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**Still a Democrat** · 08-01-2011, 03:10 PM

Nearly 40% ($350 billion) of the initial $900 billion in cuts comes from the defense budget.

The “triggers,” or fail-safe plans, heavily favor Democrats. If the bi-partisan commission fails to agree to a balanced plan – or Congress fails to pass a balanced plan – the Defense budget alone will take half the spending cuts ($600-750 billion). This trigger gives Democrats significant leverage.

http://liberallamppost.com/2011/08/01/3-...save-face/

**KonaKane** · 08-01-2011, 03:12 PM

Frankly I was overjoyed about that. Our screwy foreign/military policy is one of my longest running pet peeves.

**yowzayowzayowza** · 08-01-2011, 03:16 PM

Yea, I was surprised that it also includes Homeland Security. I've yet to see what repubs get outa this deal beyond talking points. They forced a deal where they failed in the 90s, but didn't really accomplish anything of import structurally.

***azmouse*** · 08-01-2011, 03:20 PM

Obama proved he was the smartest man in the room.

**Cha** · 08-01-2011, 03:41 PM

I had read there were Defense spending cuts but I didn't know how much..thank you, Still a Democrat!

Love that title!

"3 Big Victories for Obama & Dems in Debt Ceiling Fight – Republicans Just Trying to Save Face"

But, I am so use to the professional whiners throwing tanturms over NOTHING that this latest is way beyond the poor little boy who cried "WOLF!!!!!"

**johnhp** · 08-01-2011, 04:38 PM

Defense cuts are one thing but they also need to be matched with a change in foreign policy. Creating the situations in which a politics of the state of emergency are the easy choice is one of the aspects of foreign policy that truly should shame us.

**kahuna** · 08-02-2011, 06:01 AM

(08-01-2011 04:38 PM)johnhp Wrote: Defense cuts are one thing but they also need to be matched with a change in foreign policy. Creating the situations in which a politics of the state of emergency are the easy choice is one of the aspects of foreign policy that truly should shame us.

I am with you my dear, Sassy Lassy. I don't get all the kvetching from the left. To me, they didn't really get what they wanted and we managed to save entitlements. If I'm wrong, I would love for someone to tell me why.

The biggest reason for the discontent I can see is that the bush tax cuts weren't yanked. Really??? There was no way in hell the gopers were ever going to touch that so relax about it until they're due to expire.

**johnhp** · 08-02-2011, 07:19 AM

(08-02-2011 06:01 AM)kahuna Wrote:
(08-01-2011 04:38 PM)johnhp Wrote: Defense cuts are one thing but they also need to be matched with a change in foreign policy. Creating the situations in which a politics of the state of emergency are the easy choice is one of the aspects of foreign policy that truly should shame us.

I am with you my dear, Sassy Lassy. I don't get all the kvetching from the left. To me, they didn't really get what they wanted and we managed to save entitlements. If I'm wrong, I would love for someone to tell me why.

The biggest reason for the discontent I can see is that the bush tax cuts weren't yanked. Really??? There was no way in hell the gopers were ever going to touch that so relax about it until they're due to expire.

i think that the discontent is not only over the tax cuts but also the failure to close any loopholes at all. Sure, i do not think the tax cuts were on the table but some loopholes could have been closed. Certainly the republicans would scream but they would have to remember that even the majority of their own districts want these closed (hell the Baggers claim they want them closed).

**Number23** · 08-01-2011, 07:02 PM

I read a post from Ezra Klein on my iPad last night where he mentions this as well. Significant cuts to defense with a trigger option for even more cuts.

I don't understand the hand-wringing over this. I'm not being rhetorical either. I GENUINELY don't understand it. No cuts to SS or Medicare. The Bush tax cuts (which "liberals" screamed over even after it was obvious that it was part of a compromise to extend unemployment benefits) will expire and there are huge cuts to defense.

I would sincerely love to understand why so many on the left are so upset. This editorial from the NY Times sounds absurdly dire. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/01/opinio....html?_r=1

**jaxx** · 08-01-2011, 07:10 PM

sniff sniff.....they weren't consulted is one complaint. The rest know more than anyone because they weren't there at the meetings, but by gawd they woulda done this or that.

Blowhards.

**OptimistesMaddie** · 08-01-2011, 07:22 PM

The naysayers won't acknowledge that. I don't think they have read the bill.

**suzie** · 08-02-2011, 06:50 AM

Part of the complaining from the "Left" is just about the same thing the Tea Partiers are about: greed and money.

They want headlines, which generate income and power for the individual writer, paper, website, blog.

I've read through lots of comments this week and there are way more Republican trolls out there acting as if they were "The Left" than even the folks who frequent this site thought.

At another site that I frequent, 2 of the most prolific posters, both of whom are tied to the Republican funded chattering class, have been absent for the last couple of weeks. I don't think that's an accident.