Piece on Obama's 2012 Budget Proposal

Obama’s Budget Under the Republican Knife

By Estefania Souza

BOSTON—President Barack Obama submitted his 2012 budget to Congress on Monday and emphasized the need to cut back on spending in order to support the United States’ economic recovery.

Soon after, House Budget Chair Paul Ryan, R-Wis., expressed his disapproval of the plan. According to the House Budget Committee chairman, Obama’s proposal will not help the country grow.

“It would be better doing nothing than if we would actually pass this budget for the sake of our economy, for the sake of our future and for the sake of our jobs,” said Ryan.

The 2012 budget caused controversy in both political parties, prompting Democrats and Republicans to question Obama’s leadership.

“[The] budget proposal raises a lot of questions about where the priorities of this administration are,” said Senator Jon Tester, D-Mont., in a statement released after the President’s proposal was announced. Like many of his fellow Democrats, Tested expressed concern for Obama’s focus.

The president said his proposals are rooted in the country’s economic growth. Four main points make up the budget: a five-year freeze on discretionary non-military spending, a cessation to the tax-cut for high-earning families, a solution to future unemployment liabilities and a supplement to the health-care reform.

Still, Obama did not only focus of cutting back. He also proposed an ongoing funding of programs he called “investments.” “As we move to rein in our deficits, we must do so in a way that does not cut back on those investments that have the biggest impact on our economic growth because the best antidote to a growing deficit is a growing economy,” he said.

According to Ryan however, the budget is ore expensive than helpful. “This budget does more spending, more taxing, more borrowing…[and] it’s going to cost our country its credibility,” said Ryan. He said the budget is not adequate for the current American situation.

Ryan stated that Obama’s plans would not help the country. “You really cannot borrow and spend and tax your way to prosperity,” he stated.

He called the president’s budget “a punt” and said it did not even take into consideration the advice suggested by the Fiscal Commission.

While Obama stated that “[The United States] must fund those investments that will help America win the race for the job and industries of the future,” Ryan said that what the country borrows today will inevitably have to be paid in the future.

-30-