U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., along with other GOP leaders, introduced an alternative budget Wednesday in response to President Obama's spending plan.
According to a report released by the Republican caucus, the plan would borrow $3.6 trillion less and spend $4.8 trillion less than the Democratic budget over the next 10 years.
""Our budget alternative provides a path out of the current crisis—by restoring economic growth and job creation, controlling spending and deficits—and by lifting the crushing burden of debt and taxes from future generations,"" Ryan said in a statement.
Critics are puzzled by the introduction of the alternative plan, which the Democratic Party of Wisconsin claims consists of the same failed Bush policies.
""This must be a joke,"" DPW Communications Director Alec Loftus said. ""It's essentially Bush 3.0: multitrillion-dollar tax cuts for the rich, big corporations and big oil. It eliminates the stimulus package that's already been passed and privatizes Medicare.""
However, according to Ryan, Obama's budget ""exploits the current economic crisis to justify trillions in new spending, taxes and debt"" and could lead to more fiscal problems for the nation. The alternative budget, which has no tax increases, will encourage the ""entrepreneurial spirit"" of citizens, he said.
Charles Franklin, a UW-Madison political science professor, said the alternative plan has caused conflict between GOP members in the House and Senate.
""Historically it is more common to follow the Senate route of offering proposals and criticisms, but not more or less create an independent budget,"" Franklin said.
Loftus suggested Ryan's purpose in drafting the plan is to show that the Republican Party is not just the ""party of no"" but has specific alternative ideas.
""What Ryan essentially says is lower taxes, less spending equals lower long-term deficit,"" Franklin said.
However, Franklin added, both budgets can be challenged in one way or another.
""All budgets have uncertainty,"" Franklin said. ""And so do these.""
