I just read the NYTimes article on the president's new budget plan, and I am seriously impressed.

[Maven]

So far, it looks highly progressive. By returning some sanity to the tax code--making the absolute wealthiest pay their fair share again--and putting the screws to the dirty insurance companies that have milked Medicare and Medicaid for years, we'll actually get a good chunk of money ($634 billion) set aside to realistically address universal health care. This is not a vanity program. Obama clearly means business on health care.

Meanwhile, the military budget won't be slashed but we'll get rid of military industrial giveaways from bigger-dick contests of eras past and instead trim down to a leaner and more focused operation that will be prepared for the ground battles we're likely to face in years ahead.

I just hope Congress doesn't fuck it all up.

I highly recommend DUer's read the article here, if you haven't already:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/us/politics/27web-budget.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&hp

[tridim]

1. I predict by the time it passes the Republicans will have a 12% approval rating

Because they will try to "fuck it all up".

[Beetwasher]

3. They Can't Fuck It Up, Budget Can't Be Fillibustered

There's no reason to include the Repubs in this discussion at all unless they actually have something reasonable to add.

[tridim]

4. Thanks, I didn't know that.

But I still think their approval will continue to plummet.

[Beetwasher]

6. Oh, Indeed It Will!

:thumbsup:

[nichomachus]

15. But they can load it with poison pills, can't they? n/t

[Beetwasher]

2. AND It Means Healthcare Reform (At Least This Chunk Of It) CAN'T BE FILLIBUSTERED!!!!

By putting it in the budget, we only need a simple majority to get it passed.

Suck on that you Repub obstructionist pigs!!! :rofl:

[karynnj]

5. Great point

I know I didn't think of that when I first heard it was in the budget - even though I've seen them try to get 60 votes to waive the budget endless times. Thanks.

[Maven]

7. Oh, excellent!

I hadn't thought of that.

[Frustratedlady]

8. I don't usually donate to Congressional candidates in other states...

but I sure want to contribute to Boehner's opponent, as well as a few Repugs' rivals from the South. Boehner is at the top of my list not only because of his positions on anything Democratic, but also because he has that evil look to him, as well as being such a snake. Snakes make my skin crawl.

[Ishoutandscream2]

9. Thank, Maven, for the read.

God, I'm loving this president. More than I thought I would!

[Frank Booth]

10. After Obama's first month, and now reading this, I'm starting to realize I was duped.

I supported Obama because he seemed like a good, smart guy who actually wanted to improve the country. But I figured, just like any politician, most of his campaign "promises" were just rhetoric to get himself elected.

Now, I'm realizing that he actually meant what he said. I'm having trouble processing it. Those campaign "promises" actually appear to have been real promises. I'm just not used to being tricked in an extremely pleasant way like this.

[Jennicut]

13. I know, it takes getting used to. But President Obama is

a President who actually wants to tackle big problems and is not afraid of them in the way Bush obviously was. Clinton did try on health care but after he got burned by the experience he never really had the courage to attempt any big changes again.

[mmonk]

11. Bookmarking for later. Thanks.

[Tatiana]

12. It is a very SOLID plan. All Dems should support it. n/t

[bullwinkle428]

14. Which means we're almost guaranteed to see another command performance

from Boehner - he'll start blubbering about how the budget is "dead on arrival", and toss it on the floor with a resounding thud!