After 8 years of incessant whining from the “fiscally conservative” Republicans, why didn’t they balance the budget?

The deficit, debt and budget items were red herrings, the only thing the billionaires wanted was to pay less and transfer the cost of government to the working and middle classes. They don’t care what the consequences are, cut social security, eliminate Medicare, etc. just cut billionaire taxes.

Not only have the reps failed to seek or enact measures to spend less, they have drastically slashed revenue w/ tax cuts for the elite.

We've seen this act before. The reps destroy the economy w/ irresponsibility saving the painful budget cuts and repair for the dems.

The reps slap each other on the back for giving money away like it's some kind of proud accomplishment. I have free money ... watch how fast people line up.

Democrats are fiscal conservatives. Not Republicans.

Because, as you are watching today if you are paying attention, the democrats are willing to shut down the government to prevent anything but increases in spending.

What would you have said to a mass layoff of federal employees?

I mean, you realize the largest expense of any agency is payroll...so that's where you have to cut to really impact it. And to balance a budget in one go would require a considerable downsizing.

Now, I agree that tax cuts were probably not wise. (Especially since Trump's win already pushed the markets up.) But I don't see how making a hyperbolic demand for something that is ostensibly impossible is sincere at all.

It would be like asking, "If Democrats opposed the war, why didn't they bring all the troops home im 2009?"

Many political plans simply cannot be implemented in one fiscal year.

Because "fiscally conservative" is only a phrase they use to attack Democratic policies, and to get elected. Once in office, they will happily increase the debt by any amount to give fat cats tax breaks, etc., all the while denying what they are actually doing.

Well, lets see in a few years after the taxes take place what happens. There is a small amount of hope. but you probably want something immediate, right? You seem like someone who has trouble waiting...Right?

One word...Obama

You forgot to mention these "financially conservative" Republicans actually added $1.5 trillion to the debt for tax reform!

Cutting taxes like this actually increases peoples income, decreasing the deficit.