‘Gang of Six’ plan meaningless without GOP House
A sense of relief washed over Washington Tuesday after the bipartisan Gang of Six — a group that includes Saxby Chambliss of Georgia — announced it had come to agreement on a major deficit-reduction package.
Their announcement was greeted by many as if a path out of the wilderness had been found. President Obama spoke favorably of the plan, calling it “broadly consistent with what we’ve been working on here in the White House.” Senators of both parties expressed support for the plan, at least in broad terms.
“One of the 25 Republicans who heard the Gang of Six’s proposal for a grand bargain on debt reduction was Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, who ranks third in the GOP leadership. He said he was impressed both with the plan and with the three Republican gang members who helped draft it.
“Senators [Mike] Crapo, [Tom] Coburn and Chambliss are three of the most conservative members of the Republican caucus, and if they study something for six months, tell me it’s good for the country, that means a lot to me.”
Many other conservative Republicans senators showered similar praise on the Gang of Six proposal. They did so despite the fact that most Republicans for months have opposed using any increased tax revenues to bring down deficits.
Coburn said this plan puts tax revenues back on the table.
“There’s no question, revenues — enhanced revenues — are part of this plan, and we think it’ll be about $1 trillion,” he said.”
But that’s the problem, isn’t it. Sensible, responsible people understand that the deficit has to be addressed by a combination of spending cuts and revenue increases. Politically, that’s how a deal can be cut. And mathematically, it simply isn’t possible to achieve deficit cuts of the size required without approaching the problem from both ends, by raising revenue and cutting spending.
However, sensible, responsible people are not running the show in the U.S. House of Representatives. While Crapo, Coburn and Chambliss may be three of the more conservative Republicans in the Senate, in the eyes of their colleagues in the House they are mere RINOs.
As a sign of their continued fidelity to foolishness, House Republicans spent yesterday passing their extreme “Cut, Cap and Balance Plan.” The good news is that nine GOP congressmen voted against the bill. The bad news is that most if not all of those nine — including GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann and Georgia’s Paul Broun — voted against it because in the end, it would raise the debt ceiling. In other words, it wasn’t extreme enough.
“The president has said now for once he wants a balanced approach,” Speaker John Boehner said after the vote. “Well, guess what. In ‘Cut, Cap and Balance’ he does get a balanced approach. He gets his increase in the debt limit of $2.4 trillion. What we get are real cuts in spending and real reforms in place that’ll make sure that this problem never, ever happens again.”
Note that Boehner continues to frame the debt limit increase as a goal that Obama wants and that Boehner is willing to grant him under the right conditions, rather than an absolute necessity for the country as a whole. It’s crazy talk.
Meanwhile, out there in BaseLand, the drumbeat for Armageddon grows louder.
For example, at redstate.com, the Gang of Six plan is derided as “the Gangrene Plan” because “it will slowly, but surely, rot away the nation.”
“What’s going to happen now is the Senate will tell the House that its plan cannot pass. House Republicans must now continue to hold the freaking line. They must not waiver. They must understand that now that their plan is passed and that it allows the debt ceiling to be raised, the House GOP’s hand strengthens every day closer to August 2nd. And if this debacle goes past August 2nd, the House GOP is in charge as long as it holds the freaking line.”
Things aren’t much better at places such as the Heritage Foundation. David Addington, Heritage vice president of domestic and economic policy studies and former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney, dismisses the Gang of Six proposal as “the third Senate-originated half-baked idea this week.”
“There’s plenty in the Gang of Six Plan for President Obama — he gets his tax hikes and, in reality, he gets to borrow lots more money. But the American people don’t really get much of anything, except the usual empty promise of action in the future…. Conservatives should stop the Gang of Six Plan.”
A peek at the calendar tells me that Aug. 2 is now 13 days away.
– Jay Bookman
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275 comments Add your comment
Rightwing Troll
July 20th, 2011
10:34 am
You know that scene in Full Metal Jacket, where the prostitute is trying to gin up some business with three or four GI’s standing around? You know, “me so horny” and “me love you long time”, but when they push the black guy forward she suddenly refuses? That’s a good analogy for what goes on in the house these days…
Consider the house Republicans in the role of the prostitute, she/they loved W, his congress (and budgets) looooong time, but when the black guy steps up…
WAR
July 20th, 2011
10:35 am
i used to pee off my back porch. but in an apartment and on top of the neighbors head really doesnt make for a happy situation.
WAR
July 20th, 2011
10:36 am
rightwing troll
lolololololololol hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha hehehehehehehehehehehehe ohohohohohohohohoh!
Sam
July 20th, 2011
10:36 am
Obama owns this problem. For he could have avoided it a year ago. And he still has the ability to do something about it. Cutting Federal spending across the board will not work because everyone in Congress has their own personal agenda. But he could cut the size of government by cutting some agencies by as much as 80% and others by 20%. Simple fact is, he loves to give speeches everyday, when he should be at work trying to lead. And too, when he says that everything should be on the table- well, he is the one who has made the largest list of things that HE refused to put on the table. So he has failed all of us by stopping at nothing to get his agenda approved just as he did with his healthcare program which is now part of what is holding the economy back.
md
July 20th, 2011
10:37 am
Shelia? is that you??
Keep Up the Good Fight!
July 20th, 2011
10:37 am
Cap, cut and deceive is just utter nonsense. Thankfully sensible people would never pass it.
Left wing management
July 20th, 2011
10:38 am
Recon: “Lwm, I guess you think bankruptcy is the better option. No serious person can believe that we can continue borrowing money and running up the national debt.”
If bankruptcy is really what you’re worried about, then it’s simple.
Let’s allow the Bush tax cuts to expire and slash the military budget by 33% over the next 15 years and that should get us well on the way.
Sounds great doesn’t it? Or is bankruptcy really what it is that’s eating you?
WAR
July 20th, 2011
10:38 am
when the sanest guy who may run against the prez and may have the best chance of winning is a guy who wanted his state to leave the union…repubs are in trouble.
they played this debt ceiling thing wrong and i am really pissed about it.
Schrodinger's cat
July 20th, 2011
10:38 am
who scheduled the sock-puppet parade today?
USinUK
July 20th, 2011
10:38 am
md – “But isn’t your “normal” based on the past? I’m not too sure we will get back to that normal……”
which normal? the 1950s? the 1970s? late 1990s?
I said “normal” when I should have said “stable” – the global economy is many things right now, but stable ain’t one of them.
USinUK
July 20th, 2011
10:39 am
Keep up – “Cap, cut and deceive is just utter nonsense”
doncha know?
it’s the new “fair tax”
Brosephus
July 20th, 2011
10:40 am
RWT
Talking about this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEEWE7gcPw0
and this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyGOJ1_kcI8&feature=related
ty webb
July 20th, 2011
10:41 am
That’s it!…Rightwing Troll is Shelia Jackson Lee!…Sheila Jackson Lee is Rightwing Troll…
md
July 20th, 2011
10:41 am
usuk……how long do you think Germany will prop up the rest of those folks over there??
Joe Cool
July 20th, 2011
10:41 am
How much did it cost for the house to come in session to vote on a bill they knew would not go pass the house? Yep, thats what the cons would call wastefull spending….just sayin!
WAR
July 20th, 2011
10:41 am
Sam
can you give two agencies that should be cut by 80% and two by 20%? and the reasons why?
this really does sound interesting?
Keep Up the Good Fight!
July 20th, 2011
10:44 am
USinUK…but it makes a pretty pretty bumper sticker. Yes it is the new “Fair Tax”. It is also clear that “balanced budget” requirements are part of the reason the states are struggling.
WAR
July 20th, 2011
10:44 am
rwt
in the movie, the reason why she refuses is because she says his “stick” is too big. i guess the african proverb “walk light and carry and big stick” is personified through the president. go figure.
WAR
July 20th, 2011
10:45 am
who is sheila jackson lee? obviously shes black with a name like that but what else should i know about her?
@@
July 20th, 2011
10:45 am
HOAs?
They are usually one-time demands for funds to repair or improve common areas.
One time doesn’t apply in subdivisions. HOAs are an infringement on individual freedom. They can dictate what color you paint your house, what color tiles go on your roof, the landscaping around your house, any additions or remodeling you may be considering, how many people can reside within, as well as where you can park your cars.
Give me 80 acres and no nosey neighbors.
md
July 20th, 2011
10:47 am
“obviously shes black with a name like that but what else should i know about her?”
In all her infinite wisdom, she basically blamed the debt crisis on the fact that Obama is black………
WAR
July 20th, 2011
10:49 am
i like HOAs. keeps the minorities out.
md
July 20th, 2011
10:49 am
“HOAs are an infringement on individual freedom.”
Not really……folks are willing give up that freedom when they choose to sign that contract…….so it is a choice.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
July 20th, 2011
10:49 am
USinUK….did you see the Daily Show piece on Rupert last night?….
Joe Cool
July 20th, 2011
10:50 am
“i like HOAs. keeps the minorities out.”
Idiot post of the day!
Jack
July 20th, 2011
10:51 am
When Saxby and Obama can agree than there is still hope for this union, the truth is usually in the middle and we seem to be getting closer. Peace
ty webb
July 20th, 2011
10:51 am
well, she is black(though that’s irrelevant)…she race baits at the drop of a dime, so that makers her either a democrat congresswoman, a “journalist”, or some sort of “reverend”…anywhoo, just google her.
RF
July 20th, 2011
10:52 am
“Consider the house Republicans in the role of the prostitute, she/they loved W, his congress (and budgets) looooong time, but when the black guy steps up…”
That has to be the funniest thing I’ve read in a while!!
Cut, cap, and balance is a nice way of saying, “now we’re REALLY going to pull the plug on grandma.”
WAR
July 20th, 2011
10:52 am
oh yeah. naw. shes wrong on this one. its not racism. its radicalism on dems and repubs.
DBCOOPER
July 20th, 2011
10:53 am
Jefferson – That was my point exactly.
Paul – Ghaddafi is a crook and murderer. My point is Obama does everything with his political future in mind. He is such a hypocrite it’s pathetic
Last point – This guy made a claim of being different. In reality he is as bad as or worse than any we’ve had in the Whitehouse. Total Slime!
Just look at how the Healthcare bill went down. Criminal at best.
WAR
July 20th, 2011
10:55 am
md
rwt made a juxtaposition that was pretty accurate… and damn funny!
WAR
July 20th, 2011
10:59 am
j cool
“i like HOAs. keeps the minorities out.”
but it does. the few people who dont want to follow the rules about keeping their grass cut and not paint their house dog poop brown and not have a used car lot in their driveway will not want to come in my neighborhood. i know when you say the statement you figured minority as in “color”. im talking about minority as in “common” attainments.
Brosephus
July 20th, 2011
11:00 am
HOA’s have began foreclosure proceedings on some people too. I read that on Yahoo, I think. I never knew HOA’s had the power to foreclose on people….
Uncle Jed
July 20th, 2011
11:01 am
A peek at the calendar tells me that Aug. 2 is now 13 days away.
+++++++++++++++
Just another hot and steamy Tuesday in Georgia. Ho Hum…..
WAR
July 20th, 2011
11:04 am
i dont trust people who cut you off and curse you out while on their way to church
i dont trust people who see race in everything
i dont trust people who see race in nothing
i dont trust people who say “get over it”
i dont trust people who let dogs in their kitchen while they cook
Abrazos
July 20th, 2011
11:08 am
“strapping suicide vests onto the right wing nuts and sending them onto the House floor.”
Great point, WrteStufLA. The word “terrorist” is precisely the corollary that applies here. The Tea Party Republicans ARE like Islamic terrorists, willing to blow up themselves and all innocent bystanders in order to commit a Fatwa in service to their Allah (the Koch brothers, Grover Norquist, etc.). With increasing revulsion, as the public becomes more aware of the damage to America that the Tea Party aims to do, it’s a safe bet they’ll be kicked out after the 2012 election. They can sure do a heck of a lot of harm in the meantime.
WAR
July 20th, 2011
11:09 am
well folks its been a pleasure. but i gotta go. but always remember: WAR is hell, but so is a bathroom after three bean burritos from taco bell.
real john
July 20th, 2011
11:28 am
Look on the bright side, we only have 471 days until the most underqualified and damaging President in U.S. history is gone!!
Although with the stupidity of this country, I don’t take anything for granted
Ayn Rant
July 20th, 2011
11:30 am
There’s but one sensible approach to the debt ceiling problem: eliminate it! It’s just a political contrivance to avoid budgeting real spending cuts and revenue increases.
Eliminate the debt ceiling and develop a federal budget! The debt ceiling is useless; the budget is a constitutional responsibility of the Congress.
$?
July 20th, 2011
11:45 am
Why do some many people lump medicaid, with social security and medicare? And why do some many people say that medicaid is a program for the working people? I don’t know too many people working and also receiving medicaid. What happened to the belief in what can you do for America, instead of what can America do for me? Why do some many people hate millionaire’s and billionaire’s (CEO’s and small business owners, not the movie stars, rock stars, lottery winners, or athletes)? Isn’t that the American dream? Do you really think that they are getting tax cuts? Don’t yo people understand that the tax rate is a graduated thing, and that they pay 70% of all Americans tax burden. Do you think it is fair that 5% of the population shoulders the burden, and you want more from them? Charity and Welfare are great when a person willing gives, not when it is forced. The attitude that liberal media has created and is creating is a poison that will destroy this great country and crush the American Dream. People aren’t entitled to anything, except freedom, life, and the pursuit of happiness; not food stamps, not HUD housing, not medicaid. People’s paychecks are
Billybob
July 20th, 2011
12:00 pm
separated at birth:
jay bookman…..liberal political hack
Billybob
July 20th, 2011
12:04 pm
A balanced budget amendment is only thing that will make sure this doesn’t happen again, PERIOD……reid won’t allow a vote and hussein will veto because they know that their ‘cash cow promises’ in order to gain power will be eliminated and they also know that 3/4 of the states would ratify it very quickly……bookman, any responsible person who wants to make sure this will not happen again will accept this notion…….
Dick
July 20th, 2011
12:11 pm
When the “Gang of Six” are done, the federal government will have so much of what I make, I will never be able to retire. I will lose the bulk of my 401K deduction, the mortgage interest and taxes on our retirement home, which is our current “second home”, and the charitable deductions we personally sacrifice to make. But, hey, at least, the top 1% of income earners will have their taxes “flattened” by six percent. So glad I could help!
WOODSTOCK MIKE
July 20th, 2011
12:15 pm
Jay is right on this, increased revenues need to be included along with major spending cuts. So long as the increases are reasonable the GOP will look very foolish if they don’t accept. Lets get this deal done and move forward!
LOL
July 20th, 2011
12:18 pm
To Jay and all of you like minded liberal Democrats; I have a few words of wisdom for you to ponder.
” I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle” – Winston Churchill.
Please try to remember this next time your first reaction to a crisis is to increase taxes.
$?
July 20th, 2011
12:19 pm
This is not a Republican vs Democrat. It is not even a class issue, poor vs rich. It is capitalism vs communism. There is a large group of pathetic, lazy, worthiness, unemployable, drug addicted, not responsible for there own actions people out there that have adopted an illogical belief that they are entitled to something. This attitude is a cancer to the American Dream. Liberals want to stoke this belief, because once capitalism is destroyed, then they swoop in a take over every company, business, man, woman and child. How many of you liberals out there, heard about the protesters in China that were gunned down last week? What about North Korea? Do you think those people are happy? Look at Greece, Portugal, Spain, Italy, England, Ireland, are those countries going bankrupt because of their crazy liberal policies and entitlements? The Answer is Yes. The liberals and their media power houses are shepards leading the sheepeople to their slaughter, they are just fattening you idiots up.
seabeau
July 20th, 2011
12:38 pm
20 years ago I saw that the finances of our federal government were going to the dogs,so I started investing the Gold and Land. I now hope that a compromise bill fails and that the resulting fiasco brings about a Constitutional Convention to for once and for all restrict the power of the Federal government to those powers expressed in the Constitution in the 10th Admendment.
BigDave
July 20th, 2011
12:41 pm
Reject it House Republicans,don’t cave on the Debt ceiling to “President” Barry!
redneckbluedog
July 20th, 2011
12:46 pm
Robert Aderholt (AL-4),Todd Akin (MO-2),Rodney Alexander (LA-5),Michele Bachmann (MN-6),Joe Barton (TX-6),Roscoe Bartlett (MD-6),Gus Bilirakis (FL-9), Rob Bishop (UT-1), Michael Burgess (TX-26), Paul Broun (GA-10),Dan Burton (IN-5),John Carter (TX-31),Howard Coble (NC-6)
Mike Coffman (CO-6),Ander Crenshaw (FL-4)John Culberson (TX-7),John Fleming (LA-4),Trent Franks (AZ-2),Phil Gingrey (GA-11),Louie Gohmert (TX-1), Tom Graves (GA-9),Ralph Hall (TX-4),Gregg Harper (MS-3),Wally Herger (CA-2),Pete Hoekstra (MI-2),Lynn Jenkins (KS-2)
Steve King (IA-5),Doug Lamborn (CO-5),Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9),Cynthia Lummis (WY),Kenny Marchant (TX-24)Tom McClintock (CA-4), Gary Miller (CA-42),Jerry Moran (KS-1),Sue Myrick (NC-9)
Randy Neugebauer (TX-19),Mike Pence (IN-6),Ted Poe (TX-2),Tom Price (GA-6),Denny Rehberg (MT),Phil Roe (TN-1), Ed Royce (CA-40),Steve Scalise (LA-1),Pete Sessions (TX-32),John Shadegg (AZ-3),Adrian Smith (NE-3),Lamar Smith (TX-21) , Cliff Stearns (FL-6),Todd Tiahrt (KS-4) ,Zach Wamp (TN-3),Lynn Westmoreland (GA-3),Joe Wilson (SC-)…
All of these people aren’t evil…Some of them are just stupid, some are racist and hate the president, some of them are most likely insane, and some are just politically ambitious…
All of them will be to blame if the government shuts down….
Bill Campbell
July 20th, 2011
12:51 pm
All these Republicans will be voted out!!
redneckbluedog
July 20th, 2011
12:52 pm
$? @12:19…
This isn’t capitalism vs. communism nor socialism nor anything else…This is about the thoughtful vs. the ignorant….Every junkie and welfare recipient you listed costs this country less collectively than oil and gas subsidies and tax loopholes for millionares and corporations….If you are a “job creator” and complain about taxes and regulations, maybe you need to work harder and focus on your business rather than blame the government, and by government I mean OBAMA…It’s not his fault that your customers are tired of being ripped off…or maybe you should go into another business altogether rather than ship jobs overseas….Capitalism works both ways…and it can still work without letting senior citizens die on the street….
Jeffrey
July 20th, 2011
12:57 pm
It seems to me that the gang of 6 is doing what is right for thier respective parties and not what is needed for the country.
WOODSTOCK MIKE
July 20th, 2011
12:57 pm
“oil and gas subsidies and tax loopholes for millionares and corporations”
These laws were created by both Democrats and Republicans. Also, if you think that Republicans want senior citizens to die on the streets you are the ignorant one. Medicare and Medicaid are programs that will be changing regardless of who is in office, face reality, if the system is going bankrupt choices must be made, if you want to blame Republicans to make yourself feel better go ahead… Blaming corporations and millionaires is so tired, come up with something else…
Rightwing Troll
July 20th, 2011
12:57 pm
I’m with @@ on HOA’s… but for slightly different reasons.
They are a contract entered into voluntarily, so It’s not a freedom issue, but they do always seem to denigrate into a few lonely, repressed people trying to dictate how everybody around them should live. I’ll never live in a neighborhood that has mandatory HOA requirements. I already have a rental in one of those neighborhoods, and have had a few go rounds with the HOA over weeds in the yard. “Weeds in the yard” is just another nomenclature for additional fees for a cash strapped HOA…
Bill Maher
July 20th, 2011
12:57 pm
Democrats hate conservative women. Obama’s no plan is working to destroy the US economy and he will become the Grand Czar!!
williebkind
July 20th, 2011
12:57 pm
I like a challenge let the government default. I want the progressive liberals explain to those on the plantation when they will get their next unearned benefit checks.
USinUK you can keep your insides they are most likely already in default.
Rightwing Troll
July 20th, 2011
1:01 pm
“Democrats hate conservative women.”
Mrs. Troll is a “conservative”… I prefer conservative women, no where near as repressed as liberal women.
WOODSTOCK MIKE
July 20th, 2011
1:04 pm
“Every junkie and welfare recipient you listed costs this country less collectively than oil and gas subsidies and tax loopholes for millionares and corporations”
If Democrats were so much more “thoughtful” why didn’t they change the subsidies and tax loopholes when they controlled the House, Senate, and Presidency? Ever ask yourself that? Democrats and Republicans both have ties to big business, if that is news to you I’m sorry, take a look at the CEO of GE having lunch with Obama on a monthly basis for starters… Take a look at Harry Reid’s ties to big pharma… Don’t be fooled into thinking that Democrats aren’t tied to big business.
seabeau
July 20th, 2011
1:39 pm
Their ALL a Bunch of Crooks!!!
Billybob
July 20th, 2011
1:58 pm
I love to watch the liberal media trying to actually shape public opinion instead of reporting on the actual public opinion……bookman and all the liberal hacks out there are living in a time where people are coming to understand the lies and false templates that have been working for over 40 years for them….the exposing of the radical left will continue for some time……this conservative wave has yet to move entirely through the republican party….when this has happened you better hold onto your shirt jay, b/c your ilk are next in line……I hope you enjoy the destruction of the radical left over the next few years…….i wonder how you will blame the republicans when it happens? Whenever I have a chance for as long as it takes I will expose you and your lies and your false templates and your class warfare and your support for a socialist in the white house and the way you project things onto republicans that your ilk are ACTUALLY doing and for who and what you are and support. Your ideas and resoning for your ideas are definitely in my sights from this day forward……
DawgDad
July 20th, 2011
2:26 pm
I am opposed to this plan, and based on my stance it is likely to cost Sen. Chambliss his job. Where are the specifics? Just what “adjustment” will there be to the mortgage interest deduction? I’m searching all over the Internet and cannot find this, and that is patently insulting. If Saxby himself has not sold out his base I’m pretty sure he’s been played for a fool. His next email newsletter should be very interesting reading.
This plan is typical Washington smoke and mirrors cover for the Establishment’s on-going raid on the US Treasury and US Taxpayers. No. No more. This must stop. No debt limit increase whatsoever should be authorized; force Congress and the Administration to cut spending (whole Departments would be nice, for a start). The Social Security and Medicare payment threats are tiresome political antics.
Good luck with that Regional Transportation sales tax, too.
jeff
July 20th, 2011
2:30 pm
Jay, go on the record. Do you support the idea of a balanced budget amendment?
Nothing should be passed without one.
Billybob
July 20th, 2011
2:40 pm
Jeff,
He will not, just like he doesn’t want to plug the hole to fix illegal immigration…..if he agrees, then the radical libs will not be able to use all the class warfare, false templates and outright lies that the radical left and overwhelming liberal media, in cooperation, puts out there. I love exposing libs…..and people are learning these things one day at a time……
Ozz
July 20th, 2011
3:09 pm
House Republicans view the concept of compromise this way; my wife says “lets get 3 cats”. I say “lets get 3 dogs”. She says “OK, we’ll compromise and get 2 cats”.
john
July 20th, 2011
3:47 pm
The tragedy is that vast number of Americans don’t even know what the so called ‘GANG OF 6′ is proposing????? If they read some of the proposals I am sure they would give these 6 a hoot. Example they want to INCREASE the retirement age for Social Security, get RID of mortgage deduction, CUT Medicare and so on…. So after working for 40 years I cannot collect SS until 72 or maybe 75.
Again what is all the fuss about DEFICIT – all we have to do what Ben Bernanke has been good at PRINTING $$$ and pay for it!
Right Wing Nut Cases
July 20th, 2011
4:21 pm
The far right won’t be satisfied until they burn down the whole government. The end is near. God help us.
George Watson
July 20th, 2011
4:59 pm
All the news that’s depressing to print.
I don’t really see any humor in this, but to be honest, I can’t break into a cold sweat either. It’s a game. It’s possible some of the people playing are too naive to know it has real consequences, but at this point I choose to believe that they do – that America is too big to fail, and will back down when push comes to shove. And part of the reason will be that they don’t really think they will go unpunished if it really backfires. The old guard GOP are still the power brokers. Money wants to win, but not at any cost. And the cause of the wealthy will not advance with the financial consequences and the major public backlash that would inevitibly result when the default hits the proverbial fan. The endgame has already been telegraphed. Obama will get the power to raise the debt ceiling, and an attempt will be made to villanize him when he does… sticks and stones… political life will go on, with the strident tea party being dragged down the road by an increasingly aware and disenchanted middle class saying ‘How did we let these bozos get us into this mess? It’s our turn, and we couldn’t possibly screw it up any worse’. The We in this case will be the Democrats – the voice of reason, and the only other game in town.
Ethically-Progressive
July 20th, 2011
5:44 pm
Paying the debt is explicitly called for in the US Constitution (14th amendment), so how this is up for debate is curious. Even if it wasn’t commanded in the Constitution, this ceiling would be worth raising for the sake of, you know, not causing an economic depression… because depressions are bad, contrary to what disaster-capitalism calls for.
DawgDad
July 20th, 2011
6:03 pm
Ethically-Progressive: None of this has anything to do with a possible default. There will be a resolution of some sort, and there will not be a default as a result of this debate. All the rhetoric is spin and political gamesmanship. Pay attention.
waterstim
July 20th, 2011
7:47 pm
Loved what Ron Paul said yesterday on the floor. Is the debt the problem? yes it is. Then why are we trying to raise the debt ceiling. Everyone of you worthless libs are about to drag everyone into a depression. Maybe we can run your wimpy butts out of the country. Hey, you all can go live with the radical Muslims. YEA! Bed-wetting spineless liberals.
SwedeAtlanta
July 20th, 2011
7:59 pm
No one disagrees the long-term deficit must be reduced and, ideally, brought into not only balance but a surplus.
But………how to get there… It is unrealistic to think that you can accomplish this through spending cuts alone, especially with a very fragile economy. If I was personally in debt for say $50K with an income of $20K and basic expenditures of $18K, I would not be able to get out of debt simply by cutting my expenditures by $2K. I would need to find additional income such as a part-time job, etc. Revenue must be part of the solution.
Regardless of what the teabaggers think, the fact is, when there is insufficient demand such as now, sometimes the only entity that can create demand is government. That demand comes in the form of salaries, benefits, etc. of public sector employees as well as expenditures in the form of supplies, tanks, buildings, etc. Right now is not be the time to significantly reduce the demand created by government expenditure. I suggest we should tie the needed cuts to economic performance.
Secondly, the idea of a balanced budget amendment does serious violence to the viabililty of the country. There will be times when a deficit is necessary. If the country is tied to a balanced budget we cannot respond adequately to serious crises such as a world war, epidemic, etc. When you are in a crisis mode there is insufficient time to cut spending or raise revenues to account for crisis-driven expenditures. Just as with a family, there are times when debt may be necessary. Limiting the freedom of government to do what is needed is ridiculous and is only a political stunt. It will NEVER get the required 2/3 vote in both houses of Congress and the 3/4 of state legislatures. Too many of those legislatures recognize that, hampered by state balanced budget requirements, their salvation in the past several years has been federal deficit spending.
Reducing taxes does not create jobs. That is a fact. The well-off are not going to create jobs because they have lower taxes. If that was the case then we should be well off today since we have the lowest effective tax rates in nearly 50 years. Rich people only care about rich people. The Bush tax cuts have been in place for 10 years now and I have yet to see the ground-swell of employment. The high employment during the Bush years was created not by the tax cuts but by the spend, spend, spend mentality of the American consumer egged on by a President that encouraged people to take their vacations. There was no need for shared sacrifice for the wars – only the enlisted and their families were to sacrifice. But of course to the tune of billions of dollars we all sacrificed. People used their homes as cash cows until we finally realized it was a paper tiger.
Billybob
July 20th, 2011
9:45 pm
a balanced budget amendment is what obama will have to veto at some point in the very near future and he will have to make a choice…….and that choice will decide his future fate……in either case, obama will never get a chance to be a ‘mediocre two-term president’…….libs’ channeling reagan and libs screaming tax hikes and libs’ knowing a large majority of the country supports it……priceless
Billybob
July 20th, 2011
9:47 pm
supports IT…..meaning a balanced budget amendment
Billybob
July 20th, 2011
10:20 pm
jay,
here are two words that you will come to openly despise in the not-so-distant future………jim demint
JP
July 21st, 2011
1:02 pm
Pass Cut, Cap, and Balance.