What is the deal with the deal?
Still waiting to see all the details but so far, I am ambivalent to disappointed. Some perspective may show why.
Six months ago when Republicans completely capitulated on the CR/gov’t shutdown, we were told to accept the zero cuts they got in that deal because the debt limit would be the thing. The debt limit debate is where the Dems really wanted something and the Republicans had all the leverage. “Just wait, we will show you.” we were told.
As far as I can tell, the only thing that Republicans can point to as a victory in this debate is that there are no tax hikes, for now.
The chances of us ever seeing a Balanced Budget Amendment out this approximates Charlie Sheen winning a humanitarian award this year. The vaunted future cuts will not materialize because they are down the road and that future Congress can do what it wants, promises be damned. If the across the board cuts happen, they hurt the military the most when there is so much other crap that should be cut first.
The Republicans squandered their position of strength because the Dems knew that they were too chicken to let the debt limit come and go. They would never roll the dice because they were too afraid of being blamed. Position of strength, gone. Leverage, gone. Were it not for a handful of tea partiers, even the crumbs we got would have been lost.
So no tax hikes. That’s all. That is the great victory. The government continues its inexorable growth. Republicans suck.
August 1, 2011 at 5:06 am
This surprises you enough to write a post about it? A politician who actually gives a rat's nether-quarters is a rare breed, if not as real as the Tooth Fairy or the Devil's piety.
Politics are about power. Not justice. Not equality. Not freedom. Power.
Societies that have had a democratic or republican government only ever lasted a few centuries before either collapsing or becoming a dictatorship (and then later collapsing). The U.S is only in its second century. It won't last very much longer, if historic patterns repeat. Monarchies and dictatorships tend toward despotism and implosion. Anarchy is mass suicide. What does this mean? All forms of government is unhealthy and diseased, but non-government is guaranteed death. In other words, either civilization dies or civilization itself is a poor excuse of a civilization.
August 1, 2011 at 5:52 am
We sacrificed a balanced budget to protect patriotic multi-millionaire hedge fund managers, subsidies for huge companies and corporate jet tax cuts for our Wall Street millionaires and billionaires. Middle income Americans have no representation in Washington because middle income Americans do not have enough money to line the pockets of the wealthy lawyers that represent us middle income folks. The line has been drawn- you can cut social security, cut Medicare, cut benefits for policemen, firemen and teachers; BUT DO NOT TOUCH THE BENEFITS AND TAX CUTS OF OUR PROTECTED CLASS OF WEALTHY PATRIOTIC WALL STREET FAT CATS! Even iii it means no balanced budget for the rest of America in order to protect the wealthy people who pay us to protect them. Sorry middle income Republicans who keep voting for us; but we know where our bread is buttered.
August 1, 2011 at 12:56 pm
As the situation currently exists, voting for a democrat or republican is like choosing between a rock and a hard place. We need better choices.
August 1, 2011 at 1:55 pm
We sacrificed a balanced budget to protect patriotic multi-millionaire hedge fund managers, subsidies for huge companies and corporate jet tax cuts for our Wall Street millionaires and billionaires.
It's good to see someone cutting and pasting the DNC talking points. Now if you have some original analysis and thoughts to share with us, we'll be waiting with bated breath.
August 1, 2011 at 2:29 pm
One of the worst features of our present society is the widespread ignorance of economics. It is this ignorance which allows the Dems to blather on and be taken seriously. Unfortunately, the Republicans are just as guilty of spewing nonsense.
As you can read here, if you have a care to, there is an excellent discussion of the real problem available. It is well reasoned and clearly presented, and the current fiasco is entirely explained by its arguments.
August 1, 2011 at 2:37 pm
Sorry, the link I provided is to an article about an essay by the author of the book I read last week: The Ruling Class: How They Corrupted America and What We Can Do About It. The article is good, the essay better, and the book is excellent. Highly recommended.
August 2, 2011 at 10:13 pm
"It's good to see someone cutting and pasting the DNC talking points. Now if you have some original analysis and thoughts to share with us, we'll be waiting with bated breath."
You want something original? How's this: Only Republicans are wealthy and own private jets.