States in Debt featuring A Missouri Rant a la Mommentator
The recent activity in Wisconsin has everyone taking note of statewide policy, budget woes to be precise, and the role of local activists, pundits, interest groups and politicians in addressing these woes. I will not rehash the Union vs. GOP fight except to say that it begins with a fundamental concern. The GOP (Ahem, most of them) believes serial deficit spending creates unsustainable debt thereby limiting the freedom of individuals to their work product and therefore their liberty. Not that I’m the most eloquent teacher of liberal thought, but my observations tell me liberals believe true patriotism comes from giving the state ultimate power to create an environment where all can prosper, even if it means going into debt, worrying about the debilitating debt…later. {Not sure when that point is} <– Sorry, couldn’t resist a snarky side note.
Liberals claim there isn’t a problem — either there really isn’t a budget deficient or any problems are on the “intake” side of the equation, not on the spending side. Sometimes liberals argue both, even if it seems in one breath they deny and in the other concede. This is the way with liberals… cover all your bases, even if logically inconsistent.
Republicans claim the problem is nigh.
Who’s right?
Ben Howe, a trailblazer in video presentation, has been providing the kind of Tea Party thought one can take in and process in short but concentrated doses. Let’s face it… we’re digital and visual. Video is where it’s at. There is no one better than Ben. His latest, brought to us by FreedomWorks and their new FreedomConnector (JOIN NOW) tells the tale of our collective deficits:
The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities has a fascinating new study which puts perspective on the battle of the states in 2011. GO READ IT NOW.
The roughly $106 billion shortfall that states are facing for fiscal year 2012, after taking federal assistance into account, equals about 0.71 percent of GDP. Assuming that economic activity declines by one dollar for every dollar that states cut spending or raise taxes, and based on a rule of thumb that a one percentage point loss of GDP costs the economy 1 million jobs, state shortfalls could cost the economy 710,000 jobs next year.
Find your state, and understand where you stand. I’m willing to bet you had no idea how your states really operates. Deficits create debt. Debt must be repaid.
The Wisconsin protests are going to spread throughout the states, and as the battle is waged, it’s probable you will be affected — even more than you already are. EACH and every one of us could see a decrease in benefits which are paid by the collective. Our budgets will need to tighten. Our kids will need to do with less. We must all collectively cut or we’ll collectively drown. This means you, your pet projects and your way of life.
Get in this fight. I’m not asking you to do anything I’m not willing to do myself.
{Special Missouri Note}
Here in Missouri there will be a Governor’s Race in 2012 that has already begun to rage. I support Peter Kinder as his tireless work and commitment to the Tea Party is unmatched. I hear all around that Governor Jay Nixon will be a tough contender for Peter Kinder. The logic is that Governor Nixon is surrounded with Conservatives and is effectively ineffective, doing little in his first term to ruffle feathers.
POPPYCOCK. If this 700+ CONSISTENT Deficit is concerning to you, it’s time to vote for a leader who will bring a responsible budget.
I’m calling out the Republicans in the House and Senate getting a PASS on the HUGE deficits in Missouri as well, but as a trifecta, our chambers and Nixon are sitting in Jefferson City… pretty darn comfortable as a matter of fact… banking on OUR inattention to their TAX AND SPEND mantra. Jay Nixon operates under the same logical in-conclusion as the former spenders who got us in this mess: “when the economy recovers, this short term cyclical downturn will easily be overcome.” I call it an in-conclusion because it’s an assumption with no fact base. It’s an assumption that your kids pay for.
To the Republicans who are meeting with UNION BOSSES to fill their coffers with cash… those days have passed. It will turn out badly for those who weren’t paying attention and think their job in Jeff City is to dance with lobbyists and smoke cigars with your buddies. You know who you are.
To Jay Nixon: you haven’t led. We have your replacement.
Governor Peter Kinder.
Leave a Reply
Official CPAC Blogger
I’m assuming, then, that you’re not a fan of either Ronald Reagan or George W. Bush?
I’ve heard and seen several Tea Party types praise Reagan like he’s the son of God, but if you stick to what seem to be the tea party’s values of fiscal conservatism (a la debt and deficit reduction), that is inconsistent.
There is no perfect candidate including those we admire over others. I like both Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush.
You’re right that Jay Nixon will be beatable, although that’s about as far as our agreement will go. I voted for him last time (I’m a progressive Democrat), and he is unlikely to get my vote this time unless he really changes course. No way I’ll vote for Kinder, but I’m likely to leave that part of the ballot blank or vote for the Green candidate if there is one, rather than vote for Nixon again. I could never understand people who voted for Nader instead of Gore or Kerry, but although I still think it was a bad choice in those races, a DINO like Nixon helps me understand how they felt. I’m actually a little surprised you don’t like him!