obama's earmarks

[Elfie]

So it appears the President cannot sign any legislation that Congress hasn't written and approved.

Even if the President doesn't sign it Congress can still force it into law with a 2/3 majority vote.

[Holden McGroin]

Even if the President doesn't sign it Congress can still force it into law with a 2/3 majority vote.

sure

And I am sure when some politician says something clever, Crockett would never claim that it wasn't the politician but his speechwriter who was clever.  After all, the politician certainly approved the clever statement.

[crockett]

So it appears the President cannot sign any legislation that Congress hasn't written and approved.

You are missing the point I was making even though it was in front of your own eyes..The president doesn't have to sign what congress sends him. Remember the govt shutting down under Clinton because he wouldn't sign what the Republican Congress sent him?

Also take note the current Congress has only set the spending for this years budget. They will also set the spending for 2009 budget for the next president. Seven of the 8 years Bush has been in power the Republican congress has approved the budget.

So your point is what exactly? Are you agreeing with me that the unchecked spending in Bush's budgets has been the fault of the Republican congress? 

[crockett]

Even if the President doesn't sign it Congress can still force it into law with a 2/3 majority vote.

This is true but it didn't happen in the budget war between Clinton and the Republican congress.. They fought the govt shut down and they both came to an agreement. The very same Republican congress under Bush has turned around and ruber stamped anything Bush asked for.

[Holden McGroin]

So your point is what exactly?

That you should read the constitution and blame the branch that writes the law, spends, taxes and borrows the money. 

[Nwbie]

Quote:
100% certainty that we will have a new president on January 20, but we will still have 98% of the same old congress, and you will be wondering why nothing will change in DC."


Maybe not

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/polls/

[crockett]

That you should read the constitution and blame the branch that writes the law, spends, taxes and borrows the money. 

With the exception of last year, the Republicans have had control of Congress for the 12 years before. So are you admitting our current budget problem is the fault of the Republican Congress?

[Holden McGroin]

With the exception of last year, the Republicans have had control of Congress for the 12 years before. So are you admitting our current budget problem is the fault of the Republican Congress?

I am blaming congress as well as your ignorance.  Obama and Biden voted for the bridge to nowhere as did Ted Stevens.  My contempt of congress crosses party lines.

[Elfie]

You are missing the point I was making even though it was in front of your own eyes..The president doesn't have to sign what congress sends him. Remember the govt shutting down under Clinton because he wouldn't sign what the Republican Congress sent him?

That happened during the Reagen years as well, only with a Democratic controlled congress. This kind of crap goes both ways.

[crockett]

I am blaming congress as well as your ignorance.  Obama voted for the bridge to nowhere as did Ted Stevens.  My contempt of congress crosses party lines.

Ok then that's fine.. The point I was making to you is the President has the power to not sign the budget Congress sends him. So saying it's all Congresses fault isn't really true. Yes Congress sets the budget but the President is the guy in charge that tells them what he wants.

The President doesn't just come to office and get a budget out of the blue from congress.. (with the exception of his first year) The president sets up the basis behind the budget and tells congress what he expects out of them. It's then up to  Congress to hammer out the details into a budget the president is willing to sign.

Stating that Congress alone is responsible for the budget, is like saying a account it is responsible for your own household budget. Sure the account can do the paper work and give you and idea of what you can spend, but it's up to you to make the decision on what actually gets spent.

[Elfie]

The very same Republican congress under Bush has turned around and ruber stamped anything Bush asked for.

Is it Bush's fault they rubber stamped everything he asked for? No, it's the fault of Congress. The system isn't operating as designed by our founding fathers. This is supposed to be a system of checks and balances and it no longer is.

[crockett]

That happened during the Reagen years as well, only with a Democratic controlled congress. This kind of crap goes both ways.

Yes but can't you see that's the point I'm making. That the President is the guy that sets the boundaries for the budget. It's Congress's job to hammer out the detail and put something together the President is willing to sign. The problem under Bush's with the Republican Congress, is they pretty much rubber stamped anything Bush asked for with crap loads of unchecked spending.

[crockett]

Is it Bush's fault they rubber stamped everything he asked for? No, it's the fault of Congress. The system isn't operating as designed by our founding fathers. This is supposed to be a system of checks and balances and it no longer is.

Well that's kind of like the question of... "which came first the chicken or the egg"?

But I will agree that the system isn't working.. that is for sure.

[Holden McGroin]

Ok then that's fine.. The point I was making to you is the President has the power to not sign the budget Congress sends him. So saying it's all Congresses fault isn't really true. Yes Congress sets the budget but the President is the guy in charge that tells them what he wants.

The Congress has the power to not be idiots and spend like there is no tomorrow!

It is possible for ethical lawmakers to exist!  

Thomas Jefferson, Benjimen Franklin, John Hancock were real men!

Get a congress that balances a budget and puts country before self!

We all hear of the Presidential race, but how much do we hear about or Reps and 1/3 of the Senate?

[Elfie]

Yes but can't you see that's the point I'm making. That the President is the guy that sets the boundaries for the budget. It's Congress's job to hammer out the detail and put something together the President is willing to sign. The problem under Bush's with the Republican Congress, is they pretty much rubber stamped anything Bush asked for with crap loads of unchecked spending.

I don't think the part in bold is correct. Congress makes the budget and the President either approves or disapproves it. He can make requests but it is up to Congress to decide if they wish to grant those requests. I could be mistaken but this is my understanding of how it works (in a nutshell).

Congress has also refused to give the President a line item veto power. The President has to approve/disapprove of an entire budget instead of just vetoing items he doesn't approve of.