Another Ryan Budget

Gary Varvel Cartoon

Republican Rep. Paul Ryan came up with a budget last year that Democratic Senate ignored. He has now come up with a budget this year which made the first hurdle by getting House Budget Committee approval with opposing votes coming from all committee Democrats and 2 Republicans. Will this budget get passed on the floor vote in the Republicans House with some Republicans thinking that the budget does not go far enough? Read more here. Remember the Democrats have not done much on the budget and there has not been one in place under the Obama administration. Pres. Obama sponsored a budget proposal last year, but even the Congressional Democrats did not support it.

We are in hard times which calls for drastic measures to rebuild our economy and bring down the national debt. I know those on the opposing side believe in taxing the rich at a higher rate. Pres. Obama proposing the Buffett Rule, which is a 30% tax rate for the wealthy. That will not help the national debt much. There was a time when I would have supported that, but I am now rooted in the belief that I do not have a right to someone else’s money. Hence, as hurtful as it is due to people thinking they have this right, cuts have to make their way into entitlements.

The Republican House

The House Republicans voted unanimously, thus out voting the Democrats to repeal the health care law. I know this is thrilling for people against the health care law a.k.a. Obamacare, but it is really ceremonial. The law has to get through the Democratic majority Senate. If it makes it out of there, Pres. Obama will veto it. I agree with Tucker Carlson and others that feel the Republicans should go after parts of the law, such as the aspects that hurt small businesses and requires for some to purchase health insurance or face a fine and/or possible jail time. I am sure many of us like the part of the law that stops the denial of medical coverage due to preexisting conditions.  Well if the repeal passes it will be a surprise to me.

While the Democrats where still enjoying their filibuster-proof majority, I continually heard and read local comments of how the Republicans were the “Party of No,” because they were against Pres. Obama and that they never came up with any solutions on their own. Off course that is not true. Republican bills at that time where completely ignored by the Democratic leadership of both houses of Congress.

The majority party does ignore and keeps the minority party from doing anything. It was like that when the Republicans had the majority in both Congressional Houses during years of the George W. Bush Presidency. I remember then Sen. Hilary Clinton saying how the Republicans controlled everything and put down anything that the Democrats tried to do.

Well now with the Republicans in control of the House, there is a chance for them to do something regardless of the Democratic Senate majority and the presidential veto power. Remember constitutionally, the President cannot spend money without congressional approval. Think about Pres. Obama going to the House for spending approval!

The Republicans have their own version of health care for this country which we should  be hearing about soon. One of the things they have started doing in their majority position is introducing a bill to stop federal funding of abortion.  I think battle wise, things are going to get real interesting between the Republican House and the Democratic Senate and Pres. Obama.