Debt Ceiling Debate Heats Up

By Douglas V. Gibbs

The establishment Republicans have fallen for the liberal Democrat's rhetoric that without an increase in the debt ceiling, our economy is in for a major crash. The incoming Tea Party conservatives beg to differ.

Even John Boehner, the new House speaker, has said that the need to raise the federal debt ceiling is critical to meet the country's obligations.

"We're going to have to deal with it as adults," Mr. Boehner said. "Whether we like it or not, the federal government has obligations, and we have obligations on our part."

Hey, Washington! I have a novel idea. How about you idiots cut spending? Heck, you can do so by cutting the funding for idiotic programs, obsolete departments, repetitive operations, and cut foreign aid for things that are incredibly stupid (like the federal money we spend to teach African men to wash their privates after sex).

The U.S. federal government is authorized to borrow up to an incredible $14.3 trillion, and that out of control number is expected to be reached within a few months.

The GOP establishment is hoping to wheel and deal the incoming freshmen by creating a package with a debt-limit the liberals and the establishment Republicans like, while also including significant spending cuts, in the hopes it'll convince the new conservative Republicans to vote for it.

How about we quit with the "let's buy some votes" politics, and instead become fiscally responsible?

The liberal democrats are saying that without the debt ceiling being raised ever higher, there will be a catastrophe. We've heard that argument before. Before going on the biggest spending spree in American history, Obama said the same thing in 2006.

So, here we are. The debate over raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. If we can't meet our obligations without a debt limit raise, that tells me that the politicians have been irresponsible. Basically, they are telling us that the U.S. Government can’t pay its own bills, and it must depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government’s reckless fiscal policies. What this does is weaken us. We are cutting our own throats both domestically and internationally. If the Republicans wish to show real leadership, they will start the process of cutting spending, and freeze the debt ceiling in place. They must stand up on their so-called conservative principles and declare, "the buck stops here."

Instead, the Washington politicians have decided to shift the burden of bad choices onto the backs of our children and grandchildren with their ever-rising deficit spending.

Each time they raise the debt ceiling, they find more things to throw money at. It must stop now.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary

GOP Ranks Fray on Vote to Raise Debt Limit - Wall Street Journal

Your Tax Dollars At Work, Washing Genitals - Political Pistachio