About That Deficit Reduction …
A GOP Senator and former Cabinet nominee of President Barack Obama accused Democrats of “Bernie Madoff accounting” with respect to their estimates that a socialized medicine plan would reduce the U.S. budget deficit by $132 billion over the next 10 years.
Sen. Judd Gregg (R-New Hampshire) made the comment at a Wednesday news conference in Washington, D.C. – a day before the Democratic plan is expected to pass the Senate on an anticipated 60-40 party line vote.
Meanwhile, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Alabama) presented numbers showing that the plan would add $300 billion to the budget deficit because it “double counts” Medicare cuts.
As for the total tab, Democrats say the bill will cost less than $1 trillion. Republicans counter that it will cost $2.5 trillion when fully implemented.
The coming year’s budget deficit is an unprecedented $1.5 trillion, in case you were wondering.
This “computation competition” represents the latest skirmish between the two major parties in the pitched battle over the Senate version of Obama’s socialized medicine plan, which is coming to a head with a Christmas Eve vote that was bought and paid for in advance.
In fact, Obama is so sure of the bill’s passage that he’s already left on a two-week holiday vacation in Hawaii.
Comments
By OhNoNotAgain on December 23rd, 2009 at 3:07 pm
I am SAD to say that this is, in many ways, an IN YOUR FACE by Democrats because the GOP did almost the exact same thing with the Part D prescription plan passage.
They changed the numbers in the cost like three times, didn’t they? Always said it would be cheaper but probably turned out to be more expensive.
The Democrats were locked out of the negotiations on this one.
The Demos may now have perfected the ability to block out the other side. But they learned the lesson. With each change in power up there, the same stuff keeps happening, but they keep getting better at doing wrong.
They ALL need to be turned out. Every single one of them.
By Ynot on December 23rd, 2009 at 5:46 pm
no no it’s Enron accounting.
By suet on December 23rd, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Wow! Just back from Denmark now off to Hawaii.
Does Obama care about his carbon footprint?
Typical fascist hypocrite.
Do as I say, not as I do.
Our kids will pay for the Obamas’ excessive extravagances…
By Obama the Magic Negro on December 23rd, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Meeze and Michelle goin’ down there to da Hawaii for some good timz after screwin you all out of some cash!
By MOHANNA on December 23rd, 2009 at 10:31 pm
I wouldn’t put much stock in anything Jeff Sessions or Judd Greg say. Especially since they are constantly whining they (As Republicans) don’t know how much anything will cost. Seriously those two guys are Idiots and not many people actually listen or believe them.
By Pat Hendrix on December 24th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Hmm, Jeffery Beauregard Sessions or the CBO?
Hard call.