Cato ("Individual Liberty, Free Markets & Peace") Institute's Daniel Mitchell explains:
...the 2009 fiscal year began on October 1, 2008, and the vast majority of the spending for that year was the result of Bush Administration policies. Yes, Obama did add to the waste with the so-called stimulus, the omnibus appropriation, the CHIP bill, and the cash-for-clunkers nonsense, but as the chart illustrates, these boondoggles only amounted to just a tiny percentage of the FY2009 total — about $140 billion out of a $3.5 trillion budget.So, why aren't we seeing pictures of George W. Bush in Hitler-stache at these "Tea Party" rallies?
Why? Quite simple. Blaming the new Administration reinforces the age old stereotype that Dems are big spenders. Where in a 'facts be dammed' political arena. (See post elsewhere on Mike Pence who, by the way, has never been much for being truthful. His first attempt to run for congress was a nasty, nasty lie filled campaign. I'd suggest one the the most negative campaigns ever run in Indiana.
ReplyDeleteAmericans know about items that SOUND big ticket. They know that our deficit has grown significantly. What has been largely ignored by the commercial media outlets, talking heads and the recently more vocal members of congress (were were the blue dog dems then?)is the how it was spreading like butter during the previous administration due to policies and war spending.
Apparently, spending and the deficit are only concerns when Dems are in the white house and a gullible public (with family/friends out of work and declining income, no health insurance) is looking for someone to blame. But not looking hard enough to do any fact checking because they have a nightly date with can't-miss reality TV.
**Walter**