Obama Getting Serious on the Budget

[HI54UNI]

Obama Seeking Budget Cuts at First Cabinet Meeting

http://news.yahoo.com/s/cq/20090420/pl_ ... s3098536_4

President Obama asked Cabinet secretaries Monday to find $100 million worth of savings or cuts in the federal budget over the next 90 days in an effort show his administration is making the government more efficient.

But this figure pales in comparison to both the size of the $3.7 trillion fiscal 2010 budget the president has proposed to Congress as well as the government's budget deficit, which the Congressional Budget Office projects will hit $1.85 trillion in fiscal 2009.

Obama sought to portray his savings proposal as a tone-setter rather than a package of big spending cuts.

"None of these things alone are going to make the difference but cumulatively, they make an extraordinary difference because they start setting a tone," Obama said following his first Cabinet meeting. "So what we're going to do is line by line, page by page, $100 million there, $100 million here, pretty soon, even in Washington, it adds up to real money."

Obama said in the weeks to come his administration also will propose eliminating 100 programs from the budget. The administration is expected to provide more details of its fiscal 2010 plan the week of May 4.

Republicans were quick to circulate e-mails illustrating how small $100 million is when compared to the amount of government spending and the debt.

"I appreciate the efforts to save millions by identifying unnecessary or duplicative government spending. But let's not forget that at the same time they're looking for millions in savings, the president's budget calls for adding trillions to the debt," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said in a statement.

Among the examples of how savings can be achieved, the administration said the Agriculture Department believes it can save $62 million on a 15-year lease by consolidating operations at seven facilities into one location. The Homeland Security Department, according to the White House, can save $52 million over five years by buying office supplies in bulk. These examples, and others detailed by the White House, focus on finding savings in existing operations as opposed to cutting programs.

Meanwhile, House and Senate lawmakers are negotiating details of a final budget resolution that sets broad outlines for tax and spending decisions later in the year.

The major differences in the competing versions (H Con Res 85, S Con Res 13) of the legislation are over discretionary spending levels and whether to use the budget reconciliation process, which prevents filibusters in the Senate, for health legislation.

The House wants to spend more on the fiscal 2010 appropriations bills and use reconciliation to move bills in September that would overhaul the health care system and rewrite student loan programs.

[HI54UNI]

SPIN METER: Obama's latest budget-tight ... difference

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Cut a latte or two out of your annual budget and you've just done as much belt-tightening as President Barack Obama asked of his Cabinet on Monday.

The thrifty measures Obama ordered for federal agencies are the equivalent of asking a family that spends $60,000 in a year to save $6.

Obama made his push for frugality the subject of his first Cabinet meeting, ensuring it would command the capital's attention. It also set off outbursts of mental math and scribbled calculations as political friend and foe tried to figure out its impact.

The bottom line: Not much.

The president gave his Cabinet 90 days to find $100 million in savings to achieve over time.

For all the trumpeting, the effort raised questions about why Obama set the bar so low, considering that $100 million amounts to:

--Less than one-quarter of the budget increase that Congress awarded to itself.

--4 percent of the military aid the United States sends to Israel.

--Less than half the cost of one F-22 fighter plane.

--7 percent of the federal subsidy for the money-losing Amtrak passenger rail system.

--1/10,000th of the government's operating budgets for Cabinet agencies, excluding the Iraq and Afghan wars and the stimulus bill.

Obama only asked his Cabinet secretaries to identify waste in their annual operating budgets, which total a little over $1 trillion. He's leaving out war costs, the economic stimulus measure, the Wall Street bailout and benefit programs like Social Security and Medicare.




Way to go Barry. That's really showing us how serious you are.

[dbackjon]

It is a start, but I wish he had set his sights higher.

Like $100 Billion...

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

It is a start, but I wish he had set his sights higher.

Like $100 Billion...

That would be cool, it seems the timing of this comes quickly on the heels of the silly tea bag stuff. Just seems like it's a little reactionary move since there was some turn out for the events. Haven't paid a bunch of attention to it all the last couple of weeks though so I may have it wrong.

[HI54UNI]

It is a start, but I wish he had set his sights higher.

Like $100 Billion...

That's my feeling too. If he had come out saying $100 billion I'd be giving him props on this thread. Instead he sounds like Jimmy Carter telling us to put on a sweater.

[Cap'n Cat]

It is a start, but I wish he had set his sights higher.

Like $100 Billion...

That's my feeling too. If he had come out saying $100 billion I'd be giving him props on this thread. Instead he sounds like Jimmy Carter telling us to put on a sweater.

Hey, Fiver, Carter was right, too. Dumbasses that we are and arrogant to the point of not tolerating solid suggestions, we laughed at Him. How many people do what he suggested now? I do. So do you.

[HI54UNI]

That's my feeling too. If he had come out saying $100 billion I'd be giving him props on this thread. Instead he sounds like Jimmy Carter telling us to put on a sweater.

Hey, Fiver, Carter was right, too. Dumbasses that we are and arrogant to the point of not tolerating solid suggestions, we laughed at Him. How many people do what he suggested now? I do. So do you.

Like hell I do. My parents kept the thermostat low in our house and I froze my ass for years. Once Obama and his cronies get their cap and tax in place and our utilities skyrocket then maybe I'll turn the thermostat down but until then it is going to be nice and toasty in my house!

[Cap'n Cat]

Hey, Fiver, Carter was right, too. Dumbasses that we are and arrogant to the point of not tolerating solid suggestions, we laughed at Him. How many people do what he suggested now? I do. So do you.

Like hell I do. My parents kept the thermostat low in our house and I froze my ass for years. Once Obama and his cronies get their cap and tax in place and our utilities skyrocket then maybe I'll turn the thermostat down but until then it is going to be nice and toasty in my house!

Yep, proving The Cap'ns point. Sacrifice is not in the American lexicon, as it is everywhere else. We're fat and spoiled. You're part of the problem, not the solution, loverboy.

[HI54UNI]

Like hell I do. My parents kept the thermostat low in our house and I froze my ass for years. Once Obama and his cronies get their cap and tax in place and our utilities skyrocket then maybe I'll turn the thermostat down but until then it is going to be nice and toasty in my house!

Yep, proving The Cap'ns point. Sacrifice is not in the American lexicon, as it is everywhere else. We're fat and spoiled. You're part of the problem, not the solution, loverboy.

Generalize much?

Obama is failing to lead just like Carter. Carter's intent to promote energy conservation was good but he had no message and the sweater comment was a worthless gesture. Obama has tremendous political capital right now but he is failing to use it. If he was the bold leader he promised he would be prior to the election he would've directed his cabinet to find $100 billion in cuts. But instead he has proved that he is a typical politician.

[Cap'n Cat]

Yep, proving The Cap'ns point. Sacrifice is not in the American lexicon, as it is everywhere else. We're fat and spoiled. You're part of the problem, not the solution, loverboy.

Generalize much?

Obama is failing to lead just like Carter. Carter's intent to promote energy conservation was good but he had no message and the sweater comment was a worthless gesture. Obama has tremendous political capital right now but he is failing to use it. If he was the bold leader he promised he would be prior to the election he would've directed his cabinet to find $100 billion in cuts. But instead he has proved that he is a typical politician.

Jesus.

More blind RushRegurgifvck shit. The American Taliban.

[HI54UNI]

Generalize much?

Obama is failing to lead just like Carter. Carter's intent to promote energy conservation was good but he had no message and the sweater comment was a worthless gesture. Obama has tremendous political capital right now but he is failing to use it. If he was the bold leader he promised he would be prior to the election he would've directed his cabinet to find $100 billion in cuts. But instead he has proved that he is a typical politician.

Jesus.

More blind RushRegurgifvck shit. The American Taliban.

More posts contributing nothing to the discussion.

[Cap'n Cat]

Jesus.

More blind RushRegurgifvck shit. The American Taliban.

More posts contributing nothing to the discussion.

Hey, Fluffy, what can a guy say to your superficial shit? It's like asking someone to expound on the glories of used tea bags, man. You're, indeed, a dedicated follower of Rushie Conk fashion, though, picking on a guy who just got in and towards whom you're bitter for helping bury your party in the ashheap of the century.


Again, what can a guy say about such hate and sociopolitical curmudgeonliness? You're just a good looking Bill O'Reilly.

[HI54UNI]

More posts contributing nothing to the discussion.

Hey, Fluffy, what can a guy say to your superficial shit? It's like asking someone to expound on the glories of used tea bags, man. You're, indeed, a dedicated follower of Rushie Conk fashion, though, picking on a guy who just got in and towards whom you're bitter for helping bury your party in the ashheap of the century.


Again, what can a guy say about such hate and sociopolitical curmudgeonliness? You're just a good looking Bill O'Reilly.

More name calling, generalizing, and adding nothing. Why don't you use your brilliant mind and enlighten me on how you see Obama cutting a measly $100 million out of our $3.7 trillion budget is a bold move?

You did get the good looking part right though!

[dbackjon]

Hey, Fluffy, what can a guy say to your superficial shit? It's like asking someone to expound on the glories of used tea bags, man. You're, indeed, a dedicated follower of Rushie Conk fashion, though, picking on a guy who just got in and towards whom you're bitter for helping bury your party in the ashheap of the century.


Again, what can a guy say about such hate and sociopolitical curmudgeonliness? You're just a good looking Bill O'Reilly.

More name calling, generalizing, and adding nothing. Why don't you use your brilliant mind and enlighten me on how you see Obama cutting a measly $100 million out of our $3.7 trillion budget is a bold move?

You did get the good looking part right though!

It is not a bold move, but a first step. I wish it had been a bigger step, but I am willing to wait for the follow-up.

Remember, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

[wideright82]

More name calling, generalizing, and adding nothing. Why don't you use your brilliant mind and enlighten me on how you see Obama cutting a measly $100 million out of our $3.7 trillion budget is a bold move?

You did get the good looking part right though!

It is not a bold move, but a first step. I wish it had been a bigger step, but I am willing to wait for the follow-up.

Remember, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

When I start buying RC Cola instead of Coke and tell my (hypothetical) wife this will help our spending problem, I'll see how she likes my single step.


Honey it's ok that we only make 100K a year and spend 470,000 dollars, I'll stop buying Coca Cola, and switch to the cheap shit. That'll save us $9.99 this year!!!

[danefan]

It is not a bold move, but a first step. I wish it had been a bigger step, but I am willing to wait for the follow-up.

Remember, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

When I start buying RC Cola instead of Coke and tell my (hypothetical) wife this will help our spending problem, I'll see how she likes my single step.


Honey it's ok that we only make 100K a year and spend 470,000 dollars, I'll stop buying Coca Cola, and switch to the cheap shit. That'll save us $9.99 this year!!!

Excuse me sir....don't even call RC Cola the "cheap shit".

RC Cola = the best GD cola beverage available.

[OL FU]

Kudos for the effort if you really think it is an effort but I bet I could find $100 million in savings the first day I looked at the federal government's books

the main thing that gets me about this and yes this has to do with our history of political bullshit no matter what party. Is $100 million isn't even worth announcing.

[Cap'n Cat]

Hey, Fluffy, what can a guy say to your superficial shit? It's like asking someone to expound on the glories of used tea bags, man. You're, indeed, a dedicated follower of Rushie Conk fashion, though, picking on a guy who just got in and towards whom you're bitter for helping bury your party in the ashheap of the century.


Again, what can a guy say about such hate and sociopolitical curmudgeonliness? You're just a good looking Bill O'Reilly.

More name calling, generalizing, and adding nothing. Why don't you use your brilliant mind and enlighten me on how you see Obama cutting a measly $100 million out of our $3.7 trillion budget is a bold move?

You did get the good looking part right though!

Hey, Tiger, I ain't even involved in this one. Just calling out your hate and enjoyin' the job security you're providin' me by spoutin' and spewin', Rovey.

Fux like you jumpin' on every little thing the president does - you look like an idot, but I thank you at the same time. I'd be bored if you weren't doing it. AND, you're two biggest buddies aren't here, so you're havin' to be their little chihuahua mouthpiece until they return.

Carry on.



"Fvckin' meow. Conks too blind to see, man. Tsk, tsk."

[OL FU]

More name calling, generalizing, and adding nothing. Why don't you use your brilliant mind and enlighten me on how you see Obama cutting a measly $100 million out of our $3.7 trillion budget is a bold move?

You did get the good looking part right though!

Hey, Tiger, I ain't even involved in this one. Just calling out your hate and enjoyin' the job security you're providin' me by spoutin' and spewin', Rovey.

Fux like you jumpin' on every little thing the president does - you look like an idot, but I thank you at the same time. I'd be bored if you weren't doing it. AND, you're two biggest buddies aren't here, so you're havin' to be their little chihuahua mouthpiece until they return.

Carry on.



"Fvckin' meow. Conks too blind to see, man. Tsk, tsk."

Nobody would jump if the promise wasn't ridiculous easy to start.

I stay out of a lot of the Obama bashing threads because (and take a deep breath) I think much of the foreign policies criticisms have been ridiculous and to a large degree agree with much of the directional change.

But why even make the comment that you are sending your cabinet out to find $100m in savings. It is simply PR. $100 million in savings in a $3.6T budget should only be worth a phone call.

[Cap'n Cat]

Nobody would jump if the promise wasn't ridiculous easy to start.

I stay out of a lot of the Obama bashing threads because (and take a deep breath) I think much of the foreign policies criticisms have been ridiculous and to a large degree agree with much of the directional change.

But why even make the comment that you are sending your cabinet out to find $100m in savings. It is simply PR. $100 million in savings in a $3.6T budget should only be worth a phone call.

Hey, The Cap'n agrees, FU. Shit, but to make a federal case out of it? That's the Conk circus I'm enjoying! As if THAT is defining the fvcker's tenure in office!

Silly Conkiness on parade, that's all=, and HIFiver is holding the baton. He's pissed because I dared to tread on his thread.

[HI54UNI]

Nobody would jump if the promise wasn't ridiculous easy to start.

I stay out of a lot of the Obama bashing threads because (and take a deep breath) I think much of the foreign policies criticisms have been ridiculous and to a large degree agree with much of the directional change.

But why even make the comment that you are sending your cabinet out to find $100m in savings. It is simply PR. $100 million in savings in a $3.6T budget should only be worth a phone call.

Hey, The Cap'n agrees, FU. Shit, but to make a federal case out of it? That's the Conk circus I'm enjoying! As if THAT is defining the fvcker's tenure in office!

Silly Conkiness on parade, that's all=, and HIFiver is holding the baton. He's pissed because I dared to tread on his thread.

Hell no. I'm bored and need somebody to argue with too. Playing phone tag with a guy and can't finish up my project until he calls back. Jon basically agreed that Obama was a wuss on this one and none of the other D's are stepping up. You're all I've got Capn. I might have to find another site to bait people on.

[OL FU]

Nobody would jump if the promise wasn't ridiculous easy to start.

I stay out of a lot of the Obama bashing threads because (and take a deep breath) I think much of the foreign policies criticisms have been ridiculous and to a large degree agree with much of the directional change.

But why even make the comment that you are sending your cabinet out to find $100m in savings. It is simply PR. $100 million in savings in a $3.6T budget should only be worth a phone call.

Hey, The Cap'n agrees, FU. Shit, but to make a federal case out of it? That's the Conk circus I'm enjoying! As if THAT is defining the fvcker's tenure in office!

Silly Conkiness on parade, that's all=, and HIFiver is holding the baton. He's pissed because I dared to tread on his thread.

Well there has been a lot of silliness that is for certain. Listening to Buchanan today talk about the interaction between Chavez and Obama today and thought what did you want him to do "Hit Hugo on the head with that book"

But in this case, the silliness started with the announcement of the request.

[Cap'n Cat]

Hey, The Cap'n agrees, FU. Shit, but to make a federal case out of it? That's the Conk circus I'm enjoying! As if THAT is defining the fvcker's tenure in office!

Silly Conkiness on parade, that's all=, and HIFiver is holding the baton. He's pissed because I dared to tread on his thread.

Hell no. I'm bored and need somebody to argue with too. Playing phone tag with a guy and can't finish up my project until he calls back. Jon basically agreed that Obama was a wuss on this one and none of the other D's are stepping up. You're all I've got Capn. I might have to find another site to bait people on.

Obama's people mighta handled it differently, but WTF? It ain't just a Conk thing, either. Every tiny SEEMING misstep by a Republican is a thing for the World Court all the time, acc. to many loudmouth Democrat types.


Such are the times in which we live.

[wideright82]

When I start buying RC Cola instead of Coke and tell my (hypothetical) wife this will help our spending problem, I'll see how she likes my single step.


Honey it's ok that we only make 100K a year and spend 470,000 dollars, I'll stop buying Coca Cola, and switch to the cheap shit. That'll save us $9.99 this year!!!

Excuse me sir....don't even call RC Cola the "cheap shit".

RC Cola = the best GD cola beverage available.

My bad DF, can I go with the generic Shop-Rite?

[native]

It is a start, but I wish he had set his sights higher.

Like $100 Billion...

That would be cool, it seems the timing of this comes quickly on the heels of the silly tea bag stuff. Just seems like it's a little reactionary move since there was some turn out for the events. Haven't paid a bunch of attention to it all the last couple of weeks though so I may have it wrong.

Actually the entire first 100 days seems like a constant tinkering of policy and policy announcements based on the latest focus groups and polls.