POLLS, GOALS, AND A**HOLES

Meh.  Polls.   But since some people believe they matter, here they are:

A new poll finds that more Americans trust President Obama over Republicans on the economy.

Forty-five percent of Americans favor Obama’s “approach to trimming the nation’s debt” and, if a debt deal is not reached, 48 percent would blame congressional Republicans over the president.

GOALS:

So what's all this brinksmanship in the debt ceiling about?  I think we know.  Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said a while back that the Republicans' goal was to make President Obama a one term president.

McConnell didn't say JOBS! for American workers was the goal!  He didn't say working to solve our economic impasse was the goal.  He didn't say raising the debt ceiling on George W. Bush's debt was the goal.  He didn't say protecting America's future was the goal.  Nope.  Defeating Mr. Obama--a purely political indulgence in a time of dire economic stress  is what this GOPer said is the most important issue before his party.  Remember this when you read about GOP intransigence during the negotiations on the debt limit.  The GOP is willing to see America lose its bond rating and every other financial rating in their pursuit of gaining the White House in 2012.  They said it, and they mean it.

What sort of political party would  gamble with America's economic well-being to achieve a political advantage?  I know what sort.    The sort that would endanger the lives of the weak, the poor, and the helpless, while protecting the interests of the very rich and the very powerful.  IOW, the sort of people that traditionally headed the governments of banana republics.

Lastly, we have a**holes. 

Where to begin?  Oh.  I know.  Let's start with Governor Good Hair of the Messy State of Texas.  Why messy?  Because of this:

Despite Perry’s Tough Budget Talk, Texas’ Debt Growing Faster Than The Nation’s

For all his talk of fiscal conservationism on the national stage, Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) hasn’t been so parsimonious at home, where his state is racking up debt at a faster rate than the national government and in greater amounts than most other states. Perry regularly attacks President Obama for engaging in “too much spending” and running up too much debt, but as the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Mitchell Schnurman writes today, Texas’ refusal to raise taxes has led to its own debt ballooning faster than Washington’s:

From 2001 to 2010, state debt alone grew from $13.4 billion to $37.8 billion, according to the Texas Bond Review Board. That’s an increase of 281 percent. Over the same time, the national debt rose almost 234 percent. [...]
Still, the trend is undeniable. While Texas lawmakers have refused to raise taxes — and often criticize Washington for borrowing and spending — the state has been paying for much of its expansion with borrowed money.

This is a GOPer who is entertaining the idea of running for president.  I don't know who's the bigger a**hole, Perry or the people encouraging him to run. 

Please feel free to add to my list in the comments:  Polls, Goals, and A**holes.