59 out of 435 Congresspeople got the Democratic President and Democratic Senate

[KeepItReal]

...to go from an increase in the Federal Budget of $40 billion, to an actual cut of the Federal budget of $38.5 billion?

That 59 represents the *total* number of members of the Tea Party caucus in the House of Representatives.

And yes, that 59 has the Speaker of the House and apparently the rest of the GOP by the gonads as well

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_Party_Caucus#Members_of_House_Caucus

[Hannah Bell]

1. yeah, how'd that happen?

[ProSense]

2. "And yes, that 59 has the Speaker of the House and apparently the rest of the GOP by the gonads"

The dollar amount is irrelevant. Many people considered it small and insignificant (the federal budget is about $3.7 trillion).

The issue was what they cut, not how much. On that score, the GOP failed miserably.

[gateley]

4. I hadn't heard it presented in this way -- interesting. And you're right, the $$$

is "insignificant", although we did give up some WHATS earlier on. But I like your viewpoint. Gotta chew on that. :hi:

[KeepItReal]

5. When economists like Stiglitz and Krugman say we need more stimulus

The dollar amount IS TOTALLY RELEVANT.

The Dangers of Deficit Reduction
by Joseph Stiglitz

http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/stiglitz123/English

[Cant trust em]

11. Dollar amounts are important, but not all government programs are stimulative.

[Change has come]

10. I guess it depend on which side of the cuts you're on.

Enjoy your largess. I guess you've earned it??

[steelmania75]

3. Because the Democrats are just spineless in general. The only one that didn't take their shit was

Bill Clinton. They tried with all their might to smear him, but he came out smelling like a rose, and is probably the greatest US president of the past 40 years.

[FLAprogressive]

6. Are you kidding me....Bill Clinton went right along with their deregulation....

[tridim]

7. It's because the Republicans suffer from Bachmanophobia

Which according to Barney Frank means "The fear of losing to a delusional candidate".

[KeepItReal]

9. LOL.... it's funny because it's true!

:evilgrin:

[high density]

8. As I said in another thread...

...this is even worse than filibusters in the Senate where 40% control the vote.