After conservatives and GOP moderates spent a week signaling that they might vote against the repeal vehicle, most Republicans fell in line, with the House voting 227-198 in support of the resolution.
And more moderate spending cuts would be wise.
But this is only a moderate spending spree by Chinese standards.
But advisers to Mr. Bush said today that he would also consider other ways to moderate spending on prescription drugs, which has grown rapidly in recent years.
Democrats point to the relatively moderate spending during the Clinton administration as evidence that theirs is the party of fiscal discipline, while Republicans say they deserve credit for restraining the Democratic spending once they took control of Congress.
Although George W. Bush said at the Oct. 17 presidential debate that the program "makes sense," his advisers said yesterday that he would consider other ways to moderate spending on prescription drugs, which has grown rapidly in recent years.
As it is, "cuts" in the 2014 budget amount only to "savings from more moderate spending increases," says Philippe Marini, head of the Senate finance committee.Nor will growth come to Mr Hollande's rescue.
"We are also wary that any return to significant economic growth is likely to result in rising interest rates which, in turn, is likely to moderate spending of those with mortgages".
On the contrary, Europe must maintain agricultural spending and possibly moderate spending on other budget headings, where there are margins.
If abstainers try to be moderate, they spend a lot of time justifying why they should go ahead and indulge.
