It's been over a week since my first debt ceiling/deficit blog, and Congress is no closer to an agreement on how to handle either one, while the deadline to raise the debt ceiling looms ever closer. Some will say that the fault lies on both sides of the aisle. Um, no. At this point, the responsibility is all Republican. Why do I say that? Because they control the House, and they know perfectly well that the plans they have come up with will never pass the Senate. They have not lifted a finger to negotiate a bill that will actually pass both houses and make it to the President's desk, even after the President put cuts to entitlement programs on the table last week. GOP lawmakers have come up with deficit reductions plans at varying levels of silly, but they all have one thing in common: no additional taxes. It's become the mantra of the Republican Party, just as "I'm not sharing" is the mantra of 3-year olds playing in a sandbox.
If the choices are - and I'm not saying these are black and white options, but bear with me for a second - to take from the rich or to take from the needy, in what universe is the right answer to take from the needy? Is it the right answer because "the rich create jobs"? News flash; the rich aren't creating jobs. They're investing the money that they're not paying in taxes, while the poor, disabled, and elderly are looking at having benefits cut...while many of then are still looking for those mythical jobs.
The GOP's latest ridiculous idea, headed to a House vote today, is the Tea Party-backed "Cut, Cap, and Balance" plan, which involves both deep budget cuts (actually, the promise of future cuts beginning next fiscal year) and federal spending caps, as well as a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution (which, by the way, requires a two-thirds majority in both houses for passage). Once passed, the bill would then allow the president to raise the debt limit by $2.5 trillion in three installments this year. It's very convenient for Republicans, as it absolves them of direct responsibility for raising the debt ceiling, while giving them what they cherish most (cue the mantra). It isn't likely to pass the Senate, and even if it does, President Obama vows to veto it. Even some Republicans admit that the plan will likely not work as written, since it relies on future Congresses to follow through, and the balanced-budget amendment requires state ratification. But House Speaker Boehner is hoping that by at least putting the plan to a vote, he can build enough goodwill among the Tea Party contingent so that a compromise plan can be pushed through before the deadline.
Many Republicans in Congress are still pooh-poohing the importance of raising the debt ceiling, claiming that Democrats are causing a furor about nothing, but saying they'll humor the President and go along with raising the debt ceiling as long as there is no increase in taxes. Mitch McConnell believes that avoiding default is important, but not necessarily for the solvency of the country. He said last week that default could "destroy the GOP brand", as it will give Democrats a reason to pin the blame for a bad economy on the GOP heading into election season. So for McConnell, it's not about the repercussions for the national economy, it's about the repercussions for the Republican party. But in a sense, he's is correct. If a debt ceiling deal doesn't get done, and the US goes into default in the name of protecting the wealthiest Americans, we will know exactly whom to blame, thanks to the mantra that could potentially drive the country straight into the ground.
The Republicans have painted themselves in a corner. Most of them know the debt ceiling has to be raised but their tea party supporters demand fiscal purity and will turn on any one who even suggest taxes. For too long Republicans have talked - and just talked - about the debt and have convinced some voters that the debt ceiling, spending and the deficit are one in the same, so they are now victims of their own rhetoric.
Time to be a leader not a perpetual candidate, increase taxes, cut spending and learn to compromise. You've been elected now govern.
Posted by: Mr Ed | 07/19/2011 at 01:24 PM
Amen sister.
Posted by: Steph | 07/19/2011 at 09:58 AM