Palin says the budget will be balanced at the end of first term

[Scorpiosue1102]

What do you think on this? I saw her speech yesterday or the day before that the McCain/Palin ticket will have the budget balanced at the end of their first term if they are elected. Do you think this is even possible when we are about $10 trillion in debt?

I do not think with either ticket that the budget will balanced in four years. I can't just see that it can be done.

[Charlene]

I think that is a pretty gutsy claim. Did she say HOW she planned to make this happen?

[kjbstevens]

Her and McCain have both said it. Our budget should always be balanced just like us at home. Bush has failed us on that one and the Congress wanting more more more to spend haven't helped. I really hope Obama decides to bring this up especially since he wants to implement so much more spending programs. Yes he says he plans to cut too. We know that, but is it enough to keep us afloat? I'm starting to think responsible spending is what should be #1 over everything. If you have that then war, the economy, and social issues can all be addressed with responsibility because you'll know how much to have to spend where. Bush and Congress let is get out of control.

[Scorpiosue1102]

I'm starting to think responsible spending is what should be #1 over everything.

:clap ITA!!

[scrappychic]

Was she on SNL when she said it?! :giggle

[Theresa Hernandez]

A balanced budget does not mean no deficit. It means the government won't spend more than it takes in and likely has a plan to begin paying down the deficit.

I believe they probably can. But it will be at the cost of a lot of good causes. You'll see a lot of programs go away. McCain has said himself he'll shut down the government with the exception of what he considers to be only the most vital services.

If he actually does this, you'll see BIG unemployment numbers right off the bat. It's amazing how may people are employed by the federal government or by companies who make a big percentage of the income from federal contracts.

That can the beginning of something really horrific in our country. Not to mention all the people who rely on federally funded services, like preschools, every state government in this country, so it will trickle down to the state level as well, federal highways, local governments for disaster preparedness, etc. etc.

So, I think they honestly won't live up to that campaign promise for obvious reasons. But I do see them cutting federal funding for anything they don't agree with. So yes, they can balance the budget at the end of their first term but it will be painful for a lot of people in this country. And I'm sure a lot of people who will be affected, don't even realize it.

[strangejen]

*shrugs* well, if we stop foolin' around over in Iraq, that'd just about do it, right? But McCain doesn't want to pull out. So . . . it would be interesting to see how they think they can accomplish it, especially with no tax increases.

[lunafaerie]

A balanced budget does not mean no deficit. It means the government won't spend more than it takes in and likely has a plan to begin paying down the deficit.

I believe they probably can. But it will be at the cost of a lot of good causes. You'll see a lot of programs go away. McCain has said himself he'll shut down the government with the exception of what he considers to be only the most vital services.

If he actually does this, you'll see BIG unemployment numbers right off the bat. It's amazing how may people are employed by the federal government or by companies who make a big percentage of the income from federal contracts.

That can the beginning of something really horrific in our country. Not to mention all the people who rely on federally funded services, like preschools, every state government in this country, so it will trickle down to the state level as well, federal highways, local governments for disaster preparedness, etc. etc.

So, I think they honestly won't live up to that campaign promise for obvious reasons. But I do see them cutting federal funding for anything they don't agree with. So yes, they can balance the budget at the end of their first term but it will be painful for a lot of people in this country. And I'm sure a lot of people who will be affected, don't even realize it.

Totally what I was going to say!

[NellieRose]

McCain has said himself he'll shut down the government with the exception of what he considers to be only the most vital services.

If he actually does this, you'll see BIG unemployment numbers right off the bat. It's amazing how may people are employed by the federal government or by companies who make a big percentage of the income from federal contracts.

That can the beginning of something really horrific in our country. Not to mention all the people who rely on federally funded services, like preschools, every state government in this country, so it will trickle down to the state level as well, federal highways, local governments for disaster preparedness, etc. etc.

Thank you for mentioning this...I think many people forget just what a government freeze can and will do to our nation......on paper it sounds good as tough talk and the buck stopping here but the reality of it will create havoc.

[Chreamps]

Yes, McCain said that AND, if I remember correctly, he said he could take care of everything else, too: energy, health care, education.......everything else, no need for prioritizing, do I believe him or her?:p

[kjbstevens]

*shrugs* well, if we stop foolin' around over in Iraq, that'd just about do it, right? But McCain doesn't want to pull out. So . . . it would be interesting to see how they think they can accomplish it, especially with no tax increases.
They've already set a deadline and they will be out so that is one reason the war went out of the news. The US has to have troops out by 2012 by the contract they signed. It was the agreement they both said okay with because it guarentees troops out like Obama wants but gives them time to rebuild like McCain wants. They did both actually agree on something which is why the war isn't talked about like it was now. Yeah I thought it was a miracle when I read that one.

[HLWalter725]

They've already set a deadline and they will be out so that is one reason the war went out of the news. The US has to have troops out by 2012 by the contract they signed. It was the agreement they both said okay with because it guarentees troops out like Obama wants but gives them time to rebuild like McCain wants. They did both actually agree on something which is why the war isn't talked about like it was now. Yeah I thought it was a miracle when I read that one.

Wow -- I missed that, when was it signed??

[kjbstevens]

They did a bunch of stuff last week. I'll go see if I can find the stuff. It was pretty much sealed and delivered I believe because both sides of our gov't and thiers found the common ground finally.

[Florida Cindy]

Do you think this is even possible when we are about $10 trillion in debt?

:rofl2

[Gina.Maria]

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/10/10/Iraqi_PM_US_to_withdraw_troops_by_2011/UPI-73651223668336/

[kjbstevens]

Thanks! I knew I'd seen they'd be out before 2012 somewhere. I'm glad they are finally unfreezing all of their money too. They can finally start to help out. People were claiming they had so much surplus but didn't realize they couldn't touch it because of the UN.