Starving the Beast: Cut, Cap and Balance

The debt limit is a largely symbolic check on excessive borrowing which in the past has been frequently raised with little to no controversy. Such periodic increases are necessary to keep the government running and paying its bills, regardless of ideology.

However, Congressional Republicans are now demanding that certain conditions must be met in order to win their approval of a debt ceiling increase. They have termed their list of demands Cut, Cap and Balance, and claim it is a necessary measure in order to keep the government debt from spiraling out of control, and thus keep the country functioning.

Yet the Cut, Cap and Balance Act scheduled to reach the House floor this week is anything but necessary to keep the country functioning in its . Rather, it is the crown jewel, the final step of conservatives' long-pursued "Starve the Beast" strategy to downsize government. It would radically limit the flexibility of the federal government to provide a social safety net, buttress the economy in tough times and respond to great national challenges, now and into the future.

But don't take my word for it. Check out this week's 90 Second Summary and decide for yourself.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• 90 Second Summaries
• bill summary
• legislative summary
• legislation
• H.R. 2560
• Cut Cap and Balance Act
• Balanced Budget Amendment
• budget
• budget cuts
• debt
• deficit
• debt ceiling
• spending
• starve the beast
• Jason Chaffetz
• Chuck Schumer

[vechorik]

The Debt Ceiling under President Reagan was raised eighteen times to a total of $1.85 trillion (See Table 7.3). This is less than the $3 trillion-plus already raised under President Obama! Raising the Ceiling 18 times during the eight Reagan years meant a Ceiling battle every 5.3 months (on average), with an average rise of only $102 billion per increase. So… does Obama really want to get the Reagan Treatment?

[cmosdriver]

@biggerturtle You're a sick, disgusting, selfish, useless lower form of dog-waste!!! You REEK of Republican!!!!

[biggerturtle]

@vroom2000 Trow out ALL OF THEM - a bunch of lying weasels with the head lying weasel in the White House

[biggerturtle]

@cmosdriver LET THE OLD PEOPLE DIE - ELIMINATE SOCIAL SECURITY AND THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED

[usam1981]

@vroom2000 Bush had Intelligence FROM THE CLINTON ERA, so I would say that the Clintons lied there, they should be held in contempt, Obama did not kill Osama. Obama attacked Lybia for Oil, Obama spent TRILLIONS on stimulus that never stimulated our economy. Obama is the schemer

[cmosdriver]

@ladylordess Gotta dig in a different place for your facts Lady. "The (actual) Beast" is Military spending, tax expenditures that ONLY the rich can take advantage of, which includes tax loopholes that costs this country billions, unrealized capital gains that (AGAIN) only the rich are able to take advantage of. Billions going to RICH city slickers in farm subsidies. Did you catch that? Rich people in the city receive OUR tax dollars NOT TO FARM on their farm land! The Beast isn't grandma!!!

[dntpokdabear]

It's not Democrats versus Republicans.

It's Socialists versus Americans.

[ladylordess]

There is no other way to stop the beast other than to starve it!! If you LOOKED at the actual numbers, you would see why this must be done NOW!!!! If you disagree, you are either uninformed or on the Kool-aid.

[1Guitarslayer]

@vroom2000 dear douchebag... get a life you retarded bumkin f***....i do not support kkk nor do i give a fuck about your petty cries for attention.

sincerely, dad

[fixingbraincell]

republicans are radicals