Duke - Budget Process Committee (Nominee Confirmed)

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Okay, guys, grill him.

[Barnes]

Senator, what do you feel is more important regarding the budget:

1) Cutting government services to insure a balanced budget, or
2) Insuring government services with the possibility of an increased debt

EDIT - Made part two a little more understandable.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

What is your opinion of the current direction of the committee?

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Yikes. I was meddling through and ran across this. I'll do my best to answer these as quickly as possible..

Barnes: You asked the toughest question that could be asked during economic times and budgetary problems like this. When things turn sour, do we cut costs or pile up debt? In short, we must do a little of both, because too much of anything is never a good thing. While I have not examined the full budgetary work yet, as a rule of thumb, there is always areas that can be reduced, consolidated or cut that are unnecessary, and there are always ways to increase efficiency in other bloated areas. I've never been one to advocate throwing people on the street, and I believe government programs that are vital to helping the poor and disabled must be continued, but we must also recognize that running up an insurmountable debt often ensures those government services fiscally cannot be offered in the future, especially if the debt leads to a credit rating downgrade, etc. We cannot be another Greece because we do not have the European Union as a backstop. We'd be screwed. We must remember that when we are examining the debt levels. I do not, however, believe or require we balance the budget when the economic constraints are like they are. I think that would be unwise. I also do not oppose deficit spending, but I do oppose reckless spending that assumes the money will never run out (when it inevitably does).

@Yankee: I'd expect nothing less than a question like this from you..

I have yet to read through all 177 pages of debate on the committee, but from first glance, it seems to be going well enough. I don't profess to have any inside knowledge on what is actually going on, but once I'm able to immerse myself in what's going on, my opinion may very well change.

It seems to be a successful endeavor though, which is a good thing because the lack of a legit budget in this game always bothered me.

[Barnes]

Alright, thank you, Senator.

I will be supporting the nominee.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

A final Vote is now open on this nominee, please vote Aye, Nay, or Abstain

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Aye

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Aye.

[Hans-im-Glück]

NAY

[AndrewTX]

Aye

[Barnes]

Aye

[tmthforu94]

NAY

I love it how you don't mention one word during this discussion then vote against a perfectly fine nominee. The Midwest is going to be in for a treat next session when they finally will have someone who will actually speak up for them, whether it be Kawlejt or Svensson.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Come on people.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

WHY THE HELL ARE YOU PEOPLE IN THIS SENATE?

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

AYe

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

This nominee has enough votes to be confirmed, Senators have 24 hours to change their votes.

[Franzl]

AYE!

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

The nominee has been confirmed.