The reason is the debt ceiling debate that's going on right now in Washington. I am so intensely frustrated and disappointed by the actions of the Republicans in the House that I just don't want to write about it anymore. Our government's finances are broken; we've racked up an enormous debt and made plans which require us to incur even more. For decades the Republican Party has had a commitment to balanced budgets and fiscal responsibility, a commitment they have not always honored but often have. And now, in a moment when our country needs this commitment most, the party isn't here.
Even though everyone knows the debt ceiling will eventually be raised, the Democrats are on the ropes; they know the American people are worried about the deficit and want change. They've offered the Republicans trillions of dollars in spending cuts and put the runaway entitlement programs on the table. All that's necessary is for the Republican party to accept modest tax increases, at a time when taxes are at their lowest levels in decades. This is a balanced approach. This is compromise. This is politics.
But the GOP won't take it. The House Republicans, many of them freshmen supported by the Tea Party, are putting themselves before the good of the country. They are willing to cut the deficit LESS than what the Democrats are offering if it means not having to agree to tax increases. This could be the party's shining moment, a time when they broker a difficult deal that would be hard and fast evidence they are more interested in saving America than themselves.
But they won't. It's irresponsible, and I'm sick of it. I have lost faith that the pragmatic, centrist, intellectual wing of the GOP is going to win what I believe will be the defining issue of the next two decades.
So I'm going on a break from politics for a while. I'm going to write about other things. Perhaps I'll come back when the 2012 primaries kick into gear (I do love election season).
In the meantime, I would strongly encourage you to read these two editorials by my op-ed hero, David Brooks. They explain the situation perfectly.
The Road Not Taken
The Mother of All No-Brainers
Image: truthout.org
The Road Not Taken
The Mother of All No-Brainers
Image: truthout.org
You know what this current crowd of GOP liars want is to turn the United Sates into China, where only a few giant corporations run things, they own the factories, the apartments, the grocery stores, the gas stations, the newspaper and magazine publications, the radio stations, the television stations and you pay them and they get all the benefits, and if you do not like it go jump off cliff. Well some Chinese workers seeing that as individuals that they cannot progress have done just that by committing suicide.
ReplyDeleteThe current crowd of GOP liars want to steal Medicare from the elderly, they want to abolish a woman’s right to choose and have control over her own body, they want to abolish collective bargaining rights for our Unions, and on top of it all they want to blame the poor, the middle class and the public sector workers for a recession that the GOP created (Thanks to the Dullard “W”), while their beloved “Fat cats” continue to pay themselves exorbitant salaries, bonuses, fringe benefits.
The GOP is like the “Chicken Littles” always saying that the “Sky is Falling”, like the same ones that were the “Chicken Hawks” (“W” Wars), big talk no courage.
The United States, favors creativity wherever it can be found. We’re apostles of prosperity and defenders of the free exchange of ideas and when more people in more countries are free to rise, to invent, to communicate, to dissent, it’s not the doom of United States leadership, its the triumph of the American way.
Generations have worked hard and sacrificed much for the country to reach this point (individuals and our Unions that represented our poor, the middle class and public sector workers), and with further hard work and sacrifice (along with our relentless self-doubt) the United States will rise again, we do not tire and we are coming back, no matter what Fox news and their GOP “Chicken Littles” lackies keep saying about our nation. The win in New York was the beginning but the next will be Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin and later the other states of our nation, Never Bet Against the United States, watch out GOP, we are coming for you!
Justin. I agree with everything you say. Thanks for the link to John Stewart, too. I also watched the tax-cut-as-religion clip. That was the best economic truth telling I've seen in a long time.
ReplyDeleteWow Montana, there's not much there I agree with. I don't think the GOP is evil and sinister and bent on destroying the American way. They're just being pushed around by a handful of Congressmen who think getting their way is more important than what's best for the country. I think the "us vs. them" blame game you're playing here is much more at fault for the mess our country is in than the machinations of the GOP.
ReplyDeleteThanks Evan, I'll have to check that out.
ReplyDeleteDo not stop writing about Politics. I know the partisanship is exasperatingly tiresome and the self interest you mentioned above is aggravating beyond measure. However, the hope rests with people who speak out. Double down and write more.
ReplyDeleteJS: WOW, I guess you have tuned out all the your GOPers in Congress have been saying ever since the people of the United States, elected them for a divided government. I mean protecting the rich is what the GOP does and the heck with the working class. I know, I know, I am wrong and you are right. Thing is you are the working class, right, but some day you will be rich too, Sucker!
ReplyDeleteI was about to say, "Someone's been reading David Brooks"...so that's funny you referenced him at the end. Yeah, I agree that it's sad something can't be worked out, but I don't agree that just the GOP is to blame. The looming election is influencing too much of this process, but I guess that could be said of any important decision in Washington.
ReplyDeleteYup.
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