Wisconsin Takes A Stand For Fiscal Sanity

[Wezil]

I don't think it's the tea party that's insisting on that. It's the mainstream pols of both parties that have defense projects in some of their states, and the elderly in all of their states.

Neither party is talking about it for political reasons (see earlier discussion) but at least they aren't claiming a fix that is unrealistic as the Tea people are.

[Arrian]

Kuci,

We don't need to give public employees collective bargaining powers to protect them from exploitation by ourselves

More accurately, protection from our elected representatives. You and I aren't negotiating the compensation packages or work rules.

That said, ok, I see the point. I'm skeptical, though, that simply because they work for us they have no need/right to collective bargaining. The problem here, as I see it, is that the politicians have had a strong incentive to kick the can down the road by weighting compensation toward retirement benefits instead of present-day salaries. They look 1 election ahead and thus are going to focus on the short-term costs. By the time the benefits timebomb goes off, they're probably out of office anyway. Then everybody but them gets to eat a **** sammich.

It's not clear to me that busting the unions fixes the above.

-Arrian

[DinoDoc]

Neither party is talking about it for political reasons (see earlier discussion) but at least they aren't claiming a fix that is unrealistic as the Tea people are.

Rand Paul: Cut Entitlements, Defense Budget

[Wezil]

Okay, an outlier from what I've been hearing.

How about a poll of self-identifying Tea Partiers. What do they say? Are the in step with Mr. Paul?

[Arrian]

Paul is unusual in that he seems more consistent on those issues than his fellow TPers.

IIRC, he is also anti-PATRIOT ACT renewal, whereas the vast majority of TPers (in the House, anyway) voted for it (as did my "liberal Democrat" congresscritter, which earned him a scathing email from little old me). The Pauls, whatever their faults, at least tend to not be blatantly full of ****.

Then again, Rand Paul's recent budget proposal included a 6.5% cut in defense, as against far deeper cuts elsewhere. While that is MILES better than pretty much anybody else's plan, it still sucks.

I see little evidence that the bulk of TPers are in any way serious about cutting defense.

-Arrian

[DinoDoc]

Okay, an outlier from what I've been hearing.

How about a poll of self-identifying Tea Partiers. What do they say? Are the in step with Mr. Paul?

All In: GOP Embraces Entitlement Reform

[Wezil]

Or social programs for seniors.

[Wezil]

Fair enough DD but saying you are going to "tackle entitlement reform" (vague) and actually doing something tangible are two different things. I'd love to see the Tea Party official position on the budget. Tell people the truth and watch them flock back to the other parties.

[DinoDoc]

Fair enough DD but saying you are going to "tackle entitlement reform" (vague) and actually doing something tangible are two different things.

We'll see what comes of it if anything when the GOP presents its budget proposal later this year.

I'd love to see the Tea Party official position on the budget. Tell people the truth and watch them flock back to the other parties.

There is no centralized "Tea Party" to give an official position.

[Wezil]

True. I may be surprised.

They mention $100B in the link which is a nice start but nowhere near enough.

[giblets]

Are you an idiot? Do you understand the concept of jurisdiction?

Will anything happen to them when they return to Wisconsin?

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

True. I may be surprised.

They mention $100B in the link which is a nice start but nowhere near enough.

$100B is the amount the GOP leadership essentially promised in the run up to the November elections.

GOP leadership then came back with something less and a full on revolt occurred from the freshmen GOP of tea party persuasion, forcing the GOP to honor the pledge. The GOP is kicking and screaming the entire way.

[Hauldren Collider]

Will anything happen to them when they return to Wisconsin?

Yeah, they'll be forced by the Sergeant-at-Arms to return to the legislature for a vote.

[DaShi]

And get a parade.

[DaShi]

Fair enough DD but saying you are going to "tackle entitlement reform" (vague) and actually doing something tangible are two different things. I'd love to see the Tea Party official position on the budget. Tell people the truth and watch them flock back to the other parties.

"tackle entitlement reform" is republican code for shutting down programs that support people who vote democrat. The republican party has shown no sign that it truly cares about improving the budget, but instead about political revenge against those who kicked them out over the past six years.