Hands down the best in-depth media look at Ryan's budget - NYT: "The Ryan Sinkhole"

[janedrake]

http://campaignstops.blogs.nytimes.com/2...nkhole/?hp

This is a long, genuine wonkfest, but it is worth every word.

clipped:
What people have not been talking about enough is that the Ryan budget contains an $897 billion sinkhole: massive but unexplained cuts in such discretionary domestic programs as education, food and drug inspection, workplace safety, environmental protection and law enforcement.

The scope of the cuts – stunning in their breadth — is hidden. To find the numbers, turn to page 16 of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget – Fiscal Year 2013. In Table 2, Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Resolution Discretionary Spending, in the far right hand column, you’ll see the nearly $897 billion figure, which appears on the line marked “BA” for Budget Authority under Allowances (920) as $896,884 (because these figures are listed in millions of dollars).

clipped:
Interviews I conducted with New Hampshire voters last month reveal the political liabilities of telling potential Republican voters exactly what the Romney-Ryan ticket intends to cut. Two voters, both Republicans, told me they could not bring themselves to vote for their party this year because the Ryan budget cuts spending for veterans’ benefits.

clipped:
Romney, in fact, has committed himself to keeping the Pentagon budget (Function 050) at 4 percent of G.D.P. By 2050, that would leave zilch under the Ryan plan for such separately funded programs as Veterans Benefits (Function 700); the administration of justice, including the F.B.I. (Function 750); Education, Train and Social Services (Function 500), and pretty much anything else.

Much, much more, including Romney camp's response:
http://campaignstops.blogs.nytimes.com/2...nkhole/?hp

[jaxx]

Quote:In an interview, Christopher Van Hollen Jr. of Maryland, the ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee, told me that the Ryan budget “is a shell game designed to hide the damage to the country.” Van Hollen is frustrated that the damage to which he alludes has not become a campaign issue: “The magnitude of this budget gimmick takes your breath away.”

Wow what a find. This should sink R&R if people pay attention.

[janedrake]

Indeed, Jaxx. But have to admit, this is so hardcore wonk, I think we need Clinton to "whiteboard" it!

[SeattleGirl]

(09-11-2012 02:44 PM)janedrake Wrote:  Indeed, Jaxx. But have to admit, this is so hardcore wonk, I think we need Clinton to "whiteboard" it!

Remember, it was suggested that the Big Dawg be in charge of explaining things!

[janedrake]

Exactly, SeattleGirl!

But seriously, it is worth slogging through.

[janedrake]

Given that the VP debate is this Thursday, thought it might be a good idea to 'kick' a few earlier postings from the Wonk Room.