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Political Hay
McConnell Is Handing Obama a Rope, Not a White Flag
Pundits, rest assured: Mitch McConnell is not one to surrender.
When word got out about Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s compromise proposal on the debt ceiling, many conservatives hit the roof. Consider but several of these blistering critiques. Let’s begin with Erick Erickson from Red State.com: “Mitch McConnell is right now talking about making a historic capitulation. So fearful of being blamed for a default, McConnell is proposing a compromise that lets Barack Obama raise the debt ceiling without making any spending cuts at all. Consider sending McConnell a weasel as testament to his treachery.”
It is worth noting that Erickson’s original headline was, “It’s Time to Burn Mitch McConnell in Effigy.” However, upon further reflection, Erickson thought it would be wise to make the headline “less incendiary.” So Erickson amended the headline to read “Mitch McConnell Just Proposed the ‘Pontius Pilate Pass the Buck Act of 2011.’” Ah yes, invoking the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is always the route to take when making an effort to be far less incendiary. But if McConnell is Pilate then who exactly is being nailed to the cross?
Then there’s my American Spectator colleague Quin Hillyer. While he manages to refrain from Biblical invocations, his contempt for McConnell’s plan is clear as his headline, “Not Only ‘No’, But NONONONONO on McConnell’s Plan,” would attest: “I think Mitch McConnell’s back-up plan presented today is an absolute capitulation and a gift of power to Obama. Forget all the complicated procedural details. None of them matter. All that matters is that the end result is that Obama can, in effect, raise the debt limit several more times, for a total of about two trillion dollars, unilaterally. After all of the success in getting Obama to not just commit rhetorically to well over a trillion dollars in cuts, but to actually put on the table some specific entitlement savings (reportedly), it would be far worse to forfeit any spending cuts than it would be to allow a few minor tax loopholes to be closed. The McConnell plan effectively forecloses real opportunities for major savings.”
Then as we flip the channel, we see Brent Bozell, president of ForAmerica, throw in his two cents: “If Mitch McConnell thinks caving to President Obama and allowing him to raise the debt ceiling without cuts is the way to become Senate majority leader, he is sorely mistaken. The American people elected him to serve as a check on Obama’s appetite for out-of-control spending, not to write him a blank check to continue the binge. It’s these sorts of shenanigans that got Republicans thrown out of power in 2006.”
When examining the commentary of Messrs Erickson, Hillyer, Bozell and others who object to McConnell’s proposal there emerge two common themes: a) McConnell has capitulated on spending cuts and b) has given President Obama undue power.
Now while it is true that the McConnell plan in the short term effectively takes spending cuts off the table and bestows near unilateral authority upon Obama to raise the debt ceiling up to three times over the next year, it would be a mistake to view it as an act of surrender. McConnell is not waving a white flag to Obama. On the contrary, he is giving Obama the rope necessary on which to hang his presidency. Just because Obama could be given the authority to thrice raise the debt ceiling over the next twelve months doesn’t mean he actually has to do so. But McConnell knows full well that Obama cannot help himself and has never met a government program he thought unworthy of borrowing more money to finance. McConnell is banking that Obama will raise the debt ceiling three times over the next year. And if Obama does so, it will ensure that the President’s irresponsible fiscal policy remains in the spotlight through next year’s presidential election and all the while Republicans remain free to object to his ways and means.
Unfortunately, some conservatives are so blinded by their hatred of President Obama that they cannot see the trees for the forest. The idea of Obama having more power is such anathema that they cannot consider the possibility that giving Obama more power would actually prove to be his undoing. Naturally, Erickson, Hillyer and Bozell are free to criticize Senator McConnell’s proposal as they see fit. But if McConnell’s plans are so objectionable then what are their alternatives? If they have a better idea, then let’s hear it. Somehow I suspect if Erickson, Hillyer and Bozell each came up with a debt ceiling proposal none of them would be the same and each would criticize the other for their various shortcomings. Even House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, normally chock full of alternatives, doesn’t have anything to put forward. While not enthusiastic about McConnell’s plan, Ryan hasn’t ruled out giving it his support.
McConnell’s Senate colleague Marco Rubio is also critical of the plan. In objecting to President Obama’s ability to raise the debt ceiling, Rubio told Bob Schieffer on Face the Nation, “(T)he debt limit’s not really the problem here. The problem is the debt.” That’s all well and good from the Junior Senator from Florida but consider what McConnell said shortly before putting his proposal forward. Speaking on the Senate floor, McConnell stated, “But after years of discussions and months of negotiations, I have little question that as long as this president is in the Oval Office, a real solution is unattainable.” In other words, if President Obama is all that stands between the American people and the debt then why not put forward a plan designed to clear the obstruction?
Or let me put it this way. If the cost of giving Obama more power today results in Obama not having any power eighteen months from now, then wouldn’t it be a price worth paying? Let’s give him the rope.
Updated to correct identification of ForAmerica president Brent Bozell.
About the Author
Aaron Goldstein writes from Boston, Massachusetts.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (272) | Leave a comment
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Robbins Mitchell| 7.19.11 @ 6:18AM
Well,I'm somewhere to the right of Cardinal Richelieu on the political spectrum,and when I first heard McConnell's proposal,I thought he had slipped into some kind of senility...but upon further reflection,I'm of the opinion that it just might work politically if carried through properly....I mean Barokeydoke and the Dems and their media stooges are going to try to put the blame on the GOP no matter what happens....and from what I can tell,McConnell is all to aware of that...his plan might just enable the GOP to come out of this 'crisis' with its skin intact
Have you considered| 7.19.11 @ 7:54AM
RM, I think you and Mr. Goldstein are giving the general American population too much credit in the assumption that they will put the blame on Obama.
By simple virtue of reading the articles on this site, the folks here at TAS are informed. This is simply not true with the general public. The MSM Will make Obama out to be a hero and savior, and most in the general population will believe it, if they even bother to think on the subject at all.
If the Republicans allow the debt ceiling to be raised without immediate spending cuts, they will have betrayed the Tea Party and base.....again.
They caved on the CRs, (remember the 100B to 61B, to 38B to actual 300Mil in cuts?) telling us the "real" fight would be over the debt ceiling. Now even that fight is not being fought.
I think the House Republicans should put forth a bill with Immediate discretionary spending cuts in exchange for a debt ceiling increase, and sever out the Cap and BBA. The Cap and BBA can not pass in this current congress, so narrow the focus and dare the senators to quash it. At the least this would be the starting point of reconciliation of the bill, and maybe we would get some actual cuts to spending in exchange for raising the ceiling.
SamVaughn| 7.19.11 @ 10:00AM
One more thing,,, once the power to control the purse strings in Congress is relinquished a precedent is set. Obama will not give that power back. The above article is SOOOOO wrong.
Danny| 7.19.11 @ 3:26PM
But isn't it the Congress, not the president, who appropriates money?
cactusbob| 7.20.11 @ 1:07PM
That's the way it has been, but we're blazing new trails. The fact that some of them go over a cliff is the risk. It sounds plausible that allowing Obama to raise the ceiling might work against his reelection. But it could also work against the GOP, by giving BHO the power to do so in the first place. BHO has proven himself more wily than the GOP, and the extra power could easily add several trillion dollars to the national debt. Even the current debt may be more than the nation can handle. If the GOP doesn't think it has enough ammunition to sink Obama's reelection now, it needs new leaders, and more debt and finger-pointing isn't the answer.
masly | 7.20.11 @ 2:48AM
I don't think any republicans currently on the payroll understand how not allowing the debt to be raised is bad for America.
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BackToBasics| 7.19.11 @ 1:08PM
I agree. Yesterday I posted that I'd bet that 70% don't even know that "debt talks" are even occurring and most of those could not care less about it. The country is split almost down the middle as to they types who will vote for Obam and the types who will vote for a Republican.
This "plan" by McConnell seems like a passing of responsibility to Obam who will gladly take it. McConnell is probably scared to death that if the Republicans take a stand they will get beaten badly in next years elections.
It's too late to worry about that. It's time to take a stand, popular ot not. If we succeed we got a chance. If we don't then were are already heading for a disaster anyway so we may just as well go down fighting.
BackToBasics| 7.19.11 @ 1:09PM
typo - then we are
Kyle| 7.19.11 @ 2:46PM
There will be no political advantage because the media won't cover the story of Obama raising the debt ceiling when he raises 2 or 3 more times before election, as the McConnel plan will allow. It won't be a story; you won't hear about it.
Quartermaster| 7.19.11 @ 8:15PM
The public, as usual, is utterly uninformed. much of the public has its hand out asking for more goodies.
Frankly, we are well and truly screwed. Most likely it's much too late to do anything about a problem that bids fair to bury the US. The only question is how bad things will get.
The 80s were really the last chance to do anything about the problem and stay pretty much intact economically and politically. Just watch what happens when the system gets wound up with inflation, the bonds don't sell anymore, the checks are no longer cut, and food stamps don't arrive. It is not going to be pretty and guess who they will blame.
A. C. Santore| 7.19.11 @ 9:47AM
Here's why the concept is completelywrong-headed:
If we give Obama enough rope, he will hang not himself, but ALL OF US and our country as well!
C.K. Amos| 7.19.11 @ 2:06PM
And he'll blame us conservatives and Tea Party members, as well as Republicans--and specifically, George W. Bush, Karl Rove, Dick Cheney, Rush Limbaugh, Mark Levin, Michael Savage, Bill O'Reilly, Fox News Channel, TAS, Drudge, National Review Online, Newsbusters, WSJ, Washington Times, Boston Herald, the Armed Forces and anyone or anything else that suits his fancy --for being inconvenienced by having to kill us and our country.
You know: Can't let anything interfere with golfing, vacationing abroad, fine dining, hip partying at the White House, TV face time, flight time in AF1, bowing to all non-Caucasian prime ministers and royalty, bloviating about everything and fawning adulation from Tinseltown, the pimpstream media and the mindless masses who support him.
mzk1| 7.22.11 @ 5:44AM
Queen Elizabeth is not Caucasian?
Old Soldier| 7.19.11 @ 4:36PM
That is some $%% expensive rope.
Quartermaster| 7.19.11 @ 8:23PM
The article poisons the well by stating, "Unfortunately, some conservatives are so blinded by their hatred of President Obama that they cannot see the trees for the forest."
Sorry, but that is bunk. McConnell is willing to surrender Congressional power in a political ploy. That is one of the most foolish things that RINO has ever proposed. It's not about hatred, it's about the rule of law, and the highest law is the constitution. McConnell, like most of the establishment, is willing to play political games instead of standing up and doing the right thing. Leaders lead the polls, they aren't followers of them. Leave the "finger in the wind" stuff to Slick Willie and the Obamanation. Lead, or resign.
Red Route 1| 7.21.11 @ 6:57PM
Quartermaster, Agreed: Sen. McConnell has made a career of talking/acting conservative and giving the impression that there actually is an opposition party. Only to bend over for the Democrats, vis-a-vis John McCain.
Now he wants to help them create an American Caesar.
D.C. Republicans, getting away with all the things the treasonous democrats can't.
I’d have been more open to the argument put forth in this article if Sen. McConnell had ever actually displayed an ability to out maneuver the demRats, on anything, at some point in his illustrious career...But he hasn't!
Face it folks, it's all over but the crying.
SamVaughn| 7.19.11 @ 9:57AM
Wrong, McConnel, once again too clever by half. At some point you square up, put a line in the sand and fight.
Bob Grant| 7.19.11 @ 10:15AM
"..I'm of the opinion that it just might work politically if carried through properly..." ....
...you make too many assumptions that republicans will make political hay out of all this. They always snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Goldstein, if everything you say is true and Obama "takes the bait", republicans would be required to take the message to the voting public. Who's going to take the "see, I told you so" message to the American people? The same people who are currently failing to take their message to the people.
People like McConnell.
6 month extension and call Obama's bluff! There's your plan!
Dave | 7.19.11 @ 11:11AM
I'm certainly no minutia driven, political analyst, but from where I sit in row 54 of the cheap seats, Senator Mitch's idea could be described on a basic bumper sticker:
McConnell Plan: Bend Over, Grab Ankles and Scream - OMAHA!
Or as Delegate Tarzan observed: "Too many Chimps and RINOS in jungle. Bananas spoiling."
Till then, let's all grab a vine and hope it holds.
glenny44| 7.19.11 @ 11:44AM
Why don't the House Republicans submit Bush's 2007 budget? That $161 billion budget deficit sure looks good, RIGHT NOW !
Alan Brooks| 7.19.11 @ 9:46PM
For decades I thought Nixon was practically the Antichrist, now I know that he was a victim of LBJ's pernicious politics.
Today you are trying to blame Obama for Bush's fiscal policies in the same way Nixon's detractors (haters) blamed him for Vietnam. bush was the architect-- as LBJ was.
mzk1| 7.22.11 @ 5:46AM
Bush created the Community Reinvestment Act?
P.S. If LBJ was responsible for Viet Nam, then he was a saint.
Alan Brooks| 7.26.11 @ 10:32PM
"P.S. If LBJ was responsible for Viet Nam, then he was a saint."
Saint Lyndon?
Should Have Impeached| 7.19.11 @ 10:30PM
Well... I'm glad someone can see the bright side of this, but... This business of winning the battle by giving the democrats what they want has gotta go. It looks like just another step forward for them that will never get undone. They take the ball and run with it... and we never get it back! If you think that's a strategy, I can only say I've gotta see it with my own eyes....
Ken (Old Texican)| 7.19.11 @ 6:34AM
Well Aaron,
to paraphrase a great Senator..."A trillion here, a trillion there, pretty soon you are talking real money."
I don't know what the stategery should be, but I don't lean toward appeasement.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 7.19.11 @ 6:35AM
The proposal doesn't make any sense.
It's like giving a drug user unlimited access to drugs.
It's capitulation on many levels and it acknowledges that Washington is broken.
Permitting the President to raise debt at will will certainly have many unintended consequences.
And Marc Rubio, the so referenced junior Senator has company. Here's the rest of the story from Face the Nation, etc.:
Rubio worries the nation's credit rating is at stake if the country does not make significant steps at reducing the deficit.
“I don’t believe this plan, as it’s been outlined to me, is a credible solution to our debt problem,” Rubio said.
Other conservatives voicing opposition include Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), one of the Senate’s most outspoken advocates for deficit reduction.
“I am only going to support something that actually solves the problem, and if we don't solve the problem -- and not the political problem,” he said on 'Face the Nation.' “If it doesn't solve the policy problem for this country, I am not going to support it.”
Others joining their ranks include Sens. Jim DeMint of South Carolina and Mike Lee of Utah, as well as Sens. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin.
Read more on Newsmax.com: Rubio Opposes McConnell Debt Plan
Important: Do You Support Pres. Obama's Re-Election? Vote Here Now!
Redstateboy| 7.19.11 @ 8:31AM
That's the Point Bill!!! We Want Hussein to OD!
I have been considering this formula way before seeing it here and the formula is: How can we give Hussein enough rope to hang himself? This must be our focus - How to effectively rid ourselves of this plague of man - we must creatively think of ways of giving the creten every possible way to fail and fail miserably. Hussein must perish (politically speaking) so America can live.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 7.19.11 @ 9:31AM
The raising of the debt limit will be used to buy votes, just like the stimulus. There's nothing in this for the public or the Republicans. The whole concept is so stupid it should be named, "The Forrest Gump McConnell debt Strategy."
However, it's being pushed by liberal Senator Dianne Feinstein, and that should tell you all you need to know.
From The Hill:
“McConnell is going to let cut, cap and balance have its vote and then immediately move to plan B,” said a GOP aide in reference to the fallback debt plan McConnell is negotiating with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).
Another Republican aide said McConnell’s contingency plan “has become plan A.”
The fallback option, which would give Obama nearly unilateral authority to raise the debt limit, continued to gain momentum Monday as Sen. Dianne Feinstein (Calif.), an influential member of the Senate Democratic Conference, endorsed it.
“I see the Reid-McConnell bill as the only practical way forward,” Feinstein said Monday on MSNBC. “I think it makes very good sense and I hope that people see the light of day.”
Conservative opposition to the McConnell-Reid plan intensified on Monday as a coalition of activist groups, including some affiliated with the Tea Party, sent a scathing letter to Capitol Hill bashing it.
JayDick| 7.19.11 @ 10:09AM
You don't seem inclined to think through what would happen politically if the debt ceiling is not raised. Part of the Republican base would approve, but Obama would convince the vast majority of voters that it is a disaster caused by the Republicans. He would also successfully blame the Republicans for all the economic ills he caused.
There may be better plans that McConnell's (Krauthammer's comes to mind), but McConnell's plan is a viable option.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 7.19.11 @ 11:42AM
If the debt ceiling is raised that could also bring disaster. At that point blame will be of little concern to anyone
JayDick| 7.19.11 @ 12:30PM
We can recover from a disaster, but not with Obama in charge.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 7.19.11 @ 12:43PM
Based on what the Republicans have done so far I'm not so sure they have any solutions either.
JayDick| 7.19.11 @ 2:12PM
True, their history does not inspire confidence. But I think the odds are at least a little better, especially with the Tea Party having some influence. With Obama and the Democrats, we are doomed for sure.
darcy| 7.19.11 @ 1:56PM
"Permitting the President to raise debt at will will certainly have many unintended consequences." Exactly so. One of which, if not coupled with true and credible institutional reform, i.e., deep spending cuts, then the financial markets will react just as they would if we defaulted on our debt: they will demand higher and higher interest rates on our US bonds as a price of lending us any money because they would know that the US is UNSERIOUS about tackling its addiction to spending, according to economist Veronique de Rugy.
Default or blank check to Obama: both are fiscal nightmares. If McConnell (and the ever-perfidious John McCain) thinks for even one-half second that the MSM will turn its back on Obama and properly lay the blame at his feet, he is mistaken. No. The NYT will say the president had the support of the minority party leadership -- it was a bipartisan disaster, and moreover, they will lie to make Obama out as the good guy in the disaster. Wait and see.
POST American| 7.19.11 @ 6:52AM
----NOW, about that 1.5 QUADRILLION in
fake derivatives debt and our debt-serf generating
and wholly ILLEGAL private, Constitution violating 'Federal' Reserve.
Alan of Wyomingt| 7.19.11 @ 7:03AM
Conservatives should not repeat the mistake of previous generations of establishment Republicans and demand to "just get something done" on the debt. If you "get 'er done" without first building public support it will not stick and you will lose elective office. First you must win over about 59% of the electorate, which has not been done yet.
The Obamacrats shrewdly refuse to put a budget on the table because it would force them to show the American people the enormous job-killing taxes they intend after the Obama re-election, and give the GOP that 59%. And because the MSM refuses to do their job and ask the Obamacrats why they are breaking the law (literally) by refusing to submit a budget, another means must be found to force Obama to go public with his priorities.
McConnel's plan may help smoke them out. We must make the next election all about how the Obamadebt is crushing the job market.
Kenny| 7.19.11 @ 7:06AM
Mitch McConnell is trying to be too clever by half.
His scheme will be not understood by the grassroots ... nor is it likely to work
loulou| 7.19.11 @ 8:53AM
Exactly. We don't need Rube Goldbergian, Machiavellian schemes from the weasel McConnell. We need a strong leader.
McConnell is only concerned about his job and his turf. He has a history of conniving--he forced Sen Jim Bunning out because he wanted to install his toady Trey Greyson as Jr Senator from KY. Didn't work very well, did it?
McConnell is a weasel and is not fit for the leadership position.
James D. Cox| 7.19.11 @ 9:54AM
FTA:" Now while it is true that the McConnell plan in the short term effectively takes spending cuts off the table and bestows near unilateral authority upon Obama to raise the debt ceiling up to three times over the next year, ...."
LOL! So we should give Obama a blank check in the hope that he'll run up more debt and that somehow, someday in the future we'll be able to use that against him? As they say, "hope" is not a strategy. McConnell's plan is the same game that Washington Republicans have played all of my adult lifetime: speak like a conservative, legislate like a typical tax-and-spend liberal.
No, I think it's better to engage the enemy where you find him; pass out of the House a plan to cut spending, raise the debt-limit accordingly, and then challenge the Senate and the President to react. If the Democrats fail to act, any consequential detrimental economic impact rests squarely on Reid's and/or Obama's puny backs.
Responsible governance would entail that the discussion include a plan for paying down the present $14.x trillion in debt. That should be the foremost trust of this debate, not how much further shall we obligate future generations.
George True| 7.19.11 @ 7:07AM
If, and it's a big if, that is McConnell's strategy, it is okay on its face. But let's say Obama takes the bait, and proceeds to raise the debt limit three times between now and election. There are still two problems.
One, the Leftstream Media will portray Obama's raising the debt limit as the only thing that "saved" the country from the old, meany, scrooge Republicans. It doesn't matter if the economy tanks even further (which it will) and even more Americans are left jobless and with devalued currency. The MFM will still portray Obama as the only adult in the room, and at least half of the public will buy it.
The second problem is that the Republicans still have not learned even the most basic messaging. They still have a fundamental lack of ability to articulate why their position is better. In the ten years that the left have been falsely portraying the Bush tax cuts as a "tax cut for the rich", not once have I ever heard any Republican challenge this outrageous lie. Just yesterday a conservative blogger pointed out the incontrovertible fact that 85% of the Bush tax cuts went to the middle class. But no Republican that I know of has ever said this.
Until Republicans take the basic step of forming and articulating a NARRATIVE, they will never be able to overcome the MFM's narrative. And Obama will continue to get credit for "saving" the economy even while he is actively engaged in destroying it.
JayDick| 7.19.11 @ 7:54AM
I agree Republicans are terrible on messaging. McConnell's plan would make the messaging a whole lot simpler, a good thing.
darcy| 7.19.11 @ 2:28PM
Not so. Were McConnell's plan implemented, the interest on our national debt will edge up quickly and dangerously because it would be a signal to investors that the US has NO intention of tackling its deepening fiscal crisis and inevitable collapse. And who will get the blame?
McConnell is a FOOL to think the MSM will hang the damage done around Obama's neck -- as he's trying to make us believe now. No. The same MSM whose opinion is SO important to McConnell now, so important that he can't stand up like a man and take Obama on, that same MSM will make Obama out as the man who laudably operated within the system by getting BIPARTISAN support (thanks to McConnell's and McCain's treachery), and the fallout will be pinned on the GOP. The MSM will lie like Pinocchio to save Obama from public censure by scapegoating the GOP.
How many different ways can I say it: The GOP thinks they'll be saved because the blame for collapse will be on Obama's shoulders. Idiots. The same MSM who crucifies them now for opposing Obama is the same MSM who will crucify them later for going along with him now.
As far as the messaging goes, the problem is not content but lack of conviction. Republicans, for the most part, are in politics for personal gain -- not because they are statesmen who want to honorably, wisely, lead the nation.
JayDick| 7.19.11 @ 4:58PM
First, I think it would be very difficult to hang the economic problems on the Republicans if the debt limit is raised. Second, it would be very easy to hang all sorts of problems on the Republicans if it is not raised.
Cabby-AZ| 7.20.11 @ 1:06PM
JayDick, the big question is: Whom are we depending upon to do the "hanging"? The MSM, that's who! We all know how the MSM will place the blame, regardless. The voice of the real truth tellers is not big enough to protect Repubs; instead, the credit will go to Obama if the McConnell plan is implemented and he will get the accolades.
Another thing: Let's look at the caliber of congressmen supporting McConnell - Many key Dems, including the pResident, plus the more liberal Repubs. That is enough to convince me.
Southern_Comment| 7.19.11 @ 7:09AM
'It's like giving a drug user unlimited access to drugs.'
No it's not - if you give a drug user unlimited access to drugs, then the most likely outcome is that the drug user overdoses and dies in their own vomit.
Although this might be the desired outcome - the truth is the drug user only really hurts themselves, Obama in his infinite arrogance will not be self destructing - he will be America destructing (as he has done for his entire term thus far).
If we feel that America can handle the multiple raisings of the debt ceiling, the loss of our ratings, then why is this debt ceiling and debate so important? It's not and although Mitch is walking a tightrope with a plan that he surmises can only end in Obama's self destruction - it is not well thought out and it's a game - one I'm not sure the people want to play. Mitch's plan is worth no more than a chuckle at the thought of 'paying them back with their own antics', but it is not worth consideration as to making it a reality.
loulou| 7.19.11 @ 9:01AM
The debt ceiling is so important because the GOP appeased and folded on other opportunities. Their reason was that they were saving their fire for the debt ceiling issue.
Timid little things: "we only control one half of one third of the government" so that makes us powerless.
Southern_Comment| 7.19.11 @ 6:30PM
I agree, for that reason. . . proving to Americans that they will be good at their word. However, they lessen the importance of this battle (both sides) when every single day they are telling us what a catastrophe this will be, when they are posturing in front of cameras and calling useless press conferences that serve nobody except the fool calling them. They demean the process all to be rock stars in a show they have created - I don't know about you but it's gotten old and Americans are not appreciating their game to fame as we are the ones living out the decisions.
Remember the WWF? How it was always a formula - one guy would come out strong and then the tide would turn and it would look like the guy was getting his tail kicked and going to lose, but WAIT! There he is, our hero making that comeback to finally win the match! It's the same show insert politicians for wrestlers/entertainers.
cactusbob| 7.20.11 @ 1:30PM
Agreed. McConnell's entire plan depends on his being able to convince the voters that it is the Democrats who should be outed for further damage to the nation. If he can't get across to the voters the reason why BHO's plan is to ruin the nation, not save it (plenty of proof of that now, in various books), there's no way he can convince them that BHO and the Democrats will be to blame for further damage. Draw the line and play hardball for keeps.
Chalkdust| 7.19.11 @ 7:10AM
Let me see if I got the "plan" correct. The stupid Republicans plan is to give Obamisky the legal power to dig our financial hole so deep he won't be able to climb out in 2012........Brillant!!! So suicidal!!! It takes my breath away!!! In November 2012 Obamadope will be finished. The USA will finished. The Republicans will be finished, stoned to death by the American people and rightly so.
Mr. McConnell is just plain stupid and riven by senate perks. Goldstein you on the other hand have to be a socialist undercover agent or just plain insane. I'm going with anti-American spy.
JP| 7.19.11 @ 7:11AM
Since the GOP refuses to concentrate on the short-term, the debt ceiling debate has become a theatre of the absurd. All of a sudden, we're debating about non-binding cuts to budgets in the "out years", as well as tax increases and jet aircraft depreciation schedules. The debt ceiling concerns spending and borrowing in the very short term. That's it. But now we've got the Ryan Plan ( ie House GOP budget plan that is collecting dust on Reid's desk), a BBA, and tax reform. And the WH must be laughing. Through all of this confusion, steps in the very man who is responsible for putting us in this mess. President Obama inserted himself into this debate as the only "adult". Talk about crass! But the GOP let him. And not once have I heard either McConnel or Boehnner remind the voters that the President has borrowed $4 trillion in just over 30 months.
Many months ago there was a proposal to scale back discretionary spending to 2008 levels. It was one of the few good ideas that came out of the GOP caucus. Obama and the Dems couldn't demogogue, as non-discretionary spending would be left untouched in the short term.
Deborah D | 7.19.11 @ 7:11AM
I thought we were at a point where if we don't cut the spending trajectory this year, we might just be past the point of no return. Perhaps Krauthammer's idea of $500 billion in cuts for $500 billion in debt increase to allow for time to get the cuts we need is the best option.
jerry brown| 7.19.11 @ 7:20AM
Mr Goldstein
So it is OK for Republicans to spend another two plus trillion dollars in my grandchildren's money to insure that Obama is defeated? First how little faith you must have in the American people and our system that you would think this is necessary in order to remove Obama from office in 2012.
Wouldn't the so called leader of Republicans in the Senate be more a leader by stridently making the case to the American people (as Rubio is so eloquently doing) why Obama's path is leading to disaster rather than following the typical politicians path of just throwing money at the problem? Our money, our borrowed money.
This column is as disgraceful an articulation of capitulation to business as usual as the McConnel plan itself. Rather than doing the hard work of educating and fighting for what is principled Mr. Goldstein is advocating sitting back and allowing Obama to spend $2,000,000,000,000.00 + of borrowed money in the hopes of defeating himself.
This is not like giving heroine to a junkie so that people can see how he is destroying himself. this is like giving heroine to a junkie with a loaded gun so that he can shoot his enablers that provided it.
You Mr. Goldstein are the inside the beltway pundit who can not see the forest for the trees.
Clint| 7.19.11 @ 7:20AM
"LAKE JACKSON, Texas – Today, 2012 Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul sent an email message to hundreds of thousands of his supporters and grassroots activists around the country about Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell’s recently announced plan to deal with the debt ceiling. See an excerpt from the message below.
“President Obama must be grinning from ear to ear.
Not only has the news reported yesterday that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is scheming to raise the debt ceiling with no real spending cuts, but if this plan goes through, Senator McConnell will have handed yet more power over to the Executive Branch – just because the Senate GOP Leadership doesn’t want to have to “deal with it” again!
In addition to surrendering more of Congress’ power to President Obama, there is no timetable for the cuts in the bill – so they’re rendered effectively meaningless.”
The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.
Rise Up.
Elron H.| 7.19.11 @ 10:38AM
"LAKE JACKSON, Texas – Today, 2012 Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul sent an email message to all 3 of his supporters and grassroots activists around the country about Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell’s recently announced plan to cede our national sovereignty to a far-ranging and conspiracy that includes the Illuminati, the Elders of Zion, the reincarnated corpse of Pope Pius XII, and the Romulan Empire. See an excerpt from the message below.
“President Obama must be grinning from ear to ear.
Not only has the news reported yesterday that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is scheming to allow alien forces to control our capacity to breed, but if this plan goes through, Senator McConnell will have handed yet more power over to the invisible aliens from the 7th dimension– just because the Senate GOP Leadership doesn’t has cut a deal that enables them and their families to relocate to Titan, the largest moon of Saturn, and raise large, sentient vegetables.
In addition to surrendering more of our sovereignty to the invisible alien empire, a side-effect of altering our planet's atmosphere will cause some men to impersonate gay cowboys.”
The Tea Party Rebellion Masturbates.
Roll Over.
Ken (Old Texican)| 7.19.11 @ 11:12AM
Elron,
That was truly funny
Glad I caught it.
Elron H.| 7.19.11 @ 5:16PM
That's not all you caught Kenny, Honey.
My doctor said to tell you, I got AIDS.
Occam's Tool| 7.19.11 @ 1:49PM
Watch out Elron:
You are about to be verbally assaulted by a self-fertilizing 302 neuroned teetotalling son of a war hero who calls Jews "SandMonkeys" but who has lots of Jewish friends. 3, 2, 1...
(That was funny as all get out)
Bibi From Tel Aviv| 7.19.11 @ 5:24PM
But Occie Tiny Tool , you're my little Sand Monkey & nobody else's.
I have a banana for you, right here in in my trouser pocket.
Elron H.| 7.19.11 @ 5:14PM
I think I shall now masturbate in front of all of The American Spectator Readers.
It's my little thingy with my little thingy.
RCV| 7.19.11 @ 5:57PM
Clint/Tim*, you are a truly juvenile and despicable person. But the good thing is that everyone on this site has rightly come to identify you with Ron Paul, which guarantees that his reputation will be further tarnished, which in the end is a good thing. Keep up the good work!
Clint| 7.19.11 @ 6:19PM
Are You Trying To Say That I Wrote This Obama LawBoy RCV?
Hmmmmm, Liar?
"Elron H.| 7.19.11 @ 10:38AM
"LAKE JACKSON, Texas – Today, 2012 Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul sent an email message to all 3 of his supporters and grassroots activists around the country about Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell’s recently announced plan to cede our national sovereignty to a far-ranging and conspiracy that includes the Illuminati, the Elders of Zion, the reincarnated corpse of Pope Pius XII, and the Romulan Empire. See an excerpt from the message below."
You're Up ObamaBoy Israel Firster Punk Ass RCV.
Reprobate Charlatan Vomitus| 7.19.11 @ 6:27PM
I don't bother with silly speaking of a truly juvenile and despicable person everyone on this site has rightly come to identify by the staggering quantity of posts archived on this site by RCV that guarantees his reputation will be further tarnished with each additional post while keeping up the good work on the anticipation of another sczzzzzzzzzzintillating responzzzzzzzzzze skewering this pozzzzzzzzzzt with razzzzzzzzzzorlike wit matterzzzzzzzzzz.
Momma RCV| 7.19.11 @ 6:52PM
Oh My !
My Little Obama Israel Firster LawBoy RCV Is Speaking.
Zzzzzzzzzzz !
Carol| 7.19.11 @ 7:22AM
Mr. Goldstein:
While I understand what you are saying you haven't taken into consideration that 51% of the dummies out there don't pay any income taxes.
Do you really think they or many other dopes in America care about its "fiscal" matters? Do you think they are tuned in like many of us today who are political junkies?
I just cannot see this as McConnell handing Obama a rope. Everything Obama has done illegally and unconstitutionally he hasn't gotten away with because there is no one to stop him.
When the GOP took over House I bet he thought for a moment that maybe his power would be dimished. Ha! It's made him bolder and more determined to gut this nation of every last cent.
I'm with the others. This is capitulation and to prove look at all the leftsts on board: Feinstein, Schumer, Reid, etc.
I'll pass and continue not to give to the GOP.
gearjammer| 7.19.11 @ 8:37AM
Many of the 51 per cent want to pay taxes through getting a job , hopefully a good paying one. Your nasty description of your fellow Americans is why the democrats are still around. People , like students, who pay little in income taxes, want jobs that pay well and except the taxes that come with them. Also, thye do pay taxes-consumers pay all corporate taxes being one example. Quit being such a dark minded human being. The republicans want to balance the budget by giving these very people a good job via free enterprise, economic growth. Obamaq and all other democrats want to keep people down. By the way, alot of military with family do not pay alot of taxes, if any, are they dummies and leaches-you make me sick. You need to be slapped .
Have you considered| 7.19.11 @ 1:05PM
Gearjammer, it seems Carol hit a defensive nerve with you, and I find your "you should be slapped" offensive.
Your assertions are not necessarily supported by facts. I highly doubt that "nasty" adjectives are the cause of the Democrats still being around. I contend that they are still around because they have dependent constituencies that vote Democrat.
You then assert that " People , like students, who pay little in income taxes, want jobs that pay well and except (sic) the taxes that come with them" I honestly don't think most students, until they actually have a job, realize, let alone accept, the tax burden that they will have to carry. Also, I don't believe students were the point of Carol's post.
You are correct in that all consumers pay indirect taxes, however, Carol clearly referred to Income Taxes.
You assert that ""The republicans want to balance the budget by giving these very people a good job via free enterprise, economic growth.""
I can't see that the Republicans want to balance the budget at all, and they can not "give" anybody a good job.." The best they can do is create an environment that is conducive to economic growth, which they have not done heretofore.
Sshheesh, they can't even defund NRP or rein in the EPA. They did pass a bill that would Delay the implementation of the rules which would in effect ban the incandescent light bulb, but even that is simply a delay.
Retract your claws, or reserve your swipes for the liberal trolls.
Maureen| 7.19.11 @ 8:54AM
I just cannot see this as McConnell handing Obama a rope. Everything Obama has done illegally and unconstitutionally he hasn't gotten away with because there is no one to stop him.
Carol—you are absolutely correct. It is McConnell, et al who will be hanged by the very rope they intend to give Obama because they underestimate what the consequences will be. VOTER OUTRAGE. Obviously, it is McConnell, et al who have blinders on, or else they are aiding and abetting Obama in his quest to destroy our country. The Silent Majority has awakened, and realize they cannot afford to be silent anymore. The last two years of Obama’s stealth regulations, legislation passed with executive orders, total disregard for the US Constitution, circumvention of the US Supreme Court, and more importantly, spending sprees, show a man on mission to destroy and a CORPORATE MEDIA that support it. I thought the October 2010 election was a sufficient message to politicians that business as usual would no longer be tolerated, but it appears that our representatives are deaf as well as blind. BOTH PARTIES underestimate the outrage felt by Americans—not just TeaPartiers—but fiscal conservative Independents like myself.
Rob Roy| 7.19.11 @ 7:39AM
Charles Krauthammer's idea to pass a short term bill of only spending cuts and send it to the Senate is much better than the McConnell plan. If either the Senate or Obama fail to put this bill into law, the Republicans would be in a much better position with the voters and the media find it difficult to paint them in a bad light. Why are conservatives so inept at political gamesmanship and the liberals so very effective? It is discouraging to say the least.
cactusbob| 7.20.11 @ 1:43PM
It's like the difference between Chicago corruption and someone from Podunk writing a bad check: The Democrats are masters at trickery and lawbreaking, and the Republicans never learned (not a bad thing, just can't compete).
Glen H| 7.19.11 @ 7:42AM
"they cannot consider the possibility that giving Obama more power would actually prove to be his undoing."
New at TAS, the Obi-wan Kanobi approach to political success.
ds80| 7.19.11 @ 7:43AM
"If the cost of giving Obama more power today results in Obama not having any power eighteen months from now ... and utterly and irrevocably destroying the economy in the process ... then wouldn’t it be a price worth paying? ... so that I, Aaron Goldstein, can point out to all you rubes how nuanced I was?
This article is laughable.
Maddox| 7.19.11 @ 7:49AM
Do you write speeches for Nancy Pelosi? Your point sounds much like many of hers. Really? We have to give Dems what they want to prove them wrong?
If McConnell and other Republicans agree to this, they are equally guilty of the consequences we, our children, our grandchildren, and our great-grand children will face.
We are watching the willful destruction of our country. At what point do we stop the madness?
Maddox| 7.19.11 @ 7:52AM
Mr. Goldstein, it seems you do not understand.We are all hanging at the end of that rope with Obama.
All American American| 7.19.11 @ 8:17AM
Maddox no! I mean when you're protecting your family from the mobs coming to loot your home and stuff, just think to yourself "this was all Obama's fault, Mitch and the boys had nothing to do with it" and I'm sure it'll make everything allllllllll better!
Maddox| 7.20.11 @ 10:49AM
You might want to read my first post again. I said they were equally guilty if they do not stop the liberal destruction of our country.
JayDick| 7.19.11 @ 7:58AM
The debt ceiling was probably the wrong vehicle for the Republicans to try to get big spending cuts. The debt ceiling only affects the ability to pay bills, not the ability to incur them. The ability to incur obligations is affected by appropriation bills. That's where the effort should concentrate.
martin j smith| 7.19.11 @ 7:58AM
Money and Media power matters and THAT IS WHAT IS DRIVING THE DEBT CEILING "DEBATE" To hell with the truth.
My take: Its at this point on my mind equal weight of Politics and Economics and in some ways the 2012 election is the real agenda period.
What has to happen in my view is this: Since the Socialists will blame republicans for anything anyway our concern should be two fold: Do as little overt damage to the economy as possible and make Obama look as foolish as possible.
How? First of all bear in mind this question: Why is Obama doing nothing to come up with a plan ? ( And the rest of the Socialists--nothing is expected of them apparently ) We have all the responsibility. Crap !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here is what our " great leaders should do"
They should say something like this: Since we and they cannot come to a grand bargain, we will
off a short term plan that will avoid a debt crisis .
But we demand to know how the Socialists ( they will say something else ) intend to avoid a debt crisis--we demand THEIR PLAN. And say--NO NEGOTIATIONS FURTHER UNTIL OBAMA AND HIS FRIENDS OFFER IN WRITING THEIR PROPOSAL AS A BASIS OF NEGOTIATION. THIS IS NOT A ONE WAY STREET.
martin j smith| 7.19.11 @ 8:09AM
One point to add: On media in particular; I NO LONGER VIEW FOX NEWS AS " FAIR AND BALANCED" THEY HAVE SWUNG LEFT. I WOULD SAY THEY ARE FEAR AND CRONY CAPITALISTS.
Drunken Sailor| 7.19.11 @ 11:35AM
Care to give some examples?
hardcard| 7.19.11 @ 8:10AM
the objective is not to save the republican party, it should be to save the United States of America
All American American| 7.19.11 @ 8:20AM
Ding-ding-ding, we have a winner!
And the fact that our so-called Republican/conservative "leaders" still see this problem as a political one to be used to win the next election means they truly don't get it. Hey a**holes, DO THE RIGHT THING TO SAVE AMERICA and guess what? You'll win EVERY FRIGGING ELECTION you run in!!!!!
JayDick| 7.19.11 @ 12:33PM
We must save the Republican party in order to save America.
If the debt ceiling is not raised, Obama will get a second term. Then where will America be?
Occam's Tool| 7.19.11 @ 1:51PM
I dunno, Mitch---I think it would have been better to draw a line in the sand and get Robert Conrad to make some commercials for you. Simpler to explain. Let the Dem Senators override you.
All American American| 7.19.11 @ 8:15AM
I guess when we're all sitting around with completelt worthless paper money and there are riots in the streets and gas is $800/gal and grocery stores are bare, well we can take solace in the fact that it wasn't Republicans who killed America.
Aaron, since you're always writing worthless sports stories here's an analogy you might understand: It's 4th and 10 and you're down by 5 with 1:13 left in the game. We have no timeouts left. Now is NOT THE TIME to punt the ball back to the DC Demoncrats.
Good Lord the fact that we even have to explain it to so-called "conservatives" leaves me little hope for my country.
Dan Hirsch| 7.19.11 @ 8:16AM
Mr. Goldstein, you asked just who is it that is being nailed to the cross?
The American people and our history, that's all. And we don't come off that cross as Jesus of Nazareth did, we come off dead, dead, stone cold dead!
You knucklehead!
I can hear the MSM "Oh, President Obama has used his newly granted borrowing authority that the evil Republicans forced on him, against his will and saved the country over the evil Republicans wishes to destroy it! Cue the flying monkeys!
Don't tread on me!
Johnny H| 7.19.11 @ 8:18AM
I am astounded that a thinking person could endorse such a plan. As one of the millions of unemployed I am languishing in this economic uncertainty. It grieves me to have to watch this administration "fundamentally transform" this nation.
Sorry, Goldstein. I am not buying it. The legislative branch MUST do its job and check the power of the executive, not further enable it even if the end is to ensure no re-election.
This is not a game. Real people are seriously hurting. Substantive action must be taken. Forget the symbolism. This isn't a theoretical exercise. The pain is real.
No longer can I ascribe this regime's actions to mere pedestrian incompetence. Even a fool making random choices could do better. For example, instead of releasing petroleum from the strategic reserve (which accomplished nothing) this president could lift moratoria on exploration and offshore drilling, encourage exploitation of our abundant domestic supply. The markets would respond with a sigh of relief and prices would stabilize. But that would be a positive use of the executive order and we can't have that and still fundamentally transform the country.
We are in the midst of a universally acknowledged debt crisis and this administration talks about borrowing more, spending more and taxing more. Hey, Congress!! We're in a hole! Stop digging!!
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed..."
Redstateboy| 7.19.11 @ 10:41AM
I'm with you Johnny H.. I'm not unemployed.. just severely underemployed - as is my sweetheart and it Sucks! Life in the Land of Hussein Sucks! Wages low and stagnant - Gas prices high, Food prices High, Utility rates increasing - No money left for anything... oh yeah... We need four more years of This guy!!
Clint| 7.19.11 @ 8:20AM
Dr. Ron Paul called statements that Social Security checks could be held up the "most abhorrent bit of chicanery" that's come up in relation to the political theater that's gone on with the debt ceiling. He points out that the Chief Actuary of Social Security has confirmed current Social Security tax receipts are "more than enough" to cover outlays.
"The only reason those checks would not go out would be if the administration decided to spend those designated funds elsewhere," Paul said. "It is very telling that the administration would rather frighten seniors dependent on Social Security checks than alarm their big banking friends, who have already received $5.3 trillion in bailouts, stimulus and quantitative easing."
The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.
Carpe Diem.
Elron H.| 7.19.11 @ 10:56AM
Grand Master Ron Paul called statements that Social Security checks could be held up the "most abhorrent bit of chicanery" and then proceeded to do the Chicken Dance with all 12 of his supporters.
Paul points out that the Chief Actuary of Social Security is in fact a Free mason from the 6th Dimension with ties to Sith Lord Darth Plagus, and that this fact requires the immediate cessation of all terrestrial-band Top-40 radio stations to prevent the infiltration of subliminal messages into our brains via special implants placed into our ears by plasma-monsters for the planet X-Flow masquerading as pediatricians.
"The only reason we do the Chicken Dance is that those gyrations have been proven to disrupt the gravity-wave fluctuations that render inactive these evil, subliminal messages. We would not have to dance and squawk if the administration disbanded it's secret treaty with Gul Dukat and the Cardassian Empire," Paul said. "It is very telling that the administration would rather frighten seniors dependent on Social Security checks than alarm their big alienfriends, who have already received 5.3 trillion in dylithium crystal bailouts!"
The Tea Party Rebellion Gesticulates.
Crapae Diem.
Ken (Old Texican)| 7.19.11 @ 11:23AM
Elron,
are you our brilliant satirist, Booger, in disguise?
In any event, thank you for putting things in perspective.
Elron H.| 7.19.11 @ 12:03PM
No, not Booger.
Drunken Sailor| 7.19.11 @ 12:55PM
Dr. Right? Occam?
Elron H.| 7.19.11 @ 1:48PM
I'll never tell...unless it benefits me to do so.
Occam's Tool| 7.19.11 @ 1:57PM
Not Occam. I'm not that brilliant. Thanks DS, for that sublime compliment.
It does sound like something Dr. Right could do. Or perhaps Stuart.
Or maybe he's someone NEW!
Anyhoo, it's screamingly funny. Placeo Gonadus, Dr. Paul.
Elron H.| 7.19.11 @ 4:57PM
If You Pay My Pimp, Bibi From Tel Aviv, I Could Be Your Rent-A- Boy.
RCV| 7.19.11 @ 10:03PM
Clint, your typing skills give you away every time.
Clint| 7.19.11 @ 11:43PM
Aaaaand, ObamaBoy Israel Firster RCV Your Type Of Israel Firster Negative Attention Craving Obama Bootlicker Troll Gives You Away Every Time.
Elron H.| 7.19.11 @ 5:01PM
But, I eat Boogers.
They make my eyelashes grow.
Elron H.| 7.19.11 @ 5:05PM
How's your boyfriend Elbonco,The Young Mexican.
Have You Caught His STD Yet, Kenny, Honey ?
Occam's Tool| 7.19.11 @ 2:03PM
P.S.,
Deendum: It isn't the special implants in the ears---it's the stimulants for the supposed ADHD that actually are transmitters to the White House that are causing our children to be Big Brother's Big ears and Spies on us! I stand corrected.
Dr. Ron Paul
Bibi From Tel Aviv| 7.19.11 @ 5:09PM
I Love You Occie Tweezer Tool.
Nicky From Detroit.| 7.19.11 @ 4:53PM
We RINO Republicans need to Stop The Tea Party from taking us over & wrecking our gig.
We need another winner like Johnny McCain to keep those rascally Tea Party People from getting into Our Party and making Us become A Real Conservative Party.
Remember To Drink Democrat Light Beer.
Nick| 7.19.11 @ 7:46PM
This comment is not from me, the real Nick from Detroit.
Please leave me out of this meeting of the Algonquin Round Table.
Clint| 7.19.11 @ 8:11PM
O.K Nicky.
I Don't Want To Unfairly Slander You.
I Think You Mean It.
Let's Guess!
If Nicky Says It Ain't Him, That Leaves Israel Firster Nutbag Victor-Margie-Sybil-Sandy, Dr.Reich, Occum's Tweezer Tool, ObamaBoy Israel Firster Allen Brooks , The Squirrel Feeder In The Park.......
Hmmmmmmm !
Who Could The Israel Firster Posseur Elron H. Be ?
Gotta Be A Bibi Boy Israel Firster Traitor Bastard Neo-Chickenhawk Coward.
I Think I Knowwwww Now !
The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.
Carpe Diem.
Controse| 7.20.11 @ 1:52PM
I'm sure you find your facetiousness entertaining. Where is the site moderator when we need him/her?
Louis Jenkins| 7.19.11 @ 8:28AM
Allowing Obama the privilege of incurring more debt three times next year is like waving a red flag infront of a bull. McConnell is crazy! We should be looking at limited spending only. Raising the debt limit? Even with cuts it is a ridiculous assumption. "I can't afford to pay my bills, therefore, I will raise how much I can borrow." Get real!
Anthony| 7.19.11 @ 8:37AM
That's just great Goldstein. You might write from Boston, but your mindset is pure D.C. beltway.
Your assinine defense of McConnell's equally assinine plan to allow Obozo unfetted power to destroy America's economy is nothing more than a Washington parlor game, in which Obozo gets to destroy America while R trolls sit back and hope the LSM blames Obozo!!! It's all political gamesmanship with the D.C. crowd, while Rome burns.
You're a fool Goldstein, this has nothing to do with unbridled hatred for Obozo, it has everything to do with saving America from financial ruin. Is this so damn difficult to comprehend?
Do you actually think the Rs can get traction with the LSM after Obozo pulls this coup off? They will laugh the Rs right out of Washington, as they did to McCain after they aided him to be the R candidate, then they did their ususal rope -a dope on him and trashed him to set up Obozo.
Besides, we ain't got 18 months, fool. We're on the precipice of destruction now and if the Rs cave, it's open field running for Obozo to turn American into a banana republic.
Do us a favor Goldstein, stay in Boston and write for the Boston Globe, they're as clueless as you are.
jim park| 7.19.11 @ 8:37AM
excellent article, we need to rid ourselves of the incompetent one
Andrew Keirns| 7.19.11 @ 8:43AM
Aaron's assumption is there will be an America after three more hikes -- not a safe assumption at all.
loulou| 7.19.11 @ 8:56AM
Neither Boehner nor McConnell can clearly articulate conservative positions--because they don't have any!!
They are career statists. There's not a dimes worth of difference between them and the Dems.
Mimi| 7.19.11 @ 9:02AM
The REAL world of Commerce, Government, even marraige, friendship and everyday transactions...depends on honest PLAYERS and commen decency. What we have before us is liars ,thieves and essentially BAD ACTORS!
For Mitch to give -up....YES he literally GAVE UP and try their methods of GAME-PLAYING just isn't good enough! We have to understand it has been him trying to deal with this President...and he is totally frustrated and disgusted.
Obama has ALREADY beaten himself...The latest is his attempt to injure " OLD PEOPLE" with threats and now show MARKED ignorance of the CONSTITUTION to threaten to VETO an amendment to it! DUH !!!
Get used to it....we have to COAST 'til he's GONE. We are getting our message out every day with those running for office in the Republican Primary....These folks are sensational, every last one of them....spreading the word....all good AMERICANS from Herman Cain to Romney on and on.
I say Ignore "O" and someone needs to tell him to his FACE....HE IS NOT TRUSTED!
marco| 7.19.11 @ 9:05AM
Next election, next election, so say all. If things are as bad, and likely worse, in 2012, isn't it possible that the president might need to postpone it? Against his will, of course, but for the safety and security of the nation.
RCV| 7.19.11 @ 10:04PM
No, it's not possible.
Pecos Pete| 7.19.11 @ 9:08AM
Regardless of how the debt ceiling debate progresses, in the end the debts have to be paid. King O and his merry band from the Democrat Party must continue their spending on the welfare crowd.
The only way to pay on the debt and to continue spending is to debase the currency. Inflation pays off the debt and provides for continued payments to the non tax payers. Inflation is the short-term answer to the ruling class's need to remain in power.
We are in the end game. There will be hyper inflation and we all will suffer the consequences.
youfamissim | 7.19.11 @ 9:19AM
If Republicans do manage to get spending cuts in place - Obama benefits. Only this type of plan will assure Obama's destruction. I agree. Extend it and let Barry Soetero fail... mightily.
JimH| 7.19.11 @ 9:26AM
As an aside, there are probably certain PC types who might look askance at any rope metaphors involving the president.
Ken in Tyler| 7.19.11 @ 9:28AM
I read somewhere that, " the borrower becomes slave to the lender." This nation was founded on the PRINCIPLE of individual God-given Liberty. We can compromise on policy but the absurd practice of compromising on principle is what led us down this road to self-destruction.
Only Congress has the legitimate authority to borrow against the credit of the United States (Article 1, Section 8). It is clear, unequivocal and has no ephemeral penumbras or emanations. While authority may be delegated, responsibility cannot. If Congress delegates the authority to the Executive Branch they still inescabably retain the responsibility for the outcome.
And We the People will suffer the consequences.
Teflon93| 7.19.11 @ 9:29AM
Don't raise the debt ceiling---period. Pass a balanced budget in the House instead and wave it in the Democrats' faces at every opportunity.
buckeyeman| 7.19.11 @ 10:42AM
If you don't raise the debt ceiling then you don't need a balanced budget amendment.
ncatty| 7.19.11 @ 9:43AM
Some cases can't be settled or continued, they have to be tried. This is that case.
WL| 7.19.11 @ 9:44AM
Goldstein Strikes AGAIN!!!
I love the way you characterize us as being "so blinded by their hatred for Obama" as the reason for our being sick and stinking tired of blood sucking democrats and coward republicans refusing to keep us from Crushing DEBT....
IS THIS SITE SUPPOSED TO BE CONSERVATIVE?????????? Or did it Merge with HUFFPO TOO??????
The nerve of you... you insolent TWIT!
I commented yesterday on another article...saying that I saw the "CAVE IN" coming...why???? because ASpec was preparing us for it....If you watch closely you can start to see it EVERY TIME....
You know it's close when Hillyer or Goldstein...the favorite lackies....start berating us for not going along to get along.....
EVERY TIME...
I am glad I wasn't born destined to be a BUTT BOY.
How is that life fellas?
Bob Grant| 7.19.11 @ 10:36AM
"I love the way you characterize us as being "so blinded by their hatred for Obama..."
Indeed. That is classic RINO drivel.
I think anyone who reads a Goldstein piece moving forward should be just as wary as when reading a David Brooks article. That is, the dwindling few who read his articles.
WL| 7.19.11 @ 9:50AM
Furthermore....
There is ALWAYS a REASON
It's ALWAYS about getting the REPUBICS elected one more time
It's always DIRE that we CAVE
They will fix it NEXT TIME AROUND...
This is NEVER THE PLACE TO MAKE A STAND
We are always the EXTREMISTS demanding they Stand up to the Democrats
SOME REPUBLICAN LEADER ALWAYS LEADS THE RETREAT
SOME REPUBLICAN LEADER ALWAYS BREAKS RANKS
REPUBLICANS ALWAYS LOSE the "MESSAGING" WAR
THEY NEVER REALLY HIT HARD
THey never CONSIDERED "THE END GAME"
NEXT TIME
NEXT TIME
NEXT TIME
NEXT TIME
NEXT TIME
NEXT TIME
WE GOT DUPED
OBAMA LIED, REPUBLICANS CRIED.
THIS IS A REPUBLICAN SITE
NOT A CONSERVATIVE ONE
And we are REAL DUPES FOR SWALLOWING THIS PLATE FULL OF DUNG
SamVaughn| 7.19.11 @ 9:56AM
McConnel, once again too clever by half. At some point you square up, put a line in the sand and fight.
kerry| 7.19.11 @ 10:07AM
Read Redstate blog's take on McConnell's supposed clever plan, which is a cave and absolutely destructive. Apparently, McConnell has caved time and time again over the last 25 years. He is a weak, self important RINO. We need to support whomever runs against him in the primary.
Wayne | 7.19.11 @ 11:15AM
That plan is providing the service of showing us just who the RINOS are. What they are hoping for is a bigger government, so that they can get a bigger piece of the action.
martin j smith| 7.19.11 @ 10:20AM
The so called McConnell plan was put out without any scrutiny at the start of negotiations. That is one big NO NO. NO scrutiny or debate. And no discussion of pros and cons and thus consequences.
This is vital. Even if McConnell's motives were "pure" ( which I doubt but lets say ) his actions were at best stupid from a political point of view. But at worst, extremely cynical and even beyond that. For, his so called plan has split his own party-right ? That brings up a consequence of McConnell"s behavior in putting out his plan as he did--he alienated his own base--so why would he do that ? So why would he do that ? And that brings us suspicion as to his motives thus explaining why I write these questions. I think HE should be told that his proposal is done but if he any brite ideas to put them to a group of Repubs including conservatives and Tea Party people among others to have their won debate FIRST. YOU KNOW DEMOCRACY CAN BE COMPLICATED BUTS LET GIVE IT A GO SHALL WE ?
TruthSayer| 7.19.11 @ 10:31AM
So, what you're basically saying is that McConnell wants to play political games and sees political advantage in permanently harming the United States by raising the debt ceiling. That' fits my definition of TREASON! Here's a better plan, DO NOTHING and force the Government to survive on what it takes! All of the moochers and losers who get a government check every month will have to do without or substantially less. You can do this one of two ways: 1) Slow and painful default including a bout of hyperinflation, food riots, bloodshed, and politicians hanging from trees (otherwise known as the McConnell plan) or 2) Man-up now and force the government to live on no more than what it collects.
Grzmlyk| 7.19.11 @ 10:31AM
Obama will be held accountable for raising the debt ceiling??
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
That's a good one.
Peggie| 7.19.11 @ 11:03AM
Well said!!
Ha ha
JayDick| 7.19.11 @ 12:37PM
Under the McConnell plan, yes. In any event, the only way to hold Obama accountable for the spending, deficit, debt, and lousy economy is to raise the debt ceiling. If we can get spending cuts along with it, that's even better, but the debt ceiling must be raised or Obama will win reelection.
martin j smith| 7.19.11 @ 10:37AM
Truthsayer: I do not know at all what McConnell sees if he sees anything. There is a narrative that needs to be changed as in this "debate" --not !!!!!!!!
The narrative is its the Republicans Responsibility --their fault alone. This is th narrative that must change to one that says: It takes two to tango and that means both parties must show their cards and sell them to the voters.
martin j smith| 7.19.11 @ 10:38AM
Oh yea and also lets all play by the rules of the law.
That would be refreshing.
bobmontgomery| 7.19.11 @ 10:41AM
Boy that Mitch McConnell is just as shrewd as all get out, isn't he? Why, the man's a genius! In fact, Ameria is in such great shape economically, socially, in matters of national security and foreign policy precisely because of people like Mitch. We need more of them, but, you have to be in Washington for at least two or three decades before you're allowed to have the privilege of fighting the good fight for the status quo.
KennesawJack| 7.19.11 @ 10:41AM
The next time we outmaneuver the left on spending issues will be the first time. No matter what McConnell does, credit will go to Obamarx and blame will rest with the Republicans. We will not win this fight in the press. The only way we win and get rid of this Marxist is old fashioned grass-roots turn out and Rubio on the ticket in 2012.
cowgirl| 7.19.11 @ 10:42AM
I am conservative Christian cowgirl living in the most screwed up state, California. One of the things that the whack jobs in California want to do is legalize drugs. For years I was against it. Now, I am for it. Give them all the drugs they want. Open a Wal-Mart size "All You Can You Have" Drug Store and let them line up and sniff it, smoke it and shoot their veins until there are no more veins or drugs. This is good - why - because it will weed out the losers in society and will keep liberal voters from voting - they will be too strung out to make it to the voting booth.
So let Obama have is drug and shoot it up too. Granted him will take down a lot of people with him. But not me. I am an conservative Christian American. I go with the Grace of God and I will survive. Shoot it up Barry and your marxists friends.
Ken in Tyler| 7.19.11 @ 12:01PM
Only two problems with this approach:
1. True to form, the users will want the drugs to be supplied at taxpayer expense just like welfare because drug use is a "right".
2. Then the bleeding hearts will want the "rehab" programs and "half-way houses" to be funded with tax money.
Why, anything less would be heartless and discriminatory!
cowgirl| 7.20.11 @ 9:30AM
True, but at least there is an end in sight. Handing out free drugs will cause overdoses very quickly. The rehab programs and halfway houses won't last very long - in order to fill those programs you need to have people who no longer want to be drug addicts.
Carner York| 7.19.11 @ 10:46AM
The GOP should agree to raise the debt limit to the exact dollar amount of the August budget and couple it with the same amount of cuts. I would suggest halving funding for the Department of Education and the EPA and add whatever percentage necessary from the unspent stimulus money required. This can be done monthly as any reasonable person knows that there are countless useless agencies and programs that can be cut. It's a fair compromise and I'd like to see Obama veto it.
martin j smith| 7.19.11 @ 10:47AM
Cowgirl--No thanks on your proposal. Let Obama go to Europe where he belongs.
Oldefarte| 7.19.11 @ 10:54AM
I absolutely agree with Aaron's correct conclusion concerning McConnell's plan. Additionally, these disagreeing media personalities fail to note the reported aspect of this plan that declares [think] $1.5 billion in IMMEDIATE budget/spending cuts are included in same. As Aaron rightfully insinuates, the R's only control 1/3 of this power structure, so the D's can/will majoritively control the outcome of any proposal [and the STUPIDS among us effectively gave these D's this political power by asininely voting for these D's on 11/4/08 and beyond; so these complainers have no one but themselves to blame for this present situation]. If/until these STUPIDS out ther get off their rears and vote into office more R's [to give Cantor, Boehner, McConnell etc a solid majority in congress, their political hands are tied and they cannot minorily accompolish anything without the D's support which they will never get]. So instead of these STUPIDS constantly berating McConnell etc, they need to go vote for R's and convince their communities to do likewise!!!!!!!!!!
Wayne | 7.19.11 @ 11:12AM
And how does giving all the power to the STUPIDS make the GM SMART? Instead it makes the GOP useless.
Oldefarte| 7.19.11 @ 1:36PM
You're obviously not fluent in math. 1/3 versus 2/3 equals defeat. The R's are now ''''useless'''' until their numbers increase to 2/3 [that the D's now control]. JFC!!!!!!!!!!!
Wayne | 7.19.11 @ 2:59PM
Well I only have a master's in math. But I appreciate your insult. What I understand is logic and the use of the logical "and". For a Bill to become law it must pass the House AND pass the Senate AND not get vetoed by the President.
That means each of those thirds you talk about are logically required to raise the deficit.
Oldefarte| 7.20.11 @ 4:49PM
Then you also understand that to NOT raise the debt ceiling possibly forces an explosion of interest rates which forces mortgage/credit card/auto loan rates higher; collapsing of serveral state's municipal bonds dependent upon federal governmental funding; a possible decrease/selling off by China/Japan etc of their substantial federal bond holdings; etc. This country's [and the entire world's] economy will partially or completely collapse, all so that you etc can achieve your desired LINE-IN-THE-SAND non-debt ceiling increase???????
Michael L. Hauschild| 7.19.11 @ 4:32PM
The progressive wing of the Democratic Party has brought to a head the outlandish and destructive spending; they are cowards in facing up to the cure. The Republican Party is complaisant and complicent; they are cowards in facing up to the cure. The electorate that returns to office the members of both parties and their warring wings is fully as responsible, we are after all a Republic; they are cowards in facing up to the cure.
The Tea Parry stands alone as having the intestinal fortitude to see the problem and recognize that there is no “kick the can down the road” solution; they are the only ones with the courage to save the Nation. I am one of them, and need no advice, no lecture, or no BS from stay the course clowns such as you.
Grzmlyk| 7.19.11 @ 11:07AM
Hate to tell you this, old boy, but, regardless of what polls say, Americans by and large have decided to embrace the false consciousness of leftist pie-in-the sky "compassion." And essential to that cloud cuckoo hallucination is that we all agree that money grows on trees.
Our political class has made the cynical - but accurate - calculation that we would rather sink forcing equal outcomes of misery onto the populace than sail on into prosperity buoyed by individual freedom and responsibility and the reality that, while all men are created equal, there can be no guarantee that they'll all live equally.
And so we are voluntarily living in tyranny. There is no United States anymore. The state is now a hybrid of a fascist crony oligarchy and a socialist totalitarianism. And the despots in charge are only going to do what despots in charge do best: tighten the screws further by printing money. Already, QE3 is in dry dock, awaiting its christening.
I've lived in many major cities in the US and I am virtually the only conservative I know. And I have worked with people representing a broad spectrum of professions and incomes - from the super-rich panjandrums of high tech in Silicon Valley to the struggling poor blacks in the Bronx and everywhere in between. I'd say 99% of the people I deal with - professionally and personally -desire the orgasmic nirvana of statism.
The truth is, most people want to be serfs of the state - or at least they want everyone except themselves to be serfs of the state, which is really the same thing.
I'm sure few denizens of this site feel that way, but we are quite obviously a statistically insignificant minority. If we weren't, how did we get here?
Think of it this way: Even Paul Ryan's "courageous" plan concedes the reality of the welfare state. And even that modest adjustment to the nanny state will never see the light of day, having been deemed by our insane culture to be too draconian. Not enough goodies go to the country's non-producers, doncha know.
Americans have actively sought out abject bondage and, by God, we have finally gotten it. The golden goose is dead; the ultimate victory of liberalism is that everybody loses together.
The truth is, the debt ceiling debate doesn't matter one iota; it's a dog and pony show. What has already transpired in this country has sealed our fate. We are ALREADY OVER THE CLIFF. We simply haven't landed yet.
Don't bother calling me a negative nellie or a pessimist. Doing so would be the same as calling someone a pessimist who opines that a raw egg will surely break if you drop it from a height of 25 feet onto a conrete slab.
Turn out the lights, folks. America has left the building.
The die is cast.
WL| 7.19.11 @ 11:18AM
I hate to admit it but you are correct, I'm afraid. Right now, we can only slow it down, but slow it down we must....
The folks at the Alamo didn't really know help was coming...
And the 300 at Thermopole didn't either...
It's just about buying time...
For a longshot HOPE.
Ken (Old Texican)| 7.19.11 @ 11:38AM
Grz
you need to move to Texas post haste.
We aren't throwing in the towel down here.
As our present Governor recently quoted Sam Houston: " Texans have just never learned to bow to any oppression."
If we Texans lead the fight by merely sitting down and not earning/paying taxes, we can FORCE a turnaround.
Grzmlyk| 7.19.11 @ 12:05PM
I've read a lot of scary things that prove to me that the nanny state is encroaching upon Texas, Ken.
Besides, the iron fist of tyranny requires that Federalism wither on the vine, as it mostly has; soon every neighborhood of every city in every state in America will answer to a central office in Washington DC, where every activity of every American will be dictated by some bureaucrat for whom every decision is based solely on political considerations based on what is good for The Party.
And even if Texas were able to insulate itself against the statist deluge for the next few years, the only way to resist long-term would be to secede.
I know you've talked about corporations "going Galt," but I see no evidence that's going to happen; I see most corporations playing ball in Obama's ball park, dancing to his tune, playing go-along-to-get-along, all-too happily seeing the strangulation of free market capitalism as the inevitable cost of doing business. In a word, instead of going Galt, they're jockying for the most advantageous position in the new fascist economy.
The end of all of this has already begun. The truth is, Greece is NOTHING compared to the social unrest we're about to see; Wisconsin was merely an hors d'oeuvre. The main course is going to be hyperinflation, widespread riots, the breakdown of society (the wet dream of liberals everywhere), martial law, American-on-American violence and, hopefully, a second American revolution. A lot of people are going to die thanks to the compassion of liberalism.
I do not think you could turn around the Titanic after it had broken in half and was plummeting in sections toward the bottom of the Atlantic.
By the way, I'm seriously thinking of leaving the country.
It's over, Ken.
Ken in Tyler| 7.19.11 @ 12:09PM
So, grz, where will you go?
Some things are worth fighting for even if you know the fight is lost.
Grzmlyk| 7.19.11 @ 12:18PM
Singapore.
I don't know, Ken - the people have spoken. This shit is what they want. They outnumber us. So, yeah, maybe I'll fight and end up either dead or in a gulag.
And I want no part of an authoritarian dictatorship whose only resemblance to the United States of America is the name. Our country simply no longer exists, so if you fight, you're fighting for a ghost.
Occam's Tool| 7.19.11 @ 1:59PM
Dear G: Singapore is next to Malaysia and boy is it humid. You never spit on the sidewalk?
darcy| 7.19.11 @ 9:41PM
I agree with everything you say, Grzmlyk, even the part about Singapore, which I visited as a dry run in January '09. And for me, OT, humidity is nothing after having lived in Memphis for 13 years.
The problem with Singapore is what will happen when its leader dies? Father (now deceased) and son have created the freest market in the world; but how long will it last?
The egg here is indeed falling and it's going to break, and Humpty Dumpty will not be able to be put back together again.
RCV| 7.19.11 @ 10:07PM
So that's what you want? A "free market" run by an autocratic leader? How Jeffersonian -- not.
darcy| 7.19.11 @ 11:14PM
You're paying attention. That's good.
My comment re: Singapore was a mere sketch of my overall view of its government's economic policies -- and the first thought that came to mind. While in America we have an administration hostile to private enterprise -- the Rural Council comes to mind as the latest encroachment on free-enterprise established by Executive fiat (or should I say fascist intervention?) -- at least in Singapore people have freedom to buy and sell without interference from an over-weaning state, whatever other less-than -"Jeffersonian" characteristics it may exhibit.
Lemon-Ade stand anyone? Not here in America -- thanks to libs, and to you RCV???
RCV| 7.20.11 @ 11:16AM
Darcy, if that's your priority on the hierarchy of important things -- buying and selling -- then Singapore is indeed the place for you. I genuinely wish you well there.
Reprobate Charlatan Vomitus| 7.20.11 @ 8:39PM
I don't bother with silly priority on the hierarchy of important things like at least belonging to the party that cares about human beings AFTER they're born on - LOOK! A SQUIRREL! - matters.
RCV| 7.20.11 @ 11:50PM
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.......
Ken in Tyler| 7.19.11 @ 12:06PM
(another old Texican) Wish you were right. A fight is coming and it may well begin in Texas. But it for sure won't be led by our will-o-the-wisp governor. Exhibits A and B: amnesty and the Trans-Texas corridor. Texans deserve better.
Louis Jenkins| 7.19.11 @ 3:35PM
Dear Old Texican:
Regardless of the outcome I will stand and take the fight to them if it should come to it. I'm too old to run and too young to know better. So many things are going wrong and so few are being made right. Shouting at the wind may be the only effort made, and as in the remade Alamo movie were David Crockett said "I'm a screamer," they'll hear a loud one.
All American American| 7.19.11 @ 11:41AM
Part of me, a big part, fundamentally agrees with everything you wrote. I do, however, hold out some small hope that our fellow countrymen will finally awaken to the reality that all of these entitlement programs, most especially Social Security and Medicare, have to stop. They just do. There needs to be some cut-off age that the folks under it are just screwed and will have to suck it up, and the folks over it will still get SS but maybe a reduced payment, I don't know. Something needs to give. Prolonging the damage isn't going to help any.
Grzmlyk| 7.19.11 @ 12:37PM
But when more than half the population benefits from the theft of the wealth created by the ever-dwindling productive class, there is simply no incentive to stop the gravy train.
That's why Republican politicans are never really serious about even slowing down the nanny state, let alone reversing it.
The name of the game is power, and you get power buy buying votes or bribing people. Period. These sons of bitches on DC should all be rotting in jail for treason. Instead, they live like Sultans of Araby as the country goes into its death rattle.
I think what is going to give is the social order; when all of this funny-money wealth evaporates overnight and self-satisfied, vainglorious elite academics, naive political dilettantes, vengeance--seeking idologues and corrupt kleptocrats are reduced to a Lord-of-the-Flies existence, THEN maybe we'll have change.
But until then, it's balls to the wall as this insane dance of death only becomes more frenetic. The debt ceiling debate is simply a bug on the windshield of the statist juggernaut.
All American American| 7.19.11 @ 2:15PM
Agreed, but maybe something as simple as voting priveleges need to change. To wit, you don't vote if you don't pay taxes. That would have an immediate impact--pols would no longer be able to pander to the welfare class and if you want a voice then work and pay taxes like, well I guess I can't say "everybopdy else" anymore, huh? Pay taxes like half of the folks anyway.
While I do hold out hope that hasn't stopped me from preparing for the worst. While I may not be set up as well as some, hopefully I can last long enough to withstand the first wave of nonsense and riots and possibly E&E it to my secured location.
Occam's Tool| 7.19.11 @ 4:26PM
Mr G: Might I suggest moving to the Dakotas? That way I'd have you nearby to justify more trips to Fargo.
darcy| 7.19.11 @ 10:01PM
OT: I know I'm not Mr. G, but homeschool laws are not as friendly in the Dakotas as they are in Idaho and Wyoming; this is an important consideration for me because of my grandchildren, one and three, who will be living nearby wherever I go.
Oldefarte| 7.19.11 @ 1:51PM
I understand your almost totally correct/intelligent theory, but I partially disagree with same [sort of]. At my advanced age of pre senility, I too have witnessed that which you describe, but believe it to be not the final chapter. This country history is grounded in capitalism and exceptionalism, but sadly we have been collectively brainwashed by the MSM facilitating Democrats into believing we must deliver this GREAT SOCIETY WEALTH REDISTRIBUTION to our downtrodden indigents with ever-increasing taxiation. In my youth, I witnessed the formation of Kennedy-Johnson's Great Society, and 50 years later know that same has made this country worse, not better. The ever dependency on government welfare only increases the laziness and stupidity of our population, and must be eliminated and destroyed. Our indigents must be educated through force, their childbirth must be mandated, and capitalism will bring prosperity to all in varing degrees eventually; but we must go to war against this increasing governmental socialism. When our economic/financial system and previous prosperity is threatened, I feel that this country will wise up and disban/repeal its propaganda spreading brainwashing by the MSM and reverse governmental intrusion through political elections. I feel that we are at that point now of recognition and revulsion [aka the tea party movement], and that next years elections will further the cause of the November 2010 elections with a sounding defeat of most Democrats!!!!!!!!!!!
WL| 7.19.11 @ 11:07AM
Always carrying that water huh Farte?
Just keep sending the Repubs your "licensing" fees addressed to Zimbabwe...
The payday is just one check away...
Oldefarte| 7.19.11 @ 1:58PM
Yeah WL just keep facilitating the Democrats which have brought us to this point. You and yours no doubt gave us Barack Hussein Obama in November of 2008, Kennedy-Johnson in the 1960's, Clinton in the 1980's, etc. Keep on disparaging Republicans with your misinformation and being manipulated by the MSM and your wish will become true in november of next year.......your emperor BHO will become re-elected. You obviously don't understand that A HOUSE DIVIDED CANNOT STAND [and that is exactly what you're doing and therefore providing more power to Democrats]. Keep on peeing on Republicans and watch your country die next year!!!!!!!!!
Wayne | 7.19.11 @ 11:09AM
Congress would still be to blame for the increases in debt limit and National Debt. But it would be to blame for taking the irresponsible route of abdicating to an irresponsible senate. Yes, they would be giving Obama enough rope, enough rope to decide he doesn't need Congress at all. It would completely emasculate the House of Representatives. It is a desperate move by which the GOP elite can attempt to wrest control from the Tea Party.
One does not give a Power hungry president MORE POWER, just so he can be blamed for using it. That my friend is insane.
IF the GOP uses this move I will be in the Tea Party as a third party camp and declare the GOP as useless.
Oldefarte| 7.19.11 @ 2:02PM
And you will therefore LOSE, because your THIRD PARTY will go nowhere and allow BHO to waltz into the WH next year for 4 more years of destruction. Your third part crap has previously been tried and it failed [just ask Pat Buchanan, etc]!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wayne | 7.19.11 @ 3:02PM
Ah, but I would rather lose voting for people who care about this country, than win with cowards and jackals. Without the Tea Party, the GOP would be much like the Republican Party in Chicago.
Oldefarte| 7.19.11 @ 3:54PM
The purpose is NOT TO 'LOSE' but to WIN, and the only way possible is to ELECT MANY MORE REPUBLICANS TO CONGRESS IN NOVEMBER OF NEXT YEAR. Answer this question: How did we get to this point? Simple by overturning the Democratic Party majority and repalcing same with tea party type Republicans, right? Well, we didn't elect enough Republicans in November of 2010, and we need to increase their numbers and make them the majority in not only the House, but the Senate and the WH also [and therefore you, me and all of us conservatives WIN]!!!!!!!!
Oldefarte| 7.19.11 @ 3:59PM
PS: No, the Republicans would never resemble Chicago Democrats, since thei latter are philosophical domestic terrorists. The RINOS that you speak of are/were so because basically the Democrats held the majority of power [which theve've done so in my entire lifetime]. The RP had PRESIDENTIAL POLITIAL POWER but not combined with CONGRESSIONAL POLITICAL POWER. In order to control, you need majority power [President, Senate and House, or at least 2 of the 3]!!!!!!!!!
RCV| 7.19.11 @ 11:12AM
Every few years, someone on the left or right writes these delusional pieces about the imminent demise of their political opponents. I remember reading, after the Goldwater debacle in 1964, the smug pieces in the Nation and New Republic (then both bastions of liberalism) that Conservative Republicanism was dead at last. Eight years later, after the crushing of McGovern, I read in National Review and Human Events how the Liberal Democratic disease had been erradicated at last and the enduring new alliance of the South and the GOP would prevail forever. The same song was reprised in 1980 with the new Reagan coalition which had destroyed forever the Democratic Liveral-Union coalition. Only two years ago, the Nation and Mother Jones again told us how the conservative GOP movement was vanquished forever with the triumph of Obama Populism.
And now, the predictable Mr. Lord.
The American Republic, with its politically stable electorate, endures, and will endure for many generations to come. Its pendulum swings slightly left, then slightly right, but it stays on its steady center course over time. It's only those too myopic to see the genius of our Founders' brilliant design who miss how the ever-shifting coalition of interests keeps us steady.
Oldefarte| 7.19.11 @ 2:07PM
Yeah, it swings alright, but ends up in liberal Democrat control. The progress from Nixon, Reagan, Bush has left us with the present liberal, socialistic, domestic terrorists in charge. And why is that? Because this country is STUPID! We don't pay attention to the facts; we don't turn away from the NYT, CBS,NBC, ABC, Huntley, Brinkley, Couric, Concrite etc. WAKE UP in November of next year!!!!!!!
Wayne | 7.19.11 @ 3:03PM
Then why in the hell would you want to give Obama more power?
Oldefarte| 7.19.11 @ 3:48PM
He already has all the power [or the presidency] that he needs, and we gave it to him on 11/2/08. If you allow him to accompolish what he wishes, this nation's government will either shutdown [manageable] or default [he and Geitner control what gets paid or if anything gets paid], either way he uses the presidencial bully pulpit to blame Republicans for same [saying they would agree to tax increases etc], the stupid American voting public listens/agrees [from reinforced brainwashing by the MSM], and he gets re-elected next year. GAME, SET, MATCH [instant tax increases imposed, a liberal takeover of the SCOTUS, further economic/financial decline, etc]. Understand this, his desire is to possibly destroy this country, or at least re-invent it to his liberalistic liking of a socialism based/governmental dominated third world type country. If you people allow his to do so by undercutting knowledgable Republicans like McConnell [who is politically savvy and knows the upper hand Obama/Democrats have now], then they win and we all lose!!!!!!!
RCV| 7.19.11 @ 11:14AM
Sorry, posted on the wrong thread!
Ken (Old Texican)| 7.19.11 @ 11:43AM
AW, RCV
Just how much are you paid by the communists?
Your tripe is welcome on any thread. "keep your enemies closer".
RCV| 7.19.11 @ 1:19PM
About the same, Ken, as you're paid by "Big Oil".
Reprobate Charlatan Vomitus| 7.19.11 @ 6:39PM
I don't bother with silly speaking of guarantees RCV's reputation will be further tarnished proven true in a matter of moments by trolling the wrong thread while hoping Mister Soros doesn't notice on curzzzzzzzzzzzzzzze the geniuzzzzzzzzzzzzzz of Reprobate Charlatan Vomituzzzzzzzzzzzzzz matterzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
RCV| 7.19.11 @ 10:10PM
Zzzzzzzzzzz......
Mrs.RCV| 7.19.11 @ 11:54PM
RCV, "Hi Honey I'm Home,"
Mrs. RCV, " Zzzzzzzzzzzz , Fart ! "
RCV| 7.20.11 @ 11:18AM
Clint, does your keyboard do that automatically?
Reporbate Charlatan Vomitus| 7.20.11 @ 11:06AM
I don't bother with silly dissonance from the devout churchgoing Christian constitutional expert lawyer, pontificating on 'The American Republic', with its 'politically stable electorate', enduring, which 'will for many generations to come', even as Grzmlyk The Great, and darcy the decerning, et al, discuss actual civic chaos, in actual American streets, the logical and inevitable result of liberalism, while, as always, ignoring Greece, ignoring Wisconsin, ignoring even close to home Rodney King, as evidence, on the ponderance, of possibe causes, as to the utter witless moronic depravity, of the devout churchgoing Christian constitutional expert lawyer, ever derisively dismissing the eternal truth of Jefferson's 'tree of liberty' matters.
RCV| 7.20.11 @ 11:17AM
Ocaam, your patient is here.
Reprobate Charlatan Vomitus| 7.20.11 @ 6:31PM
I don't bother with silly ignoring every single valid point made on yet again being wizzzzzzzze beyond my 64 yearzzzzzzzzz matterzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
RCV| 7.20.11 @ 7:24PM
If you every made a point, valid or not, I might address it, Skippy.
Reprobate Charlatan Vomitus| 7.20.11 @ 9:05PM
I don't bother with silly attempts to take moral high ground through usage of nicknames used in derogatory manner to establish faux superiority intended to hide lack of every posting intelligent comments while at least doing something nevery thought possible by seeking psychiatric help on the oddity of sought help being over 1500 miles away from noted shrink oocam or ocamm or whatevery his name is but at least if it every happens on AM Spec the hourly sessions will be a riot to follow matters.
RCV| 7.20.11 @ 11:52PM
Zzzzzzzzzzz .....
Ridiculous Clown Vulgarity| 7.21.11 @ 10:49AM
Session 666 (continued):
Ocaam: Respond with the first thing that pops into your head. 53 million abortions.
Retardo: Real Christian Love. And Compassion.
Ocamc: That's two things.
Ocamm: Barack Hussein Obama.
Retardo: Sixty four times smarter than me. Plus he's honest.
Ocamo: That's two things.
Omcca: Osama Bin Ladin.
Retardo: Strangled personally by Obama. With his bare hands. Hand, really. The other one simultaneously wiped out both Al Qaeda and the Taliban. Osama's mistake was shooting two uzis at him as he was rushed by him. Fatal mistake, just made Obama mad. Plus, he eats his peas. Same effect as spinach. If you know what I mean. He was using his feet to establish World Peace. That took both foots. That reminds of the time Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize. It was long overdue, really. Why I-
Mcoac: ...Let's just continue.
Oocam: Redistribution of wealth.
Retardo: Not allowing the half of people to bear the burden of the other half who aren't paying their fair share. And equality under the law.
Omacc: That's two things.
Ocoma: The Constitution.
Retardo: Democracy. And strategy skills. And foresight. Don't forget justice.
Omcac: That's four things.
Ocoam: Thomas Jefferson.
Retardo: My life's passion. To study his words. For 64 and 3/4 years. I started in my mother's womb. That counts.
Macco: Please keep it to the first two things that pop in your mind.
Retardo: Mind?
Ocacm: ...Let's just continue.
Retardo: Okie Dokie. Wait, is that more than two things?
Cocam: The Tree Of Liberty.
Retardo: That's just dumb. Camoc? Why are you purple? Comac?
Who Knows?| 7.19.11 @ 11:20AM
You play the hand you’ve been dealt; you fight with the army you’ve got.
McConnell CAN’T “give” Obama the power to raise the debt ceiling!
There are three givens in our current economic debate---
The lawmakers AND presidents have, in the past, ALREADY spent a huge amount of money, as well as PROMISED to finance various arising programs, such as the social security checks of millions of Americans.
The debt ceiling is a FICTION, and raising it is, along with even seriously trying to NOT raise it, nonsense on stilts, because it’s a GIVEN that default is not an option.
As for the other given, the vital fight is ALWAYS about future taxation-is-theft AND spending-other-people’s money.
Too, never forget what Uncle “Miltie” Friedman taught us, which is that it’s the amount of the government spending, NOT whether it’s financed by taxation and/or borrowing.
About our accelerating obsession with psychoanalyzing BHO, keep in mind that from his perspective---to wit, “I won, you lost”---any word mongering and/or thought processing is WORTHLESS.
It’s like this---Obama managed to get the keys to the American vault, and is guaranteed to have them until 2013, so he can AND will spend as much of the money as he WANTS, only limited barely by a mostly supine Congress.
“Fait accompli” says it all.
See near things far, see far things near.
This too shall pass.
On that famous other hand, however---
Let us perhaps acknowledge that with “dawn” being the next elections in November 2012, (a long enough time away from today for an amazing amount of crap to hit the fun) we can look forward to a whole lot of accruing DARKNESS!
Darkness at “Noon”, darkness every day!
Basically, when “you”, as an individual separative, separate and separating human, even in good old affluent America, get down to IT, IT is all about---YOU.
And, “as above so below”---therefore, the three givens noted “above” Absolutely apply “below” to YOU.
YOU have a past, with “bills” that must be paid, along with always-open future “spending” and “taxing” that YOU can choose to do.
Yes---the debt ceiling-spending-taxation imbroglio is all about YOU!
We live in a BASE or GROSS realm---enjoy your next massive meal, most of YOU!
Any of YOU, like ME, ever watch PBS’S “Globe Trekker”? After some years of “enjoying” this weekly visit to a different country, it dawned on me recently that most of the “human” story has to do with EATING!
But of course!
What’s that saying-- if you’re given eggs, make an omelet, or something like that?
Well, humanity, one person at a time, these GROSS days, has taken “must eat to survive = eat to live” and made it into “live to eat”.
Governments and people are alike in this way---having ALREADY chosen to “consume” too much stuff and balloon into and AS fat bodies, and always confronting the requisite daily, indeed hourly, need to further choose what to “eat”, they are both far from realizing the BASIC and BASE truth:
Gross fatness is in-your-face proof that some serious STARVING is literally TAKING space-time!
Yes, one eats MORE, ever MORE, because the body knows it’s not getting the nutrition it NEEDS---ergo, governmental and individual obesity, here we come.
The cosmic colonic that is required won’t be pretty; but, folks, at least for this righteous slim Jim with functioning eyes, it’s ALREADY an ugly experience to be in public among the starving circus lady fat men and women.
Especially depressing is to be behind mothers, with their still fit kids, when in a food store, as their extremely wide butts scream out with eaten pain, and it’s so hard to even pass them by, since they take up more and more of the aisles!
Enough!
Oldefarte| 7.19.11 @ 2:15PM
Weeding through the fat of the above, the essential point to contemplate is "...It’s like this---Obama managed to get the keys to the American vault, and is guaranteed to have them until 2013, so he can AND will spend as much of the money as he WANTS, only limited barely by a mostly supine Congress....". And WHO pretel gave him the 'keys'? We all did on 11/4/08 and previously in voting for DEMOCRATS [the tax/spend political party]!!!!!!!!!
Oldefarte| 7.19.11 @ 2:15PM
Weeding through the fat of the above, the essential point to contemplate is "...It’s like this---Obama managed to get the keys to the American vault, and is guaranteed to have them until 2013, so he can AND will spend as much of the money as he WANTS, only limited barely by a mostly supine Congress....". And WHO pretel gave him the 'keys'? We all did on 11/4/08 and previously in voting for DEMOCRATS [the tax/spend political party]!!!!!!!!!
Who Knows?| 7.19.11 @ 5:13PM
Oldfarte---you write that we ALL gave Obama the keys.
Does that include you?
Um---I guess you missed the election returns, since BHO only got a little over 50%, which according to my dictionary, is only HALF of ALL.
By the way, if one wants to be up to speed, go to powerlineblog.com, and find the parts where they freely allow you to read sections from a new book, "Left Turn".
Without the programming by MSM, McCain would have gotten 56% to Obama 43%!
We have a thief for president.
Oldefarte| 7.20.11 @ 4:37PM
Who: See my reply to Michael and apply same to yourself!!!!!!!!
Anthony| 7.19.11 @ 11:24AM
It's time to take a flamethrower to Washington D.C. Burn out the rat's nests once and for all. Long over due, by almost 200 years.
Goldstein and McConnell, Obozo's useful idiots!!!
Michael L. Hauschild| 7.19.11 @ 11:29AM
This is a crock. Their “cut, cap and balance” or McConnell’s plan is a “kick the can down the road” attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of people who actually balance a budget every day. We ain’t buying it, and if you dunces raise the debt ceiling we will throw your arses out in the street along with the jug eared clown.
Oldefarte| 7.19.11 @ 2:19PM
SAYING ain't DOING, and you/we have not sufficeintly done so previously [otherwise there would be no STUPIDLY electing Obama, Clinton, Durbin, Schumer, Reid, Carter, Johnson, Kennedy etc], right??????????
Michael L. Hauschild| 7.19.11 @ 4:18PM
I have sent money to every Tea Party candidate that ran in 2010 I also held my nose and voted Republican. I will do the first, not the second this time around. We will have to start over sooner or later, I choose sooner.
Your stay the course, re-elect the same old same old, our Republcan heros will save us ain't going to fly. Here is another news flash, flatulance, I will vote for any third party that shows its face; so instead of you blaming me when the jug eared clown has four more years, I suggest you get on board and throw the bastards (all the bastards) out.
Oldefarte| 7.20.11 @ 4:34PM
I have been voting Republican and attempting to [as you say] THROW THE BASTARDS OUT for probably longer than you've been on this earth, so please don't attempt to lecture me on politics. I've voted against Kennedy-Johnson, Carter, Clinton, and Obama [and for the corresponding Republicans] in addition to state/local Republicans-conservatives. The historical reason WHY we're in this excrement hole today is due to DEMOCRATS, so look to yourself, family and friends for blame, not me [because they're the ones who voted FOR and ELECTED THOSE BASTARDS]!!!!!!!!!
Peter McGrath| 7.19.11 @ 11:31AM
McConnel's proposal is an abdication of of responsibility which gives the nebbish a blank check to raise the Federal deficit by another 15% or so. Bad idea.
Pass cut, cap and balance. When it dies in the Senate, or is vetoed, pass a limited increase in the debt ceiling with actual CUTS made to the 2012 budget. If this doesn't fly, let the Fed deal with the resultant immediate layoffs which will need to be made once the debt ceiling is breached in August or September. Watching Timmy the Tax Cheat squirm will be its own reward.
Blame whomever you want. Let the MSM hysterically blame the Republicans (what else is new?)
Once the dust settles, and thousands of Federal employees stop receiving paychecks for a few weeks, the weasel can revisit the issue, agree to a limited increase in the debt ceiling, and declare victory to his craven base.
"There Will be Blood." There is no other way. Principles over Politics. Damn the torpedoes!
John| 7.19.11 @ 11:36AM
No deal with the devil (Obama)!!!
JayDick| 7.19.11 @ 12:43PM
Not a bad plan. Just pass a small increase ($500B as Krauthammer suggested) with equal or greater cuts and dare the Senate and Obama to turn it down.
Oldefarte| 7.19.11 @ 2:21PM
Obama/Democrats = 2/3; Republicans = 1/3. Until 11/2/2012 the former wins the DEAL!!!!!!!!
martin j smith| 7.19.11 @ 12:00PM
A Conservative Republican Leader needs to come on the Tube and tell the American People that We will take responsibility for fixing our broken economy even if Obama will not. We will stop any actions that are irresponsible on the part of the Socialists and Obama and we will explain why we took these steps. The irresponsible spending and unwillingness to take the necessary action
to undo this situation. We will cut spending and Obama can do what he wants. We will do the right thing.
Wayne | 7.19.11 @ 3:06PM
I would say that that is what Rubio did, and rather well at that. Problem is he is not a "leader".
Dave| 7.19.11 @ 12:12PM
I don't think any republicans currently on the payroll understand how not allowing the debt to be raised is bad for America.
I am disabled. I know that conjures up images of some fat guy driving a 50k SUV going to Walmart to buy fishing gear so he can loaf around on taxpayer's tab, but sometimes that's not the case. I'll skip over defining myself and defending myself.
Without next months pay, I will default on a good amount of debt. Rent. Car payment. Electric. Water. When I do, all of this will effect me before it effects everyone else. But make no mistake - it will effect everyone else.
Now multiply this a million fold. Two million. Three. You will have the economic fold that Obama and his minions need to establish their new form of slavery - economic. Its probably been the agenda for years of the Dems, but now they are closer than ever to achieving it.
A solution won't be found short term, so the best procedure is to do what we can to gain ground while making sure America keeps moving until someone gets in the Whitehouse who CAN resolve these problems in a sensible way (ie not Rand Paul and his conservative-NAZI following who will never get it).
Then maybe we can make the right cuts while trying to repair the damage done in the last four years (hopefully it won't be eight) and get America back to its glory and strength like she was years ago.
JayDick| 7.19.11 @ 12:45PM
If it's eight, we may not be able to recover.
Peter McGrath| 7.19.11 @ 1:49PM
There's plenty of money in the pipeline to handle social security checks, disability payments, veterans pensions, medicare payments, military pensions and payrolls. Some left over for other high priority government operations (prisons, Justice Dept, etc). Just about everything else will get a haircut, including military procurement, education, energy, commerce.
The shock will be immediate and painful - no doubt about it. But our craven political leadership has delayed it for far too long and the piper must be paid.
JayDick| 7.19.11 @ 2:20PM
Expenditures would still have to be cut by 40 to 45 percent. That would cause pain and the people who didn't get paid would squawk loudly. Obama blames the Republicans with medial help and wins reelection handily. Dems retain the Senate and make gains in the House. Doesn't that sound like fun?
TMBruner| 7.19.11 @ 12:14PM
So it's the Curse of King Midas, wherein the greedy president-king is given the power to inadertently destroy all that is dear to him by turning it to gold? I'm not so sure. I'd stick with Emperors New Clothes; it's easier to trap a narcisist in his own reflection than in a hagngman's noose. In other words, better to give him the illusion of having gotten his way that actually giving him his way. You do that by exploiting his most glaring personal flaw.
TMBruner| 7.19.11 @ 12:15PM
Sorry about the typos - should have previewed that.
Patricia Leath| 7.19.11 @ 12:24PM
THINK FOR ONCE. McConnell has offered us a clear solution to the debt ceiling problem. So far
Obama has blame everything on the Republicans, including but not limited to the deficit. Put the burden of proof in his slimy hands and every time he wants to increase the debit ceiling SCREAM BLOODY MURDER!! What will the liberal press say then?
Wayne | 7.19.11 @ 3:09PM
What burden of proof. He will raise the ceiling and make a claim that he cut spending using smoke and mirrors, saving programs the Republicans would have cut. He alone saved them. See how that works.
Frank| 7.19.11 @ 5:53PM
No. Congress is supposed to be in charge of spending. This "plan" will backfire, because Obama will brag that he and he alone saved everyone's entitlements, gov't jobs, what-have-you. The liberal press will simply be an echo chamber for his claims.
The Republicans need to act in a courageous manner, not a clever manner. People understand courage.
WillyP | 7.21.11 @ 11:57AM
Well, they will say it is the Republican's fault of course. What else can they say? I suppose they could praise Obama for negotiating such a wonderful solution. Then they can blame the Republicans some more for not giving him even more power.
JimmyT| 7.19.11 @ 12:25PM
Are you freaking kidding me? Have you lost sight of the fact the dems and bambi are STILL blaming W. for the mess and the lsm is going along? You're giving bambi a campaign advantage by allowing him to increase the debt ceiling via a plan PROPOSED by repubs. When it fails, and we all know it will, he and the lsm will boast, "We tried the repubs plan it didn't work.
Now it's time you reelect me so I can fix it my way". I'm in favor of big personnel cuts in EPA, Energy dept., IRS, congressional staffs, HHS, 15% of ALL federal employees and eliminating the Education dept. Cut, Cut, Cut, until you've balanced the current budget and pass a balanced budget amendment.
DaveD| 7.19.11 @ 12:29PM
The debt ceiling will be raised and raised soon. GET OVER IT. It will happen because there simply is no choice and no where near enough time left to remedy the problem. So the debt ceiling is going up.
What comes next is the question. Letting the debt ceiling rise in such a way that Obama and the Democrats take full responsibility for it is not, in and of itself, a bad idea. Let them try to justify this continued squandering of our grandchildren's prosperity next year.
I'm for anything that elects fewer liberals to Congress, State Legislatures, County Boards and City Councils.
JayDick| 7.19.11 @ 12:46PM
Right on target. We can't lose sight of the big picture.
randyinrocklin| 7.19.11 @ 12:50PM
Any Republican that votes for the McConnell plan is toast. They will be primaried big time!
BackToBasics| 7.19.11 @ 1:36PM
I think Obam wants a government shutdown. He believes he can convince the public that the problems that follow are all the fault of the Republicans in the House.
JayDick| 7.19.11 @ 2:21PM
That makes a lot of sense to me. To him, reelection is the only important thing.
BackToBasics| 7.20.11 @ 2:14AM
Agree but I also think he is rolling the dice more than Clinton did in 1995 when he faced down Gingrich. I think it's 50/50 that he gets his way. I sure hope he doesn't.
Con Chef (NB) | 7.19.11 @ 1:43PM
Why don't I like the McConnell plan? Well Harry Reid endorsed it, for one. Which brings to mind this little ditty from Cicero:
"Such praise, coming from so degraded a source, was degrading to me, its recipient."
Yes, it would force Obama to raise the ceiling during the election, but what difference will THAT make? Its not like the media will nail him on it. Hell, he said in the '08 election that under his energy plan, "prices would neccessarily skyrocket," (or something like that) & no one said JACK SHAT. Add to that the fact that this guy already has TOO MUCH power. Just look at all the wonderful things he's done by fiat. That little Marxist haint at the EPA is a prime example. "Oh, cap & tax couldn't pass Congress even WITH a Dem majority? That's cool. We'll do it THIS way...."
I shudder to think of what would happen if McConnell's plan were to take effect. Oh, & who here thinks that once given that power, Chairman MaoBama will just relinquish it once the "crisis" is over?
Tom| 7.19.11 @ 2:48PM
Couldn't Obama take the McConnell challenge, raise the ceiling 75% of the amount he COULD raise it, and then run a bogus campaign claiming he exercised "restraint"? Obama has been too clever in finding ways to waste money and pretend he didn't for me to simply turn over the keys to him.
Wayne | 7.19.11 @ 3:04PM
Yep, the Senate and House would have no teeth, and he could do whatever he wants and if they challenge him, he would just say they are wrong.
zelda| 7.19.11 @ 2:54PM
How funny, another article on why the Republicans should AGAIN play defense. Always playing defense, never offense, always worried about the media, always walking on eggshells. Yeah, sounds like the Republicans are a bunch of winners! HA! LOSERS!!!
darcy| 7.19.11 @ 11:35PM
Pithy, zelda, very pithy and to the point.
cow rie| 7.19.11 @ 3:09PM
I got a better idea. Let's get rid of McConnell AND Obama!
Jack London| 7.19.11 @ 3:28PM
OK sports fans, here's your quiz for today. Who said:
"The choice is for the United States to default on its debts for the first time in our 200-year history, or to accept a bill that has been cluttered up. This is yet another example of Congress trying to force my hand… Unfortunately, [it] consistently brings the government to the edge of default before facing its responsibility."
Nick| 7.19.11 @ 11:48PM
I'm still waiting for that explanation of the term enthalpy, Jack.
David| 7.19.11 @ 3:31PM
RCV, your claim that the country moves slightly left, then slightly right, is false.
There has been a slow but steady march to the left for decades.
gary siebel| 7.19.11 @ 3:35PM
It is unfortunate how much polarization has occurred because both sides have painted themselves into corners. Tea Party folks are being incredibly naive if they think they wont get blamed, and ferociously at that, by the American people if the government gets shut down.
A solution is to be found in the tricks of Ben Franklin, namely the one he used to bring cannons to Philly, and get the Declaration of Independence passed.
The Quakers were anti-military, so they objected strenuously to putting cannon up for defense. Yet Franklin (et al) convinced them that the other colonies would forever hold it against the Quakers if, through failure to defend Philly, the Brits/French/whoever, strolled through the open door of Philly to easily attack the other colonies. So when it came time for a vote, Franklin secretly persuaded the opposition (without telling their leader) to simply not show up for the vote. They simply abstained. Philly got it's cannon.
He pulled the same trick years later to get certain key members of the Pennsylvania delegation to stay home when the vote was put regarding the D o I, which, because voting was by State, meant the Pa. balance shifted from anti- to pro Independence, and the Declaration was passed, to the benefit of the country.
If ever there was a situation that suggests abstention as a solution, this is it. Attempts to pass the blame on Obama aren't going to work -- the Tea Party is too insistent on building an extremely large funeral pyre for itself, and everyone has taken due notice.
Tex Expatriate| 7.19.11 @ 4:22PM
The author shows circular thinking as admirable as that of any schizophrenic!
martin j smith| 7.19.11 @ 4:27PM
My final post on the McConnell and I will add the so called "gang of six" plan --The answer from me is NO-
Never--wrong and a sell out. This is all more back room dealing of the type that I hate.
John| 7.19.11 @ 4:34PM
That's your opinion. Your assumption of what Obama will do comes with quite a risk for us. As for Obama hanging his presidency with too much power, what about his first two years and healthcare and stimulus and stimulus 2 and illiminating jobs in the coal fields and the gulf oil region and regulation after regulation and still we have republican consultants telling us Obama will win in 2012.
Lowell| 7.19.11 @ 4:42PM
The FIRST thing McConnell said was that nothing productive would be accomplished as long as Obama was pres, and anything the Repub House passes will die in the Senate and/or be vetoed. So, Repubs are screwed anyway until Obama is gone. Why not take the chance that he'll hang himself with the rope McConnell's giving him? It's better than passing cuts that won't go anywhere, and a better chance that the media won't be able to spin it as Repub's fault.
jrjr| 7.19.11 @ 4:54PM
Stop spending now! What does McConnell think that means? Does Obama care if the US is bankrupt? Absolutely not. Does he care if there are no private sector jobs? No. Does he care if any company fails? No. Remember the 30s -- FDR had us right where his commie wife wanted us - broke and afraid. Obama will win the 2012 election and continue to destroy the nation. If the idea is to stop spending, do it now. A balanced budget amendment may get enacted by the year 2014 if the libs permit it. But it will never be the law of the land. Republicans will also not like such restraints.
Rick| 7.19.11 @ 5:14PM
Your a bigget and a rasist!
skip| 7.19.11 @ 6:48PM
Cudosse ohn eckszpandeen yore wreppirtwharre.
TomJ| 7.19.11 @ 5:25PM
McConnell's plan is completely unconstitutional and gives power to an already too-powerful executive. On a practical level, Goldstein's scheme is like saying, "don't look both ways before crossing the street, because if you get hit, whoever hit you will get charged and you can sue them". Umm, does that remedy help if you're dead?
Frank Natoli| 7.19.11 @ 7:55PM
"But if McConnell is Pilate then who exactly is being nailed to the cross?"
Hey, Aaron, take it from a goyim who knows better than you, it's the American people who are being nailed to the cross.
Saw Jackie Mason on Broadway. He made a joke about not having anything to do with the Crucifixion "we just sold a little lumber". Even funnier, the American people are selling the lumber for their own crucifixion.
KDW| 7.19.11 @ 8:12PM
The McConnell plan is not only an abdication
of responsibility - it could be the dumbest idea
to come out of Washington, D.C. in a long time.
The U.S. currently has a President drunk with
power and quite willing to spend our nation
into oblivion. McConnell proposes to give this
recklessly irresponsible person what amounts
to a blank check that will total in the trillions in
hope that he will hang himself. Ridiculous. Obama
will gladly spend every dime he is given and
laugh while he is doing it. What do you think
Obama's been doing the last couple years?
Imagine last fall if voters had been told the
Republican's master plan was to allow Obama
to spend as much as he wanted and then sit
back and watch him hang himself. Do you think
Republicans would have won the election, much
less a landslide, with that strategy? After all
the public could just as easily watch Obama
'hang himself' with a Democratic House and
Senate. We don't need a Republican majority
for that.
Republican's were re-installed in power to stop
the spending madness, not encourage it. What
is worse - the man wasting our money (Obama)
or the craven sell-out (McConnell) who could
have helped put a stop to it and didn't (for what-
ever reason) ? What makes anyone think voters
will reward the Republican's political cowardice?
darcy| 7.19.11 @ 11:38PM
They won't. And herein lies the problem. Two parties and both of them statist, albeit one more honest about it than the other.
Jane| 7.19.11 @ 8:16PM
I am usually in complete agreement with "The American Spectator" writers, BUT NOT IN THIS CASE.
Liberals own the media, so if McConnell plays his cards as he wants, I can bet everything I own that the media will spin it in Obama's favor. Nothing will be gained except headlines of how Obama was able to get the wrongheaded GOP to see the light. Long after McConnell has played his hand, NOTHING will have been cut, with the exception of defense funding.
Michael L. Hauschild| 7.19.11 @ 8:22PM
Me humble, you Jane.
Naturalborn Texican| 7.19.11 @ 8:36PM
If any Texican's are reading this tonight, call Kay Bailey Hutchinson and Cornyn and vehemently tell them to NOT to vote for McConnell's bill. It's just what Obumbler wants...and he'll veto it.
At least we can legitimately BLAME Obumbler when the US goes under...which, of course, I'd wholeheartedly prefer NOT to happen!!!
The Clintidote| 7.19.11 @ 8:37PM
McConnell's a pussy, just like Boner The Crybaby.
If they don't have the balls to stand up to him today, they sure as hell won't tomorrow.
No concessions. No compromise. Jam spending cuts up Ofailure's butt.
Naturalborn Texican| 7.19.11 @ 8:37PM
...the U.S. going under, that is!!!
Bill30097| 7.19.11 @ 8:38PM
Why are people from MoveOn.org writing articles on The American Spectator??
e pluribus unum| 7.19.11 @ 9:01PM
Obama's fans LOVE to see him spend money. They don't care if the debt ceiling rises. They would hate it if he actually proposed cuts. Does McConnell's plan insist on specific cuts before allowing a rise in the debt ceiling?
Elections have consequences(think SUPREME COURT) and the last thing we need to see is a heroic Obama spending(to buy votes) to the limit up until the election . (If Republicans increased or failed to increase the ceiling they would be blamed. Not so for Obama.)
ThePaganTemple | 7.19.11 @ 9:04PM
You have hit the nail right on the head, but unfortunately far too many Republicans just can't see the wisdom in this. I wrote pretty much the same thing on my own blog before I ever really knew what McConnell's plan in detail was. I tried to spell it out this way: if we "give in" to Obama and he gets what he wants, he has to live with the results. He won't be able to blame it on George W. Bush. Oh, he'll try, but who will listen?
On the other hand, if we "get our way" and Obama buckles to it, there is a pretty good chance things will improve. Unfortunately, they won't improve that much over the next year and a half. Its going to take time. But things will improve just enough for Obama to be able to take credit for it. And the American people, most of them, will fall for it. In part because they tend to credit whatever president is in power when things go good. And then of course there are the myriads of others who just want him to have the credit for it whether he deserves it or not. The MSM for example.
It's tricky, and its risky, but its vital that we get this right. Following is the link to my post if you're interested.
http://thepagantemple.blogspot.....ng-he.html
Christopher Holland| 7.19.11 @ 9:36PM
Why give him a rope when you can choose to give him a raised forefinger? Everybody knows what that means, it is the best way of communicating ever invented. The forefinger option costs nothing and keeps your integrity intact. Raising the debt limit costs plenty, both in money and in integrity. I say give him the finger and let him eat cake.
Mike| 7.19.11 @ 10:35PM
All I can muster on this article is a ... "Whatever." This President should not be handed anything by the GOP. This opinion is not from a hatred for President Obama but abject disgust with his policies that will destroy the country if left unchecked. This is an odd article for The American Spectator.
The Clintidote| 7.20.11 @ 12:30AM
It's still OK to hate the bastard too, isn't it?
Nevermind; I'm not asking permission.
Glein| 7.19.11 @ 11:00PM
McConnell and the rest of the Senate Demos and Repubs are making a big mistake. But at least they will be hailed as heros by the Washington Post and N Y Times. They just handed Obama the 2012 election! Good job boys!
ThePaganTemple | 7.20.11 @ 10:15AM
So you think that if Obama gets what he wants, its going to improve things so much the American people will re-elect him? See, if you believe that then you don't have much faith in your position. The whole point of this tactic, which I consider a Tactical Retreat, is that Obama will make things worse and he'll be blamed for it. Because, after all, they are his policies. Now you can make the case that we shouldn't purposely do something that will make things worse than they already are, but ask yourself this.
Which is worse, for things to get worse between now and the next election, and Obama lose, or for things to get probably just marginally better between now and then, only for Obama to get credit for what improvement there is and to win re-election, possibly bring in more Democrats to the Congress with him? Because I promise you if Obama is re-elected on the strength of signs of improvement in the economy he will proceed to wreck the country beyond any and all reasonable hope of recovery in our lifetimes.
Bear in mind, most people tend to credit the President or blame him for whatever the economic conditions are while he is in office. Witness how the nineties are generally referred to as the Clinton economy, even though generally speaking the GOP Congress deserved the lion's share of the credit for the nineties economy. That's just the way people think. Unfortunately, stupid people have as much right to vote as people who actually pay attention.
Mark MacDonald| 7.19.11 @ 11:45PM
Never play poker with a good ol' boy from Kentucky, no sir. McConnell is looking ahead and is absolutely right to do so. First, we may be surprised and see Obama submit some small cuts to the budget. He needs independent voters to win and playing to the Progressive base will not get him there. Or he could double down and significantly increase the debt. If unemployment improves, he might have a chance in 2012. What matters most is that the Republicans run a candidate that can take independent voters away from Obama.
jorja| 7.20.11 @ 12:07AM
When Mitch McConnell amounts to something that we should give a sh** about= it's time to investigate Kentucky. What is wrong with Kentucky? I thought they were kinda okay. Tea bag this SOB.
conversefive| 7.20.11 @ 1:17AM
Maybe Bozell et al. are playing the game. If they endorsed McConnell's proposal they would also be seen to be responsible in the long run. So, why not denounce the proposal publicly while privately endorsing it. That way they can, as someone on AS said earlier, "have their cake and eat it too.!
AgentRose| 7.20.11 @ 9:43AM
These sentences don't follow logically:
1. Now while it is true that the McConnell plan in the short term effectively takes spending cuts off the table and bestows near unilateral authority upon Obama to raise the debt ceiling up to three times over the next year, it would be a mistake to view it as an act of surrender.
HOW IS THAT NOT A SURRENDER?
2. McConnell is not waving a white flag to Obama. On the contrary, he is giving Obama the rope necessary on which to hang his presidency.
NO, HE IS HANDING OBAMA A SECOND TERM!!!
AgentRose| 7.20.11 @ 11:10AM
In this kind of thinking---would you have given Stalin more power?
1ConservativeUSA| 7.20.11 @ 12:56PM
I believe Mitch McConnell is a wise conservative politician. I understand what he is trying to do here, but I don't like it.
I'd rather take the path of Paul Ryan and the House and lead by provding solutions to the real problems, based on our founding principles. If Obama and the other statists want to block real solutions, then they should be held accountable.
If We the People don't hold the statists accountable, then we deserve every default and bankruptcy that results.
Buffalo| 7.20.11 @ 1:25PM
McConnell - no gonads - like most professional elite Republicans. Wants to go along to get along - and God Forbid some Democrat (includes mainstream media) says something mean about him. Poor man will sob like Boehner! Giving more power to a President who "rules" vice governs and who has delusions of an Imperial Presidency is one of the worst ideas ever! Congress will never get that power back again.
John Beatty| 7.20.11 @ 1:43PM
By next Thursday afternoon all the Rs will cave to Obama. He controls the media, he controls the veto pen. He will get what he wants.
Controse| 7.20.11 @ 2:09PM
As I understand it this "strategy" of handing the keys to the kingdom to Obama is to enable him to hang himself with unequivocal blame for increasing the national debt. Let's not do that. He has plenty of blame for the sorry state of our fisk and economy brought his way by his past successes. A few more feet of rope is not worth 2.5 trillion more dollars of debt. From now until Nov. 2012 let's just harp and harp on 1) ObamaCare 2) where the stimulus money really went and 3) how can Obama expect us to believe his long form birth certificate really exists when the official copy offered as proof is such an obvious fake. That's a felony you know to forge an official government document.
Apen| 7.21.11 @ 7:31AM
An article at the Post & Email reveals the AG and his staff in HI have fled to avoid a subpoena in the Astrue case. That's the one in front of Judge Lamberth seeking to force the government to comply with FOIA and release the application submitted to SS before that "unissued" SSN was "issued" to Soetoro, Obama, Dunham etc.
weddingdresses | 7.21.11 @ 6:01AM
We see how nasty they are when there isn't much real stress; imagine what they will do when the going gets tough.
Apen| 7.21.11 @ 7:22AM
I see it as a rat trap. IF the bait were salivated over publicly that would be proof of the direction Obama wants to go. It is of note that Obama has not made any endorsement. Is it possible his plan is really just to savage helpless Americans by creating loan defaults, lapses in medicines, food shortages and assorted other consequences of not faithfully administering to the governments primary concern, the lives of our own people? Didn't Stalin do the very same thing when his coffers ran dry? I could name a few more tyrants that did that but it's no surprise to see Obama doing it, it's a mutual thread running through all coups of the Marx color.
dhlii| 7.21.11 @ 12:28PM
This article took far too long to get to the point. If McConnell's plan is a rope - lets talk about the rope upfront.
In general I agree. Ithink the 2010 election actually harmed the the prospects of Fiscal Responsibility. Unfortunately we need to get closer to the edge of the cliff before we will fully grasp the implications of falling off the edge. The President and the GOP are fighting over the difference between spending 46T and 43T over 10 years, when the upper limit should be closer to 30T. Political compromise has gotten us into this mess. Any federal program once started eventually grows far larger (and does far less) than even the progressives dreamed.
Give progressives their last gasp. Had Democrats remained in power we would have had Cap & Trade, repeal of the Bush Tax cuts, more taxes everywhere and economic carnage.
Things are bad enough and I do not know how my family would have survived, but better to work through this now, and dispose of this government knows best approach now, than drag the process out for a decade.
Nor is it only Democrats and progressives that need to directly confront failure. We arrived where we are with the complicity of most republicans and conservatives.