GOP: Obama's budget a "road map to Greece"

By: Leigh Ann Caldwell
Topics: Domestic Issues

In their weekly address, the Republican Party attacked the president for his latest budget, saying it continues along the path of government spending and higher taxes.

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington delivered the video address where she called the president's budget "devastating" and a "road map to Greece."

President Obama released his 2013 budget Monday which proposes $4 trillion in deficit reduction over the next decade but also invests billions in programs to spur economic development.

While the president says his plan "rejects 'you're on your own' economics," McMorris Rodgers called it irresponsible, noting that his proposal would run a trillion dollar deficit.

"If we keep on going like this, the consequences will be devastating," McMorris Rodgers said. "The president's budget isn't a blueprint for America; it's a road map to Greece."

As this week marked the third anniversary of the stimulus package, McMorris Rodgers used the opportunity to remind voters that the stimulus defied Democrats' expectations of keeping unemployment below 8 percent, which is what the White House projected. As unemployment peaked at 10 percent and currently sits at 8.3 percent, McMorris Rodgers portrayed the president as a man full of false expectations.

"President Obama's broken promises have left our country broke," she said.

In his weekly address from a Boeing plant in Everett, Washington, President Obama discussed one aspect of his budget proposal. He touted his plan to revive the manufacturing sector and return jobs back to the U.S.

"No company should get a tax break for outsourcing jobs," the president said on the last day of his west coast tour to promote his economic policies and raise money for his re-election bid. "Instead, tax breaks should go to manufacturers who set up shop here at home. Bigger tax breaks should go to high-tech manufacturers who create the jobs of the future. And if you relocate your company to a struggling community, you should get help financing that new plant, that new equipment, or training for new workers."

Leigh Ann Caldwell
Leigh Ann Caldwell is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by CNH February 19, 2012 9:05 PM EST

Comparisons between the United States and Greece is little more than irrational fear-mongering by desperate Republicans and demonstrates a superficial understanding of global macro-economics.

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by occupy_cbs February 20, 2012 12:14 AM EST: Exactly!


by occupy_cbs February 19, 2012 5:35 PM EST: Dan1801: "Bush is not in charge now. Bush never had deficits nearly this big."

While you are correct for once, bush is not in charge any longer, but the bush/cheney policies continue today, driving our current deficits much more than any Obama policies, which is exactly why the majority of Americans blame bush for the economic mess and budget deficits.

When bush left office on Jan. 20th, 2009, the 2009 Budget Deficit stood at $1.2 Trillion, and that was with OFF-BUDGET WAR FUNDING, as was the case with every one of his budgets.

Bush Tax Cuts, War Costs Do Lasting Harm to Budget Outlook

Just two policies dating from the Bush Administration -- tax cuts and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan -- accounted for over $500 billion of the deficit in 2009 and will account for almost $7 trillion in deficits in 2009 through 2019, including the associated debt-service costs. (The prescription drug benefit enacted in 2003 accounts for further substantial increases in deficits and debt, which we are unable to quantify due to data limitations.) These impacts easily dwarf the stimulus and financial rescues. Furthermore, unlike those temporary costs, these inherited policies (especially the tax cuts and the drug benefit) do not fade away as the economy recovers.

Without the economic downturn and the fiscal policies of the previous Administration, the budget would be roughly in balance over the next decade. That would have put the nation on a much sounder footing to address the demographic challenges and the cost pressures in health care that darken the long-run fiscal outlook.

http://www.cbpp.org/cms/?fa=view&id=3036; Reply to this comment

by steventheo69 February 19, 2012 5:30 PM EST

The economic woes started when Bush took office.Getting us involved in two wars only made things worse.Since Obama took office,the republicans have done nothing but criticize every decision,& announcement of the White House.There has been no positive input from the GOP,only there own selfish agenda to regain power.95% of the "republicans" should be charged with treason against the american people.They are nothing short of self seeking,low lifes!!!!

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by occupy_cbs February 19, 2012 6:05 PM EST: Yes, by republican leaders admitting that their "primary objective is to oust Obama," they are the ones that have proven they are anti-American and should be removed for treason, putting their political party well before our country!


by occupy_cbs February 19, 2012 5:20 PM EST: slatep: "The Republicans have admitted that their primary objective is to oust Obama in the 2012 election."

"Obama should be impeached for his failure to lead"

First off, Article II, Section 4 of Our Constitution clearly states that impeachment can only remove a sitting President for "Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors," of which your political rhetoric of "failure to lead" is notoriously missing.

By republican leaders admitting that their "primary objective is to oust Obama," they are the ones that have proven they are anti-American and should be removed for treason, putting their political party well before our country!; Reply to this comment


by slatep February 19, 2012 4:37 PM EST: Politicians who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

The downfall of the US started the day GB2 took office.

Since the day Obama took office; the chief aim of the Reublican party (by their own admission) has been to get him out of office.

As a result; this country has been in a downward spiral, because all the politicians have been focusing on is the election of a Republican to the White House.

Meanwhile; Americans have lost their jobs, their homes, we are fed a line about the true number of people who are jobless and the national debt has been increased by trillions and illegal immigrants are draining the pockets of middle class Americans dry.

We need somebody who can lead this country back to the free and prosperous nation it once was; not people whose only interest is getting elected or re-elected.

TO: Obama and Congress.

We have had enough of your games.!!

Just a reminder: We do not need any elected official who plays games.

Therefore. we do not need the current Congress and President.!!

Vote every last one of them out in the 2012 election.

It's the only way we are going to get our country back.; Reply to this comment

by RDriftwood February 19, 2012 2:32 PM EST

If the GOP knew how to fix the economy, then why did they wreck it between 2000 and 2008? Actually, by 2006 the damage was already done. The wars were already declared and the trillions in costs already committed to. And, the tax cuts for the wealthy were already in place. What would it take to get the GOP to accept some responsibility for their actions between 2000 and 2006? What would it take to get the GOP to admit that this is the source of our current debt problem?

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by irreverentasever February 19, 2012 2:44 PM EST: They are such two faced liars. If you suggest that two unfunded wars in Iraq and Afghanistan had anything to do with the current economic situation they just shrug their shoulders and deny it.


by irreverentasever February 19, 2012 2:30 PM EST: Here in Wisconsin republicans are trying to force down our throats a pro mining bill constructed by them and their corporate masters to bring strip mining to northern Wisconsin. They intentionally left out the citizens and the Bad River Indian band where the waters that would be used to run this operation affect their watershed. Thankfully the tribe has federal law on their side to prevent the white man from ruining and stealing their resources, again.; Reply to this comment


by Jhihmoac February 19, 2012 1:49 PM EST: ...and where does the GOP save money? At least she doesn't have a maniacal look like Bachmann...; Reply to this comment


by occupy_cbs February 19, 2012 1:33 PM EST: Reagan insider: 'GOP destroyed U.S. economy'

David Stockman, President Ronald Reagan's director of the Office of Management and Budget, wrote in "Four Deformations of the Apocalypse," how the economic decisions of the GOP the past 40 years, has destroyed not just the economy and capitalism, but the America dream.

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Dan1801: "You debate skills need work. Just citing one man does not make your right!"
=====

LOL!

Apparently folks, our resident republican troll danny boy, doesn't know that Stockman and Bartlett are the conservative republicans that formulated "supply-side economic insanity" under saint ronnie, and are now railing against it as the main driver of our budget deficits!

Even alan greenspan says tax cuts with borrowed money is EVIL.; Reply to this comment

by slatep February 19, 2012 1:22 PM EST

Just heard somebody on CNN say that the Obama "regime" does not have the right to "dictate" to the people of the US what insurance companies and policies we have to follow "or else".!!

Obama's health care plan is a prime example.

It's not 2000 pages long for nothing.!!

The Supreme Court is reviewing wether or not the health care plan is actually legal.

From what I have read and heard about this health care plan; IT'S NOT.!!

Obama and the current Congress have done more harm than good to America.

The Republicans have admitted that their primary objective is to oust Obama in the 2012 election.

Unfortunately; instead of working toward solving the crises we now face in the US (thanks to them); their only focus is on being elected or re-elected.

"If you can't get people with the truth, baffle them with bulls**t."

Obama should be impeached for his failure to lead before the 2012 election or we are only going to get four more years of the same bullcrap we have to put up with now.

We have to take our country back now, and by "WE" I mean the ordinary citizens of the United States.

We have put our trust in Congress and Obama to do what is right for the good of the people and the US.

They have FAILED miserably.

Politics is the name of the game now; not LEADING.

Somewhere we have to find a person who is really dedicated to improving life here in the US; whose interest is aimed at the public and not their party.

We have to "hurry", because November 2012 is closer than you think.

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by arthanyel February 19, 2012 1:57 PM EST: Nothing in the affordable care act is illegal, and the SCOTUS is almost certain to uphold the constitutionality since the liberals think it is and the conservatives don't want to kill a precedent they can use in the future to force their ideology on the entire country,

Obama can not be impeached because he hasn't done anything impeachable. You can disagree with him, you can vote against him if you wish, but you can't impeach him. I personally disagree that Obama has done a terrible job, under the circumstances I think he done done above average - but the average is very low.

The rest of your comments are, unfortunately, accurate. I don't see a citizen's "revolution" occurring by November this year, however. The entire system is rigged so that the only people on the ballot are tools.

We can fix it, but it's going to take a constitutional convention.