Biz As Usual: Pork in the Budget Deal

[Oh Shoot]

Yep, the Senate got in $3 Billion or more of pet funding in about 10 line items in the last draft. Any number of House members didn't even know about them because, well, you know, they didn't have time to really read the damn thing before voting to save the country tonight.

 

Even John Weasel McCain called it "disgraceful", as if here were surprised. Guess he didn't read it either, since he voted for it. (as did Lamar and Bobby).

 

My fave is a little one, $171,000 to the widow of Frank Lautenberg. Since he was worth $56 Million, you'd think maybe she wouldn't be missing many meals or anything, eh?

 

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/oct/16/stopgap-spending-bill-approves-3-billion-price-tag/?page=2

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/16/frank-lautenberg-widow_n_4112148.html

 

Even RacHell Maddow chimed in on the overall pork deals:

 

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/rachel-maddow/53301620/#53301620

 

Ironic these apparently wouldn't have even been in there without the House's histrionics over the last two weeks, so not only did the GOP come out with nada except taking huge hit in polls, but actually lost ground on the overall spending proposals from what they started with.

 

- OS

Edited October 17, 2013 by Oh Shoot

[Guest 6.8 AR]

Well, we knew a Dem Senator's wealthy widow would be taken care of. I wasn't aware of the Ohio River project,

though. Even though it probably will, it doesn't have to pass the House. It may be the next fight in the House.

 

When TV personalities and politicians use words like disgraceful, they cheapen the word further, making it akin

to something like tingling down his leg. It was reported that way, but how do we really know it's more? Because

it's always more. I doubt it had any more to do with the fight than any other illegal spending bill. The black hole

is where all of it is going, anyway.

[Guest semiautots]

The important piece of this legislation is not the pork, which is mainstream with the current crop of morons that represent us.  Written into this Continuing Resolution is this:

 

In the future, raising the debt limit will be automatic.  Congress may oppose the increase by writing and passing a bill in both houses of congress by simple majority.  What happens to a bill that passes congress?  It is sent to the president for his signature or his veto.  What are the chances that he would sign this bill?  He would veto it, and then 2/3 of both houses would have to vote to override his veto.  What are the chances of that?  So the only way to oppose future increases of the debt ceiling is by overriding a presidential veto.

 

This is the idea of Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell.  Why would a Republican come up with an idea that will transfer such power from the legislative branch to the executive branch?  Especially since we have a socialist as a so-called president?

 

What you are witnessing is capitulation.  Either these morons are so abjectly stupid that they are not capable of comprehension, or they know exactly what they are doing.

[frankmako]

Same old crap. I for voting them all out.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

[sigmtnman]

...

 

What you are witnessing is capitulation collusion.  Either these morons are so abjectly stupid that they are not capable of comprehension, or they know exactly what they are doing.

 

FTFY

[gun sane]

 

Also included in the spending bill were instructions to keep the U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement operating at full levels they were at on Sept. 30.

 

Well, somebody's gotta help the illegals with their luggage.

 

 

Even John Weasel McCain called it "disgraceful", as if here were surprised. Guess he didn't read it either, since he voted for it. (as did Lamar and Bobby).

 

I've started composing my letter to these august Tennessee statesmen.  Something along the lines of, "You've now made your political bed, but remember it's in a hotel room, not a permanent home.  Checkout time won't come soon enough."

[gun sane]

Parts of this "Standing Up For Tennessee" campaign ad now needs a re-write:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POv8mvjfnds

[BryanP]

The important piece of this legislation is not the pork, which is mainstream with the current crop of morons that represent us.  Written into this Continuing Resolution is this:

 

In the future, raising the debt limit will be automatic.  Congress may oppose the increase by writing and passing a bill in both houses of congress by simple majority.  What happens to a bill that passes congress?  It is sent to the president for his signature or his veto.  What are the chances that he would sign this bill?  He would veto it, and then 2/3 of both houses would have to vote to override his veto.  What are the chances of that?  So the only way to oppose future increases of the debt ceiling is by overriding a presidential veto.

 

For those of us who don't have the time to go digging right now, could you link where this is in the bill? 

[RobertNashville]

Frankly, our nation's last best chance and hope to avoid where we are right now was crushed last November when Obama was reelected and Democrats retained control of the Senate.  Anything that can be done now to stop or slow down Obama's agenda will be a godsend because ultimately, the numbers simply aren't there for conservatives to stop it.

 

Once a few more million become totally dependent on the federal government (through Obamacare), that 46-48% who currently pay now federal income tax at all will balloon and we'll truly have fewer people pulling the wagon than are in it. Those people vote and those people will NEVER allow their silver spoon be taken from their mouths.

 

With Obamacare as well as all the other of control spending, the debt will keep spiraling out of control and now with 75-85% of the country's economy is controlled, directly or indirectly by the federal government. With full-on national health care we ARE, at best, a socialist democracy.

Obama will get to nominate one or two (hopefully not more than that) Supreme Court Justices and of course, the Senate will confirm which means you can pretty much wipe away anything good that has come out of the Supreme Court that past 10-15 years including the gains made in moving to restore 2A rights.

 

The Federal Reserve will continue to pump trillions of worthless dollars into the economy, either directly or by buying its own securities and sooner or later (and I think sooner), the U.S. dollar will cease to hold any value at all because the only thing that gives it value, people's belief in it, will evaporate. At that point, we'll see hyper-inflation and likely a world-wide depression beyond anything most of us can even imagine.

 

The only hope I can see at all is in individual states refusing to comply but that hope is VERY small because in most cases, the worthless politicians who sit in Washington D.C. are just bigger versions than the worthless politicians who sit in State legislatures.

[Guest TankerHC]

I think its less biz as usual and more "Congress gave away what little power they had left". At least for the next 13 months we live under a totalitarian regime. The bill is open ended. The same people can and will vote for the same extension every 90 days. In 90 days watch and see if there are any limitations. Like I said in 4 or 5 other posts, this whole thing was nothing but a dog and pony show. Obama would win again and he did., basically bypassing House rules with the help of the House leadership. He must be basking in the glow of absolute power right now. And the destruction of the United States continues unabated.

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2

[Guest TankerHC]

Robert, no offense but we are not a socialist Democracy. We are Socialist period. The Democracy part would indicate we elected Representatives into power knowing they were Social Democrats. Americans elected a Republican majority to the House expecting to be represented accordingly. We no longer have Representation anywhere and the few states that do, do not matter. No, this Country was on a path to Socialism and our "non" representatives helped the ultimate Socialist reach his goal of totalitarian "leadership". We no longer have a say in Government. Our reps blow smoke up our ass and the majority believes it. In the last two weeks I have heard Reid, Boehner, Pelosi and several others talk about how Conservatives don't believe in Government". The Founder's said nothing about "believing in Government". They said it is up to a Divine Authority" and Government was OUR servant. But they have elevated themselves to God like status. Because they are now "God like" the majority will be reelected. People can talk all the sheet they want, but I have been following our Politics since I was 7 or 8 years old and unless the people have really woken up, which I highly doubt, which I highly doubt, the American way of life is over. And again I don't care what anyone else says, many of us who have worn the uniform have seen communism, Socialism and totalitarianism up close and personal. Most Americans haven't. We are just getting started. Think you don't recognize your America now? The American people haven't seen anything yet.

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2

[Dennis1209]

Frankly, our nation's last best chance and hope to avoid where we are right now was crushed last November when Obama was reelected and Democrats retained control of the Senate.  Anything that can be done now to stop or slow down Obama's agenda will be a godsend because ultimately, the numbers simply aren't there for conservatives to stop it.

 

Once a few more million become totally dependent on the federal government (through Obamacare), that 46-48% who currently pay now federal income tax at all will balloon and we'll truly have fewer people pulling the wagon than are in it. Those people vote and those people will NEVER allow their silver spoon be taken from their mouths.

 

With Obamacare as well as all the other of control spending, the debt will keep spiraling out of control and now with 75-85% of the country's economy is controlled, directly or indirectly by the federal government. With full-on national health care we ARE, at best, a socialist democracy.

Obama will get to nominate one or two (hopefully not more than that) Supreme Court Justices and of course, the Senate will confirm which means you can pretty much wipe away anything good that has come out of the Supreme Court that past 10-15 years including the gains made in moving to restore 2A rights.

 

The Federal Reserve will continue to pump trillions of worthless dollars into the economy, either directly or by buying its own securities and sooner or later (and I think sooner), the U.S. dollar will cease to hold any value at all because the only thing that gives it value, people's belief in it, will evaporate. At that point, we'll see hyper-inflation and likely a world-wide depression beyond anything most of us can even imagine.

 

The only hope I can see at all is in individual states refusing to comply but that hope is VERY small because in most cases, the worthless politicians who sit in Washington D.C. are just bigger versions than the worthless politicians who sit in State legislatures.

 

 

Let me ask you this? What's the reason the legal voting age was 21 years old, now eighteen? Why not 14 years old, 10 or eight years old?

 

As you all know it's a pipe dream but, the fastest and simplest way to turn this country back on course would be to add four requirements to voter eligibility. 

 

(1) Must be a property owner... What moral right do you have to vote up my taxes for your welfare and you pay or contribute nothing.

 

(2) Must be gainfully employed,

 

(3) Must not be on any government teat. To prevent further drain of the shrinking utter.

 

(4) Must be fluent speaking, reading and writing English and a legal U.S. citizen. 

 

I would like to add a #5, must have an I.Q. of at least 70 but...

[GoneBallistic]

Let me ask you this? What's the reason the legal voting age was 21 years old, now eighteen? Why not 14 years old, 10 or eight years old?

 

As you all know it's a pipe dream but, the fastest and simplest way to turn this country back on course would be to add four requirements to voter eligibility. 

 

(1) Must be a property owner... What moral right do you have to vote up my taxes for your welfare and you pay or contribute nothing.

 

(2) Must be gainfully employed,

 

(3) Must not be on any government teat. To prevent further drain of the shrinking utter.

 

(4) Must be fluent speaking, reading and writing English and a legal U.S. citizen. 

 

I would like to add a #5, must have an I.Q. of at least 70 but...

:up: We can wish right? I know what I'm asking Santa for this year...

[Guest ThePunisher]

We're getting closer to that day when Martial Law happens. As each day passes, this nation is getting closer to the brink of total collapse, and the commie fulfilling his communist promises of fundamentally transforming America to Amerika. Edited October 17, 2013 by ThePunisher

[RobertNashville]

Let me ask you this? What's the reason the legal voting age was 21 years old, now eighteen? Why not 14 years old, 10 or eight years old?

 

As you all know it's a pipe dream but, the fastest and simplest way to turn this country back on course would be to add four requirements to voter eligibility. 

 

(1) Must be a property owner... What moral right do you have to vote up my taxes for your welfare and you pay or contribute nothing.

 

(2) Must be gainfully employed,

 

(3) Must not be on any government teat. To prevent further drain of the shrinking utter.

 

(4) Must be fluent speaking, reading and writing English and a legal U.S. citizen. 

 

I would like to add a #5, must have an I.Q. of at least 70 but...

The voting age was lowered to 18 the year I turned 18 and I voted in that year's presidential election. I can tell you that at least one of the reasons the age was lowered is because of Vietnam...we had 18, 19, 20 year old kids sent to fight in a war that most of the country thought was unjust and stupid yet, while old enough to die for their country they weren't old enough to vote for the politicians that decided to send them to the jungle to die.

 

No, none of those voter reforms will ever happen...hell, we can't even ask people to identify who they are before they vote without having Obama's goons file lawsuits against stats who are so reckless as to try and do so.

[Oh Shoot]

The important piece of this legislation is not the pork, which is mainstream with the current crop of morons that represent us.  Written into this Continuing Resolution is this:

 

In the future, raising the debt limit will be automatic.  Congress may oppose the increase by writing and passing a bill in both houses of congress by simple majority.  What happens to a bill that passes congress?  It is sent to the president for his signature or his veto.  What are the chances that he would sign this bill?  He would veto it, and then 2/3 of both houses would have to vote to override his veto.  What are the chances of that?  So the only way to oppose future increases of the debt ceiling is by overriding a presidential veto.

 

This is the idea of Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell.  Why would a Republican come up with an idea that will transfer such power from the legislative branch to the executive branch?  Especially since we have a socialist as a so-called president?

 

What you are witnessing is capitulation.  Either these morons are so abjectly stupid that they are not capable of comprehension, or they know exactly what they are doing.

 

For those of us who don't have the time to go digging right now, could you link where this is in the bill? 

 

Semi got it twisted a bit, the provision can be invoked only one time, if the debt limit had to be raised before the Feb. 7 deadline that this  legislation covers. I assure you both the budget and the debt limit are in play again early in '14.

 

This explains the confusion pretty well I think, calling it "a temporary method to make sure the can stays kicked until February 7th", and is likely intended as a feeble attempt to assuage the credit ranking agencies:

 

http://hotair.com/archives/2013/10/17/did-the-deal-allow-the-president-to-set-the-debt-limit-from-now-on/

 

I expect the tin foil websites will make much of it as usual though, ignoring the actual facts.

 

 

- OS

Edited October 17, 2013 by Oh Shoot

[bersaguy]

I cannot believe that anyone here would have expected a bill to come out of the Senate or the House without have 5000 lbs of pork fat added, especially since they all knew it would get voted on with out folks having time to read it. It is just like Obama care bill. Botox Pelosi's infamous quote of the century. "You have to sign it to see what is in it." Once again same story and different Bill.................. :rant: :rant:

[Guest 6.8 AR]

Robert, no offense but we are not a socialist Democracy. We are Socialist period. The Democracy part would indicate we elected Representatives into power knowing they were Social Democrats. Americans elected a Republican majority to the House expecting to be represented accordingly. We no longer have Representation anywhere and the few states that do, do not matter. No, this Country was on a path to Socialism and our "non" representatives helped the ultimate Socialist reach his goal of totalitarian "leadership". We no longer have a say in Government. Our reps blow smoke up our ass and the majority believes it. In the last two weeks I have heard Reid, Boehner, Pelosi and several others talk about how Conservatives don't believe in Government". The Founder's said nothing about "believing in Government". They said it is up to a Divine Authority" and Government was OUR servant. But they have elevated themselves to God like status. Because they are now "God like" the majority will be reelected. People can talk all the sheet they want, but I have been following our Politics since I was 7 or 8 years old and unless the people have really woken up, which I highly doubt, which I highly doubt, the American way of life is over. And again I don't care what anyone else says, many of us who have worn the uniform have seen communism, Socialism and totalitarianism up close and personal. Most Americans haven't. We are just getting started. Think you don't recognize your America now? The American people haven't seen anything yet.

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2

No, we are still a constitutional republic. We just quit following the rules. We need to get back to that. It can be done.

The question to ask is will it be done?

 

That provision for automatic increases is very troubling. If you don't have a budget, and you don't use the legal

process for running the government responsibly, you have, in effect, a rogue government, that needs to be put

out of it's misery.

[Guest TankerHC]

No, we are still a constitutional republic. We just quit following the rules. We need to get back to that. It can be done.
The question to ask is will it be done?

That provision for automatic increases is very troubling. If you don't have a budget, and you don't use the legal
process for running the government responsibly, you have, in effect, a rogue government, that needs to be put
out of it's misery.

Thats like saying your an F1 Driver but drive a school bus. Right now we are so far from a Constitutional or Representative Republic it isn't funny. We have documents. That's it. And no one is enforcing the rules or paying our law's any minds. Our former Representatives are only representing themselves, and blatantly ignoring what used to be their Constituents. We can change that. And we had better before it's too late.

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[Guest 6.8 AR]

Tanker. Practically speaking, you and I are in agreement. I think you know that. I will maintain we are what I said, though,

until the founding documents are formerly dropped from this country's meaning for existence. That means there are

measures we can take to throw these criminals on both sides of the political spectrum out, however undesirable.

 

When enough people in this country finally wake up and deliver a memorandum to King Barry that this happened to

another king, once upon a time, and are willing to back it up to the hilt, we will prevail. Until then.

[Erik88]

I wish I had words to describe how disappointed and disgusted I am with this entire ordeal. I was arguing with a coworker today who swears we're better off under Obama despite the fact that he couldn't name a single reason why. 

 

On Hannity this morning they were interviewing people and asking who was to blame for the govt. shutdown, Obama or Bush. Guess how many people said Bush? 

 

There is no hope.

[GoneBallistic]

I wish I had words to describe how disappointed and disgusted I am with this entire ordeal. I was arguing with a coworker today who swears we're better off under Obama despite the fact that he couldn't name a single reason why. 

 

On Hannity this morning they were interviewing people and asking who was to blame for the govt. shutdown, Obama or Bush. Guess how many people said Bush? 

 

There is no hope.

That's the problem. Sheep. Dumb ass sheep. If you asked him that every day and show him that he had no platform on which to found his hallucination, he would still follow blindly. I agree with you wholeheartedly. No hope.

[Guest TankerHC]

Just out of curiosity how many listened to Sterns man on the street interview recently. The question was "who did we defeat to win our independence?". These were fairly intelligent sounding Americans. Of 5 people they asked prior to me turning off the radio. One got it right, one didn't know, one said China and two said Mexico. Those are the voters we are dealing with.

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[Glenn]

 

 

No, none of those voter reforms will ever happen...hell, we can't even ask people to identify who they are before they vote without having Obama's goons file lawsuits against stats who are so reckless as to try and do so.

Hell, you can't even ask who a person is before they are elected president 

[TripleDigitRide]