House Republican budget officials have proposed more than $40 billion in cuts to Obama's suggested budget. Considering the budget is expected to be $3.83 trillion, that's about 1% of the budget. Are the Republicans proposing cuts to some of the most expensive programs that would really make a dent in spending? No. They're cutting programs that don't take up that much money (relatively speaking, of course). The expenditures of these programs are pretty much a drop in the bucket when it comes to federal expenditures. But that doesn't mean these programs are unimportant; on the contrary. Republicans are proposing cuts to programs that could have a big impact on people's daily lives and health, economic recovery and job creation, and future innovation. So what cuts are they proposing? The short answer: They're making cuts that make them look like huge assholes.
They want to cut funding to family planning programs, job training programs, community health centers, a program that provides food to pregnant women and their babies. They want to cut funding to the Office of Science, National Institutes of Health, high-speed rail initiatives, clean energy programs (so much for innovation...). They want to reduce funding to the EPA (huge shocker there). The cuts would also take 4,500 cops off the street. This definitely sounds like the best cuts to make when several Americans are struggling with unemployment and tough financial times. Plus, they want to eliminate all funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting! What did Sesame Street ever do to you?! Going after public tv and public radio? That's real big of you. In another huge shock, they also propose cuts to the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
There's already in-fighting going on in the Republican party, as many freshmen and tea party-backed House members want to see $100 billion in cuts. They say this was a campaign promise that Boehner and other Republican leaders made. However, after taking office (of course), Republican leaders dismissed the idea as unrealistic.
Obama is also proposing some asshole cuts, including cutting in half funding for low-income heating assistance. Obama wants the funding amount to return to the 2008 level -- there was an increase since then because Congress recognized you need to take into account the spiked increase in the price of fuel.
Something to keep in mind is that Congress never approved a budget for the fiscal year that began in September. Government operations have been financed through a temporary resolution that expires March 4. If Congress and the White House can't agree on a budget for the rest of the fiscal year, this could lead to a standstill (i.e., government shutdown) (Full Story)(Full Story)
Fighting in southern Sudan had resulted in more than 100 deaths. The fighting, which broke out on Wednesday, is a result of rebels loyal to George Athor attacking the army. Southern Sudan security forces, rebels, and civilians have been killed in the fighting. During the fighting, two army trucks were blown up by land mines.
George Athor took up arms last year when he believed there was fraud in the state elections. Athor was accused by people in the south that he was part of a ploy by the north to stir up trouble and to derail the referendum. The north denied any involvement. Athor finally agreed to a ceasefire deal with the military (the Sudan People's Liberation Army) last month, just days before the independence referendum vote. However, he did not attend the signing ceremony in person.
Athor has blamed the SPLA for attacking his forces. However, he also said that he is willing to hold new talks with the SPLA. This in-fighting is one of the challenges Southern Sudan faces in forming their own country and maintaining security. (Full Story)
Yesterday, President Mubarak announced in a speech to the country that he would not step down as president. He said he would remain in office until September, when the elections will be held. He did say he would turn over some power to his vice president (although, given that the vice president position was only created a few weeks ago, of course there would naturally be some power delegated from the president to the vice president. This doesn't seem like much of a concession). The crowds of protesters, of course, were not happy with Mubarak's announcement. They vowed to continue protesting and striking.
And then today, in an about-face, Mubarak has stepped down. It's believed that the protesters' furious response after Mubarak's speech and then international leaders subsequently pressuring Mubarak to listen to his people is what resulted in him stepping down. He has resigned his position and turned over all power to the military. All authority has been passed to a council of military leaders (the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces). Last I heard, Mubarak has gone to his coastal resort home in Sharm el-Sheik (which is in Egypt). The military has pledged to carry out constitutional reforms. The military is much more popular among the Egyptian people than Mubarak's government was. It not clear yet what role, if any, Vice President Suleiman will have under the military council's rule.
It will be interesting to see what develops in Egypt over the next little bit, and whether the military council does indeed enact reforms that the people want (including a democratic government). Hearing the news today about Mubarak stepping down really makes you reflect on the past couple of weeks in Egypt. It is impressive that a mostly non-violent (violence was started on the other side), grassroots effort created such political change. The recent stories of Tunisia and Egypt are very exciting and monumental. (Full Story)
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