Tag Archives: State of the Union

News

Paul Ryan and Michele Bachmann will respond to State of the Union address

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Rep. Paul Ryan - GOP Ideas Man
Rep. Paul Ryan - GOP Ideas Man

Here’s the story from the Dallas Star-Telegram.

Excerpt:

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, a rising Republican star who has stirred controversy with his approach to budget-cutting, will give the GOP response Tuesday to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address.

The choice is aimed at showcasing the commitment of Republicans, who took control of the House of Representatives this month, to deficit reduction.

Ryan, 39, a seventh-term Wisconsin Republican, is known for his Roadmap for America’s Future, a plan for reducing federal budget deficits that includes letting younger workers set aside Social Security tax payments for “personal retirement accounts.”

In addition, Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., a favorite of the Tea Party movement, will deliver a separate reaction to Obama’s speech on behalf of the Tea Party Express, one of the movement’s largest groups.

The broadcast, after Obama’s and Ryan’s speeches, will be on live streaming video at www.TeaPartyExpress.org or at www.TeaPartyHD.com.

Bachmann, who recently said she is considering seeking the Republican presidential nomination, was in Des Moines, Iowa, on Friday to be keynote speaker at a reception held by Iowans for Tax Relief, an influential anti-tax group.

Bachmann also planned separate meetings with Iowa politicians, including Republican Gov. Terry Branstad and state House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, suggesting that she may be laying the groundwork for a caucus campaign.

The Iowa caucuses, set for February 2012, launch the presidential nominating process.

“It shows she wants to be a serious player in the national debate,” Branstad spokesman Tim Albrecht said.

Here’s the official announcement emphasizing private sector job creation. (H/T Hyscience)

Excerpt:

In making the announcement, the GOP leaders noted that Chairman Ryan is a leading voice for fiscal discipline and common-sense solutions to cut spending and create jobs. Known for his thoughtful and detailed critiques of big-government policies, Ryan has helped put to rest the Democrats’ argument that more government spending and higher taxes is the answer to most of our nation’s ills. His commitment to free enterprise and limited government make him the right choice to outline a vision for how a smaller, less costly government will help create the right conditions for the creation of good, private sector jobs.

“Paul Ryan is uniquely qualified to address the state of our economy and the fiscal challenges that face our country,” said Speaker Boehner. “We’re broke, and decisive action is needed to help our economy get back to creating jobs and end the spending binge in Washington that threatens our children’s future. I’m pleased that Paul will be outlining a common-sense vision for moving our country forward.”

Leader McConnell said, “Paul Ryan has spent the better part of the last two years explaining exactly why the Democrat agenda has been so bad for jobs and the economy, and why we need to ditch the government-driven approach in favor of creative, common-sense solutions that put the American people back in charge. Chairman Ryan’s unique understanding of the fiscal problems we face, his command of policy, and his adherence to the principles of our nation’s founding make him an excellent spokesman for the path that Americans want Washington to take.”

Chairman Ryan said, “Delivering an address to the nation is a unique opportunity, and I am grateful to my party’s leaders for entrusting me with this responsibility. I am hopeful that the President will work with the new House Majority to cut spending, reform government, and restore the foundations for growth and job creation. More than rhetoric, we need results. I look forward to outlining a vision for a future that fulfills the uniquely American legacy of leaving the next generation with a stronger, more prosperous nation.“

I don’t know what to say… the Republican party is coming through for me in such an amazing way. Everyone who I like is being prominently featured! And they really are trying to do something different for a change. I’m overwhelmed! The only other person I really wanted to hear from is Marco Rubio!

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Commentary

Obama’s new proposals penalize married couples and stay-at-home parents

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Article about Obama’s SOTU proposals from the Family Research Council. (H/T Muddling Towards Maturity)

Excerpt:

“Tonight the President also proposed expanding the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit which would only benefit families if: both parents work, a single parent works, or one parent works and the other is in school. In other words, it completely discriminates against families with stay-at-home parents, who wouldn’t see a penny from this plan. The President’s plan further drives a wedge between parents and children as it would encourage parents to place their children in government approved day-care rather than encouraging one parent to stay home and personally care for their off-spring.

“This new socialized child care proposal comes on the heels of a proposed major marriage tax penalty included within the President’s health care bills. A tax penalty on married couples only serves to discourage couples from marrying while encouraging societal instability through cohabitation and divorce.

Related:Obama praises non-traditional families on National Family Day.

News

Obama’s spending freeze saves 250 billion out of 43 trillion in spending over 10 years

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Article from Investors Business Daily.

Excerpt:

The latest idea for reining in the federal government’s runaway spending is to “freeze” nondefense discretionary outlays for three years. That may sound good, but it’s just another gimmick.

We try not to be too cynical about politics, but the White House’s proposed freeze will do nothing to address America’s budget problems.

Last year alone, the U.S. deficit hit $1.4 trillion on record spending of $3.7 trillion. The freeze will apply only to $447 billion in spending — just 12% of the total. Next year, if the freeze goes into effect, it will save just $15 billion — and $250 billion over 10 years.

Compared with the $9 trillion in new debt and $43 trillion in spending expected over the next decade, it’s a pittance — not even a down payment on our gaping shortfalls.

[…]According to the CBO, the $250 billion in savings amounts to a negligible 0.5% of the $43 trillion in spending over the next decade. But it will no doubt be put to good political use, as congressional Democrats suddenly style themselves as fiscal conservatives during the 2010 campaign for passing a meaningless freeze.

Let me be clear. Obama never has been a fiscal conservative, and he isn’t going to start to be one now. It’s just words on a teleprompter that he reads so that you stop calling your representatives.