Boehner blames Mr. Obama for the mess he and the Tea Party extremists have made and for the threat of financial ruination he and the Tea Party have placed in front of the American people.
Americans aren't buying Boehner's nonsense. They've seen the president offer an unprecedented deal and seen that deal rejected. The American people are on Mr. Obama's side in this debate.
BOEHNER BLAMES OBAMA, but let's talk about blame:
The Chart That Should Accompany All Discussions of the Debt Ceiling
This chart is based on data from the Congressional Budget Office and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Its significance is not partisan (who's "to blame" for the deficit) but intellectual. It demonstrates the utter incoherence of being very concerned about a structural federal deficit but ruling out of consideration the policy that was largest single contributor to that deficit, namely the Bush-era tax cuts.
ROBERT KUTTNER explains how this could play out:
"Here are a couple of things to keep in mind as the great contrived national debt crisis enters its final week.
First, the Republicans are starting to lose whatever credibility they had with the broad public, as regular people finally start focusing on this story. The economic stakes are very high, President Obama was willing to give them most of the loaf, and they still wouldn't make a deal.
Second, no matter what the White House and Speaker Boehner claim, there is no way to do a big complex budget agreement between now and next week. The details are far too complex. Even the Gang of Six proposal was nothing more than broad outlines.
Third, as this drama goes down to the wire, and financial markets begin to contemplate the possibility that the United States will actually default on its debts, the pressure on the Republicans by their Wall Street allies will only grow.
At some point this week, stock and bond markets will begin to start swooning, and the usual wise guys will begin making high-risk bets at the expense of financial stability as a whole. Credit rating agencies, which should be accorded zero credibility after their role in causing the financial collapse by blessing junk sub-prime securities as Triple-A, could start downgrading the debt of the United States.
And then things will get really interesting. The President of the United States will be revealed to be holding more of the cards -- if he has the nerve to start playing his hand well (for a change)."
REPUBLICANS REFUSE TO MAKE A DEAL--ANY DEAL UNLESS IT'S THEIR DEAL.
REPUBLICANS REFUSE TO MAKE A DEAL--ANY DEAL UNLESS IT'S THEIR DEAL.
5 comments:
The 14th amendment is there for the President to use, and he should. The Republicans have proven to be to irresponsible, to be considered in this decision. They have had their say (for 30 years) and all they have done is hurt America.
Force the Constitutional question!
Shaw,
Many thanks for this graph ... duly stolen and tacked on to the end of Captain Fogg's latest post (with a hat tip to you of course).
This is why we need bloggers like Shaw. To research the grid and find resources like this to debunk the endless stream of GOP lies. Good job!
Very good, Shaw. Politifact asked for input about what needed to be checked after listening to the speeches last night. When it came to Boehner, most comments went something like this: "everything he said."
I hope it doesn't come down to his having to use the 14th. You can bet your bottom dollar that if he does, there will be calls for impeachment. This whole damn charade is all about bringing down that black man, period.
the once greatest nation on the planet is facing insolvency.
don't these pricks have any pride?
I echo Billy Pilgrim's comment. For it is the truth.
I have always maintained Bush II was a big spender and in that sense (only)he was no conservative.
As to the Bush tax cuts... Everyone benefited, albeit the very wealthy benefited a whole lot more as that is how percentages work as we all now.
I am not an advocate of wealth redistribution by taxation. I am however one that understands the need to significantly cut spending where it makes sense {I'll save the specifics for later}, simplify the tax code reducing the numbers of brackets to perhaps three, eliminating loopholes for everyone,ending government subsidies, and eliminating foreign welfare, commonly referred to as foreign aid.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot, put the MIC on a strict diet.
Obama at this point may have the upper hand. If he plays it well a default may be avoided and he will likely secure his reelection.
The thought of his re-election troubles me some. However, given the total intransigence of the repubs, and their fiercely ideologically driven agenda I find myself, well, just shaking my head and wondering how anything will ever be resolved.
Obama does face some danger. However, in that danger ls his opportunity. Since the congress can't work out a deal Obama, if he exerts leadership and puts forth a budget and a deficit reduction plan and uses the bully pulpit in a positive way he likely solidifies the majority of American people.
Certain to take heat from the conservatives I will say it is the time for action, To reduce the national debt. To get spending under control. To meet our obligations to our seniors, our veterans, and our creditors.
After all, isn't that what we pay our Congress to do.
Whether we like it our not it is time to find solutions to our problems. Sometimes that requires compromise.
Good post Shaw.
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