US Republican Boehner says spending cuts No. 1

Reuters ^ | 10/03/10 | Richard Cowan and Kim Dixon

[RC one]

WASHINGTON, Nov 3 (Reuters) - U.S. House of Representatives Republican leader John Boehner put lower government spending at the top of Congress' agenda next year, a day after his party took control of the House.

"It's pretty clear the American people want us to do something about cutting spending here in Washington and helping to create an environment where we'll get jobs back," Boehner told reporters on Wednesday.

Republicans picked up at least 60 seats in Tuesday's elections to hold a solid majority in next year's House. Boehner is expected to get the top job of House speaker, supplanting Democrat Nancy Pelosi.

With last year's U.S. budget deficit at a whopping $1.29 trillion, equal to 8.9 percent of gross domestic product, voters have been clamoring for smaller, less expensive government.

Some economists fear that politicians could pare spending too much and wind up stifling economic growth, while others have called for more stimulus spending to boost tepid economic growth that has failed to significantly reduce an unemployment rate stuck near 10 percent.

Embracing the small government theme, House Republicans have promised to rein in government. In September, they said their first step would be to cut Washington's spending back to 2008 levels, achieving $100 billion in savings immediately -- a move that would do little to sop up the red ink on the ledger.

[La Enchiladita]

They can start with Obama’s travel budget!!!!

Hear, hear!! The Mumbai junket is beyond excess. Where are the checks and balances to control this??

[RC one]

yeah, it isn’t perfect. I think the bottom line is that we need to start thinking as investors. If we invest 100 million dollars into something/anything, we need to get, at a minimum, 100 million dollars back out of it one way or the other and, preferably, more. That’s especially true with regards to military tech. too. We can’t build million dollar missiles to destroy a hundred thousand dollars worth of enemy assets. That’s a simplification of course but you know what I mean. We need a hundred thousand dollar weapon that destroys a million dollars worth of enemy assets. Look at the RPG as an example of what I’m talking about. it’s probably the single most effective weapon on the modern battlefield and it’s 50 years old. One warhead probably costs a thousand bucks and it can destroy a multi million dollar BFV and crew with one shot. that’s the kind of thing that makes wars unsustainable for us.

[billhilly]

“Matter of fact, I haven’t heard any mention of his 2-Billion $$$ trip at all—almost like it’s a taboo subject, huh??? Shhhh....”

Tell me just how you found out. I promise not to tell another soul.

[ExGeeEye]

“As some day it may be that a reduction must be found,
I’ve got a little list — I’ve got a little list
Of Constitutional offenders who might well be underground,
And who never would be missed — who never would be missed!”

—adapted from W.S. Gilbert

Interior: Abolished. Holdings deeded unconditionally to the States wherein found. Facilities and other material assets in Washington, DC transferred to the General Services Administration for disposal or sale to the public.

Agriculture: Abolished. Holdings deeded unconditionally to the States wherein found. Facilities and other material assets in Washington, DC transferred to the General Services Administration for disposal or sale to the public.

Labor: Abolished. Facilities, personnel and other material assets transferred to Commerce.

Health and Human Services: Abolished. Holdings deeded unconditionally to the States wherein found. Facilities and other material assets in Washington, DC transferred to the General Services Administration for disposal or sale to the public.

Housing and Urban Development: Abolished. Holdings deeded unconditionally to the Cities wherein found. Facilities and other material assets in Washington, DC transferred to the General Services Administration for disposal or sale to the public.

Transportation: Abolished. Facilities, personnel and other material assets transferred to Commerce.

Energy: Abolished. Holdings deeded unconditionally to the States wherein found. Facilities and other material assets in Washington, DC transferred to the General Services Administration for disposal or sale to the public.

Education: Abolished. Holdings deeded unconditionally to the States wherein found. Facilities and other material assets in Washington, DC transferred to the General Services Administration for disposal or sale to the public.

Veterans Affairs: Abolished. Facilities, personnel and other material assets transferred to Defense.

Homeland Security: Abolished. Facilities, personnel and other material assets transferred to Defense.

[Jenny217]

“Can I add Dept of Education to that list?

Along with HUD, Dept. of Energy, Health & Human Services. Dump the UN.”

That’s a GREAAAAAT List! Start with the Department of Education and the UN. Oh, please!!!

[goldfinch]

Spending cuts are a great choice for the GOP to tackle first. I would favor a federal government hiring freeze AND a 10% across the board spending cut...2% a year for the next 5 years. Exempt Social Security because it is wrong to change the rules for people once they are retired. Exempt the military as long as they are at war.

[nolongerademocrat]

“If we made elementary school kids take Latin there would be no more ADD.”

We have to stop rewarding mediocrity.