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Another Perspective
Ryan the Prudent
Hitting the reset button on the budget.
The morning papers on Saturday brought news of a new stratagem by House Republicans to gain a bit of leverage on, or freedom of maneuver around, the debt ceiling issue despite the limitations imposed by the vox populi in the recent election.
“House GOP alters strategy in battle over debt ceiling,” was the hard copy headline in the Washington Post. The Wall Street Journal’s sub-heading was a bit more illuminating: “Republican Plan Would Offer Three-Month Reprieve; Leaders Vow to Fight for Spending Cuts Elsewhere.”
In essence, the GOP caucus will extend the debt ceiling deadline until April at which time the matter of the sequestration, which will impose substantial cuts on both domestic and defense spending, comes up on the calendar along with the expiration of budget or spending authority for the government.
It is unclear where this strategy is going, but it is an improvement over previous kamikaze ideas, such as just saying “No” to raising the debt ceiling, which were being bandied about by some of the more exotic members of the caucus. An argument could be made that, politically, the Republicans would be better off completely severing the debate over spending cuts, entitlements and tax reform from the “lose-lose” issue of the debt ceiling. That said, this new approach seems to be by-product of the leadership, credibility and prudence of House Budget Chair Paul Ryan (R-WI).
Prudence, prudentia in the Latin, is a virtue with a long and noble lineage extending back to pagan philosophers. It is one of the Cardinal virtues. St. Thomas Aquinas ranked it first since it relates to the intellect. It can be characterized as “right reason applied to practice” (recta ratio agibilium). Unlike a theological virtue such as hope or love, which are not derived from reason, only from revelation, Cardinal virtues are accessible to all people through the exercise of their reason. This is so even if it seems to be in short supply in the everyday world of human affairs, especially in Washington, D.C.
Prudence has gotten a bum rap in modern times since it is usually associated with tentativeness, caution, or indecision as in “Wouldn’t be prudent” (apologies to Dana Carvey).
So it is reassuring that Paul Ryan stepped forward to counsel his caucus on how to approach the intertwined issues of the debt ceiling, sequestration, and the overall budget without self-immolating themselves. He proposed this short-term extension of the debt ceiling limit in order to align the discussion of that matter with those relating to the upcoming sequestration and the regular budget process coming in March.
The GOP House members were camped out in historic Williamsburg, Virginia, to rest, regroup, and strategize for the next session. They had to struggle with the hard reality that they are boxed in by a Democratic President and Senate as was painfully evident in the recent showdown on the “fiscal cliff.” While they may take some solace in making permanent the Bush-era tax rates, for all but the wealthiest Americans, there was retrograde movement on spending and tax reform thanks to the perfidious Senate whose members still have a hankerin’ for pork and rent-seeking.
Paul Ryan cannot be accused of tentativeness, excessive cautiousness, or indecision. He is the only elected official in the House, Senate, or White House who has had the knowledge, expertise, and fortitude (another Cardinal virtue!) to propose a systemic solution to the multi-faceted Death Star looming over future generations of Americans — Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and interest on the debt — all of which will gobble up the lion’s share of the federal budget or necessitate tax increases that would make even a French politician shudder. Moreover, his legislation was supported by almost the entire caucus most of whom survived the 2012 election and lived to tell the tale.
Reports coming out of Williamsburg indicated that Ryan was working his colleagues hard: “We’re discussing the possible virtue of a short-term debt limit extension so that we have a better chance of getting the Senate and the White House involved in discussions this March.”
Besides allowing time for serious negotiations over spending levels, sequestration, and the overall budget for the federal government, the extension would broaden the discussion to things which must be dealt with, e.g., the sequestration, while reducing the saliency of the debt ceiling as a political issue. Let’s face it: When discussing shutting down the government, Republicans are at great risk and playing defense. When discussing budget-cutting or tax reform, they are on offense.
“We think the worst thing for the economy is for this Congress and this administration to do nothing to get debt and deficits under control,” said Ryan.
Numerous defense experts say that automatic budget sequestration, equal parts domestic cuts and defense cuts, would have devastating effects. They say we should negotiate a shifting of cuts to other non-defense budget items. Given that national defense is one of the primary constitutional functions of the federal government, it is certainly worth a shot. But I am not holding my breath. It will be difficult to come up with additional spending cuts to compensate for restoring defense spending in the budget. Democrats will not allow that. Would Republicans then give defense a pass on the sequestration at the risk of undercutting their budget cutting street cred? The hard truth is this: if you take several decades building a European-style welfare state — with bipartisan support — you are going to wind up with a European-style defense budget at some point. It is axiomatic. We may be at that point now.
Ryan the Prudent worked hard to educate the House GOP, most notably freshmen, on the various moving parts of the budget process and what can or cannot be done from a very narrow power base in the House of Representatives. “Paul Ryan Warns Republicans To Temper Expectations,” was the headline on Buzzfeed, which quoted Ryan as saying, “I think what matters most is that people have a very clear view of what’s coming, so that there are no surprises… that means setting expectations accordingly, so that we move forward on a unified basis.”
Yes, that pesky separation of powers thing can be a real obstacle. Regarding the debt ceiling limit, the only leverage the Republicans have, i.e., shutting down the government, is really no leverage at all. There are no hostages to shoot, just themselves.
About the Author
G. Tracy Mehan, III served at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the administrations of both Presidents Bush. He is a consultant in Arlington, Virginia, and an adjunct professor at George Mason University School of Law.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (17) | Leave a comment
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Jack in Wi| 1.21.13 @ 6:36AM
Whateveer the problem Ryan isn't the solution. He had his chance to make his mark, in previous Congress'. He brought nothing to the ticket in the last election. The solution is quite simple. slash spending which must originate in the House. A good start would be to close down the Afganistan war now, instead of waiting for Obama to do it. Slash all foreign aid to everyone period, a hugely popular move. The vast majority goes to criminals an kletocrats. Our policy since 2001 has been to use a shotgun approach toward terrorists instead of a rifle. The domestic budget is loaded with lard. Lets put forth some principled cuts that really do cut waste. Fat chance of that with leaders like Boehner, Ryan, and Cantor? This bunch is stumbling around while all we believe in is being destroyed.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.21.13 @ 6:47AM
While Ryan is making his case to his fellow Republicans, once again I believe they need to make a salient case for what they believe to the public.
It will never happen in the media so what few opportunities they get should not be squandered.
The leadership, including Boehner, need a boot camp in media relations and public speaking. That would include Ryan.
What I observed of him during the campaign led me to believe he might have a message but he quaffled and equivocated with the best of them.
The medium is the message. Read some McLuhan and study it. If you want an army to win, you invest in some training. Meanwhile, ponder this:
From Wikipedia:
The main concept of McLuhan's argument (later elaborated upon in The Medium is the Massage) is that new technologies (like alphabets, printing presses, and even speech itself) exert a gravitational effect on cognition, which in turn affects social organization
Jacob McCandles| 1.21.13 @ 8:28AM
Our fiscal problems are so bad that, in my opinion, only extreme measures will avoid bankrupcy. So if there is talk of compromise and working together with democrats, we will not fix this. If we don't fix this, we will see some very rough times ahead, probably shortly after our next credit downgrade. If I were Boehner and Ryan and the rest of the bunch, I'd sit this stuff out and let it happen now. Hold a huge press conference stating that this is Obama and Reid's show. After all, that's what YOU the voters wanted. So you will get it soon. If it must happen, why not during Obama's tenure??
rightasrain| 1.21.13 @ 9:58AM
Raising the debt ceiling is only an exercise in self-immolation because we have allowed liberal hysteria to make reaching the debt ceiling synonymous with Armageddon. But since no Republican, including Paul Ryan, has the charisma to get the message out that we could easily survive not raising the debt ceiling (getting rid of some of the 50k federal workers added during the recession would be a definite plus), a debt ceiling increase is inevitable.
loulou| 1.21.13 @ 8:52PM
More importantly the Republicans lack ballz. Having ballz would get them lots of charisma.
mitch| 1.21.13 @ 10:25AM
For smart college educated politicans, they are some of the dumbest people, to do a 3 month extension and lump everything together because they believe Reid and Obama will then come to the table to discuss cuts, haven't they seem in his first term that this guy isn't going to bend on anything. Look on how in the last debt limit that they were close to a deal and Obama moved the goal posts for more taxes, the fiscal cliff he moved for more taxes and got it with more spending. Trump is right on one thing, these republicans are the worse negotiators, they need to quit this trying to work together and make deals, the only deal Obama is going to make, is his way, republicans get some guts, cut spending big time. Everyone says you can't make big cuts, will hurt the economy, it's already hurt and one major point you won't hear, that Obama's stimulus from 2009 is built into the base budget every year, cut that alone and your only a few hundred million away from a balance budget. What we have is a bunch of Sad Sacks as republican leaders.
Pecos Pete| 1.21.13 @ 11:16AM
Spending will increase. The debt ceiling will be increased by at least $2 trillion. The Senate will not pass a budget. The government will not be shut down. The Constitution will be ignored. And so it will be for at least the next 4 years.
cicero| 1.21.13 @ 1:50PM
Raise the debt ceiling so that they can negotiate spending cuts in March? What makes these guys think that the Dems, and O will negotiate in March. This is all an exercise in wishful thinking. In order to have meaningful negotiations, there must be good faith on both sides. That is clearly lacking. Obama has already told the worrld that he does not see a spending problem. For him, spending is never a problem. His entire purpose was to overwhelm the system, cause a systemic shutdown,. and emerge from the resultant chaos in a position to offer the fools a leader - him and his friends. In the meantime, all of this spending is benefiting him and his friends, who are reaping millions from the governments "investments".
Just this morning, O remarked that he was going to do more to solve the problem of "climate change". More "green" projects. If the Repubs are serious, they have to throw down the gauntlet now, and fight doggedly for the next 4 years. This last election should have shown them that waiting until more people are in the handout line will not bring them victory at the pols. Of course, if they are not serious, they can just keep on kicking the can down the road, wait for their pensions to be available, and go home telling everyone that it wasn't their fault.
CJW| 1.21.13 @ 3:41PM
Agree. The Reps should oppose every Obama proposal. Make him and the Dems work for every proposal. O is lazy, not respected by his fellow Dems, and they may not support him as much as the first term. He is a lame duck, and the Dems will all be looking to 2016.
fmm| 1.21.13 @ 2:10PM
Commenters on AM Spec have more knowledge, common sense, and fortitude than the entire US congress.
Purp| 1.21.13 @ 3:46PM
Ryan caved, pure and simple. No guts. No principles. Nothing. Just self-interest.
Thank God he didn't win.
Rhoetus| 1.21.13 @ 8:12PM
It's not possible to avoid bankruptcy due to the demographics of our population combined with the unfunded liabilities of public pensions, social security, medicare and all the public debt at all levels of government.
Our only hope is to reduce spending, stop being the worlds policeman, drastically reduce the tax burden and go to a tax system that treats every one equal such as a national sales tax. We must change public policy to one that promotes wealth creation. We must discourage receiving any government welfare as a lifestyle choice.
Mike G| 1.21.13 @ 8:21PM
"When discussing budget-cutting or tax reform, they are on offense."
No doubt their tactics are offensive, but when their offensive plan is "run, run,pass, punt" that's not much offense. Mr. Mehan, this statement needs some explanation!
nathan| 1.21.13 @ 9:50PM
Once again, Ryan voted for and supported Plan D which added oh just a measly 2 trillion to the debt. I don't care what his explanation/excuse is, he VOTED FOR IT. (Newt lobbied for it by the way.) At this point anyone who voted for/supported/lobbied for Plan D loses ALL REPEAT ALL credibility here. He needs to sit down shut up. His "solution" was to kick the can down the road about what 3 decades? He lacked the courage last year to tell the baby boomers the hard facts. That the New Deal/Great Society entitlements that they had become addicted to would have to dealt with during THEIR life times, not deferred to the follow on generation. By the time the baby boomers die off and cease to be a voting block that no one wants to offend, it's way too late. It's too late now actually. It was too late now when RR was president.
So can Ryan just occupy his seat, vote "present" and shut up? Thank you.
hrgfue | 1.21.13 @ 10:11PM
2013 Happy New Year,NFL,NBA
Tumbleweed| 1.22.13 @ 4:55PM
Prudent is a good thing. Don't back down!
Ralph Novy| 1.22.13 @ 6:44PM
"He proposed this short-term extension of the debt ceiling limit in order to align the discussion of that matter with those relating to the upcoming sequestration and the regular budget process coming in March."
Ha ha.
A fancy-schmancy way of saying "He proposed agreeing to a short-term extension in the hope of regaining leverage -- maybe even the upper hand -- down the road."
"Prudent," nothing! I'd describe his fixation with debt-reduction to be more "prurient."
And what's the role that honesty might play in "prudence"? It seems to me you're making Aquinas far more a "utilitarian" (in a pejorative sense) than he was -- and attempting to exculpate Ryan for his dishonesty in the bargain.
Not buying it.