Posted on 08/05/2011 2:22:59 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
WASHINGTON — House Republicans, feeling they have scored significant fiscal victories, are moving on to an even bigger challenge: persuading voters, state legislatures and Democrats to alter the Constitution with a balanced budget amendment.
In a meeting with his conference on Monday, Speaker John A. Boehner told members that the best thing they could do during the August recess was to sell their constituents on the idea that the amendment — which essentially stipulates that government cannot spend more than it takes in — is necessary and good.
Republican leaders on the Hill have pivoted from railing against Democrats about tax increases to pressing for the amendment, which would require the acquiescence of two-thirds of each chamber of Congress, and three-quarters of state legislatures. They point out that such a measure passed the House in 1995, but then failed in the Senate by a single vote.
And if Congress passes a proposed amendment, it bypasses the president, going straight to the states, where 26 legislatures are dominated by Republicans.
Getting Democrats to agree to such a measure now is likely to be an uphill battle. President Obama has previously rejected the idea of a balanced budget amendment. And, after the nasty debt-ceiling duel with Republicans, which left the country a cat’s whisker from default, most Congressional Democrats are bruised and cranky, with little incentive to work with the other side.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Sell *us* on it?
We’re sold buckos - you need to sell it to your democrapic counterparts.
Idiots. Both parties.
Would vote on this every week and make the senate take it up every week.
An amendment isn’t needed but rather a way for the Representatives and Senators to pass the buck again. All that is needed is for the Representatives and Senators to do what is right and manage the federal money/budget in a responsible way like a family or successful business has to do.
Of course! What Democrat wants to be fiscally responsible? All they want to do is tax and spend. Been that way for years, will be that way for years.
If they weren't willing to enforce the debt limit now, I don't believe they'll be willing to enforce a BBA later.
They aren't willing to go cold turkey this year, and won't be willing to go cold turkey in 10 years if a BBA is approved. So there will be some scheme for easing into a balanced budget that will never quite get us there. Like maybe a debt limit that keeps getting raised (the old jokes are the best jokes).
Since wars are very difficult to finance without debt, there will be some escape clause for 'emergencies', and we will live in yet another state of perpetual emergency.
One way or another, there will be an escape hatch for the BBA.
The tool we have now (the debt limit) is the one we need to use. If we can't get the politicians to make this one work, we won't get them to make the next one work. God help us if we get a BBA and then have Sonia or Elena write the majority opinion on what it really means. At least the current debt limit isn't raising constitutional questions.
They have yet to sell dead fish at the market.
They really think we care what those hacks think.
It really depends on how the plan to enforce it. For example, the Rats could claim that defense could be cut by $400 billion and all other programs by a tiny amount. And?under what circumstances can the exceed it?
Terrible.
The BBA is a way to raise your taxes and fees BIG TIME. They won’t cut, they will use the political cover of an amendment to raise taxes.
What, you suddenly think they will become responsible? They claim to even need this amendment to force them to be responsible.
No. The BBA is a terrible idea. BBA = taxed to death. Better hope this thing NEVER passes.
So, if the BBA is a terrible idea, what is the best way to balance the budget ( or are you saying that we can never do it ?)
Fire the big spending bastards! And their enablers!! And keep on firing them every two years!!
I can see 2012 from my house!!
I would be happy if they repealed the Budget Control Act of 1974, which gives us “Baseline Budgeting.”
Kill that, and we’re off!
26 legislatures “dominated by Republicans” but 38 are needed for ratification.
Uh... they convince “us,” we pressure our Democrat senators, or RINOs as the case may be.
A vote is coming in the House to end baseline budgeting according to Rep. Louie Gohmert (TX) on Hannity's radio show. He said Boehner & Paul Ryan are supporting it and Boehner promised a vote.
RE: 26 legislatures “dominated by Republicans” but 38 are needed for ratification.
Is it the legislature of the state that votes for a constitutional amendment, or is it the citizens of the states?
The one linked to "Cut, Cap & Balance" required 2/3rd approval for tax hikes, the same supermajority required to override a presidential veto.
legislatures
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