NBC's Gregory Frets Greece-Like Rioting if U.S. Makes 'Draconian' Spending Cuts
On NBC's Sunday Meet the Press, host David Gregory took on an alarmist tone as he worried that any significant attempts to address the nation's enormous debt could lead to violence: "Look at the images that came out of Greece this week as you've got...big cuts in public spending. And this is the result, rioting in the streets....Could we have that kind of reaction here?"
Gregory posed that question to Senators Dick Durbin and Lindsey Graham early in the program, further fretting: "Are we headed in this direction with the kind of actions we're talking about in terms of cutting public spending?...Is there a risk...that these draconian cuts in spending that so many Americans think are necessary may actually halt what we're still...seeing as a very fragile, very weak economic recovery?"
Later in the broadcast, Gregory again brought up the subject to his political panel: "We showed the pictures from Greece. We can show them again, demonstrations in the streets as a result of draconian cuts being made by the government there....are we being too aggressive about tackling deficits at a point when the economy still needs so much help?" Liberal historian and author Doris Kearns Goodwin quickly agreed: "Absolutely....you've got to deal with the economy first, get it going, and then you make promises about getting that [the deficit] down."
Fellow panelist, Wall Street Journal editorial page editor Paul Gigot, presented the conservative side of the argument: "I think, philosophically, from an economics policy point of view, you cut spending, you're going to help the economy, in my view. Because every dollar the government spends is a dollar that's taken out of the private sector, which is the only place, the only place you're going to drive growth."
Here is a transcript of the June 19 exchange:
10:35AM ET
DAVID GREGORY: To both of you, and I'll start with Senator Durbin, look, what's going on around the world is something that we're debating here in America. Look at the images that came out of Greece this week as you've got governments that are defaulting in Europe potentially, big cuts in public spending. And this is the result, rioting in the streets. There are union members and there are just citizens who are saying this is way too much. Senator Durbin, are we headed in this direction with the kind of actions we're talking about in terms of cutting public spending? Could we have that kind of reaction here?...Senator Graham, let me get back to this other point, which is what we're seeing going on in the Eurozone right now, potential defaults. Is there a risk, from your side of the aisle, that these draconian cuts in spending that so many Americans think are necessary may actually halt what we're still seeming – seeing as a very fragile, very weak economic recovery?
(...)
11:10AM ET
GREGORY: Doris, we, we showed the pictures from Greece. We can show them again, demonstrations in the streets as a result of draconian cuts being made by the government there. The same question I asked to Senator Graham, are we being too aggressive about tackling deficits at a point when the economy still needs so much help?
DORIS KEARNS GOODWIN: Absolutely. I mean, it seems to me the rational answer right now, we've got to get the economy to grow, and then get some problems which we agree on both sides that we will have targets for cutting the deficit. I mean, most economists would argue that. But somehow the deficit has become – it's the same way it became with Perot, it's become that lady in the closet. We have to deal with it, we do have to deal with it.
GREGORY: Right.
GOODWIN: But you've got to deal with the economy first, get it going, and then you make promises about getting that down.
GREGORY: But even – I've spoken to House Republican leaders who say, you know, this is – even our zeal to cut the debt...
GOODWIN: Mm-hmm.
GREGORY: ...is hurting our ability to have a jobs agenda...
GOODWIN: Yes.
GREGORY: ...to have some positive ideas to say how do we actually get people back to work?
PAUL GIGOT: Yeah. There's a little bit of an accountant's mentality that comes across, I think, and that's a problem. But I – I think, philosophically, from an economics policy point of view, you cut spending, you're going to help the economy, in my view. Because every dollar the government spends is a dollar that's taken out of the private sector, which is the only place, the only place you're going to drive growth. But the problem for the Republicans is a little too much talk about budget balancing and not enough talk about growth and jobs and getting growth back up to 3 and 4 percent.
GREGORY: Who's hiring? Can I-
ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA: Or investment in infrastructure.
GREGORY: Yeah.
VILLARAIGOSA: Or investment in education or investment in workforce development. I mean, there is no conversation from that side of the aisle. And don't get me wrong, I'm not here to defend Democrats. I think your point was a good one. People are tired of the gridlock, the partisanship, the polarization, the shrill debate. I mean, we're, we're excited that the President and the Speaker are on some, you know, golf tournament day. You know, the fact of the matter is, they should be talking on a regular basis, and they're not talking. All they're doing is screaming at one another.
(...)
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Comments
Bambi is getting exactly what he wants.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 11:32am.
He is driving this economy down the sewer. He wants this country to see the sort of turmoil that is going on in the middle east and parts of Europe. Until that happens here, he can't declare martial law and "save" us all.
The MSM is following along with the game plan and remain totally oblivious to the fact that Bambi WANTS this country in shambles so that he can rebuild it in his utopian image socialist state.
Soros has his hand firmly up and locked in our sock puppet president. He really must think that this is easier than even Hitler thought it was.
It is war in 2012.
You pretty much nailed it,
Submitted by killa37 on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 11:37am.
You pretty much nailed it, bubba..............although it could backfire on the REGIME.....but either way, it's put all of us 'normal' and 'responsible' people behind the 8-ball bigtime!!!
And.........who the hell would pay attention to Dick 'Turban' Durbin OR Lindsey Grahamnesty????
Random thoughts -
Submitted by almostacowboy on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 11:40am.
1. I'm surprised Gregory didn't warn us about the "violence-prone TEA Party". (sarc)
2. I'm not surprised the L.A. Mayor (who still uses his ex-wife's name) would bring up "investments" for all of our illegal residents, I mean, "unregistered Democrats".
3. Right, Mr. Gregory. Let's put off doing the right thing because miserable little anarchists, spoiled brats and unions/socialists may (will) riot.
Positively deplorable.
Submitted by motherbelt on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 11:42am.
We all know the routine by now....liberals reporting their wishes as facts, portraying their hopes as possibilities....planting the seeds in people's minds....nudge, nudge, wink, wink......
And of course, ANY cut at all is Draconian. Because all these programs are already operating at bare-bones level....
Did you see how fast...
Submitted by OldJarhead77 on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 11:42am.
They ran from what Gigot said? Paul Gigot said GOVERNMENT can't create jobs they steal jobs from the economy! Notice just how fast they changed the subject and let the illegal alien Mayor from LA drone on about dem pet projects........
Would the waste stream media report
Submitted by FastEd on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 11:43am.
on exactly WHO would be rioting? Would they make mention that the "cuts" would be to previous levels, and nobody was rioting then? Would they point out that those who might be rioting had NO jobs to begin with, and were actually whining? Would the waste stream go and talk to the real victims? Taxpayers?
Hey waste streamers, how many of you have "given back" your big $'s, or asked the other libs if they have given back, or sent a check to the govt? When will you ask the hard questions, of this administration? Or, are you afraid that you won't be asked to ask questions again?
The waste stream are cowards, they know it, and prefer to hide in the shadows, as the bright lights highlight thier yellow stipes.
"We the People . . " Hey, congress - I'm one of the people - start listening!
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
Thought experiment
Submitted by octavioj on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 11:47am.
Mr. Gregory,
just to exercise your brain, why not cut spending now before we do have to make draconian cuts and then have the riots on the streets? Just a thought...
He May Have a Point
Submitted by Caringwhiteguy on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 11:53am.
Witness the totally outrageous behavior of the leftist boors in Madison, Wisconsin. It won't take much to set them off again. They're still spoiling for a fight.
Gregory frames this debate
Submitted by rbosque on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 11:59am.
Gregory frames this debate from the standpoint of an unlimited and bottomless pit of taxpayer monies. The fact is, money tends to run out when one spends more than they have. If people riot, it's because THEY are greedy and want more and more of other people's money despite their already large salaries.
Hmmmm.....
Submitted by 4eyes50 on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 11:56am.
..."And this the result rioting in the streets. There are union members and just citizens who are saying this is way too much."
Why would union members be rioting? Because the government wants to cut their ridiculous benefits and make them start paying something like the rest of us?
Yes, Mr. Gregory, there would be rioting in the streets, or have you not read Ann Coulter's new book, "Demonic". In it, she describes the types of people who would riot and why. Basically, anyone who depends on the government for their livliehood - union members, welfare recipients, government workers, etc., all have a vested interest in the continuation of their programs. It's about time the government got back to the business of governing and stopped these insane entitlement programs and interest group fundings.
When I had to renew my health insurance this year, I didn't change anything about my elections from last year. And still my weekly deduction doubled over last years'. Did I incite a mob uprising within the company, vandalizing the stores or picket? No, I just commiserated with my coworkers about how it's only going to get worse because Obamacare hasn't even been enforced yet. It doesn't make any sense to make corporate angry since they don't have to offer the benefit in the first place. (Well, since I live in Taxachusetts, that's not entirely true.)
Ironically, the riots he is concerned about happening would come from people from his own party. Of course, the insurrectionists will be referred to as "Tea Partiers."
It will be lead by the Lefties that will bitterly fight.....
Submitted by OldJarhead77 on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 12:03pm.
For the benefits that they say were "stolen" from them! NEWS FLASH LEFTIES those bennefits you get are NOT RIGHTS they are NOT YOURS FOREVER! the only ones in my view that deserve the free healthcare they demand are those that fought to protect the country they are trying to destroy! Now I am not saying that the mentally and physically disabled should be abandoned.... NO they should be covered under a program that protects and takes care of them but if you have two hands and two feet and a brain that works..... WE CAN FIND SOMETHING FOR YOU TO DO so you can GET paid!!!
Agreed, he's a moron
Submitted by mandrake on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 12:12pm.
Nowhere is the term "draconian"actually defined. The things most seniors care about most is social secuirty and medicare. Cut that, and the worst that could happen is they won't vote for you...it's not like they're going to go out on their walkers and set fire to cars! As for the rest ..have at it . So Gregory..please take your meds.
Applying the word “draconian” to reasonable solutions.
Submitted by Grumpy in Arizona on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 12:23pm.
I am tired of the continued liberal shtick from their playbook that applies the word “draconian” to any conservative (or reasonable) solution to our fiscal problems.
Please try using the words: Strong, potent, cogent, trenchant, urgent, pressing, or well-founded instead.
Oops, forgot that I was talking about supposedly literate libs…
- Grump
If we cut entitlements, of course the former recipients
Submitted by johnsonl on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 12:52pm.
will riot. They riot at the drop of a hat. They rioted in Atlanta last year for APPLICATIONS for Section 8 housing vouchers. They rioted in L.A. after O.J. Simpson was aquitted, they rioted when Rodney King took that a$$ whipping. The dregs of society don't really need an excuse to riot. What they don't understand is that they are tearing up their own neighborhoods when they riot. The people that don't live there couldn't care less and laugh at their stupidity and violence over stealing a pair of tennis shoes or a flat screen.
Absolutely....you've got to
Submitted by Dan The Man 2 on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 1:09pm.
Absolutely....you've got to deal with the economy first, get it going, and then you make promises about getting that [the deficit] down
Lets see we make a deal with the Democrats who then proceed to screw us over with not following through on their word. Yep .... no problem.
the only rioters will be the takers-let them burn loot-perfect.
Submitted by JIMMY1660 on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 1:46pm.
not the makers-cut the funding for free loaders-the free what ever is over.
Dont fret none Gregory
Submitted by Boudin on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 2:02pm.
I am sure there will be ample security in your Gated community
This from the same sort of
Submitted by Beukeboom on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 2:32pm.
This from the same sort of liberal "journalist" who predicted riots from those in the Tea Party?
This from the same sort of liberal "journalist" who predicted riots from Christians?
This from the same sort of liberal "journalist" who FAILED to predict the riots following Vancouver's loss to Boston in the Stanley Cup finals?
Journalists' predictions are notoriously bad and have a HUGE failure rate.
Let them riot, then machine
Submitted by LAM SON 719 on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 2:49pm.
Let them riot, then machine gun them, it will thin the welfare roles and justice system.
Wait until he sees the riots when government checks start...
Submitted by Dave. on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 3:09pm.
...bouncing.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
Draconian cuts and they will
Submitted by inquiringmind on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 3:24pm.
Draconian cuts and they will riot? Well that is one way to get them off their couches, turn off Judge Judy and doing something. All we need to do then is put a shovel in their hand and show them the work that Obama told them was ready!
NBC
Submitted by jessieH on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 3:39pm.
"Keep pushing your traitorous propaganda, Gregory. We have your jail cell all cleaned up for you."
Forward to the Past
Submitted by HardRightTurn on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 3:39pm.
No one rioted when we spent 5% less than when the Democrats took over the congress.
_________________________________________________________________________
To more fully comprehend the Left, one must read “Leftism As Psychopathy” by John Ray, M.A., Ph.D. Caution, it might scare you a little bit.
http://jonjayray.tripod.com/psycho.html
maybe it's time for responsible taxpayers to protest?
Submitted by jackieaxe on Tue, 06/21/2011 - 1:01pm.
Given the federal budget is 7 plus year in debt and for about three years has been spending $1.50 for every $1.00 of revenue, maybe it's time for responsible taxpayers to start picketing public housing projects and demand they be sold? Maybe it's time for responsible taxpayers to picket SSDI offices, welfare ofices and ACORN offices and demand they be closed? Maybe it's time for Aunt Zetuni to get a job rather than living off of my taxes?