Why do the fiscal conservatives

[ugonow]

that were calling for an end to loopholes and subsidies because "we can't afford them" now think we can? Do they think spending cuts can make up the difference and then we can afford them?

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

The Democrats pulled a similar maneuver during Ronald Reagan’s presidency, a deal that promised 2-to-1 spending cuts in exchange for tax increases. Taxes went up, but the cuts never came. They did it again in 1990, promising much the same deal, and delivering only on their tax increases.

[ugonow]

Taxes went up, but the cuts never came.

Yes there were cuts to some programs, but the increased military spending way overshadowed them.....Reagan not only closed many loopholes,erased many deductions,etc, he raised coporate rates, and the world did not come to an end.

[Deleted]

that were calling for an end to loopholes and subsidies because "we can't afford them" now think we can? Do they think spending cuts can make up the difference and then we can afford them?

My guess would be those loopholes aren't so important once they come to be looked at by the public (who more than likely will yell like hell about them). My 2nd guess is that the Republicans will get aggressive on cutting those "special interest" type tax items & start cutting the ones started by the Democrats. Both parties (behind closed doors) will squeal like stuck pigs while this is going on. Congress will end up passing them again when nobody is looking in a few years. Business as usual.

[Opti]

Oldtex, I saw in an article in the New York Times we are still funding with federal dollars rarely used airports, peanuts, and other stuff which apparently is pork supported by both sides of the aisle.

I'll be happy when the day comes that regular people can overturn their bought for rep's vote and get rid of things like these. Hopefully they are small in the scheme of things but I'd rather see this money going to
SS or something more useful to the majority of the people.

[Deleted]

Oldtex, I saw in an article in the New York Times we are still funding with federal dollars rarely used airports, peanuts, and other stuff which apparently is pork supported by both sides of the aisle.

Optimist sure we are. What's more, those items are good compared to a lot of other stuff our government funds. They fund studies all the time where the outcome isn't important to anyone no matter what shows up. The peanut thing was from WWII when we needed them for something dealing with the war effort (as I remember). The important thing here is to understand once the government starts paying for anything, it goes on FOREVER. Did you know that in WWII we stockpiled helium (for some war use or another). Guess what?? The government is STILL in the helium business & we spend money on it every damn year & have spent money on it every year since WWII.

Both parties are grandstanding saying how important everything on their special interest lists are. Ok fine, don't start with that stuff. Start with the incredibly stupid stuff that both sides "should" be able to agree on & eliminate it. It won't be that much money compared to our debt but it will be a start & will add up over the years if we can keep afloat until then.

As for social programs, hell let's start the ultimate social programs that we already have going. Lets pay everybody not to grow something. The farmers get paid for not growing stuff so why can't we? I also want to get paid for not over fishing salmon (I live in a desert) & I can name a lot of stuff that I don't do. Heck I haven't cut down a giant redwood either. Anyway those type programs EVERYBODY should be able to agree on (Democrat or Republican). The important thing is start the ball rolling now & fight later. Just Start cutting something.

[Deleted]

Ok & I should include this. The place to start cutting is NOT cutting something that people have already earned. The government has a history of that. Once they get all of the easy cuts & get down to cutting the stuff that people have already earned, then first on the list should be the benefits that retired congressman get. They get a lot for very little service to our country (very little in time spent & mostly none in what they did).

[ungenteel]

speaking of gummint subsidies .... what about the mortgage interest tax deduction? It is welfare for the debtor class and a subsidy for the construction industry, lending institutions, and the real estate industry

[djAdvocate]

Jul 16, 2011 17:34:26 GMT -5 ungenteel said:

speaking of gummint subsidies .... what about the mortgage interest tax deduction? It is welfare for the debtor class and a subsidy for the construction industry, lending institutions, and the real estate industry

until the housing market recovers, i think taking away the MID is a horrific idea. i am astonished that it is even being discussed.

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

Jul 16, 2011 8:38:46 GMT -5 ugonow said:

Taxes went up, but the cuts never came.

Yes there were cuts to some programs, but the increased military spending way overshadowed them.....Reagan not only closed many loopholes,erased many deductions,etc, he raised coporate rates, and the world did not come to an end.

Mythology. You keep repeating it, but it doesn't make it true. It was slashing the top marginal tax rate from over 70% to 29% that resulted in the explosive economic growth that caused IRS revenues to nearly double under Reagan.

TRA didn't even go into effect until near the end of Reagan's last term- and this is a fact: Immediately after TRA was passed, the economy slowed, and by 1987 the market was in freefall.

Later, when Democrats trick-fucked Bush 41 into raising taxes and ending his re-election hopes-- the economy again slowed- and ironically Bill Clinton surged to beat Bush running on the poor economy the very Democrat-Bush 41 tax hike compromise resulted in.

[ungenteel]

<<until the housing market recovers, i think taking away the MID is a horrific idea. i am astonished that it is even being discussed. >>

Did I say take it away? ... I just want it to be recognized for what it is ... it is welfare ... righties chronically whine about welfare but fail to acknowledge the welfare that they receive

[ungenteel]

<<Later, when Democrats trick-fucked Bush 41 into raising taxes and ending his re-election hopes>>

Sorry to hear that Bush was such a dumba** ... I always thought his son was even dumber

[djAdvocate]

Jul 16, 2011 19:36:15 GMT -5 ungenteel said:

<<until the housing market recovers, i think taking away the MID is a horrific idea. i am astonished that it is even being discussed. >>

Did I say take it away? ... I just want it to be recognized for what it is ... it is welfare ... righties chronically whine about welfare but fail to acknowledge the welfare that they receive

yeah, i can go along with that, actually.