The default plan is a GOP wet dream

[Proud Public Servant]

I don't know if you've noticed, but the GOP is rolling out talking points on what happens if we hit the debt ceiling, and here's what they've said:

Step 1 is to avoid default by paying our creditors; there's enough money to do that

Step 2 is to fully fund the military

Step 3 is to allocate whatever's left to discretionary spending.

They've been saying this as if, of course that's the obvious order of priorities. I haven't seen anyone describe it this way, but this strikes me as the GOP wet dream: a solvent government that spends almost all of its money on the military. They've been trying to do this for years, and have been thwarted only because people actually want and need other kinds of discretionary spending. But now they've hit upon the magic formula: use the debt ceiling to impersonally impose the budget cuts and priorities they lack the votes to create. It's diabolical.

As a DC resident, I don't have a congressman or senator. But if you do, I suggest you write them and tell them you will not stand for the military being privileged over other spending if we hit the debt ceiling. It's outrageous.

[Swede Atlanta]

1. I tend to agree with you with one exception....

I think as between Steps 1 and 2 the true GOP position is

1. Pay all big donors to GOP campaigns what they may be owed and screw the rest of the world
2. Spend as much on military as possible because
(a) My unit is small so I must project that I am large
(b) Using the U.S. military to protect the interests of the rich such as the oil in Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi, etc. is a valid use of the lives of our young people and all the money of everyone who pays taxes (except the rich shouldn't have to pay anything)
3. Cake for the poor

Americans are so enamored with the idea of American exceptionalism they buy into this crap. If you look at various global studies and polls about human happiness, you will find that the happiest individuals (based on various criteria such as security, health, education, etc.) are in western democracies other than the U.S. High on the list are countries such as Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Germany, Japan, etc.

What do those countries have in common? A re-ordering of priorities. While they definitely want to pay their creditors they place the well-being of their people ahead of the military. Why? Because they know the stupid Americans will give up personal well-being so they can be the "deciders in chief" and get to lob all the bombs and bury all their soldiers, seamen and airmen.

We are indeed a stupid people and the GOP loves it that way. The stupider people are the happier they become.

[dkf]

2. Isn't it the admins prerogative to determine priority of funding?

[NightWatcher]

3. Just like the Sequester and Shutdown. Sexy programs get paid for while social programs dont

Defense Dept, why that's necessary.
WIC, food for women infants and children, not sexy, not necessary.
Dead soldier benefits, that plays bad on tv, lets pay them.
Food Inspection, that's not sexy, screw it.
CDC, I don't even know what that stands for, screw them.

This in effect kills all the social programs for the poor but allows the expenditures that the GOP loves.

Expect it to go on