Comments on: Debating Jill

By: RHackett

RHackett — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 00:41:19 +0000

Clinton raised taxes because he had to. Debt service was a major strain on the economy. But by raising taxes, the deficit turned to a surplus and we had the longest string of economic growth in our history.

Exactly. Twelve years of record deficits run up under the oversight of Reagan and Bush the smarter.

Because of the present Bush, the next President will have no choice but to do the same.

By: Dan Chmielewski

Dan Chmielewski — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 20:53:02 +0000

Matt –
Clinton inheireted a fiscal mess from G.H.W. Bush in 1993 and attempted to provide healthcare to everyone, something most industrialized nations do today, and even Newt Gingrich admits he was hasty about helping to kill “Hillarycare” back then. Clinton raised taxes because he had to. Debt service was a major strain on the economy. But by raising taxes, the deficit turned to a surplus and we had the longest string of economic growth in our history.

Yes it was a GOP congress, but Al Gore led the entire RE-GO initiaitve (Gore spelled sideways) with little input from the Republicans. Most of the efficiencies were found via executive branch functions and simplfying regulations. You have to admit, RE-GO was far more successful than anything the GOP did while they held power.

And under W with a Republican Congress, the growth of the federal govenment surpasses even the wildest dreams of LBJ and FDR; you can’t put that back on the Dems.

By: Dan Chmielewski

Dan Chmielewski — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 20:46:22 +0000

Bring her; I brought my wife to the last one even though she’s a DTS

By: Jubal

Jubal — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 19:16:26 +0000

If Matt Holder can make it over to Drinking Liberally maybe Jubal can as well.

Drinking Liberally falls on Mrs. Jubal and I’s date night. Much as I’d love to hoist a couple with you guys, Mrs. Jubal takes preference.

By: Jubal

Jubal — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 19:15:22 +0000

Dumbal:

I did. Dan hauled out the whole red herring and straw man thing, not me. I was responding to him.

BTW, I linked to this posted from OC Blog and posted my thoughts on it there.

But Dan’s basic point seems to be that when Republicans had control of the White House and Congress, they didn’t do what they’d always said they would do: reduce the size of government.

The Democrats, on the other hands, promise to expand the size of government, and they succeed in keeping that promise — which isn’t hard, since it is the inherent tendency of government to grow.

As for the the Clinton example you libs love to tout, you routinely forget (with the notable exception of folsk like Northcountystorm) that that occurred with a GOP Congress. When he had a Demcoratic Congress, Clinton raised taxed and attempted a massive expansion of government.

By: Bladerunner

Bladerunner — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 07:20:02 +0000

If Matt Holder can make it over to Drinking Liberally maybe Jubal can as well. It would be a pressworthy event. Invite Martin.

By: dumbal

dumbal — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 06:15:40 +0000

matt answer the points posted! quit trying to frame the discussion towards points that don’t make you and your wingnuts look stupid!

By: Jubal

Jubal — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 01:57:15 +0000

Dan,

You should read the definitions you just posted, and you’ll see neither apply to the very simple point I made about your initial use of the terms.

By: Jubal

Jubal — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 01:55:51 +0000

â€¦and you do overuse the terms anyway and its a source of great amusement at Drinking Liberally.

I wouldn’t have to over use the terms if you and others would stop sending so many straw men, armed with 50-caliber red herrings, over the top.