uh, oh, "up next, debt ceiling"

[Enrique]

the debt ceiling is another case where GOP intransigence could really screw us over, unless we give them what they want. What will that be, I wonder?

http://twitter.com/rbreich

The right held the U.S. govt hostage, and O paid most of the ransom -- inviting more hostage-taking.
Next is raising debt ceiling. 5 minutes ago via web .

The Prez and Ds caved in, endangering the recovery and strengthening the right-wing bullies. A tactical win for Prez and strategic loss.
about 3 hours ago via web

[Skink]

1. I thought they just did the debt ceiling

[sasha031]

2. oh no, that happens in May

[Enrique]

3. it's different

and from what Ive read, the consequences of failing to raise the debt ceiling are much worse than failure to pass a budget.

[hedgehog]

4. So the Tea Party people already think Boehner caved, and will be pushing suhing

hard on this. Meanwhile, the fat cats who are running things from behind the curtain will be having kittens because they know what chaos will follow unless the debt ceiling is raised.

Almost makes you pity Boehner.




Almost.

[ProSense]

5. "inviting more hostage-taking"

Wonder if Reich remembers 1996?

[Turbineguy]

6. I think the somali

pirates would do it for less than the GOP.

[Nancy Waterman]

7. The problem is GOP doesn't care about collateral damage

They don't care who or what they harm. They just want what they want.
The Dems do care and it hobbles them.

[Riftaxe]

8. Raising the debt celing would be a "Total failure of leadership"

according to candidate Obama. I wonder what ever happened to that guy?

[BklnDem75]

12. Because everything's totally the same since that time....

Nothing major happened with the economy between 2006 and 2011. That's what you're saying, right?

[Riftaxe]

13. Hardly, Candidate Obama had not only

my support, but my labor in getting out the vote.

I am not really a fan of moving targets when it comes to honesty.

on the 2012 vote "none of the above" versus another lying power hungry bastard who will do anything to save his own worthless hide is looking mighty good atm. But until then I am holding my breath and praying he remembers his promises (or at least, that what he promised has been well recorded, and his 2008 supporters are still waiting).

[BklnDem75]

14. Candidate Obama didn't make that quote you highlighted

His campaign started in February 2007 and that quote was in 2006. So let me get this straight, even if he did make that statement as a candidate, do you expect him to treat things like a meltdown never happened, and the opposition didn't do everything they could to prevent a recovery? Do you prefer Bush's 'stay the course' stance?

[Riftaxe]

15. Make up your mind, he either said the quote

or he didn't. Facts are on my side, spin is all you have atm. Why spend whatever integrity you possess on a well recorded quote.

You do realize he said it in front of video cameras...or are you going to try to spin that as well?

[n2doc]

9. Frankly I think the main hope is that the ultra rich would be hurt by this failure

If the dollar crashes and interest rates go sky high, it might,perhaps, hurt enough of them that they will pull hard on the leashes of their dogs in congress to prevent it. I am sure some are betting to make money on a failure to raise, but I doubt all are.

If things get bad enough even their tax cuts won't be safe. So I think they will posture, work it up to the last minute to see what they can get, then take the deal on the table then.

[ReturnoftheDjedi]

10. the Repukes can't do anything other than up the ceiling.

The consequences of not doing so would be worse than a Government Shutdown.
And we see how scared they were of that.

They'll be forced to raise the ceiling and get nothing but grief for it from their base.

[AlinPA]

11. If they vote against raising the debt ceiling (it's like charging to a credit card and refusing to

pay it because the money, i.e., the debt is already committed), the US will default on bonds and the world markets will go crazy. The rich will get hurt in the market. A lot.