In 2011, I predicted that, if Democrats caved-in to Republican blackmail on the debt ceiling, it would just open the floodgates on even more Republican terrorism. I was furious when Democrats caved-in, opening the door for the Republican sequester. Was I right or what? Never again!
Two years ago, Congressional Republicans took the unprecedented step of holding the debt ceiling hostage in order to extract draconian spending cuts. Now, the GOP’s willingness to sabotage the American (and global) economy may be about to take an even more dangerous–and obscene–turn. House Republicans are suggesting they will not support an increase in the U.S. borrowing authority this fall unless Democrats agree to "revenue-neutral" overhaul of the tax code. That is to say, Republicans are threatening to trigger a default unless they get a deal that doesn’t reduce the deficits at all.
The latest GOP extortion couldn’t come at a worse time. After all, the federal budget sequester which began in March is already slowing economic growth and costing American jobs. Meanwhile, the CBO and analysts like Goldman Sachs have forecast that Uncle Sam’s rapidly shrinking annual budget deficits will soon put U.S. national debt levels on a sustainable path. (That reality even prompted House Speaker John Boehner and Budget Committee Chairman to admit that "we have no immediate debt crisis.") Now, two years after the GOP’s first debt limit blackmail hammered consumer confidence and job growth, Republicans are preparing a new ransom note. As Politico recently explained:
Now, momentum is building to tie a rewrite of the Tax Code to hiking the debt cap, which will need to be raised by the fall because the limit will technically be hit this month. Top lawmakers and aides on the House Ways and Means Committee have quietly begun mulling over and crafting mechanisms that would attempt to "commit Washington" to tax reform over the next five months, several sources involved with the planning say.
… [emphasis added]
From <Daily Kos>
Translate "tax reforms" as more tax welfare for the 0.1%.
Chris Hayes explains the issues in detail.
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
When Obama and the Democrats caved in 2011, it was a huge mistake. It must never happen again. We lave no choice, but to allow the Republican Party do do whatever damage they will, while making sure that they face the political consequences for doing so. Eventually Boehner and Cantor, who already know they’re on a path to political suicide, will cave-in on both the continuing resolution and the debt ceiling, and allow the small, sane minority of Republicans in the House vote with Democrats.
The bottom line is this, when we give in to terrorism, it guarantees more terrorism, and this Republican sedition is terrorism.
22 Responses to “Republicans Plan to Rely on Terrorism”
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I knew they were stupid but I never thought they could be that stupid. I now expect them to refuse their pay because we will not have the revenue to pay them. Have they thought of anything at all except "assuring Obama will fail as President"?
What freakin' idiots!
That's what happens when too many idiots vote for idiots.
Interesting graph ccomparing how the Debt Ceiling was handled from St. Ronnie Raygun up to 2011:
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/07/29/283515/even-after-proposed-hike-reagan-increased-debt-ceiling-twice-as-fast-as-obama/
Thanks for this link, I posted it to Facebook.
Thanbks Nameless. Saved for futire reference.
No distractions please, Don't change the subject…
Sorry for the double post.
But the graphic is on topic.
Couldn't agree with you more, TC. If Republicans follow through with their plan to shut down the government, can they avoid taking the blame when everything turns to shit? I don't think so. Such a boneheaded move has the potential to cause the Republican Party terminal injuries, but I think more moderate (oops, I almost said "sensible") Republicans are well aware of the possible consequences–if only in terms of their personal political careers–and so they'll likely chicken out before they make the fatal leap.
I thought this would happen after the sequester started, but our sheeple keep blaming Obama.
Or trhey will leasp, but chicken out while the effects are still relatively minimal.
TC, I really need to start reading these posts earlier in the day. I am sure my blood pressure is soaring. What a bunch of idiots we have in Washington, Dems and Reps alike. We HAVE no leadership, simply a bunch of people with their own agendas who don't give a crap about the people they represent.
Edie, I think that is true of few of the Dems, and almost all of the Republicans.
Obama has stated that he won't negotiate about the debt ceiling. Given his past performances in "negotiating" with the Republicans, I'll believe it when I see it.
What he should do, and what the Democrats should back him on, is demand a no-strings-attached raising of the debt ceiling as a necessary prequel to any discussions about anything.
John, he caved in 2011 and made the Republicans cave in 2012. I think the latter left a sweet enough taste in his mouth to make him want to repeat it.
Maybe he realized that we want him to be tougher with Agent Orange, Bought Bitch and their followers. His toughness got him re-elected. Although he won't be running again, all he does will reflect on the next Democratic candidate for his Office.
It will also reflect on his legacy.
Ezra Klein states there is no Republican strategy but manuver to coerce "welfare for the wealthy" at the expense of Obamacare in my opinion. The Republicans want to keep us held by the bag… /s
I think Ezra Klein is right.
I think Ezea and patty are right.
No distractions please, Don't change the subject…
Republicanus/Teabaggers = economic domestic terrorists
I said back in 2011 that the Republicanus/Teabaggers were a bunch of domestic terrorists and I hold to that. Not only are they waging war on the poor, women, immigrants, and the environment etc, but they are waging war on the economy which affects all the aforementioned.
The Republicanus/Teabaggers have been almost single minded in their call for reduction of the deficit, yet as the article says, "…Republicans are threatening to trigger a default unless they get a deal that doesn’t reduce the deficits at all." Do they really know what they arre doing? A bunch of hypocrites!
Personally, I think the Republicanus/Teabaggers should all be charged with sedition because the economic fallout on the country and the government is tantamount to a violent attack. In addition, the fallout will have global effects.
I think Bill Maher had it right with "Blacktracking, a one-hatey, Kenyan boomerang!"
I agrfee and said it in 2009.
They do know what they are doing: tryimg to transfer wealth to the 0.1% and to achieve permanent totalitarian power.