Irresponsible Republican Doomsday Budget Forecast Destroys America!

I have to admit that I am a big fan of doomsday. On workday afternoons when my level of existential ennui swells to the level of pain, I enjoy rummaging through collections of doomsday scenarios at sights such as "Modern End-of-the-World Theories" and "Exit Mundi."

I rooted for the aliens in "Independence Day" and the dragons in "Reign of Fire," and eagerly awaited the comet strike in "Deep Impact." I particularly look forward to a Doomsday that—like the one shown in "The Day After Tomorrow" and the films mentioned above—results in a drastic culling of mankind rather than total annihilation. I'd also like to be able to pick the survivors. (I can guarantee you that Rush Limbaugh and Fucker Carlson would not make the cut.)

However, while I derive a certain wry amusement from contemplating the world's demise, my enjoyment is considerably lessened by the stark reality of a significant segment of the American population taking one or more of these end of the world scenarios quite seriously. With a little work, the public could be prodded into a panic. That, unfortunately seems to be the goal of a group of GOP politicians who are sounding grave warnings for the consequences of passing Obama's budget.

So far, the connection of "Doomsday" and Obama's budget seems to be connected only in the mind of AP writer, Philip Elliot (who should have his computer washed out with soap). But with GOP politicians such as Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) saying things like, "The practical implications of this is bankruptcy for the United States." The difference is slight. The goal is to further frighten those people in the Republican base who already fear Obama's presidency.

The dire GOP predictions for deficits due to Obama's budget are based on the latest projections by the Congressional Budget Office which said that—based on their predictions for economic growth—the president's budget would produce $9.3 trillion in deficits over the next decade. Of course CBO budget and economic projections have proven as accurate as the many predictions for the end of world which have come and gone since the times of Nostradamus.

Not content with relying on the CBO's predictions, top Republican on the banking committee, Senator Richard Shelby of Alabama has channeled his own predictions. His crystal ball says the deficit could reach $20 trillion in coming years as Obama guides the country to "the fast road to financial destruction."

None of the doom forecasting by the Republican leadership(?) takes the problems that are likely to occur if we ignore the problems that Obama's budget addresses. If we ignore improving education, developing energy independence, and moving to reduce greenhouse gases and global warming the United States will assuredly find itself facing a doomsday scenario that makes budget deficits look like a summer cold.

Then again, December 21, 2012 marks the end of the 5,000-year Mayan calendar, which many believe marks the end of the world. Why not postpone worrying about the budget deficit until sometime after December 22, 2012—maybe the problem will solve itself.