I have read and discussed the budget deal recently with a lot of folks. I have heard reactions ranging from its a decent first step to blind outrage that the Conservatives caved yet again. I have heard punditry on who won this particular skirmish ranging from John Boehner to saying even little Barry Obama pulled political victory out of all of this. There are several points I wish to point out here.
First off, more often than not, it is necessary to wait at least 30 days to determine who was the winner and who was the loser in a political battle. The next day punditry rarely gets it correct, let alone perfect. Last night, I saw this on Hotair by Allahpundit. Usually, I agree with his analysis, but this time, not so much. It should be noted, and I really can not push this one too hard, this skirmish marks an historical first for our federal government. They will be forced to make do with less for the remainder of 2011. No, the amount of the cuts are nothing more than empty symbolism, but they accomplished something much more than their sheer numbers would indicate. They represent a shift in the national debate. The debate has shifted almost entirely to our side of things. The debate is no longer over whether we, as a nation will be growing the government a little or growing it a lot. The debate is now over by how much we will be shrinking our government. Achieving this just two years after the Socialist takeover of our nation is no small feat. So, now is not the time for a Conservative temper tantrum folks, we need all of us to stay in this fight.
Secondly, there are some unintended fun consequences to be looked at here. The above linked to article was the result of a leak by the Obama White House who in an attack of pure stupidity, wanted to prove that their guy actually was the shrewder politician and got the better deal. “We really put it to Boehner, who actually thought we agreed to cut spending.” What it will really show, just in time for the 2012 Presidential Election is that Team Obama is unwilling to bargain in good faith. They issued what amounts to a statement that they treated John Boehner with contempt, dishonesty, and that they are the single most cynical administration ever. Barak Obama hardly comes across as Presidential here. When Brutus stabbed Cesar in the back, he was initially applauded by the Roman Citizens, just before they hunted him down and killed him. The image of our President plunging the knife into John Boehner’s back will be a lasting one for some time when this is all said and done.
Thirdly, Barak Obama has given a speech on the budget which basically claims a mulligan on his entire State Of The Union Address. Let that percolate for a moment. How does he and his team spin this in 2012? He in effect has admitted that he was showing zero leadership for the first 2 and 1/2 years of his Presidency. He is going to renege on his tax compromise which he entered into in January. (A tax compromise by the way that was roundly criticized by many conservatives.) He has been forced to regurgitate his 80 year old ideas on liberal talking points and once again is claiming that they are new. Barak Obama has been forced into a political fetal position by a man who is being labeled a weak rino speaker.
The pennies of savings found in the discretionary part of the budget were never really the battlefield anyhow. The real battle will be in rewriting the entitlement laws. If you had told me that we would be in a position to accomplish this in 2011 as recently as 6 months ago, I would have called you crazy, and I would have been right to do so. John Boehner and the other House Republicans accomplished that, and they thoroughly bitch slapped the administration at the same time.
One more thought, none of this happens without the Tea Party. May they keep their place at the table for a long time my friends, they may have saved America.
Crossposted at Musings of a Mad Conservative.
Tags: Budget Cuts
