Washington is really trying my patience, playing political chicken with our budget and debt ceiling. It’s obvious to me that when you find yourself in financial trouble you cut spending (the GOP approach) and look for ways to increase income/revenue (the Dems’ approach). It’s not an either/or situation. Anyone who’s ever managed a household budget knows this. Grownups know this. Nothing is sacrosanct; everything is on the table. (Who knows, if a “fair tax” makes sense, maybe “fair cuts” do too. Cut everything — everything — by the same percentage.)
As for raising the debt ceiling, this is just a way to allow more spending — like raising the spending limit on your credit card. Not acceptable. When you find yourself in a hole, the first thing you do is stop digging/spending. On the other hand, defaulting on debt is equally irresponsible. When you incur a debt, you are expected to pay it off. It’s a legal and moral obligation. Period.
All the politicians have access to the same numbers and know how to use calculators. I expect them to behave like responsible adults, put their heads together, and figure out the best way to handle this. It’s not about their re-elections or their personal or party philosophies. It’s not about whose fault it is or was. It’s not about political theater for the media. It’s about their sworn Number One responsibility, taking care of the country. Throwing hissy fits and tantrums, boycotting meetings, and walking out of talks is not acceptable. Unwillingness to compromise is not acceptable.
We indulge children who whine and quit when a task is “too hard,” but adults are expected to hang in there and get the job done. Our bickering politicians should be locked in a room together and not allowed out until they’ve agreed on a solution.
If I can read between your lines, I think we both think that most legislators and the president himself are either liars, or ignorant, or both. The fear mongering focused on our imminent default unless the debt ceiling is increased is pure demagoguery. There’s enough federal income right now to pay interest on outstanding loans, and the shortfall will be to promises of increased future spending. Thus, your suggestion for across the board cuts is obviously a good idea.
Strategically… I would think that we could learn from European countries that have a long history of cradle to grave entitlements. They have finally run out of other people’s money, but instead of seeing our future in their failure, we’ve doubled down by militarily attacking countries we’ve financially aided as recently as last year. If an evil empire, determined to eliminate the USA were pulling the strings or our marionette like leaders, it couldn’t do a better job than they’re doing by themselves.
That’s what I think.
“Our bickering politicians should be locked in a room together and not allowed out until they’ve agreed on a solution.” – Exactly, and under armed guard!
And maybe put them on a bread and water diet …
Good idea. They need a taste of life outside the royal treatment they’re so accustomed to!