Paul Ryan’s debt ceiling hypocrisy: Mr. Realism returns to extortion

[DonViejo]

The "grown-up" who helped broker a budget deal is now threatening arbitrary default if he doesn't get new demands

JIM NEWELL

That nice young boy scout down the street who’s offered to fix America’s finances, Paul Ryan, is now something even grander after putting aside impractical, ideological GOP goals in securing a budget deal. Why, he’s America’s breath of fresh air! He and his main man John Boehner are finally kicking the far-right in the teeth to make Washington work again. No more foolhardy shutdown quests, no; from now on, everything’s gonna run so smoothly, we just… you just… oh it’s gonna be…

…Zuh?

The GOP wants concessions from Democrats in exchange for not allowing the U.S. to default on its debts this spring, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said on Fox News Sunday.

“We as a caucus — along with our Senate counterparts — are going to meet and discuss what it is we’re going to want out of the debt limit,” Ryan said. “We don’t want nothing out of this debt limit. We’re going to decide what it is we’re going to accomplish out of this debt limit fight.”

Ryan said the party will make up its mind on its list of demands at a coming retreat. “We’re going to meet in our retreats after the holidays and discuss exactly what it is we’re going to try to get for this,” he said.

full article
http://www.salon.com/2013/12/16/paul_ryans_debt_ceiling_hypocrisy_mr_realism_returns_to_extortion/

[Mass]

1. "That nice young boy scout down the street who’s offered to fix America’s finances"

This is the basic error in this article. Paul Ryan was never a nice young man. He did not give anything that was needed in the bill.

He just wanted a deal for his own personal gain and it worked. He is now touted as a major presidential candidate or the next speaker.

And now he can go back to be a true Tea Party guy, or at least pretend he is. He is pretty good at that, but we need to accept once and for all that Paul Ryan is for Paul Ryan and for nobody else.

[DonViejo]

2. I read it as a sarcastic comment by the author...

not something he meant literally.

[Mass]

3. Probably, but most of the media is saying that seriously.

[DonViejo]

4. Oh, I agree!...

the hyper link in the first paragraph leads to an article from an online publication which pretty much says, "Pauly boy is Mr Wonderful!"

[DetlefK]

5. Wait until they have to mention the words "debt-limit" and "shutdown".

"Wait, why is our nation at the brink of financial destruction this time? I can't keep track."

[Mass]

6. But most likely, Paul Ryan will not be attacked on that.

He voted NO to raising the debt ceiling last October, and nobody cares. He is the savior of the Republican Party.