Federal Debt Default Woes Would Tumble Down Slowly But Surely to You

Economists say standoff on the debt ceiling will hurt anyone with investments - government, businesses or individuals.

Citing "a hundred variables," local economists say it's too soon to tell just what the local effects of a default on the federal debt would be – but without doubt, there will be dire effects felt at every level of society if Congress fails to raise the debt ceiling in a timely fashion. Interestingly, under one scenario, the damage ultimately could hit as hard or harder in the suburbs - which tend to be more Republican -  than it would in city centers. "It all depends on what bills the federal government would choose to pay, and on what the markets do," said Scott Drewianka, associate professor of economics at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. "In the first place," he said, "I don't think there's necessarily a disaster that happens if …

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Steve

10:52 pm on Sunday, July 31, 2011

Tea (Taxed Enough Already) party members, not a homosexual act. Much different group you are referring to.   more ›

The Critical Thinker

Part II: The Republican Budget; It’s A Case Of Rich Man, Poor Man

Dan Bell continues his analysis of the Republican budgets on the state and federal level.

With renewed Republican gusto – powered by the Tea Party - the 2010 mid-term elections saw a change in congressional leadership. It is this scenario that has emboldened our first district representative, seven-term congressman Paul Ryan. to propose his budget masterpiece, “The Path to Prosperity.” Before we start you should know that if you are a corporation or a wealthy individual, you are getting what you paid for here: A sweetheart of a deal. If you are not in one of the aforementioned group, well, your costs are about to go up, way up. First, a review of how we got here and why Ryan has proposed this kind of budget. Over the past thirty years, (a time dominated by Republican Presidents: two-terms Reagan, one-term Bush the Elder, two-…

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San

8:08 am on Thursday, May 5, 2011

without taking sides on any debate about republican versus democrat, i think it is important to note that the vast majority of the budget is "fixed" outside the control of any president, and the final budget is actually determined by congress, not the president. The "discretionary" portion of the budget is in fact quite small. There are also consequences that carry through from the past that …   more ›

Viewfinder

Photo Album from First District Listening Sessions

Residents in both Sturtevant and Racine turned out to listen to Congressman Paul Ryan's Path to Prosperity, ask questions, and express their thoughts.

Congressman Paul Ryan's visits to Sturtevant and Racine were noteworthy because of how they were similar more than how they might have been different.  Both audiences supported Ryan's service to the area, though the Sturtevant turnout was much more supportive overall while residents in Racine were more vocal about their disagreement.

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From the Editor ...

Should Pricing for Medical Services be Regulated to be Transparent?

Congressman Paul Ryan agrees that not knowing the price for procedures reduces consumers' ability to comparison shop and make educated decisions.

Congressman Paul Ryan made his last two stops for his 19-city tour of the First District today in Sturtevant and Racine. In Sturtevant, a woman stood up and thanked Ryan for his service and then asked him if his plan would provide consumers a way to comparison shop. This resident explained that as an employee in the healthcare system, she sees the inequities of pricing structure, but as a consumer who comparison shops for other goods and services her family needs, she's frustrated by not being able to do the same for healthcare. Ryan agreed that the pricing structures are flawed, and explained why they're flawed. And while the Path to Prosperity doesn't address this issue, he said he is helping author new legislation tackling the need for …

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Vos’ View from the State Capitol

State Lawmakers Start Voting Today on the 2011-2013 Budget

Representative Robin Vos says he wants to be sure residents aren't passing on more debt to future generations.

This week the members of the Joint Committee on Finance are taking the first of many important votes on the state’s new two-year spending plan. As the co-chair of the committee, I’m looking forward to balancing the budget the right way, without passing along massive debt to our children, borrowing billions or raising your taxes.    Over the past eight years, Democrats balanced the state budget by using accounting tricks and gimmicks, raided segregated funds, borrowed money, raised taxes, or filled the gap with one-time federal stimulus money. Basically, we’ve used a band-aid approach but our financial wounds have only gotten worse and this time, there isn’t a big enough band-aid to fix it. It’s now a $3.6 billion dollar gash to the …

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2012 First District Congressional Democratic Challenger to Speak in Janesville

Rob Zerban will speak to the Democratic Party's First District Convention about Rep. Paul Ryan's proposed budget.

Rob Zerban, Kenosha businessman and Democratic challenger for the First District Congressional seat currently held by Paul Ryan (R-Janesville), plans to speak tomorrow, April 16, in Janesville. He will address the Democratic Party's First District Convention at the UAW Labor Hall at 11 am. Zerban is expected to talk about the House vote that may take place today in Washington, D.C. on Ryan's proposed budget. After announcing his candidacy earlier this month, Zerban launched a website, handsoffmygrandma.com, designed to directly challenge Ryan's plan to dismember Medicare.  If you go: Where: UAW Labor Hall, 1795 Lafayette St., Janesville When: 11 am 

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