Three Card Monty and Baseline Budget Cuts

Except when we're as corrupt and cynical as democrats, like now.

“ After swearing in the first republican Speaker since Joe Ma tin (R-MA) in the 83rd Congress, we will on the first day of session cut the number of committees and subcommittees, cut committee staff by one-third, ban proxy voting, require a three-fifths vote to pass any tax increase, eliminate"baseline" budgeting and use honest numbers, and announce an audit of the House's books.  -  Newt Gingrich introducing the "Contract for America" in 1994. ” Baseline Budgeting cuts mean  ...  (for them what dun't know) You spent $5000 on booze in 2008 You spent $6000 on booze in 2009, an increase of 20% You spent $7200 on booze in 2010, an increase of 20% At marriage counseling you agree to cut the amount of household money you spend on booze by a whopping 50%  in 2011!  SO .... Your wife is thrilled that she will have $3600 more in the household fund next year (50% of $7200) Too bad, because you were using baseline budget cuts, meaning that instead of increasing the booze bill by the projected 20% this year, you'll increase it by only 10% (and spend $7920). She shops for a new husband, but they're all like you. That's what damned near every "budget cut" in your lifetime has meant.  Not a decrease in spending, but a decrease in the amount of increase.  And that's what 90% of Boner's numbers are - vapor ware. I'm lousy at math, but you get the idea. Wait until Reid gets his hands on things,  He's a real pro; a Democrat.