This is not an Onion article. This is for real.

[flewellyn]

In response to President Obama's budget plan, the Republicans in Congress have up to now mostly sniped and griped, not offering any sort of alternative.

Today, however, that changed. House Minority Leader John Bohner (R-Bizarro World) and other House Republicans today called a press conference to announce their budget proposal. The details? Well, there really weren't any, except for one thing. Guess what that thing was?

If you said "A massive tax cut for the wealthy!", you win a gallon of dog shampoo!

That's right, folks: the GOP's idea for how to fix the economy broken by years of deregulation and favoritism towards the wealthy is to favor the wealthy even more!

Under the Republican plan, the top marginal tax rate would be slashed from 35 to 25 percent, facilitating a dramatic transfer of wealth up the economic scale. Anyone making more than a $100,000 would pay the top rate; those under would pay 10 percent.

Which is such a good idea in a depression sorry, recession.

And get this: the proposal had absolutely nothing else in it. Even the Washington press corps, renowned for being both lazy and solicitous of conservatives, called Bohner (is it pronounced "boner"? It so should be) on this problem.

From the link:

"Are you going to have any further details on this today?" the first [reporter] asked.

"On what?" asked Boehner.

"There's no detail in here," noted the reporter.

Answered Boehner: "This is a blueprint for where we're going. Are you asking about some other document?"

A second reporter followed up: "What about some numbers? What about the out-year deficit? What about balancing the budget? How are you going to do it?"

"We'll have the alternative budget details next week," promised Boehner.

They called a press conference to announce a "detailed road-to-recovery plan" in which none of the details had actually been worked out. They didn't even have numbers to put to the budget basics. Their entire plan, as presented to the press and the country, is "give the rich more money".

He also called a budget "just a bunch of numbers", and said that it "really is a one-page document" in general practice. What a SMRT guy they've got leading the GOP in the House, nu? I really want someone proposing our national budget who refers to it as "just a bunch of numbers" and thinks one page is enough detail to describe how the entire federal government will spend its money for a year!

While I laugh, though, I am still filled with rage. These idiots who have enabled the idiots on Wall Street to wreck our economy, have decided that the best way to fix the problems they created is...keep doing what they did that created the problems.

Where is Madame Guillotine now that the people need her?

Comments

[roseneko.livejournal.com]

In their defense, one page probably is enough detail to describe how the federal government will spend it's money for a year.

'Cos, y'know, under their plan, the federal government doesn't have any money.

[flewellyn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but then how will they pay for their precious wars?

[roseneko.livejournal.com]

Put it on the credit card, just like every other good American citizen.

[flewellyn.livejournal.com]

Won't work this time. If we don't fix the economy, China may call in our debt to them. And then we'd be utterly screwed.

[roseneko.livejournal.com]

I didn't say it was a good plan.

[carmiel.livejournal.com]

Oh great. :(

We have the democrats on one side running up the deficit higher than Bush managed to, (Pres. Obama can't seem to stop them even though I've read he's tried) and the republicans wanting to reduce the taxes the govt. needs to pay off the massive deficit from Bush.

(throws up hands in disgust)

[flewellyn.livejournal.com]

Deficit spending on economic stimulus during a recession is the right thing to do, though. It's just that the Dems are not planning on cutting taxes on the rich at the same time.

[hotcoffeems.livejournal.com]

...See icon.

[flewellyn.livejournal.com]

I LOVE that icon.

[foma44.livejournal.com]

ok so do you want my mailing address for that dog shampoo?

[hypatiasghost.livejournal.com]

In all fairness, while I love the Huffington Post, it's really not a credible news source. Here's the CNN article:
GOP Leader on Budget: 'Here it is, Mr. President.'

There's more detail here, but the gist is still the same -- no details, and a promise to give them next week on the House floor.

It's *very* ridiculous.

[lucretiasheart.livejournal.com]

It's all about protecting themselves, their friends and family, and their beloved campaign contributors...

UG!