Topic: Social Services Funding

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Is GOP at war with women? 4 points to keep in mind on the gender gap

To hear all the buzz, Republicans are at war with women and “hemorrhaging the women’s vote.” A reality check is certainly in order. Here are four points Republicans should keep in mind as they look to bridge the gender gap and chart a winning path to November.
Mitt Romney's top 5 attacks on President Obama

Mitt Romney has yet to nail down the Republican presidential nomination, but he’s already attacking President Obama. Here's a look at five of Mr. Romney’s charges – and whether they’re true.
Five budget realities no politician will talk about (not even Ron Paul)

Ron Paul deserves credit for making the boldest proposals of any candidate in the presidential race. The astonishing reality of the federal government’s budget situation, however, is that even his plans might not be enough to keep Uncle Sam out of bankruptcy. While President Obama offers a $3.8 trillion budget that optimistically might cut the federal deficit to $575 billion by 2018, federal data suggest the United States is already broke. The Federal Reserve estimates that the net value of all private assets, including real estate, stocks, bonds, businesses, cash, etc., is $57 trillion. But the Treasury Department estimates the federal government’s net worth is a negative $61 trillion. Here are five budget realities that no candidate wants to acknowledge:
Election 101: Where the GOP candidates stand on the economy

With more than 13 million Americans out of work and wage increases so modest they’re failing to keep up with inflation, voters have put the economy and jobs at the top of their checklist of presidential issues.
Newt Gingrich: 8 of the GOP idea man's more unusual ideas

Newt Gingrich is a big ideas guy. Ask anybody. Some of the ideas end up working, while others are a little out there.

All Content

Appalled by sequester cuts, House begins efforts to avoid them

The House on Thursday passed a measure that would spare the Pentagon from looming cuts by making deeper cuts to social programs. But Congress isn't expected to get serious about altering the debt deal's $109 billion sequester until after the November election.
Donald Marron
What is medicare 'double counting,' and why are budget experts fighting over it?

A new study of the Affordable Care Act finds peculiar Medicare budgeting practices, including counting spending cuts and revenue increases twice. It's causing a stir among budget experts.
Paper Economy
Food stamp use continues to rise

In February, 123,385 recipients were removed from the food stamps program with the current total still increasing 4.81 percent on a year-over-year basis while household participation increased 6.56 percent.
House Republicans opt for less controversial budget

While the first version of their budget was full of Tea Party zeal, the latest revision makes politically "safer" choices as the general election season heats up.
Social Security fund: Cash gone in 2033

Social Security fund will run out three years earlier than earlier projections due to boomer retirements, weak economy. If Social Security fund runs out, retirees will get 75 percent of promised benefits.
Study: Obamacare will raise deficit

The study, by a conservative economist, is due to be released Tuesday, and says that the deficit will increase by $340 billion due to the president's signature health care law.
Is GOP at war with women? 4 points to keep in mind on the gender gap

To hear all the buzz, Republicans are at war with women and “hemorrhaging the women’s vote.” A reality check is certainly in order. Here are four points Republicans should keep in mind as they look to bridge the gender gap and chart a winning path to November.
Paper Economy
Food stamp use down in January

In January, 64,307 recipients were removed from the food stamps program, but participation continues to rise on a year over year basis.
Tax VOX
Why Ryan's budget is music to Democrat's ears

Paul Ryan may not have intended it, but his 2013 budget is the strongest argument I’ve seen for why any serious fiscal plan must include new revenues.
GOP budget plan passes committee on party-line vote

The House budget committee passed the plan 19-18; two Republicans voted against the bill because it didn't go far enough.
Mitt Romney's top 5 attacks on President Obama

Mitt Romney has yet to nail down the Republican presidential nomination, but he’s already attacking President Obama. Here's a look at five of Mr. Romney’s charges – and whether they’re true.
Michigan $1M lotto winner can no longer collect food stamps

The Michigan Department of Human Services said Wednesday the lottery winner no longer was getting benefits.
Paper Economy
Economy rebounds, but food stamp use still climbing

227,922 recipients were added to the food stamps program in December 2011 – a 5.52 percent increase since 2010.
Payroll tax 101: What the changes mean for you

The House and Senate passed a payroll tax cut extension for 160 million Americans Friday. Among other provisions, the bill adjusts downward the duration of unemployment benefits.
The Circle Bastiat
Why the food stamp program is a fraud

The federal government vastly overstates the benefits the food stamp program provides low income families – which isn't worth the cost to the taxpayer.
Five budget realities no politician will talk about (not even Ron Paul)

Ron Paul deserves credit for making the boldest proposals of any candidate in the presidential race. The astonishing reality of the federal government’s budget situation, however, is that even his plans might not be enough to keep Uncle Sam out of bankruptcy. While President Obama offers a $3.8 trillion budget that optimistically might cut the federal deficit to $575 billion by 2018, federal data suggest the United States is already broke. The Federal Reserve estimates that the net value of all private assets, including real estate, stocks, bonds, businesses, cash, etc., is $57 trillion. But the Treasury Department estimates the federal government’s net worth is a negative $61 trillion. Here are five budget realities that no candidate wants to acknowledge:
Paper Economy
Food stamp use continues to rise

 Household participation in the federal food stamp program increased 5.82 percent on a year-over-year basis, while household participation increased 7.46 percent.
On the Economy
What Mitt Romney's 'poor' gaffe really means

What Romney seems to have meant is that he believes the least-well-off are amply provided for by the safety net. Too bad he wants to shred it.
Mitt Romney moved to the right of Newt Gingrich in Florida

Mitt Romney's key in Florida: Being more conservative than Newt Gingrich on immigration, Medicare, and space exploration.
South Carolina debate: Can 'janitor' comments spark Newt Gingrich comeback?

The South Carolina debate Monday included a standing ovation for Newt Gingrich when he took on moderator Juan Williams over race. Outside the confines of a conservative audience, however, Gingrich's comments could be more controversial.
Paper Economy
Food stamp use still rising despite good jobs news

Household food stamp participation has been climbing so steadily that it has far surpassed the last peak, set as a result of Hurricane Katrina
Election 101: Where the GOP candidates stand on the economy

With more than 13 million Americans out of work and wage increases so modest they’re failing to keep up with inflation, voters have put the economy and jobs at the top of their checklist of presidential issues.
Tax VOX
A Medicare reform plan that just might work

Democrat Ron Wyden and Republican Paul Ryan have announced a bipartisan plan to fix Medicare, on a day when Washington couldn't even figure out how to keep the government running
Newt Gingrich: 8 of the GOP idea man's more unusual ideas

Newt Gingrich is a big ideas guy. Ask anybody. Some of the ideas end up working, while others are a little out there.
Mitt Romney gaffes: 9 times the button-down candidate should have buttoned up

In politics, a gaffe is often described as a "truth told by accident." Mitt Romney has had relatively few of them during his time in politics, but when the former governor of Massachusetts commits one, it can be a doozy. Here’s a list of the most memorable.