Zeppistan
05-02-2005, 15:48
It was widely discussed how the Republican's excell in the rural areas while the Democrats base is in the larger cities. That being said, one would think that the Republicans would want to take care of their base.
Turns out rural folks are going to have to take a pretty significant hit in the new budget as the intent is to cut federal payments to farmers and other agricultural supports by 5%. Wonder if they'll remember that in '08....
And, of course, after all his talk about the importance of education, or, as he put it in the third debate, "I've got policies to continue to grow our economy and create the jobs of the 21st century. And here's some help for you to go get an education. Here's some help for you to go to a community college. We've expanded trade adjustment assistance. We want to help pay for you to gain the skills necessary to fill the jobs of the 21st century.
", you would think that this would be an area he remained focused on...
You'd think so anyway...
The new budget increases Pell grant amounts by a bit (2.5% a year for five years - in other words pretty much just keeping up with inflation), but balances that by removing incentives for banks to provide low-interest student loans and phasing out Perkins loans.
At best a slight help for the poorest of students, but a kick in the wallet for many others.
Oh yes, and in another one of these stupid shenanigans to try and keep the costs of the ongoing wars off of the official bidget docs, yet again there is absolutely no funding for ongoing military actions in the budget. Instead, he is expected to ask for another $80 Billion or so a couple of days after he submits the budget to Congress.
I'm sorry, but the War on Terror is three years old now, and an ongoing expense. IT should be treated as such instead of this sort of lame attemtp to make the official books look better while the money still flows out of the treasury.
And yes, I know - "A politician not quite living up to his word - so what else is new"?
No - it doesn't suprise me. I just like to point it out....
Turns out rural folks are going to have to take a pretty significant hit in the new budget as the intent is to cut federal payments to farmers and other agricultural supports by 5%. Wonder if they'll remember that in '08....
And, of course, after all his talk about the importance of education, or, as he put it in the third debate, "I've got policies to continue to grow our economy and create the jobs of the 21st century. And here's some help for you to go get an education. Here's some help for you to go to a community college. We've expanded trade adjustment assistance. We want to help pay for you to gain the skills necessary to fill the jobs of the 21st century.
", you would think that this would be an area he remained focused on...
You'd think so anyway...
The new budget increases Pell grant amounts by a bit (2.5% a year for five years - in other words pretty much just keeping up with inflation), but balances that by removing incentives for banks to provide low-interest student loans and phasing out Perkins loans.
At best a slight help for the poorest of students, but a kick in the wallet for many others.
Oh yes, and in another one of these stupid shenanigans to try and keep the costs of the ongoing wars off of the official bidget docs, yet again there is absolutely no funding for ongoing military actions in the budget. Instead, he is expected to ask for another $80 Billion or so a couple of days after he submits the budget to Congress.
I'm sorry, but the War on Terror is three years old now, and an ongoing expense. IT should be treated as such instead of this sort of lame attemtp to make the official books look better while the money still flows out of the treasury.
And yes, I know - "A politician not quite living up to his word - so what else is new"?
No - it doesn't suprise me. I just like to point it out....