1

What the fuck is that?

2 Why the picture of Kloppenburg?  She hasn't won anything yet.

3 nancy?

4 Have you seen this cat?  Because it is AWESOME.

5 Helen?

6 Chewbacca's cat.

7

/sock

Anyhow, it looks like California's being double teamed by Ram-Man and Fist-O, for those of you who enjoy homoerotic 80's action figure references.

8 What is bad about the Post Office is that it is one of the few damn federal agencies authorized by the Constitution.

What it needs is (1) get rid of the union (2) get rid of PC hiring and firing rules and (3) Fire everybody in the post office above first level supervisor and replace them.

But, like the changes we need to get the budget in order it will never happen.

9 i like this website. and buy wholesale makeup
wholesale mac makeup
mac makeup wholesalers
mac makeup
on wholesalemakeupchina.com.

10

Yes, I think it would be a splendid idea to buy makeup from China from an online spambot and then apply it to my actual skin!

Because my life isn't full of enough doctors and crap already.

11 That...thing would fit right in as a GoW game boss.

12 AWESOME.

13 The United States Postal Service has been on life-support for as long as I can remember.

A few years ago, found myself in a tight situation, and had to apply for unemployment benefits, something I had tried very hard to avoid.  I got turned down (because I waited too long to apply...if you need it, apply asap!) but when the ESC did turn me down, I received seven pieces of mail from them, each with one piece of paper inside a sealed envelope, and they all arrived on the same fucking day.  Even worse, it was the exact same info I had already received by email about a week earlier.

Shut the whole USPS down.  Its nothing but a make-work project that is already being done more efficiently by the private sector.

14 http://tinyurl.com/mgu6aj

Sorry, no DOOM this morning, Monty. As soon as I sat down to drink my morning Te' and ingest some morning doom; Bob Marley's Three Little Birds played on the radio. So, "don't worry 'bout a thing - every little thing's gonna be alright"

15 I came to play

16 People have to stop crossbreeding cats and bats.

17 When the going gets tough, the tough...get lost?

West Wing briefing: Obama headed out of D.C. as shutdown looms

18 17 When the going gets tough, the tough...get lost?

West Wing briefing: Obama headed out of D.C. as shutdown looms

Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at April 06, 2011 09:33 AM (9hSKh) 

Guess what I know - that you don't? No air traffic controllers - bitch!

19 19 Yes, there may be a lot of doom out there but damn, stocks are still going strong.  Of course, they are strong because of Bernacke's fairy dust, but still.  Now we need to just figure out when to bail.  I've slowly exited some stocks but others, like PANL have just rocketed up.  Monty, you hearing anything of a market correction in the next 2 weeks?

Posted by: CDR M at April 06, 2011 09:38 AM (5I8G0)

I'm not Monty, (but wish I was), Ellitot Wave dudes are saying 12,500

20

Barack is looking rough these days.  What's with the fur collar?  Oh right, he's back to pimping himself for votes.

21 Something I thought that was interesting about Ryan's budget is that he admitted it didn't go far enough and stated he would be writing stand-alone bills to address certain issues. Apparently, one of them would be a plan to address reforming Social Security.

22

West Wing briefing: Obama headed out of D.C. as shutdown looms

Well since all nonessential services will be shut down why would he stick around.

23 Doom in the morning is so motivativing for the rest of the day. Thanks Monty.

24

I'm not Monty, (but wish I was), Ellitot Wave dudes are saying 12,500

Mayans are saying 2012.  Yikes!

25

Hey Monty....tell us the truth, what is really goin on out there. Don't hold back, we can take it; don't sugar-coat it.

Yeeesh

 

26 21 Just how much money does the USPS make off junk mail?  And where are the enviro-nazi's on this?

It gets recycled by the county, Doh!  It's like there's a whole evil machine out there dedicated to extracting tax money for permanent voting blocs.  Who'd create such a thing.  Must be that darned kitteh.

27

West Wing briefing: Obama headed out of D.C. as shutdown looms

Yeah, I just blogged on that.

It saddens me that our field appears to be so weak right now. I realize that a lot of things can happen in the next ten months, but this guy is ripe for the picking and there isn't a challenger out there that really appeals to me.

28 25

I'm not Monty, (but wish I was), Ellitot Wave dudes are saying 12,500

Posted by: Mike H at April 06, 2011 09:39 AM (zqzYV)

Yeah, I just have a feeling that the peak is near based on a lot of things but then again, it's not like this market has behaved correctly either.

Posted by: CDR M at April 06, 2011 09:41 AM (5I8G0)

Yes, if you look at historical patterns, the market is mapping to what happened in 1937. A big run-up to a collapse. I see nothing on the economic front that says people should invest in any business. I see Bernacke trying to re-inflate the market to prevent a credit collapse - won't happen.

29 The day don't start 'til Monty brings the DOOM.

30 Read the WSJ article on India yesterday. Who ever would have suspected that graft and corruption were an integral part of getting a technical degree in India? (Notice that I did not say earning a degree.)

Perhaps Tata Group and others from India looking for capable staff ought to look over here instead.; they might be pleasantly surprised (as would I, to be frank, but you never know).

31 Yeah, I just have a feeling that the peak is near based on a lot of things but then again, it's not like this market has behaved correctly either. Equities are doing better, but I'd expect that as the business cycle continues to recover from the recession. Volumes are still low, though, and there's a lot of absurd valuation out there -- banks being the primary malefactors. (I would touch a bank stock with a barge-pole right now, no matter what it was trading at.) No one cares about dividends or P/E ratios any more -- it's just a day-to-day casino. If I want to piss away my money gambling, I'll buy lotto tickets. And really, the market isn't up by as much as you might think since the start of the year. Cumulatively, it's only up by 6% or so, which isn't historically all that great. If you have a 401(k), you're probably getting returns in the range of 4-6%, and you may end the year up by 7% or so if things don't crap out...but that's about as good as it's going to get, I think.

32 19, CDR M, gold, silver, ETFs of ag, genrl commodities, and oil.  Then just sit tight.

33 I would touch a bank stock That is, I wouldn't touch a bank stock. Stupid brain!

34 I have a very scientific way at looking at investing. Big Banking is Lucy. I'm Charlie Brown. They hold out the football promising that this time I'll be allowed to make a field goal. Frack 'em - I'm warming the bench. Fool me once - shame on you, fool me twice - shame on me, fool me three times - I love being fracked.

35 O/T Martha Mac looking hotter than normal this A.M. on Fox.

36 36 19, CDR M, gold, silver, ETFs of ag, genrl commodities, and oil.  Then just sit tight.

Posted by: Sukie Tawdry at April 06, 2011 09:55 AM (MPtFW)

OMG, don't go anywhere near any commodity. Good measure of when to avoid any financial instrument. When everyone is telling you to buy - sell. When everyone is telling you to sell - buy.

37 According to the Democrats, that cat (?) will be in better shape than our elderly if Paul Ryan has his way with the budget.

38 Farther O/T, Bristol made $282K last year.

39
Boehner hates cowboys
Me, I love 'em: therefore I
Must throw cash at them.

40

What is bad about the Post Office is that it is one of the few damn federal agencies authorized by the Constitution.

What it needs is (1) get rid of the union (2) get rid of PC hiring and firing rules and (3) Fire everybody in the post office above first level supervisor and replace them.

But, like the changes we need to get the budget in order it will never happen.

Yeah, we'll never be able to privatize the Post Office.

Although they do come up with creative solutions. When people began to complain about wait time they simly took all the clocks out of post offices.

41 Monty's Doom is my daily dose of financial methadone.

42 We need a Martha Mac-SE Cupp-Megan Kelly hot-off to rally the troops.

43 42
Farther O/T, Bristol made $282K last year.
Posted by: Tom at April 06, 2011 09:58 AM (MWXXs)

Assuming that you are referring to Bristol Palin, it would be extremely interesting to learn what Meggie Mac, Columbia grad extraordinaire, made last year ...

44 46 We need a Martha Mac-SE Cupp-Megan Kelly hot-off to rally the troops.

Posted by: dananjcon at April 06, 2011 10:01 AM (pr+up)

The could definitely get them all to stand at attention...

45 The = They

46 Martha and Megyn have, or will shortly have, several kids, S.E. not so much. So, they get points.

47 You know what I'm thinking.

48 Hi Everybody!

49 Politico is having fun quotng Republicans who are worried they will lose their seats over Ryan's budget. Then they mention that some moderate Rs remain opposed because it is so dangerous and that some libertarians (fellow RSC members) dislike it because it does not go far enough. I would not normally take Politico's word for it but both positions have been repeatedly made known. Those who will vote nay because it does not go far enough disgust me more than these weak-kneed wimps because they (1) knew that the budgeteers' hands were tied because of these same moderates and other cowards and (2) they will not commit to making the RSC budget an amendment. 

50 44
Although they do come up with creative solutions. When people began to complain about wait time they simly took all the clocks out of post offices.
Posted by: Ben at April 06, 2011 09:59 AM (wuv1c)

Ah yes, USPS time and Amtrak time: two phenomena of nature that Einstein would be challenged to fit into his laws of relativity. In neither case does anything move at near light speeds, yet time passes so exceedingly slowly in their facilities.

51 52 Hi Everybody!

Posted by: Dr. Nick Riviera at April 06, 2011 10:04 AM (Z1jiu)

HI Dr. NICK!!!

52 If Barak Obama were a cat..............

53 53 Politico is having fun quoting Republicans who are worried they will lose their seats over Ryan's budget.
Posted by: Miss'80sBaby at April 06, 2011 10:04 AM (UO6+e)

You weren't elected for life, fellas. Suck it up, do what's right for the country and the question of your continued election to the office will take care of itself.

54 I'd hit it.

55

53 Have to correct that last bit-- RSC finally committed to an amendment. But when the whole of your party is opposed to more serious entitlement reform and opposes more cuts than the 2012 budget, is it really so difficult to fight alongside those who are advocating the most serious plan out there, or is it better to divide by promoting an amendment that will be endorsed by less than 100 people*? My word but the GOP is composed of glory hounds, those who can't see the forest for the trees, and cowards scared of losing their seats. How are we supposed to get meaningful reform with this bunch? 

_{*Most of those 100 likely being RSC members, freshmen, budgeteers, and a few in the leadership.}

56 ugh did you see msnbc's interview of michelle bachman? ....so what are you going to do to make people think you are a credible person? well i am a credible person....i have a law degree...my family has taken 23 children into our family...we started a charter school.....let's look at obama's credibility....ANSWER THE QUESTION!!!! (she did....the media can't hear rational conservatives)

57 I am so tired of dealing with Indian Engineers. They have zero critical thinking skills and generally don't know how to put a nut on a bolt. Sure, they make 1/10th as much as US engineers...but they produce 1/20th as much. Give me a US military veteran from a technical rate over an Indian engineer any day. Here's a typical phone conversation: "Hello, Grim speaking." "Hello, is Grim there please?" "One second, let me transfer you." I then bang the phone on the desk a couple of times. "Hello, Grim speaking." Grim

58 Monty, clearly you aren't listening to our president.  He says everything his fine and I believe him.  He told me so in a hotel hallway. I have blind faith in him.  He's just so smart and good looking and built like a thoroughbred. 

59

All of this spells Are You In?

First, we have Winning The Future, now we have R U In.  I think O'Keefe infiltrated the Obama reelection campaign. 

Monty, where did you get a picture of my ex-wife?

60 “What we can’t be doing is using last year’s budget process to have arguments about abortion; to have arguments about the Environmental Protection Agency; to try to use this budget negotiation as a vehicle for every ideological or political difference between the two parties. That’s what the legislature is for, is to have those arguments, but not stuff it all into one budget bill.”

All of Pres**ent Obama's political achievements are based on the "outstanding leadership" of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. That said. the woman is obviously mentally challenged, so for Obama to beat this poor pathetic idiot like a little boy in the midst of a plethora of pinatas is just despicable.

61 Grim, I'm a veteran--are you hiring?  Granted, I don't have an AmishDude-approved degree, but I'm constantly criticizing everything around me, so I have the mentality of an engineer. 

62

So the Precedent who was sibilantly telling us "We all need to make sacrifices" is having a recordsetting dollar/plate fundraiser that even his rich supporters are having a difficult time to swallow.  (But I'm sure that they will somehow scrape up the cash.) From SFGatedotcom:

Even loyal Obama supporters are raising their eyebrows at the very pricey fundraising -- like that exclusive $35,800-per-person dinner in San Francisco -- planned as part of the President's April 20 visit to the Bay Area.

The April Western U.S. swing by the President, which includes a stop in Reno and Los Angeles as well as San Francisco, is part of Obama's 2012 re-election kickoff campaign. But also scheduled is what the White House promises will be a jobs and economy event in the Bay Area on April 20.

Obama supporters acknowledge that the $35,800 per person San Francisco Obama Victory Fund dinner may represent a new pricetag high for political fundraising. After all, loyal Dems thought the ceiling was reached last Oct. 21, when tickets to that Obama dinner in the Palo Alto home of Google executive Marissa Mayer hit an astonishing $30,800 per person.

Yes, "there's a little bit of sticker shock,'' one Dem told us this week. The explanation: $30,800 of that donation will go to the Democratic National Committee, with $5,000 going to the Obama campaign -- $2,500 for the primary and $2,500 for the general election.

*April 20th evening: Obama will star at a very exclusive dinner at the San Francisco home of Marc Benioff, chairman and CEO of salesforce.com. That will allow just 60 high end supporters to dine with the President; potential donors are being told that Obama will "go to each table and speak with everyone individually,'' with photographer in tow for that $35,800 check. ("Yes, you read that correctly,'' another astonished potential check-writer told us.)

Which begs the question.  Will Obama actually stick around for dinner and pictures?  Or will he bug out early because he has to "scoop the poop".  Enquiring minds want to know.  Just goes to show you, a fool and his money are soon parted.  A rich fool, even moreso. 

63

First, we have Winning The Future, now we have R U In.  I think O'Keefe infiltrated the Obama reelection campaign. 

 

Isn't that what Moochelle says to Bambi whenever they engage in conjugal rites?

That ad was sooo lame, they had to resort to using just the same 3 people the entire time--"lesbian smart set white lady", "bitter clinging red neck type older white guy", and the "Latina Mama Bear."

64 $35,800 per person

They couldn't round it to $35,000 ? .. why not $35,999.99 ?
Of course in DC, they would make it $35,800,000,000,000.00

65 Damn, Monty. I posted that horrible cat picture yesterday. He hasn't improved overnight I see.

66 First, we have Winning The Future, now we have R U In.

To be honest, I missed that.  I got 'Ocean's 11' images in my head...

67 57 53 You weren't elected for life, fellas. Suck it up, do what's right for the country and the question of your continued election to the office will take care of itself.

I somehow doubt they'll come to see it that way.

68 Sat in a real estate update class yesterday with some developers who will suck any dick to get a zoning permit.  They all wanted to know who the fuck we were going to run to beat "The One". Absent someone quickly, they were going to whore out to the democrats, again!

Just thought you'd like some more DOOM.  The money hates The One, but they don't need the drama of uncertainty.  They all agreed that the county would not elect a Mormon, so the Utah boys are dead in the shed.

69 That is one ugly pussy...

70
Doom? You want DOOM? I've got that fucking Fox & Friends theme music on infinite repeat in my head right now.

I'd rather have the Great Depression II: Dustbowl Boogaloo.

71 Damn, Monty. I posted that horrible cat picture yesterday. He hasn't improved overnight I see. *You* were the one who tipped me to it! I'll update the post to provide a hat-tip.

72 The First Wookie never looked so good...

73 Fox and Friends.....I wanna be friends with Gretchen's inner thighs. MMMMmmmmm........silky, firm, smoothe, shapely......mmmmmmm.

74 *You* were the one who tipped me to it! I'll update the post to provide a hat-tip.

Posted by: Monty at April 06, 2011 10:31 AM (4Pleu)

Unnecessary, Monty.

75

"Are you in?" is a great slogan because it's used in gambling when someone is about to take a stupid risk they've taken before knowing the odds are against them, but they feel they should do it anyway.

76 Dang. In my dreamy lust for Gretchen's thighs I misspelled smooth, but they are soooo smooth, they MUST be smoothe.

77 Posted by: Beagle at April 06, 2011 10:34 AM (sOtz/)

Wasn't that what heidi klune would say, instead of "your fired" on that fashion show with the meticulous gay fashionisto

78

Ryan's plan is the best so far and may actually help the situtation, but what's up with the CBO saying it will increase the debt?

 

(... love the Medicaid/Medicare fix, the next budget must address S.S.) 

79
Fox and Friends.....I wanna be friends with Gretchen's inner thighs. MMMMmmmmm........silky, firm, smoothe, shapely......mmmmmmm.



The only sane reason to watch F&F is to get a nice viewing angle on Gretchen's panties. The DOOM of my life is that my morning news choices are F&F or the local incompetent communist Action News.

80 Bristol made only 252K? I thought she would have made much more. Dancing with Stars, book advance and reality show. Hell the mom on MTVs Teen Mom show made over 500K.

81 but what's up with the CBO saying it will increase the debt? Think of the debt like a ballistic arc -- it has a lot of momentum even if we cut off the fuel; it will continue on its trajectory for awhile until it noses over and begins to fall.

82
That quarter-million simoleans for Bristol is just from one source, if I remember correctly.

83

"It begins with us" is the one I've seen.  Where is "are you in?"

84
Wookie kitteh is really freaking me out.

85 Posted by: Shoey at April 06, 2011 10:36 AM (473WA)

I heard this for the first time from Juan Williams yesterday on hannity's show when Williams and Varney were having their little spot.  Williams really threw hannity and varney for a loop and hannity began asking where he got this information and for proof.  I began wondering what he was talking about and, since I'd heard the CBO had already checked Ryan's play and said nothing about this I was beginning to really try and figure out what Williams' point was.  As near as I can tell, all these budgets are going to increase the deficit, all of them.  The only way the deficit wouldn't be increased would be if they only spent what they take in and probably, due to servicing the debt, even a budget on that basis would add to the debt cause debt servicing is onerous.

86 Holy shit!  That looks like my boss.

87 We are talking Obama slogans, right?  I haven't finished my RDA of 2.8 liters of coffee yet. 

88 87 but what's up with the CBO saying it will increase the debt?

Think of the debt like a ballistic arc -- it has a lot of momentum even if we cut off the fuel; it will continue on its trajectory for awhile until it noses over and begins to fall.

Posted by: Monty at April 06, 2011 10:38 AM (4Pleu)

 

so it decreases the deficit, which will eventually decrease the debt, but raises the debt temporarily?

89 Posted by: Beagle at April 06, 2011 10:39 AM (sOtz/)

wasn't that in the "are you in" well if you are then donate dammit email.  Emails which apparently can't be sent to the spam filter if you are on g mail...

90 I like the way all the fair-and-balanced talking heads are bashing the shit out of the Ryan plan while eliding the fact that the Democrats' plan is to ignore the problem and spend like hell.

Come the apocalypse, I'm going after reporters.

91

I swear to God, that is the ugliest cat I ever laid eyes on. That includes the dead ones on the highway, half eaten by crows and teeming with fly larvae.

92 Who is that dog supposed to look like?  Cause to me I see Airi anna ...

look again, you'll see her too.

93 Think of the debt like a ballistic arc -- it has a lot of momentum even if we cut off the fuel; it will continue on its trajectory for awhile until it noses over and begins to fall.

Posted by: Monty at April 06, 2011 10:38 AM (4Pleu)

Dammit!  Reagan was right again!  SDI is the solution!

94 OMG, it's a cat not a dog....and it's only just before 11....it's going to be one long day

95

Barky's leaving town as shutdown looms? Where's he going? Ahhhh! To a wind turbine plant as I'm paying $4.04 for gas. Fucking asshat. From the Post:

A fiery President Obama insisted Tuesday that if he and congressional leaders couldn’t reach a deal to avert a government shutdown, “I want a meeting again tomorrow here at the White House.”

“I will invite the same folks that we invited today,” he added. “And if that doesn’t work, we’ll invite them again the day after that. And I will have my entire team available to work through the details of getting a deal done.”

ObamaÂ’s team may not include the president himself. The president as of early Wednesday was scheduled to give two speeches outside of Washington: one on energy in the Philadelphia suburbs, then another Wednesday evening to a group of black political activists in New York.

If the schedule remains intact, it will be the presidentÂ’s first trip outside the capital since he officially declared Monday he will seek a second term. And while Obama (D) and his aides have repeated said he will not focus on his campaign in the next few months, his schedule may contradict those words.

ObamaÂ’s town hall on energy will be held at a wind turbine plant in the town of Fairless Hills in Bucks County, a well-known political bellwether in the Philadelphia area. He will appear at the 20th anniversary of national Action Network, the group run by black activist and Obama backer the Rev. Al Sharpton.

For black voters, itÂ’s not a question of whether they will support Obama, but how many will turn out in 2012.

96 91 Posted by: Shoey at April 06, 2011 10:36 AM (473WA)

I heard this for the first time from Juan Williams yesterday on hannity's show when Williams and Varney were having their little spot.  Williams really threw hannity and varney for a loop and hannity began asking where he got this information and for proof.  I began wondering what he was talking about and, since I'd heard the CBO had already checked Ryan's play and said nothing about this I was beginning to really try and figure out what Williams' point was.  As near as I can tell, all these budgets are going to increase the deficit, all of them.  The only way the deficit wouldn't be increased would be if they only spent what they take in and probably, due to servicing the debt, even a budget on that basis would add to the debt cause debt servicing is onerous.

Posted by: curious at April 06, 2011 10:40 AM (k1rwm)

 

holy crap!

so this doesn't really fix anything either?

my God we are so truly fucked!

fuck it, I never really liked cars, or TV, or the Internet or refrigeration anyway, competeing with Honey Badger for snakeheads will be a hard life but probably happier than the one i'm living now.

97 so it decreases the deficit, which will eventually decrease the debt, but raises the debt temporarily? That's right -- our debt will grow less fast over time until we don't have to borrow at all...and then at that point we begin to actually pay down the debt we've already accrued.

98

"It begins with us" is the one I've seen.  Where is "are you in?"

 

Teapartiers should counter this ad with an "It ends with U.S."  If we don't win in 2012, the U.S. will be irrevocably changed.  In fact, it might already by too late.  We need to take our country back from the moochers and moonbats.  Otherwise, we become Europe West.

99 I've learned not to click on the "Continue reading" link, but alas, there is no avoiding the butt ugly cat-o-the-day.

100 Bwhahaha, Michelle Malkin calling Obama "The Fleebagger in Chief".

101

91 I heard this for the first time from Juan Williams yesterday on hannity's show when Williams and Varney were having their little spot....

But Juan had no answer as to where he heard it, only that little birds told him it was true. He was parroting lib talking points about starving grandmas, cuts to education, the works. Also, Stuart Varney was incredulous because he is a trained economist and Juan simply isn't.

102 103 so it decreases the deficit, which will eventually decrease the debt, but raises the debt temporarily?

That's right -- our debt will grow less fast over time until we don't have to borrow at all...and then at that point we begin to actually pay down the debt we've already accrued.

Posted by: Monty at April 06, 2011 10:48 AM (4Pleu)

 

i hope it works out that way, Honey Badger has lots of practice hunting and eating snakeheads, I don't have any.

103 Oprah obviously needs help with her 'yo-yo' diet and binge behavior.

104 If it helps to reduce confusion about the Ryan plan: do not believe anything any Democrat says about it.  Even the things they say that are actually true will be delivered in a ridiculously  misleading fashion.

105 If wind energy was so wonderful, ships would still be using sails.

106 What it needs is (1) get rid of the union (2) get rid of PC hiring and firing rules and (3) Fire everybody in the post office above first level supervisor and replace them.

Posted by: Vic at April 06, 2011 09:18 AM (M9Ie6)

I wish the post office would also raise rates.  Right now it's supported primarily by junk mail.  I'd be glad to see that pile of crap in my mail box reduced. 

107

"Are you in?" is linked in post 63?

How about "Care for a last smoke? -- Obama 2012"

108 Ah, stupid terrorist question mark.  It really is linked in 63.  

109 Get ready for the Recovering Republic. Invest in whiskey, tobacco products, chocolate, coffee, soap, and toilet paper. No matter how far we collapse, those items will get you anything you need.

110  Or that it will take 20 plus years to recover the 'investment' in even the cheaper one made in China.

Posted by: Downscaled Upscale at April 06, 2011 10:51 AM (IhHdM)

Not to mention that the one made in China will have bearings that are shot in about 5 years. 

It's like every other green scam - it's about destroying domestic production.

111 1

What the fuck is that?

Posted by: boniface ballers at April 06, 2011 09:13 AM (bPbwB)

I see Pelosi's due for a shave and a botox.

112 That is the doomiest furking cat I have ever seen.  It reminds me of this.

113 From the link to Mish Shedlock, he indicates that The Path to Prosperity does nothing RE federal workers and their pay, etc., when it does in fact address that issue. It also cuts defense. My complaint would more be that he could have cut more from non-defense discretionary, but it also makes sense to cut more from mandatory. Though I think one of the problems is and remains that there was no will within the conference to cut more overall.

114 120 That is the doomiest furking cat I have ever seen.  It reminds me of this.

Posted by: huerfano at April 06, 2011 10:59 AM (2pEj7)

Joe Birden?

115 Maybe the best way to say it is that the nation went on a credit card binge, bought new living room furniture, bought a big screen, put a bowling alley in the basement, lived high going to all the right clubs and having dinner in all the right places and then, instead of cutting back when there were signs that this could not go on forever, this binge of buying, then they continued to spend.  Now if the government were a person and they spent up to the limit on their credit card, the bank wouldn't extend more credit until the card was payed down.  Or if somehow the person income took a precipitous fall but they still had a job then the bank wouldn't be so eager to increase the credit line.  But, when you are a country you are the arbiter of your own credit line and there in lies the problems. 

The recession/depression came.  People lost their jobs.  Revenues decreased and the government had the crazy idea that the only way to fix this was to spend more and hire more government employees.  So, if you look at the charts you will see the private sector shedding employees at a record clip and the government hiring like crazy.  Plus the government doubled the salary and benefits of the government workers.

So, by now, if you were a person, your credit card privileges would have been suspended.  You would have realized that all you can do is pay down the debt you have and live austerely.  It would be very hard as you have been on a spending orgy but most people have the intestinal fortitude to do it.  Unfortunately, the government doesn't.  They don't even want to admit there is any problem whatsoever and this is driving the WS types crazy as they work in facts not hope and dreams.

So yes, even if we cut our debt right now, right this moment, cut it off, we would still have to service the current debt.  The debt is the giant red elephant in the room.  The republicans see it clearly but still don't have the real intestinal fortitude to tackle it once and for all.  The dems/libs refuse to see it at all.  they feel if they ignore the giant red elephant in the room, somehow it will just go away.  Problem is, elephants aren't benign, the elephant may begin charging at any moment.

116

I thought Ryan acquitted himself very well on the gab shows yesterday.   Even by the end of the day he sounded on top of things and energetic.  He's a living P90X commercial.  And of course he always has the numbers at his fingertips. 

I keep coming back to him as the perfect type of candidate for 2012 assuming economics remains paramount.   I have no idea how he feels about Libya or abortion, or really care in his present job.   

117 Mish always harps on defense. Defense is peanuts in the scheme of things.

118 What an awful slogan. "Are you in?" seemes like it should be followed with "but you'd better pull out!"

119 112 No "entitlement" will have any meaning, at all, without repealing ObamaCare.  ObamaCare supercharges federal MediCAID (even stealing "funds" from Medicare to help MediCAID) and guarantees its massive future expansion.  No matter what happens with SS and Medicare, the ObamaCare Medicaid schedule will easily suck up all those other savings and go on to "require" even more spending.  So, any "entitlement reform" that doesn't require a repeal of ObamaCare is essentially a joke.

It repeals and defunds ObamaCare.

120 Posted by: Miss'80sBaby at April 06, 2011 11:00 AM (UO6+e)

I noticed the other day that some things not related to defense at all are being funded through defense.  I think there was some program through the state department that assists in rebuilding countries or something like that which is funded through defense.  It's a clever way to hide something from the republicans who don't really look at the D O D budget.

121

Are you in?

That's what she said.

122 My cold room is already full of salted hobo beef. Fortunately, this extended spell of cold weather allows me to process carcasses outside. Lord knows I could use the room.

123

I'm not a fan of his plan

Posted by: iknowtheleft at April 06, 2011 11:05 AM (G/MYk)

Why not? 

124 Posted by: CDR M at April 06, 2011 11:06 AM (5I8G0)

on every program I've heard that the military get paid.  That's odd.

People are freaking out about the taxes.  You have to pay them but, if they owe you a refund, you won't be getting it as during a shutdown they aren't cutting refund checks.

The tax thing is tough.  If you guesstimate your taxes and take out what you think you'll owe and you mis calculate then they immediately hit you with interest and fees if you haven't attached a check with complete payment.  Then again, if you are owed a huge refund cause they took too much you probably need that money and could have used it during the year.

125 Invest in whiskey, tobacco products, chocolate, coffee, soap, and toilet paper. No matter how far we collapse, those items will get you anything you need.

Posted by: eman: Japanese Babe Rescue Team at April 06, 2011 10:57 AM (dT+/n)

If it comes to that, I'd just use up my supply of that stuff and my liquor and then shoot myself.  If we ever really did lapse into major, enduring depression that reduced us all to meager subsistence, it wouldn't be worth living through.  However, the examples of Japan and the Europeans shows that civilizational collapse is probably not imminent.  Even after the Weimar inflation Germany was able to get straightened out again and resume a functional society.  It's not like all the factories will fall down and the mines will all collapse and all the forests burn.  Hell, if things go well the slums might riot and give us an excuse to clean out those rat nests.  Right after we let them burn the law offices.

 

126 we'll know ryan is serious when he starts delving into the defense budget and the Department of Education bank.

127 From the link to Mish Shedlock, he indicates that The Path to Prosperity does nothing RE federal workers and their pay, etc., when it does in fact address that issue. It also cuts defense. My complaint would more be that he could have cut more from non-defense discretionary, but it also makes sense to cut more from mandatory. Though I think one of the problems is and remains that there was no will within the conference to cut more overall.

Posted by: Miss'80sBaby at April 06, 2011 11:00 AM (UO6+e)

He hates the plan, because it doesn't make cosmetic, useless cuts, and can't predict the future.  Was my takeaway.

128 on every program I've heard that the military get paid.  That's odd.

Posted by: curious at April 06, 2011 11:10 AM (k1rwm)

#1 rule of government.  Always, always, always pay the army.  Even Libs are able to figure that one out.

129 Everyone in the private sector has taken a pay cut, one way or another.  they were happy to do so to keep their jobs yet, the president gave government workers enormous salary and benefits increases, why?   Ryan needs to push those salary increases back to what they were making when GWB was in office so they can catch up with the private sector.

130 Because of the Obama Economy, I had to sell off all of my bling, biznitches.

131 So Monty, what and how much are you selling short these days?

132 Posted by: CDR M at April 06, 2011 11:14 AM (5I8G0)

Oh, I wasn't doubting you, I mean it's your job, you should know.  What I'm saying is they have made a point of saying that the military will still get paid.  If this isn't true where are they getting it?  Where are their fact checkers?

133

Repealing and defunding ObamaCare is on pp 30, 40, 46, 52, and probably a few others I didn't catch from skimming. Pg.40 specifically addresses ObamaCare and Medicaid.

Bureaucracies is on pp 29-36, most notably 29-30.

134 I invested in 40 pounds of bullet casting lead yesterday. That is most likely to get you anything you need, including asswipe and coffee. I won't need soap in The Wasteland.....

135 we'll know ryan is serious when he starts delving into the defense budget and the Department of Education bank.

Posted by: curious at April 06, 2011 11:11 AM (k1rwm)

He's not serious now?  Come on.  This plan cuts spending more than any plan in the history of the world.  This plan is not politically tenable because it cuts too much, but Ryan isn't serious because he doesn't cut enough?

I know, let's our side cut Ryan off at the knees.  Then we can go with the perfectly acceptable Democrat plan.

136 143 So Monty, what and how much are you selling short these days?

Posted by: jakee308 at April 06, 2011 11:15 AM (6kXgv)

I was just told about one of the big banks opening a vault to take in physical silver and stockpiling it, however, they have puts on the silver.  The person who told me the story told it to me saying "they are either real smug and ill informed or they know something we don't".

137 I'll be interested to see what Appropriations does with the numbers they were given. The budget bill is being marked-up today in Committee, so Appropriations should get it by next week, if not this weekend.

138 I know, let's our side cut Ryan off at the knees.  Then we can go with the perfectly acceptable Democrat plan.

Posted by: FUBAR at April 06, 2011 11:17 AM (McG46)

I really like Ryan, his interviews yesterday were perfect.  But, the plan would be nice were we not in the financial condition we are in.  He needs to find more and cut out more.

139 Yeah, Ryan is such a RINO pussy. PURITY SQUAD, ASSEMBLE!

140 Posted by: CDR M at April 06, 2011 11:19 AM (5I8G0)

You know, it's ok for the MBM to say "we don't know".  Instead they say definitively "the military will get paid" and it is only going to cause a problem down the line if you don't.  Regular Americans would rather see you paid that some flack in DC. 

141 Aa-eeeee, chupacabra kitteh!

142

curious,

Assuming stagnant economic growth, no cutting plan will ever get us out of the giant hole.  Stopping the digging is half the battle.  Growing the economy at, say, German levels is the other half.  

Ja, sie konnen! 

(mentally umlaut that o for me, will you?) 

143

I really like Ryan, his interviews yesterday were perfect.  But, the plan would be nice were we not in the financial condition we are in.  He needs to find more and cut out more.

Posted by: curious at April 06, 2011 11:19 AM (k1rwm)

You realize Democrats control the Senate and the White House.  You realize they're already screaming about starving Grandma.  And you're accusing our guy, one of the few who is pretty obviously serious, of not being serious, and of needing to find more to cut.  He can draw lines with his red pen all day, but if he can't get them passed, it's navel-gazing.

If this is the way our side reacts, we should move on to something else rather than waste time on this.

P.S. I absolutely hate, HATE, The Good.

144 PURITY SQUAD, ASSEMBLE!

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at April 06, 2011 11:23 AM (hlY6R)

I'll pick...the dick-flavored Pez dispenser.

145

137 He hates the plan, because it doesn't make cosmetic, useless cuts, and can't predict the future.  Was my takeaway.

Well it does indeed sound like CBO did offer a rosy scenario if everything in the bill was enacted into law and there were no crises but I thought that was their job.

Here's an interesting commentary from Heritage. My primary complaints are that Ryan didn't incorporate his Roadmap; however, I understand that the will of the conference and the leadership rejected anything "more extreme". He also says he'll revamp some bills that cover issues he didn't discuss in this budget, which now have a better chance of passing by a wide margin.

Another complaint is that, while he cut more from mandatory because it is 63% of spending this year, I do think he could have gotten more from discretionary but I don't know if he could have done that and remained within the boundaries set by the leadership. That's the ridiculous thing about this, is that reports were coming from Budget for some time about how unhappy they were about limits yet now it's being said that Boehner let them loose. Past history and information especially from the Vice Chairman of Budget say that's false.

146 CDR M, Don't worry. I'm sure they'll think of something, like paying you in Barry Bucks, which you can redeem for nifty Obama 2012 merchandise, yard signs or .mp3 downloads of your favorite speeches.

147 158 Silly me.  The talk of ObamaCare repeal is all over the friggin table of contents.  Do I feel stupid, or what?  I was going off of what I heard Ryan say about his plan and he never spoke specifically about repealing ObamaCare (not that I heard).   Thanks, Miss80s.

If I recall correctly, part of that $1.7T out of $6.2T in cuts comes from repealing ObamaCare. I'd have to look again to find where I heard that. He also mentioned the bit about ObamaCare at both the presser and at AEI, though I'd have to review that as well.

148 PURITY SQUAD, ASSEMBLE!

Feeling rapacious, my lord?

149

It is a weird disconnect with reality if the Democrats are drawing a line in the sand at 33 billion and the Republican base is poor-mouthing a six trillion cut with significant restructuring of social programs to make them viable in the short and long term.   Medicare would actually provide good medical care at many places and be affordable, for one.

I support Ryan's plan 100%, just like the quickly-booted-to-the-curb reccomendations of the debt commission.  It's not the details which matter but the overall reduction in spending and debt, especially the interest on the debt. 

150

Still, while I think the budget isn't perfect, I don't understand why some refuse to support it exactly for that reason (RSC hierarchy, I'm looking at you). If enacted, this could potentially begin rolling-back the welfare state and I don't see how that's a bad thing. Is it good enough in light of the circumstances? No to that as well, but when you have multiple quotes coming from your own party complaining about how extreme various aspects of this are, what more can you do? After all, only 13 lawmakers supported the Roadmap and I feel he could have go further with that, but there is simply no will in D.C. to do so. Still, while we're doomed even if this budget is passed in its entirety, I support Rep. Ryan in this fight and I think the conservatives in Congress should do the same. So it's imperfect-- though historical-- but necessary.

151

If I recall correctly, part of that $1.7T out of $6.2T in cuts comes from repealing ObamaCare. I'd have to look again to find where I heard that. He also mentioned the bit about ObamaCare at both the presser and at AEI, though I'd have to review that as well.

Posted by: Miss'80sBaby at April 06, 2011 11:32 AM (UO6+e)

Yeah.  Talking point warning (from forgotten source yesterday): To Democrats, ObamaCare will save $100 billion over the next 10 years, so repealing it raises the deficit/debt.  To Republicans, repealing it saves ~$1.5 trillion over the next 10 years.  So expect the talking heads to mention how Ryan is lying about the savings based on this fantasy.

152 Actually, I'm prepared for this.  I'm more worried about my young enlisted sailors that don't have savings built up for this.  Navy/Marine Corps Relief is gonna be busy if a shutdown occurs. Good man. Landlords in military towns give not a fuck. Fortunately this is mid-month, or most of them would be facing late penalties on rent past due. You've got to walk a fine line between informing them of resources in the event of a shutdown and being accused of spreading disinformation since it's not been put out officially thru the chain of command. I'd definitely get a hot sheet of agencies and their contact info ready for print in that eventuality.

153 It's not the details which matter but the overall reduction in spending and debt, especially the interest on the debt. 

Posted by: Beagle at April 06, 2011 11:35 AM (sOtz/)

Amen brother.  Once the first plan is passed, won't future plans be easier when the benefits to the economy become apparent?  This doesn't have to be the last and only plan.  Oh, and I forgot:

Projected 4% unemployment by 2015 under the Ryan plan.  Projected 4% unemployment by 2015 under the Ryan plan.  Projected 4% unemployment by 2015 under the Ryan plan.  Projected 4% unemployment by 2015 under the Ryan plan.  Projected 4% unemployment by 2015 under the Ryan plan.  Projected 4% unemployment by 2015 under the Ryan plan.  Projected 4% unemployment by 2015 under the Ryan plan. 

154 Projected 4% unemployment by 2015 under the Ryan plan. 

Posted by: FUBAR at April 06, 2011 11:45 AM (McG46)

This is a pretty critical estimate.  Large public sector spending cuts will spike unemployment.  If the unemployment problem is not resolved in reasonably short order, we will have doomed ourselves politically.  Spending cuts are nearly useless to us without a corresponding improvement in private sector employment. 

 

155 65: I'm a veteran--are you hiring? Granted, I don't have an AmishDude-approved degree, but I'm constantly criticizing everything around me, so I have the mentality of an engineer. Unfortunately, no. Upper management is convinced that Indian engineers are the way to go.

156 Ryan is also assuming the Bush tax cuts are permanent in his mission statement/plan.

157 Spending cuts are nearly useless to us without a corresponding improvement in private sector employment.  Piffle. With the way Obama and Bernanke have been devaluing the dollar, our manufacturing sector is poised for a boom. With all the comdoll currencies soaring, we'll be the new world export leader in critical manufacturing sectors like novelty fake vomit, tshirts, sex toys, velcro surfer wallets and rubber dog poop. I see forests of plant chimneys merrily chugging out smoke as the engines of industry awaken from their long slumber and dollar stores the world over are filled to bursting with our goods. Nah, I'm just fucking with you. We're boned.

158

I really don't mean to be harsh because I genuinely like the people I support (I'm a defense contractor). However, when there was a gap in my contract coverage earlier this year, I didn't get paid. After I burned through all of my saved vacation time, I went on LWOP.

If you're not at work, you shouldn't be paid.

If you are at work, you should be paid.

159 To finish that thought (I obviously need more coffee), I don't like the idea of the government folks I support not getting paid but fair is fair. The last time this type of shutdown happened, folks went home for a few weeks and, when the shutdown was over, they were paid for the time they were off work.

160

Entitlement Reform: What Next? -- NRO Symposium

161 And really, the market isn't up by as much as you might think since the start of the year. Cumulatively, it's only up by 6% or so, which isn't historically all that great--actually it is. s&p 500 +5.92% is best q1 in a decade & given that annual returns avg about 9% over the last 100 years or so, 6% 3 months in is very good.

162 The tricky thing about stocks, is getting out before they crash.
 

163

164 You've got to walk a fine line between informing them of resources in the event of a shutdown and being accused of spreading disinformation since it's not been put out officially thru the chain of command.

Let the unofficial CoC do it - the wives. 

165 Monty...in the middle of our tax season, so I haven't read much. However, driving home today, something made me think of your acronym "PIGS"! Someone said we are not Portugal, Spain....YET!! I looked pretty silly laughing at what swirled in my head.
;p

166 good!!!!!!!!!

167 Hey I love your style I will subscribe for your feed please keep posting!