Ellison Stumps Republican On House Floor By Asking When Paul Ryan’s Plan Would Balance The Budget

[democracy1st]

Run time: 01:04 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg5wZbeaLP8   Posted on YouTube: April 15, 2011 By YouTube Member: fshakir1 Views on YouTube: 7707   Posted on DU: April 16, 2011 By DU Member: democracy1st Views on DU: 2474

 
This morning, the House debated the budget proposal put forth by the Congressional Progressive Caucus, a response to the budget drafted by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI). During the debate, CPC member Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) asked Rep. Todd Rokita (R-IN) when the Ryan budget would balance and create a surplus. After hemming and hawing for a few seconds, Rokita ultimately couldn’t come up with an answer:

ELLISON: When does the Ryan budget create a surplus?

ROKITA: The budget proposed and voted on by the committee — <...>

ROKITA: With responsible, gradual reforms to the drivers of our debt, like Medicare and Social Security, this budget will balance –

ELLISON: I asked the gentlemen when the Ryan budget created a surplus. He could have given me a year. He didn’t. That’s because he’s probably embarrassed about when that is. Let me tell you when the Progressive Caucus comes to surplus: 2021. That is known as a responsible budget.

The answer to the question is that the “courageous” and “innovative” Ryan budget would create a surplus for the first time in 2040, according to the Congressional Budget Office. An analysis by the Economic Policy Institute, meanwhile, determined that the CPC budget would indeed turn a $30.7 billion surplus in 2021, nearly two full decades ahead of Ryan’s “bold” plan.

http://thinkprogress.org/2011/04/15/keith-ellison-stumps-todd-rokita/

[HankyDubs]

1. its just getting ridiculous now

or rather, a long time ago. They can't answer the simplest of questions, it's always a river of rhetoric instead.

Are they missing a shame gene? WTF is wrong with these people?

[me b zola]

4. Since Reagan they haven't been made to answer

Seriously. We give ground on the very premise of reality. They don't get called out for blatant lies, and are given a free pass by the press. They must be challenged every step of the way if we ever want to return sanity to political process & discourse.

Oh, and much respect to Rep Ellison, one of our few bright spots in the party. :thumbsup:

[DCKit]

2. That damned, literate Muslin.

Does anyone but me find it hysterical that they couldn't beat him in 2010?

[Scuba]

6. LOL... Ellison nailed him, didn't he? n/t

[DCKit]

7. The RW made a serious mistake by putting the spotlight on Keith Ellison.

He's one of our bestest, and theirs can't compare to our worstest.

[rbixby]

11. His district is pretty solidly blue

Metropolitan Minneapolis (as well as St Paul) are both very blue areas. The republican candidate who ran against him mostly did it as a token effort.

[MNBrewer]

12. Not at all

I live in Rep. Ellison's district, and he's very popular here. We're PROUD to have elected the first muslim to congress. His re-election was never in doubt.

[DCKit]

13. I feel proud for you guys. Really good to know.

I don't give a crap about his religion, I know a good Congressman when I see one.

But WTF do I know, Bernie and Dennis are my heroes.

[xchrom]

3. Awesome. nt

[mascarax]

5. You go, Keith!

And when the memorized crap starts flowing, yes, cut him off! I'm tired of being nice and letting them blather to Yes/No or Date questions.

It's a damn shame the Progressive Caucus never gets any press. Shame on the press for that. Too busy covering the lies and wealthy people-funded Tea Party.

[caledesi]

14. Totally agree!!!!! nt

[baldguy]

8. If Republicans told the truth about their policies & their results, nobody would vote for them.

That's why they can't answer simple questions, and use their time to distract the public with irrational conspiracy theories about the President, target immigrants & minorities with absurd accusations, and DON'T engage in serious debate about real issues which are important to Americans, like creating jobs here in America, and getting the govt to invest in the economy to help doing that.

[indy legend]

9. Being from Indiana I know, for a fact, that Todd Rokita is..........

A fucking moron. This ignorant piece of shit couldn't answer the question if you asked him his name.

[kooth]

10. Ellison

Ellison rocks! He's a no-nonsense legislator, and he nailed them!

[WillyT]

15. LOL !!! - K & R !!!

:kick:

:evilgrin: