cowboycwr said:
whiterock said:
Somebody said something about a deficit?
But is this like the DOGE cuts that were announced as huge but so far seem to have not shown up in a budget or any sort of savings projections. And definitely not in checks to the people like Trump talked about.
This is a final announcement of monies actually returned to Treasury, but even if they use it to retire debt, it's still an expense (so it will reduce debt but not deficit). The problem with Doge cuts is that they simply didn't find as much as they'd hoped. Only about 20% of what they expected.
Here's what to watch for:
what if the true intent of Dems shutting down govt is to bait Trump into making massive unilateral cuts to federal programs and federal payrolls? Why would they do that? Well, their leadership certainly understands our fiscal situation is unsustainable. Cuts will have to be made. But nobody on either side of the aisle wants to vote to cut anything. Wouldn't it be nice if they could just hand the meat cleaver to someone who would be willing to do it unilaterally? They cuts WOULD be made. And the anger over them would be focused against the guy who made them rather than anyone in Congress. In fact, BOTH parties could squeal about them.....call the guy holding the meat cleaver a fascist threat to democracy or somesuch. That is a win/win if you are Jeffries or Schumer = budget situation improves, someone else bears the anger over it, and you now have a whole range of brand new issues to campaign on: "we will fight to restore (
this program or that program, etc...) We told you the guy was a fascist! Now look at what he's done!! Help us restore our democracy!!!"
Not saying this will happen. Just looking at the chess board and seeing some obvious moves.
So what actions do we see? Trump did not move the moment he had the chance (perhaps an indication he will not, perhaps just a bit of tactical restraint so as not to appear too eager). But he has explicitly threatened to do exactly what I suggested.
