From the New York Times” Top White House and Republican negotiators on Saturday reached an agreement in principle to raise the debt limit for two years while cutting and capping some government spending over the same period, a breakthrough after a marathon set of crisis talks that has brought the nation within days of its first default in history.
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.
If there wasn’t such a thing as the debt ceiling, Biden still would have had to negotiate in order to pass a budget. There’s no way around it. Unfortunately, the Republicans have a majority in the House.
Even if Biden had used the 14th and ignored the debt ceiling, he still would have had to negotiate to pass a budget deal.
Now, what WE can do is make sure to vote in enough people that will be willing to pass legislation to get rid of the stupid ceiling once and for all.
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.
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.
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!
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.
If there wasn’t such a thing as the debt ceiling, Biden still would have had to negotiate in order to pass a budget. There’s no way around it. Unfortunately, the Republicans have a majority in the House.
Even if Biden had used the 14th and ignored the debt ceiling, he still would have had to negotiate to pass a budget deal.
Now, what WE can do is make sure to vote in enough people that will be willing to pass legislation to get rid of the stupid ceiling once and for all.
“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.
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.
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!
Is this deal better than not having compromised and instead invoked the 14th Amendment?
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.