In actuality, all American taxpayers should be proud that the people's House has acted to save the social safety net by halting its inexorable self-implosion while slowing and reversing the debt tsunami racing toward our fiscal shores -- all without raising taxes on families and small businesses during a punishing recession.
Conservatives should be filled with gratitude for Paul Ryan's courageous leadership on this very difficult issue, fraught with political risk. Kudos are also in order for the House Republican leadership, which has been the target of some conservative ire in recent days. They've unapologetically embraced Ryan's budget proposal and have empowered him to take the lead in defending its limited government, prosperity-driven agenda.
The victory tally was 235-193. Every Democrat voted no, along with four Republicans (one of whom was Ron Paul, natch). This exact bill won't pass the Senate, nor would it survive a presidential veto. That's besides the point. The GOP made a promise to voters prior to the 2010 elections, and today they've taken a major step toward holding up their end of the bargain. Republicans cannot control the irresponsibility or political machinations of their opponents. They can control their own policies and behavior. And at this crucial and defining moment in our history, Republicans have made a choice to put leadership ahead and politics. Bravo.
The stakes are high. A mighty political battle awaits.
UPDATE - "This is the most predictable economic crisis we've ever had in the history of this country."
UPDATE II - The president fired his craven opening salvo into this debate on Wednesday. The public wasn't impressed. He's slouched to a new low, according to Gallup:
