It's better than a disastrous default, but I hope the Great Compromiser did not put us in a position where this can continue to happen. I also don't like that there was not a cent taken from the military budget. Was it "60 Minutes" that recently did an exposé of how military contractors obscenely inflate prices? Why were they not targeted? Why is there to be new work requirements for certain people getting government aid? That's hitting below the belt. The compromise should have included higher taxes for those making more than $400,000 a year and especially the multi-kajillionaires. It should have removed the ceiling for the Social Security payroll tax, which now stops for anyone making more than $160,200. Yes, that increased 9% from 2022, but still... But the compromise seems one-sided: to reduce spending. It doesn't increase income.
Regarding cuts to the military budget, that GOP chronic refrain of "waste, fraud, and abuse" does not apply to the MIC, only to social safety net programs. They can't even get an audit of the DOD's spending.
Biden's *deal* won't "put us in a position where this can continue to happen." We're already there, have been there for well more than a hundred years and will continue to be there as long as an artifice like this "debt ceiling" exists. So, it most definitely will continue to happen. When and how often will depend on who the party in power is and how much power they have compared to the other side.
I don't like the fact that there were any negotiations on the debt ceiling at all. A mechanism such as this has proven time and again to be nothing more than a playground for partisans not worth the risk to the country and should be modified in some way or dropped all together.
That said, I'd prefer this settlement to a default caused by insane intransigence on the GOP side and the possible invocation of the 14th Amendment, which should be a last resort reserved for the direst circumstances. If you're pissing off both the House Freedom(?!) Caucus and the Congressional Progressive Caucus in roughly equal amounts at the same time, it sounds like they might have gotten at least a couple of things right.
Well, thanks TC. You know what they say about blind squirrels and acorns, and I'm nothing if not a little squirrely sometimes, but I do appreciate you saying that.
We both know we don't see eye to eye on some things, and that I'm not "one of the fold" on your particular side of the political fence any more than I am on the other. But that doesn't make us *enemies* or even adversaries in my book, or I wouldn't be here, which I'm happy to be. You've always passed the "Yeah, I'd buy that guy a beer" test by my lights, even if on occasion I might feel an impulse to tell the barkeep to put it in a dirty glass. :-D
After reading that last line and considering the fact that it's Memorial Day weekend, I'm gonna' repost a comment here for you and your other readers that I dropped in Matt Labash's Slack Tide yesterday. For context, Labash - a conservative in the *good* sense of that word - spent the first half of his post pretty much aiming a flame thrower at Ron D. And when Labash pulls the burn trigger on something, he can bring the heat. I'll include a link if you care to use it. As usual, there are some pretty good laughs mixed in with the good sense.
Hope you and all your readers have a good holiday...
Nice piece of work here, Matt, but you noted we could call Ron D whatever we want, so as a fellow Italian-American I'm going not with Meatball - a terrible and completely uncalled for insult to Italian cuisine if ever there was one - but with Gavone, and not just because of his purported eating habits.
Nerf Trump's not half bad really, but it doesn't suit the empty suit metaphor because a closer examination reveals a large skid mark lurking in there beneath that prole-jacket gape, as is the case with far too many suits with the R-brand label stitched into them these days. And no amount of Gilette Dri-Tech or even Bye Bye Odor concentrate, my personal choice for deodorizing the horse stalls in my barn, will moderate the distinct and unmistakable aroma of a-holery therein. (Note: in the interest of fairness to the Bye Bye Odor folks, those horse stalls contain far less shit on any given day than the suits in question. Or a lot of those with that blue label in the lining, as long as we're talkin' shit. I mean suits.)
But hey, moving on from the scatological to the merely logical, what's in a name, right? Perhaps you can't keep track of your fellow conservatives' beliefs any longer because they kept that name but not the beliefs? Which might lead one to question if they ever really had any to begin with? Or maybe they just, uh, changed their minds about a few things? Most of us do that from time to time, one way or another. It's kind of a normal thing to do.
But changing one's mind is one thing. Losing it is something else altogether.
That's why I don't go by the name conservative. Or liberal. Or Conservative or Liberal. Or whatever. That way no one likely realizes from a casual glance just how really effin' crazy I actually am, believing as I do that We the People means all of us and not just some of us. But that's just a belief, after all. Maybe I'll change my own mind about that one of these days. I'm gettin' kind of up there on the birthday count, the ol' gray matter's lost a few cells, if not a few steps, so who knows what it might just up and go do all on its own? A newer model might be a good idea, help me ditch some old, ingrained habits, get me to quit repeating myself, which I know I've become sort of bad about.
Like maybe saying it's time to once again go hang my old man's well-weathered and faded flag out on the front porch to try to help keep the memories of certain folks from becoming more faded than what they already are, the folks who actually did believe in something, something important and of a bit more significance than who sleeps with whom and who uses what bathroom and some mouse that's supposed to be incessantly gnawing away at the moral fabric of our society. I know they paid the price so that we could argue about all of that if we want to, but considering the price they paid, maybe we ought to argue about something else.
Like maybe why a savant who once launched a car into deep space, complete with a dummy astronaut for a driver, couldn't seem to launch a dumb meatball...er, Gavone... into a sub-orbital intracontinental arc from Twitter Spaces? Might have gone better if he'd just used a big-ass slingshot. But you know those tech guys. Can't keep anything simple.
That last seems about as important and relevant as any of this other stuff that constantly comes angrily buzzing out of that hornet's nest certain folks keep kicking. But that's just an Old School, perhaps too well-aged brain talkin' off the top of my head. So, you might want to keep that in mind. What the hell does it know? I mean, really?
Your “one of the fold” sounds like an insult,” for those of us who appreciate TC’s way with words. Sorry I can’t articulate my outrage as well as he does, but so glad I found somebody who can. For too long have been subjected to the outrage of idiots by the biggest bull horn since Goebbels. No apologies here…. However your way with words is right up there, congrats
To be clear, "one of the fold" was not meant as an insult to anyone, either in general or in particular. I could have just as easily used "flock" (directly related to animals) or "tribe" (directly related to people) or any number of words to denote an organized or specific group, in this case a political party, of which I'm not, nor have I ever been, a "member" (though that fact doesn't mean that I can't - or won't - be a "supporter" to a greater or lesser extent, depending on the "issue"). That was the only point I was trying to make, and that phrase was what came to mind as I was writing, since one of its most common meanings is a group of people with common beliefs or similar purposes. For me it was pretty *neutral* in connotation (at least much more so than other choices as noted) and remained so until I read your reply.
Considering that reply here, I suppose if you took the connotation and intent from its sometimes being used to refer to a *herd* of sheep as opposed to a *flock*, it could *sound* like an insult, considering "herd" seems to have a much more negative connotation than "flock". But again, I was thinking in the context of "people", and thus the quotation marks around the phrase. Perhaps I could have made a better choice, but insulting someone was not my intent with that particular choice. Generally speaking, if I feel the need to insult someone in my writing when expressing my opinions, which I do with a frequency more or less approximating TC's, the "sound" will be as crystal clear as the articulation of the owner of the space I'm writing in now when he feels a similar need, since my own outrage at many things in today's politics is pretty much on par with his.
So, no apologies here either, but rather a clarification. Well, two clarifications, just in case.
While my choice to "not belong" is a personal one, made for a couple of reasons, anyone's choice "to belong" is their right, and I begrudge no one their choice in exercising that right, whether it be to belong to a political party, a religion, a union or any other organized group formed for a specific purpose, as long as that purpose is lawful and at least ethical. Being moral would be a big plus. But that's often a whole different can of worms these days, since one man's morality is often another man's sin concerning many things, and we're not very good at "legislating" that difference.
I hope my clarification has removed any echos of insult to parties not intended in what I wrote. And thank you for what you wrote about my "way with words". And I think neither of us need ever apologize for our "outrage".
Getting a deal done means giving and taking. I’m “comforted” by the fact the Radical Right has been “worked around” by those Repubs taking a moment to think of the country before their own ambitions
The tide is turning away from the extremists. It can’t happen fast enough
Nothing has made good governance more impossible than Citizens United wherein an economic system has subsumed a political system. As long as CU stands the US will be on shaky ground because there is little hope for true consensus on any issue at all. Watch McCarthy crash and burn. Again.
We don't need anymore political parties. The 2 we have are dysfunctional enough with their different little groups back biting. Adding a 3rd would only create more chaos
and more salaries, freebies we, the people can't afford.
Penfist, you're right that neither party is giving this country what it needs. But, the solution is not adding another party. The solution is to VOTE SMART. Know the people you're voting for. Do some damn research! Don't go along to get along with your donations.
If someone's up for
re-election from your
state ask what the heck they've done for
your state/district. Keep asking till you get an answer. We have to start taking it to them all the time.
How is a normal human going to “vote smart” when the choice is vote for crazy evil or vote for ineffectual mediocrity? I am gen x. I am extremely disenchanted. I can only imagine what millennials and their after generations feel. They will not look fondly on what my parents and grandparents had to say.
Voting is not effective when the electoral college does not represent the people.
I'm 74 years old! Do you think I like what I see going on? I vote smart. I take the time to do some damn research and reading. I have a life I live. I have things that have to be taken care of. I am on my own here. My daughter has been having repeated spinal surgery. I have no one to depend on but myself. So I'm busy! But I take the time to know who I may want to give money to, to vote for. Not just for me, but for society as a whole, not for themselves. I woke up a long time ago! More people need ro.
The ONLY way we are going to change things is if we try hard enough. You have to be willing to give it your all, if you really want change. This goes for the
Electoral college, it goes for everything. My husband went to Vietnam hoping to maybe help change things there, especially for the children.
It's safe to say the hairballs on the right will be more recalcitrant than the progressives on the left. Would hope Yeats was wrong about the center not holding.
I have a question!!! McCarthy claims Biden gave up the whole student loan deal in this great "compromise" and that the pause would be lifted in a couple months. Is this true? If so, I think I'll take back any compliments on the great deal that was had by Dems. I cant believe he would give that up to this bunch of yahoos!
Yeah, I pretty much figured that. Since I have a granddaughter with a Pell Grant, plus other scholarships & only one semester of art school who has had various medical issues going on so no employment, I tend to worry about her mom who took on the debt in order for her to go to school. This is the same mom who almost made ends meet till lately, now has to find part time work on top of her regular job or heaven forbid (on both of our parts) move back in here. So the pause has been really good - the loan forgiveness a miracle. Too good to be true I guess. I can only imagine the number of graduates or students & their parents who were in the same boat. The pause stop is going to be a killer for an awful lot of people. Should they have gotten into this debt - likely not, but it is what it is at this point.
Thanks TC - I doubt its going to go anywhere, but at the least - theres still a tiny bit of hope. I just would have been so disappointed if Biden had agreed to that - no matter how slight any chance of it happening exists. So McCarthy actually lied about it?
It depends. Invoking the 14th amendment would entail court proceedings, ending at the Supreme Court. Risk that? And what happens to the markets and Treasury notes while that court case wends its way?
Personally, I am glad they are not risking that possibly-1929 level meltdown. Take this to the 2024 campaign, build a Democratic majority and then get rid of the debt ceiling, write a law that Congress approving a budget includes authorization to increase debt as needed (the old Gephardt Rule as a law).
That depends on whether it’s as good as whatever would come from negotiating over the next round of budget bills, which is what President Biden said he was doing all along.
There will be enough "responsible" republicans to force Kremlin Kevin to break "the Hastert rule" and possibly cost himself the speakership. And considering the split in Congress, I think ol' Joe might be entitled to sing one of my two favorite songs from "Hamilton," i.e., "The Room Where It Happens," where Hamilton lets the Virginians have the capitol and New Yorkers get to keep the capital.
It's better than a disastrous default, but I hope the Great Compromiser did not put us in a position where this can continue to happen. I also don't like that there was not a cent taken from the military budget. Was it "60 Minutes" that recently did an exposé of how military contractors obscenely inflate prices? Why were they not targeted? Why is there to be new work requirements for certain people getting government aid? That's hitting below the belt. The compromise should have included higher taxes for those making more than $400,000 a year and especially the multi-kajillionaires. It should have removed the ceiling for the Social Security payroll tax, which now stops for anyone making more than $160,200. Yes, that increased 9% from 2022, but still... But the compromise seems one-sided: to reduce spending. It doesn't increase income.
Regarding cuts to the military budget, that GOP chronic refrain of "waste, fraud, and abuse" does not apply to the MIC, only to social safety net programs. They can't even get an audit of the DOD's spending.
True and so sad.
Biden's *deal* won't "put us in a position where this can continue to happen." We're already there, have been there for well more than a hundred years and will continue to be there as long as an artifice like this "debt ceiling" exists. So, it most definitely will continue to happen. When and how often will depend on who the party in power is and how much power they have compared to the other side.
Thanks for that correction. What do you think the chances are of the "debt ceiling" ever being eliminated?
A little better than the chances the electoral college will be changed or eliminated, which is to say something greater than zero, but not much.
Sigh.
“Old age and treachery will always beat youth and exuberance”
I think Biden’s doing several things at once:
-Playing the longer game, eyes on 2024 …
taking the calculated risk (which he must) that he’ll then emerge with majorities.
(thoughout this whole needless mess, a gazillion attack ad possibilities have been handed to the Dems)
-Teaching the kids, who have no memory or understanding of it, about compromise - how painful it is, but how necessary for getting anything done.
- Letting the opposition save face … giving away one slice but preserving the cake across several fronts.
example: the IRS can do plenty with 70, rather than 80 billion.
Biden’s willing to wear the ‘cloak of blame’ for the greater good, something not many politicians today could bear.
I don't like the fact that there were any negotiations on the debt ceiling at all. A mechanism such as this has proven time and again to be nothing more than a playground for partisans not worth the risk to the country and should be modified in some way or dropped all together.
That said, I'd prefer this settlement to a default caused by insane intransigence on the GOP side and the possible invocation of the 14th Amendment, which should be a last resort reserved for the direst circumstances. If you're pissing off both the House Freedom(?!) Caucus and the Congressional Progressive Caucus in roughly equal amounts at the same time, it sounds like they might have gotten at least a couple of things right.
You're entirely right on all points, which is why I really appreciate having you as one of my readers.
What we have with this is what I learned in the Navy: "Sir! I really like this shit sandwich! It tastes good! Can I have some more?!"
Well, thanks TC. You know what they say about blind squirrels and acorns, and I'm nothing if not a little squirrely sometimes, but I do appreciate you saying that.
We both know we don't see eye to eye on some things, and that I'm not "one of the fold" on your particular side of the political fence any more than I am on the other. But that doesn't make us *enemies* or even adversaries in my book, or I wouldn't be here, which I'm happy to be. You've always passed the "Yeah, I'd buy that guy a beer" test by my lights, even if on occasion I might feel an impulse to tell the barkeep to put it in a dirty glass. :-D
After reading that last line and considering the fact that it's Memorial Day weekend, I'm gonna' repost a comment here for you and your other readers that I dropped in Matt Labash's Slack Tide yesterday. For context, Labash - a conservative in the *good* sense of that word - spent the first half of his post pretty much aiming a flame thrower at Ron D. And when Labash pulls the burn trigger on something, he can bring the heat. I'll include a link if you care to use it. As usual, there are some pretty good laughs mixed in with the good sense.
https://mattlabash.substack.com/p/duhhh-santis
Hope you and all your readers have a good holiday...
Nice piece of work here, Matt, but you noted we could call Ron D whatever we want, so as a fellow Italian-American I'm going not with Meatball - a terrible and completely uncalled for insult to Italian cuisine if ever there was one - but with Gavone, and not just because of his purported eating habits.
Nerf Trump's not half bad really, but it doesn't suit the empty suit metaphor because a closer examination reveals a large skid mark lurking in there beneath that prole-jacket gape, as is the case with far too many suits with the R-brand label stitched into them these days. And no amount of Gilette Dri-Tech or even Bye Bye Odor concentrate, my personal choice for deodorizing the horse stalls in my barn, will moderate the distinct and unmistakable aroma of a-holery therein. (Note: in the interest of fairness to the Bye Bye Odor folks, those horse stalls contain far less shit on any given day than the suits in question. Or a lot of those with that blue label in the lining, as long as we're talkin' shit. I mean suits.)
But hey, moving on from the scatological to the merely logical, what's in a name, right? Perhaps you can't keep track of your fellow conservatives' beliefs any longer because they kept that name but not the beliefs? Which might lead one to question if they ever really had any to begin with? Or maybe they just, uh, changed their minds about a few things? Most of us do that from time to time, one way or another. It's kind of a normal thing to do.
But changing one's mind is one thing. Losing it is something else altogether.
That's why I don't go by the name conservative. Or liberal. Or Conservative or Liberal. Or whatever. That way no one likely realizes from a casual glance just how really effin' crazy I actually am, believing as I do that We the People means all of us and not just some of us. But that's just a belief, after all. Maybe I'll change my own mind about that one of these days. I'm gettin' kind of up there on the birthday count, the ol' gray matter's lost a few cells, if not a few steps, so who knows what it might just up and go do all on its own? A newer model might be a good idea, help me ditch some old, ingrained habits, get me to quit repeating myself, which I know I've become sort of bad about.
Like maybe saying it's time to once again go hang my old man's well-weathered and faded flag out on the front porch to try to help keep the memories of certain folks from becoming more faded than what they already are, the folks who actually did believe in something, something important and of a bit more significance than who sleeps with whom and who uses what bathroom and some mouse that's supposed to be incessantly gnawing away at the moral fabric of our society. I know they paid the price so that we could argue about all of that if we want to, but considering the price they paid, maybe we ought to argue about something else.
Like maybe why a savant who once launched a car into deep space, complete with a dummy astronaut for a driver, couldn't seem to launch a dumb meatball...er, Gavone... into a sub-orbital intracontinental arc from Twitter Spaces? Might have gone better if he'd just used a big-ass slingshot. But you know those tech guys. Can't keep anything simple.
That last seems about as important and relevant as any of this other stuff that constantly comes angrily buzzing out of that hornet's nest certain folks keep kicking. But that's just an Old School, perhaps too well-aged brain talkin' off the top of my head. So, you might want to keep that in mind. What the hell does it know? I mean, really?
Other than its time to go hang that flag.
Yeah, excellent.
Your “one of the fold” sounds like an insult,” for those of us who appreciate TC’s way with words. Sorry I can’t articulate my outrage as well as he does, but so glad I found somebody who can. For too long have been subjected to the outrage of idiots by the biggest bull horn since Goebbels. No apologies here…. However your way with words is right up there, congrats
To be clear, "one of the fold" was not meant as an insult to anyone, either in general or in particular. I could have just as easily used "flock" (directly related to animals) or "tribe" (directly related to people) or any number of words to denote an organized or specific group, in this case a political party, of which I'm not, nor have I ever been, a "member" (though that fact doesn't mean that I can't - or won't - be a "supporter" to a greater or lesser extent, depending on the "issue"). That was the only point I was trying to make, and that phrase was what came to mind as I was writing, since one of its most common meanings is a group of people with common beliefs or similar purposes. For me it was pretty *neutral* in connotation (at least much more so than other choices as noted) and remained so until I read your reply.
Considering that reply here, I suppose if you took the connotation and intent from its sometimes being used to refer to a *herd* of sheep as opposed to a *flock*, it could *sound* like an insult, considering "herd" seems to have a much more negative connotation than "flock". But again, I was thinking in the context of "people", and thus the quotation marks around the phrase. Perhaps I could have made a better choice, but insulting someone was not my intent with that particular choice. Generally speaking, if I feel the need to insult someone in my writing when expressing my opinions, which I do with a frequency more or less approximating TC's, the "sound" will be as crystal clear as the articulation of the owner of the space I'm writing in now when he feels a similar need, since my own outrage at many things in today's politics is pretty much on par with his.
So, no apologies here either, but rather a clarification. Well, two clarifications, just in case.
While my choice to "not belong" is a personal one, made for a couple of reasons, anyone's choice "to belong" is their right, and I begrudge no one their choice in exercising that right, whether it be to belong to a political party, a religion, a union or any other organized group formed for a specific purpose, as long as that purpose is lawful and at least ethical. Being moral would be a big plus. But that's often a whole different can of worms these days, since one man's morality is often another man's sin concerning many things, and we're not very good at "legislating" that difference.
I hope my clarification has removed any echos of insult to parties not intended in what I wrote. And thank you for what you wrote about my "way with words". And I think neither of us need ever apologize for our "outrage".
Yeah, it will be interesting to see--exactly what you said at the end. I'd be voting for it. Biden's amazing!
Getting a deal done means giving and taking. I’m “comforted” by the fact the Radical Right has been “worked around” by those Repubs taking a moment to think of the country before their own ambitions
The tide is turning away from the extremists. It can’t happen fast enough
Support your local sane-ness
Your note TC made me laugh out loud. Thanks I needed to.
I'm not celebrating this or excited about it. Why? The
Congress and Senate. Threats have already been
made in both houses. I'm so
incredibly ticked off, I could
probably "whip" them into shape in no time at all. Just
turn me loose with my power
power chair! You'd be surprised the damage it can
do on a full charge. I'm that
pissed off!
Nothing has made good governance more impossible than Citizens United wherein an economic system has subsumed a political system. As long as CU stands the US will be on shaky ground because there is little hope for true consensus on any issue at all. Watch McCarthy crash and burn. Again.
It’s time for a viable third party that destroys this toxic system.
Don't hold your breath expecting that; I don't want to see you turn blue and die.
completely true, completely impossible.
all ANY Third party is going to do is to let Repugs win. period.
We don't need anymore political parties. The 2 we have are dysfunctional enough with their different little groups back biting. Adding a 3rd would only create more chaos
and more salaries, freebies we, the people can't afford.
We need a healthy political system and the RNC and DNC aren’t giving us that.
Penfist, you're right that neither party is giving this country what it needs. But, the solution is not adding another party. The solution is to VOTE SMART. Know the people you're voting for. Do some damn research! Don't go along to get along with your donations.
If someone's up for
re-election from your
state ask what the heck they've done for
your state/district. Keep asking till you get an answer. We have to start taking it to them all the time.
Hold them accountable! No matter what party!
How is a normal human going to “vote smart” when the choice is vote for crazy evil or vote for ineffectual mediocrity? I am gen x. I am extremely disenchanted. I can only imagine what millennials and their after generations feel. They will not look fondly on what my parents and grandparents had to say.
Voting is not effective when the electoral college does not represent the people.
I'm 74 years old! Do you think I like what I see going on? I vote smart. I take the time to do some damn research and reading. I have a life I live. I have things that have to be taken care of. I am on my own here. My daughter has been having repeated spinal surgery. I have no one to depend on but myself. So I'm busy! But I take the time to know who I may want to give money to, to vote for. Not just for me, but for society as a whole, not for themselves. I woke up a long time ago! More people need ro.
The ONLY way we are going to change things is if we try hard enough. You have to be willing to give it your all, if you really want change. This goes for the
Electoral college, it goes for everything. My husband went to Vietnam hoping to maybe help change things there, especially for the children.
It cost him his life. I won't
let that sacrifice be for
nothing.
It's safe to say the hairballs on the right will be more recalcitrant than the progressives on the left. Would hope Yeats was wrong about the center not holding.
It's good that Biden didn't fold. Dark Brandon wins again and I don't have to worry about my SS check on Friday.
I have a question!!! McCarthy claims Biden gave up the whole student loan deal in this great "compromise" and that the pause would be lifted in a couple months. Is this true? If so, I think I'll take back any compliments on the great deal that was had by Dems. I cant believe he would give that up to this bunch of yahoos!
The student debt thing was dead the minute the Republicans had a majority in the House. It'll be revived when they're gone.
Yeah, I pretty much figured that. Since I have a granddaughter with a Pell Grant, plus other scholarships & only one semester of art school who has had various medical issues going on so no employment, I tend to worry about her mom who took on the debt in order for her to go to school. This is the same mom who almost made ends meet till lately, now has to find part time work on top of her regular job or heaven forbid (on both of our parts) move back in here. So the pause has been really good - the loan forgiveness a miracle. Too good to be true I guess. I can only imagine the number of graduates or students & their parents who were in the same boat. The pause stop is going to be a killer for an awful lot of people. Should they have gotten into this debt - likely not, but it is what it is at this point.
As it turns out, nothing was done with Student Loan Forgivenness. The GOP was unable to cut it.
Thanks TC - I doubt its going to go anywhere, but at the least - theres still a tiny bit of hope. I just would have been so disappointed if Biden had agreed to that - no matter how slight any chance of it happening exists. So McCarthy actually lied about it?
Again, thanks
Having said that - McCarthy has outright lied so many times already.
Is this deal better than not having compromised and instead invoked the 14th Amendment?
It depends. Invoking the 14th amendment would entail court proceedings, ending at the Supreme Court. Risk that? And what happens to the markets and Treasury notes while that court case wends its way?
Personally, I am glad they are not risking that possibly-1929 level meltdown. Take this to the 2024 campaign, build a Democratic majority and then get rid of the debt ceiling, write a law that Congress approving a budget includes authorization to increase debt as needed (the old Gephardt Rule as a law).
I second that idea!
Hear! Hear!
That depends on whether it’s as good as whatever would come from negotiating over the next round of budget bills, which is what President Biden said he was doing all along.
I would say invoking the 14th amendment would have been better. This rewards black mail. It encourages Republicans recklessness.
And, the reason we have the 14th Amendment is to stop these treacherous shenanigans!!
Anybody really think that repubs will buy it? They hate McCarthy too. I have my doubts
There will be enough "responsible" republicans to force Kremlin Kevin to break "the Hastert rule" and possibly cost himself the speakership. And considering the split in Congress, I think ol' Joe might be entitled to sing one of my two favorite songs from "Hamilton," i.e., "The Room Where It Happens," where Hamilton lets the Virginians have the capitol and New Yorkers get to keep the capital.
My my - nope we wouldnt want any of these politicians to "lose face", now would we.
Hell, he's been under indictment for seven years.