought over by then.
What do you suggest ?
Replace Boehner ? Ok, with who and please explain how that person will be able to "negotiate" a better deal.
I assume you want someone with "backbone" as you would describe it. Maybe someone like Custer. He had plenty of backbone and he got his men slaughtered at Little Big Horn so maybe he's not such a good example.
So in a couple on months when the 2012 budget debate heats up who are you going to root for ? I'm guessing not Obama, which means you will be rooting for the B-Man ... but only on your terms I assume ... he's already got to fight with Reid and Obama so I guess forcing him to fight with you is fine ...
Doesn't work that way ... he's what you've got and none of this carping will actually help him get a better deal the next time, none of it ...
As the other Donald would say, you fight the war with the army you've got ...
>"Replace Boehner ? Ok, with who and please explain how that person will be able to "negotiate" a better deal."
Someone with some freaking cajones for once, like Michele Bachmann. No, I'm not kidding. Cryin' John Fakenbake is part of the problem. He and Obama can go smoke and golf together. Heck, the only way you can tell them apart is Cryin' John is the darker one!
The GOP hasn't been taken over by conservatives, when that's been effectively completed then you'll see change. We got our work cut out in the Republican party and that comes first.
DorsaiGuy, the (R) party got whatever sliver of backbone they have now because the citizenry was fed up with them. We created them, they didn't create us. That's how it works. You can sit there and acquiesce all day long and give the (R) leadership high fives and say, "thank you sir, may I have another?" and all you're gonna get is a time machine to 2008. The only way to change Washington is to apply high pressure, and you are allowed to apply it more than every two years.
I don't know how many military officers there have been in this country's history, but I am going to go out on a limb and say that Custer wasn't the only one. Your all or nothing view on the world does not apply to most (R) critics, and if you think things in DC will change by magic or infelicitous cheerleading or whatever you think it is, then you are, with all due respect, nuts.
I HAVE given up on the GOP. From getting elected on the promise to cut $100B, then "pro-rating" to $61B, then all the Sturm & Drang, down to the dramatic "last minute" with what turned out to be a done deal all along with $500M!!! I'd say we were used and abused.
Then, in the ultimate betrayal, Rush ended today's show with a TV interview clip of Turbo Tax Timmy being asked how likely the debt extension vote will be to pass. Timmy said both party's leadership has assured him a "yes" vote.
Gee, it's almost as if everything has been ironed out well in advance. The clock is ticking, and these TRAITORS are doing what they do best: enriching themselves on the backs of the trusting producers who elected them. There's a special ring of hell reserved for this scum.
Concerning the deal cut to fund FY2011, I keep thinking about two recent gaffes -- you know, in Swamp-speak a "gaffe" occurs when a politico is caught unintentionally telling the truth. New York's Sen. Schumer was caught with his mic open, stating that the Democrat Caucus had instructed him to call the Tea Party and Republicans aligned with the Tea Party "extreme." Former Senate GOP Leader Trent Lott, now a lobbyist, was caught much earlier discussing how the Tea Party-elected Members of Congress needed to be co-opted. How are these not pressures from different angles pushing toward the same objective? And isn't Rand Paul really right, that very few on Capitol Hill are acting on the belief that business as usual cannot continue? But too many are hirelings of business as usual. The Chamber of Commerce was lobbying Republicans hard to stave off the so-called "government shutdown," and will similarly be lobbying hard for raising the debt limit. Why? Well, actually getting serious about limiting government overspending means that big government-big business partnerships won't be funded. So taxpayers have to keep having their pockets looted, because in such a fragile economy we can't stop the government contracts to big business cronies, can we? Such a risk to all those "too big" organizations! I am more than disappointed with our purported "representatives."
Rand Paul has been consistent in his tone, message, and conviction since day one and has had it all right all along. He has not said or done a single thing I have not agreed with him on because he gets it and is a serious individual taking the serious issues we face at the level of immediacy they deserve.
Obama, Reid and Boehner accomplished zero, literally zero with the 2011 spendfest other than insuring crushing debt and deficits continue.
He has been growing on me for some time now. I keep looking for the inevitable fault and, frankly, I'm stunned to find that he hasn't yet revealed one.
DorsaiGuy, the ineptness of your historical example is actually fitting. Gen. Custer didn't get his men slaughter because he had too much backbone, but because he was strategically incompetent. It's pretty hard for the US Army to lose a major battle against people who are barely even equipped, but he managed to pull it off, and it wasn't because his backbone was too big, but rather that his brain was too small.
Apply this to Boehner's deal how you will. Just remember, the United States was losing the Civil War until Lincoln found Grant, a man who would actually fight. If he had him from the start, the war probably would have been much shorter and less bloody.
I don't think any of this means that the GOP should have shut down the government, but I think it's funny how your own historical example completely contradicts your point.
All those smart people out there who pride themselves on being able to handle endless detail, are always the ones who get bogged down in that detail to the point where the old saw about forest for the trees applies. I've seen it a thousand times in the engineering world... such people are considered to be 'brilliant', and they are indispensable for getting the job done, but they are never, never the ones who can strategize, who can ultimately lead in a new direction. What kind of man is Boehner? A leader? A new-direction man? A policy wonk? A competent but unimaginative guardian of business-as-usual who depends on detail-men for the hard work, while meanwhile believing he can take us to the promised land? We can all pretend to be serious, reasonable adults while playing childish wait-and-see games, but please let's be honest here, folks, all of this is not going very well, is it? Rand Paul is a leader, and those who think they are so much more brilliant would be well-advised to step back and contemplate in what part of the forest they are currently lost.
The little phrase I had to key in in order to post here said: "you're not listening". How perfect is that? Washington, D.C. is not listening to the American people. I'm not sure what it will take to get them to do so. The president is in some fantasy land where he thinks he's king and we're all his subjects. He can lecture Paul Ryan whom he invited to hear his speech the other day. That speaks volumes to me of how this president sees his role and how he continues to treat those who disagree with him. Bless legislators like Rand Paul, who not only listens to the American people, but believes in them, respects them and knows how correct they are. Stop spending our country into oblivion. Stop making deals that basically screw us out here. Start listening and getting serious about the mess we're in. Come on, 2012, it's time for a clean sweep.
Keep coming back to the voters being Charlies Brown and GOP pols being Lucy Van Pelt yanking the football away at the last minute.
To follow up RL-Grant and Sherman were viewed by many contemporaries by many as butchers. It's not to say they were heartless, but they knew as Sherman said that war is hell(as opposed to limited kinetic whatever.)A fight requires a fighter. And based on this week too many GOPers drink the DC water and decide let's split the difference,call it a day and hoodwink the voters yet again with dishonesty about their supposed belief in limited conservative governance.
Paul may be that man. Amd I mean the son, not the dad.
Dislike his hair, love what he said.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhile the sentiment is there, I can't help recall what I learned in business, "You can't boil the ocean."
Lasting change is incremental.
It requires perseverance and accepting little wins. You keep building on the little wins; you build momentum and with that momentum you can do more and more until such time that your opponents can't hold back the wave.
Nickles and dimes add up quicker than you think.
We need to persevere and keep chipping away and not grow bitter and disillusioned because we don't get everything we want right now. To do so would make us more like childish liberals who over play their hand at every opportunity.
Another saying to keep in mind, "Slow and steady wins the race."
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWish we had more people with guts in DC.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbusePaul hits the nail on the head. The WAPO ran a picture yesterday of Boehner and Reid standing together with big smiles on their faces for the "insider" deal they just put over on the American public. Boehner should step down since he's not up to the job. Better luck to him in his next round of golf.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSo I guess we are supposed to give up on the GOP, right ? I mean thats what I'm reading here at NRO. They can't get the job done.
Guess what, we don't have an election for almost 2 years and 2 more annual budgets will be fought over by then.
What do you suggest ?
Replace Boehner ? Ok, with who and please explain how that person will be able to "negotiate" a better deal.
I assume you want someone with "backbone" as you would describe it. Maybe someone like Custer. He had plenty of backbone and he got his men slaughtered at Little Big Horn so maybe he's not such a good example.
So in a couple on months when the 2012 budget debate heats up who are you going to root for ? I'm guessing not Obama, which means you will be rooting for the B-Man ... but only on your terms I assume ... he's already got to fight with Reid and Obama so I guess forcing him to fight with you is fine ...
Doesn't work that way ... he's what you've got and none of this carping will actually help him get a better deal the next time, none of it ...
As the other Donald would say, you fight the war with the army you've got ...
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse>"Replace Boehner ? Ok, with who and please explain how that person will be able to "negotiate" a better deal."
Someone with some freaking cajones for once, like Michele Bachmann. No, I'm not kidding. Cryin' John Fakenbake is part of the problem. He and Obama can go smoke and golf together. Heck, the only way you can tell them apart is Cryin' John is the darker one!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe GOP hasn't been taken over by conservatives, when that's been effectively completed then you'll see change. We got our work cut out in the Republican party and that comes first.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDorsaiGuy, the (R) party got whatever sliver of backbone they have now because the citizenry was fed up with them. We created them, they didn't create us. That's how it works. You can sit there and acquiesce all day long and give the (R) leadership high fives and say, "thank you sir, may I have another?" and all you're gonna get is a time machine to 2008. The only way to change Washington is to apply high pressure, and you are allowed to apply it more than every two years.
I don't know how many military officers there have been in this country's history, but I am going to go out on a limb and say that Custer wasn't the only one. Your all or nothing view on the world does not apply to most (R) critics, and if you think things in DC will change by magic or infelicitous cheerleading or whatever you think it is, then you are, with all due respect, nuts.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI HAVE given up on the GOP. From getting elected on the promise to cut $100B, then "pro-rating" to $61B, then all the Sturm & Drang, down to the dramatic "last minute" with what turned out to be a done deal all along with $500M!!! I'd say we were used and abused.
Then, in the ultimate betrayal, Rush ended today's show with a TV interview clip of Turbo Tax Timmy being asked how likely the debt extension vote will be to pass. Timmy said both party's leadership has assured him a "yes" vote.
Gee, it's almost as if everything has been ironed out well in advance. The clock is ticking, and these TRAITORS are doing what they do best: enriching themselves on the backs of the trusting producers who elected them. There's a special ring of hell reserved for this scum.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHe is tremendous.
And according to the National Review, Rand Paul is a "problem".
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseConcerning the deal cut to fund FY2011, I keep thinking about two recent gaffes -- you know, in Swamp-speak a "gaffe" occurs when a politico is caught unintentionally telling the truth. New York's Sen. Schumer was caught with his mic open, stating that the Democrat Caucus had instructed him to call the Tea Party and Republicans aligned with the Tea Party "extreme." Former Senate GOP Leader Trent Lott, now a lobbyist, was caught much earlier discussing how the Tea Party-elected Members of Congress needed to be co-opted. How are these not pressures from different angles pushing toward the same objective? And isn't Rand Paul really right, that very few on Capitol Hill are acting on the belief that business as usual cannot continue? But too many are hirelings of business as usual. The Chamber of Commerce was lobbying Republicans hard to stave off the so-called "government shutdown," and will similarly be lobbying hard for raising the debt limit. Why? Well, actually getting serious about limiting government overspending means that big government-big business partnerships won't be funded. So taxpayers have to keep having their pockets looted, because in such a fragile economy we can't stop the government contracts to big business cronies, can we? Such a risk to all those "too big" organizations! I am more than disappointed with our purported "representatives."
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDorsai Guy - How much does it pay to be a tool?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseRand Paul has been consistent in his tone, message, and conviction since day one and has had it all right all along. He has not said or done a single thing I have not agreed with him on because he gets it and is a serious individual taking the serious issues we face at the level of immediacy they deserve.
Obama, Reid and Boehner accomplished zero, literally zero with the 2011 spendfest other than insuring crushing debt and deficits continue.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHe has been growing on me for some time now. I keep looking for the inevitable fault and, frankly, I'm stunned to find that he hasn't yet revealed one.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDorsaiGuy, the ineptness of your historical example is actually fitting. Gen. Custer didn't get his men slaughter because he had too much backbone, but because he was strategically incompetent. It's pretty hard for the US Army to lose a major battle against people who are barely even equipped, but he managed to pull it off, and it wasn't because his backbone was too big, but rather that his brain was too small.
Apply this to Boehner's deal how you will. Just remember, the United States was losing the Civil War until Lincoln found Grant, a man who would actually fight. If he had him from the start, the war probably would have been much shorter and less bloody.
I don't think any of this means that the GOP should have shut down the government, but I think it's funny how your own historical example completely contradicts your point.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAll those smart people out there who pride themselves on being able to handle endless detail, are always the ones who get bogged down in that detail to the point where the old saw about forest for the trees applies. I've seen it a thousand times in the engineering world... such people are considered to be 'brilliant', and they are indispensable for getting the job done, but they are never, never the ones who can strategize, who can ultimately lead in a new direction. What kind of man is Boehner? A leader? A new-direction man? A policy wonk? A competent but unimaginative guardian of business-as-usual who depends on detail-men for the hard work, while meanwhile believing he can take us to the promised land? We can all pretend to be serious, reasonable adults while playing childish wait-and-see games, but please let's be honest here, folks, all of this is not going very well, is it? Rand Paul is a leader, and those who think they are so much more brilliant would be well-advised to step back and contemplate in what part of the forest they are currently lost.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe little phrase I had to key in in order to post here said: "you're not listening". How perfect is that? Washington, D.C. is not listening to the American people. I'm not sure what it will take to get them to do so. The president is in some fantasy land where he thinks he's king and we're all his subjects. He can lecture Paul Ryan whom he invited to hear his speech the other day. That speaks volumes to me of how this president sees his role and how he continues to treat those who disagree with him. Bless legislators like Rand Paul, who not only listens to the American people, but believes in them, respects them and knows how correct they are. Stop spending our country into oblivion. Stop making deals that basically screw us out here. Start listening and getting serious about the mess we're in. Come on, 2012, it's time for a clean sweep.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseKeep coming back to the voters being Charlies Brown and GOP pols being Lucy Van Pelt yanking the football away at the last minute.
To follow up RL-Grant and Sherman were viewed by many contemporaries by many as butchers. It's not to say they were heartless, but they knew as Sherman said that war is hell(as opposed to limited kinetic whatever.)A fight requires a fighter. And based on this week too many GOPers drink the DC water and decide let's split the difference,call it a day and hoodwink the voters yet again with dishonesty about their supposed belief in limited conservative governance.
Paul may be that man. Amd I mean the son, not the dad.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse