"Who is winning the argument over budget cuts?"

[Clio the Leo]

Who is winning the argument over budget cuts?
By Greg Sargent

Who is winning the argument over budget cuts? The Post has some interesting new polling out this morning suggesting that in the arena of public opinon, at least, Obama and Dems may have an edge in the budget wars — but not a big one. Crucially, the poll finds that more Americans agree with the Obama/Dem argument about budget cuts than the GOP one, with 45 percent saying big cuts are more apt to result in job losses (the Dem argument) while 41 percent say cuts will spur job growth (the GOP argument).

But the public is almost exactly divided (43 percent with the president, 42 percent with the GOP) over which side has the right balance between slashing government and preserving vital programs.

What’s more, the poll finds that Obama has a sizable advantage over Congressional Republicans on who is more trusted on the economy, the economic problems people face, and on the deficit. And twice as many would hold the GOP responsible for a government shutdown.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/the-morning-plum/2011/03/03/ABtQMhW_blog.html

[Autumn]

1. The politicians.

It sure as hell isn't us.

[rucky]

2. There is no argument.

That's part of the problem.

[karynnj]

3. I think that the poll is asking the wrong quesstion - and in one fundamental way the Democrats are

ceding the real battle to the republicans. The poll correctly shows that people do want the debt crisis solved by taking everything from those with less. But, there are three ways that the deficit can be reduced. They are: cutting spending, raising taxes, and growing the economy.

Obama's plan tries to do all three - where the "rise" in taxes is via things like eliminating the oil companies' loophole. Judicious investment spending is included because it is for things that within the long term expand the economy.

But, where I see the Democrats ceding the game is the just extended tax cuts to the wealthy. There is no rule that they can not be "unextended". The argument could be made that the deficit and debt are important - after all every Republican talking head told us that. But, a $1 billion cut in programs that help people balanced by a tax increase actually is a win for the deficit level - as it will create jobs that take people off unemployment and you get the multiplier effect caused by their ability to spend. (As to the economy, every honest economist would admit that that adds more to the economy than the billion dollars invested - only partly in the US.

Are they afraid they will be called flip floppers or deal breakers? Given the choice what would Americans really choose.

In addition, EVERY Democrat should be in their district telling their people what is at stake. The numbers in the poll likely could shift even more in our favor. (Here is a Boston Herald link with Kerry at a head start center - an amazing young Boston politician, previously on his staff is in the video as well. This is what we should be doing. http://www.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/20110314sen_kerry_vows_to_fight_gop_cuts_to_head_start/srvc=home&position=recent

We need to make it a voting issue. I don't believe - and the poll does not indicate - that we really are a center right country. If these cuts because a voting issue, there are many Republicans in districts where the majority of people do not want to lose the social net - which already was inadequate.

[DrToast]

4. Considering raising taxes isn't even on the table, I'd say they're winning.*

*

[bigwillq]

5. The common folk never win.

Life will go on for the politicians and the corporations, but the common folk will continue to struggle. Can't see how that's a victory for the people.