From Emily Miller at Human Events (link):
[Republican House Budget Committee Chairman Paul] Ryan’s budget falls short of the House Republicans’ promise to cut back to 2008 spending levels. During the midterm elections campaign season, they promised in their Pledge to America to “cut government spending to pre-stimulus, pre-bailout levels, saving at least $100 billion in the first year alone." However, Ryan’s budget sets discretionary spending for FY 2011 at $42 billion higher than FY 2008.Hugh Hewitt, as outraged as I am, has details and comments here.
How in the world could these guys have the audacity to do this, after all that has happened in the past year, after all the dire warnings about the threat of the exploding debt under Obama and the Democrats, after the Tea Party grass roots revolt against spending, and after their own promises?
Yes, I realize that they will attempt to justify their perfidy with Beltway-speak loaded with insider and technical lingo no one outside of Washington DC understands about how all this really isn’t as bad as it looks.
This is simply astounding. I read this evening that many elected national Republicans are in open revolt, and so perhaps they can bring Boehner, Cantor, and Ryan to their senses and rescue them from their own political suicide. Of course, even if honest and reality-based Republican leaders convince them to honor their word, they will remain deeply tarnished by this stunning episode.
John M Greco
