There is Officially Nothing Left to Cut in the Federal Budget

[JPhillips]

I take complete responsibility if this is finally the story that causes Bucc's head to fly off!


DeLay declares 'victory' in war on budget fat
By Amy Fagan and Stephen Dinan
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
September 14, 2005


House Majority Leader Tom DeLay said yesterday that Republicans have done so well in cutting spending that he declared an "ongoing victory," and said there is simply no fat left to cut in the federal budget.
Mr. DeLay was defending Republicans' choice to borrow money and add to this year's expected $331 billion deficit to pay for Hurricane Katrina relief. Some Republicans have said Congress should make cuts in other areas, but Mr. DeLay said that doesn't seem possible.
"My answer to those that want to offset the spending is sure, bring me the offsets, I'll be glad to do it. But nobody has been able to come up with any yet," the Texas Republican told reporters at his weekly briefing.
Asked if that meant the government was running at peak efficiency, Mr. DeLay said, "Yes, after 11 years of Republican majority we've pared it down pretty good."
Congress has passed two hurricane relief bills totaling $62.3 billion, all of which will be added to the deficit.
Republican leaders have been under pressure from conservative members and outside watchdog groups to find ways to pay for the Katrina relief. Some Republicans wanted to offer an amendment, including cuts, to pay for hurricane spending but were denied the chance under procedural rules.
"This is hardly a well-oiled machine," said Rep. Jeff Flake, Arizona Republican. "There's a lot of fat to trim. ... I wonder if we've been serving in the same Congress."
American Conservative Union Chairman David A. Keene said federal spending already was "spiraling out of control" before Katrina, and conservatives are "increasingly losing faith in the president and the Republican leadership in Congress."
"Excluding military and homeland security, American taxpayers have witnessed the largest spending increase under any preceding president and Congress since the Great Depression," he said.
Mr. Keene said annual nonmilitary and non-homeland security spending increased $303 billion between fiscal year 2001 and 2005; the acknowledged federal debt increased more than $2 trillion since fiscal year 2000; and the 2003 Medicare prescription drug bill is estimated to increase the government's unfunded obligations by $16 trillion.
Tom Schatz, president of Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW), said if Mr. DeLay wants to know where to cut, "there are plenty of places to reduce."
His group soon will release a list of $2 trillion in suggested spending cuts over the next five years, and he said Congress also could cut the estimated $20 billion to $25 billion in pet projects that make their way into must-pass spending bills each year.
CAGW and the Heritage Foundation also suggest rescinding the 6,000-plus earmarked projects in the recently passed highway bill.
But Mr. DeLay said those projects are "important infrastructure" and eliminating them could undermine the economy as Congress tries to offer hurricane relief.
"It is right to borrow to pay for it," he said. "But it is not right to attack the very economy that will pay for it."
Mr. Schatz, though, said the highway bill included projects such as flowers for the Ronald Reagan freeway in California, which he said aren't essential spending.
Mr. DeLay said the budget this year was pared down and 100 programs or offices were eliminated in this year's spending bills. "We have been doing that for 11 years," he said. He said it's an "ongoing process" that will be more complete after this year's budget process, which calls for cuts to Medicaid and other entitlement programs.
Rep. Patrick T. McHenry, North Carolina Republican, agreed that Republicans "have been more fiscally sound than the Democrats were in their decades in the House." He acknowledged that "we're still trying to improve," and noted Mr. DeLay is leading the fight to reform the budget process.
"We've had a good start, but many of us want to see the government be more fiscally sound and conservative in the future," Mr. McHenry said.

[sabotai]

"House Majority Leader Tom DeLay said yesterday that Republicans have done so well in cutting spending that he declared an "ongoing victory," and said there is simply no fat left to cut in the federal budget."

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[Subby]

We have exclusive access to an artist's rendering of Bucc responding to this post:

http://myspace-980.vo.llnwd.net/00155/08/93/155453980_l.gif

[CamEdwards]

here's a list for Rep. DeLay from the oh-so-liberal Heritage Foundation (note: that is sarcasm):

• The federal government cannot account for $24.5 billion spent in 2003.
• A White House review of just a sample of the federal budget identified $90 billion spent on programs deemed that were either ineffective, marginally adequate, or operating under a flawed purpose or design.
• The Congressional Budget Office published a “Budget Options” book identifying $140 billion in potential spending cuts.
• The federal government spends $23 billion annually on special interest pork projects such as grants to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, or funds to combat teenage “goth” culture in Blue Springs, Missouri.
• Washington spends tens of billions of dollars on failed and outdated programs such as the Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Geological Survey and Economic Development Association.
• The federal government made $20 billion in overpayments in 2001.
• The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s $3.3 billion in overpayments in 2001 accounted for over 10 percent of the department’s total budget.
• Over one recent 18-month period, Air Force and Navy personnel used government-funded credit cards to charge at least $102,400 for admission to entertainment events, $48,250 for gambling, $69,300 for cruises, and $73,950 for exotic dance clubs and prostitutes.
• Examples of wasteful duplication include: 342 economic development programs; 130 programs serving the disabled; 130 programs serving at-risk youth; 90 early childhood development programs; 75 programs funding international education, cultural, and training exchange activities; and 72 federal programs dedicated to assuring safe water.
• The Advanced Technology Program spends $150 million annually subsidizing private businesses, and 40% of this goes to Fortune 500 companies.
• The Defense Department wasted $100 million on unused flight tickets, and never bothered to collect refunds even though the tickets were reimbursable.
• The Conservation Reserve program pays farmers $2 billion annually to not farm their land.
• Washington spends $60 billion annually on corporate welfare, versus $43 billion on homeland security.

The list goes on . . .

[Ben E Lou]

there is simply no fat left to cut in the federal budget.I stopped reading right there. Seriously.

[flere-imsaho]

It's nice to be able to take a time out and let the Conservatives bash Delay for a while. :)

[duckman]

That Delay. What a kidder! I think he could moonlight as a stand-up comedian. :rolleyes:

[Arles]

"Tom Delay, I would like to introduce you to the real world - you know, the place where most of us actually live..."

[JPhillips]

Cam: You left out a minimum of 9 billion unaccounted for in Iraq.

I should also include the great Cato Institute line that went something like:

We would say this Congress spends like drunken sailors, but that would be an insult to drunken sailors.

[Hurst2112]

Who needs the damn space program anyway?!?!

;)

[CamEdwards]

It's nice to be able to take a time out and let the Conservatives bash Delay for a while. :)

See, the difference between conservatives and liberals is that conservatives will actually criticize other conservatives who stay stupid things.

Well, that's one of the differences anyway.

And JPhillips, that's not my list. I was just cutting and pasting.

[Ksyrup]

You guys don't understand. This is brilliant strategy. Bugs Bunny brillliant.

You see, the Democrats are so trained to automatically take the opposite position of everything supported by the Republicans, that the idea here is to make this a statement the Republicans pretend to believe, in order to get the Democrats to immediately respond with, "There are billions and billions of dollars of fat in the budget. In fact, here is a comprehensive list." And then, once they've committed to that position, the Republicans will put out a press release that says, "A HA! We were just kidding, so now that you agree that all of this is fat, we're cutting it all out of the budget." Just like those Bugs Bunny cartoons where he's going back and forth with some dope, "yes it is, no it isn't," then slips in the "no it isn't" and the dupe responds "yes it is."

Perfect strategy, Mr. Delay! We got 'em right where we want 'em!

[timmynausea]

See, the difference between conservatives and liberals is that conservatives will actually criticize other conservatives who stay stupid things.


I've seen Flasch start more threads criticizing a democrat than I've seen you start threads criticizing a conservative.

[Huckleberry]

See, the difference between conservatives and liberals is that conservatives will actually criticize other conservatives who stay stupid things.

Well, that's one of the differences anyway.
That's actually only one of the self-perceived differences that goes both ways. Part of the holier than thou back and forth between the two sides.

Another problem with your post is that you're implying Delay is a conservative. He is quite clearly absolutely not a conservative when it comes to fiscal issues, which is what this situation is about.

[Senator]

If you smell urine, that was me just peeing my pants.

[timmynausea]

That's actually only one of the self-perceived differences that goes both ways. Part of the holier than thou back and forth between the two sides.

Agreed. I couldn't come up with the right words for it.

[CamEdwards]

I've seen Flasch start more threads criticizing a democrat than I've seen you start threads criticizing a conservative.

That's because I have a blog. :)

Snarky answer, but it's true. I don't start many threads around here. Most of the time I just blog about it and provide my smartass commentary here.

But you're partly right. I should have said that's the difference between flere and me. :)

[Glengoyne]

I stopped reading right there. Seriously.
Me too.

That wasn't all that hard after I stopped taking anything said seriously when I read "Tom Delay".

[Radii]

Lets stop bashing "the other side" and get back to the first political thread in years that we can all agree on! Stay on track people, I don't care who made the comment!

[st.cronin]

This is obviously a sign that Mr. Delay needs serious medical attention. I suspect somebody spiked his coffee with PCP.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Perfect strategy, Mr. Delay! We got 'em right where we want 'em!

Y'know, now that you bring this up ...

;)

[flere-imsaho]

But you're partly right. I should have said that's the difference between flere and me. :)

Har har. I'd ask you to prove your contention, but we know Conservatives have no truck with silly things like "proof". :)

[st.cronin]

Lets stop bashing "the other side" and get back to the first political thread in years that we can all agree on! Stay on track people, I don't care who made the comment!

I give this post 5 stars.

Seriously, I can imagine Delay staffers' standing with mouths agape when they heard this comment.

[BishopMVP]

You guys don't understand. This is brilliant strategy. Bugs Bunny brillliant.

You see, the Democrats are so trained to automatically take the opposite position of everything supported by the Republicans, that the idea here is to make this a statement the Republicans pretend to believe, in order to get the Democrats to immediately respond with, "There are billions and billions of dollars of fat in the budget. In fact, here is a comprehensive list." And then, once they've committed to that position, the Republicans will put out a press release that says, "A HA! We were just kidding, so now that you agree that all of this is fat, we're cutting it all out of the budget." Just like those Bugs Bunny cartoons where he's going back and forth with some dope, "yes it is, no it isn't," then slips in the "no it isn't" and the dupe responds "yes it is."

Perfect strategy, Mr. Delay! We got 'em right where we want 'em!I've seen other speculation along the same lines. One can only hope. And regardless, Tom DeLay is an asshat.

[Mr. Wednesday]

As someone who leans left, I'd be just fine with that strategy... the problem with it from a Republican point of view is that most of the pork the Democrats are likely to point out will be in G.O.P. districts. :p

[ISiddiqui]

You guys don't understand. This is brilliant strategy. Bugs Bunny brillliant.

You see, the Democrats are so trained to automatically take the opposite position of everything supported by the Republicans, that the idea here is to make this a statement the Republicans pretend to believe, in order to get the Democrats to immediately respond with, "There are billions and billions of dollars of fat in the budget. In fact, here is a comprehensive list." And then, once they've committed to that position, the Republicans will put out a press release that says, "A HA! We were just kidding, so now that you agree that all of this is fat, we're cutting it all out of the budget." Just like those Bugs Bunny cartoons where he's going back and forth with some dope, "yes it is, no it isn't," then slips in the "no it isn't" and the dupe responds "yes it is."

Perfect strategy, Mr. Delay! We got 'em right where we want 'em!
The problem is that the Dems are ready for such shenanegans and will instead release a comprehensive list of pork projects in Delay's home district then dare the Republicans to cut them ;).

Or barring that, point to the fat that can be trimmed from the Iraq war ;).

[sabotai]

You guys don't understand. This is brilliant strategy. Bugs Bunny brillliant.

You see, the Democrats are so trained to automatically take the opposite position of everything supported by the Republicans, that the idea here is to make this a statement the Republicans pretend to believe, in order to get the Democrats to immediately respond with, "There are billions and billions of dollars of fat in the budget. In fact, here is a comprehensive list." And then, once they've committed to that position, the Republicans will put out a press release that says, "A HA! We were just kidding, so now that you agree that all of this is fat, we're cutting it all out of the budget." Just like those Bugs Bunny cartoons where he's going back and forth with some dope, "yes it is, no it isn't," then slips in the "no it isn't" and the dupe responds "yes it is."

Perfect strategy, Mr. Delay! We got 'em right where we want 'em!
Can I buy pot from you?

[sterlingice]

You guys don't understand. This is brilliant strategy. Bugs Bunny brillliant.

You see, the Democrats are so trained to automatically take the opposite position of everything supported by the Republicans, that the idea here is to make this a statement the Republicans pretend to believe, in order to get the Democrats to immediately respond with, "There are billions and billions of dollars of fat in the budget. In fact, here is a comprehensive list." And then, once they've committed to that position, the Republicans will put out a press release that says, "A HA! We were just kidding, so now that you agree that all of this is fat, we're cutting it all out of the budget." Just like those Bugs Bunny cartoons where he's going back and forth with some dope, "yes it is, no it isn't," then slips in the "no it isn't" and the dupe responds "yes it is."

Perfect strategy, Mr. Delay! We got 'em right where we want 'em!
Brilliant! :D

Duck Season!

SI

[Buccaneer]

I cannot comment. I have no hands, no arms and no head in which to do so. :mad:

[-Mojo Jojo-]

Oh Tom Delay, you're so silly...

[cartman]

I wish I lived in Sugarland, not Driftwood. I would have no problem throwing my hat in the ring against him. Un-friggin-believable.

[Ksyrup]

Can I buy pot from you?
Did I need to add "/sarcasm," because I thought it was obvious enough.

[gstelmack]

I want to know why the USGS is considered outdated and superfluous. Who is going to print all those cool topo maps without them?

[sabotai]

Did I need to add "/sarcasm," because I thought it was obvious enough.
.....Did I need to add a smiley and a disclaimer that my post was also a joke? Because I thought it was obvious enough.

(It's also a Family Guy reference)

[duckman]

Brilliant! :D

Duck Season!

SI
Shut up, dude! Are you trying to get me shot?! :p

[sterlingice]

Shut up, dude! Are you trying to get me shot?! :p
Ok, how about "Wabbit season!" :D

SI