Can I ask an admittedly naive question about this Debt Ceiling Deal ...

[1StrongBlackMan]

Okay ... From what I've read and various analysis of the deal, it seems that it's a good deal (as good as can be expected when the global economy is in the hands of suicidal maniacs).

But it seems that President Obama still hands a set of Aces with garbage showing on the turn (sorry for the poker reference). The deal cuts the deficit over time (something the American public says it wants); medicare, SS, and medicare benefits are safe (something the American public demands); it was done in a bipartisan way (something that the American public said it wants); and as an added bonus, the deal was done in a way that embarasses the republicans. Seems all good to me.

Now I hear Pundits (on the Left) criticizing the fact that the deal does not include revenue. Okay, it doesn't; but why over-play the hand? The Bush tax cuts are set to expire and now the republicans have no hostages ... President Obama can (has) announce(d) that he will let the tax cuts expire and announce that he is encouraging Democratic legislators in the House and Senate to introduce legislation that will re-establish the tax cuts for those making under $250,000 PLUS adds 2 new tax brackets for millionaires approaching 45%. (The tax bracket change is the negotiation throw away point). How can the republicans explain standing in the way of tax cuts for 98% of tax payers in an election year, so that they can protect the wealthy?

I also hear the Pundits talking about the Super Committee like it's a bad thing. If they can't reach consensus, the triggers are pulled ... good for our side; if the Committee talks about hitting Medicare, et al., either the Democrats vote it down or President Obama vetoes it, and the triggers are pulled, still good for our side.

What's the problem? And please don't Astro-project that "President Obama will cave because that's what he does." The President has got all of the hostages out of the building.

[Angry Dragon]

1. the bush tax cuts end at the end of 2012 ...... a long ways away

the super congress is a bad deal because it is an up and down vote.......... no amendments ........ take it or leave it
I do not trust an Obama veto
Obama has talked about reforming Medicare
I do not trust DC
I do not see any republicans embarrassed

on edit: where are the fucking jobs bills that we were promised??
without added revenue there will be no new jobs so unless taxes go up
in 2012 no jobs and the states are squeezing the people from that way also

[boston bean]

2. until the next hostage crisis. what makes you believe they are only capable of one instance? nt

[guruoo]

3. Choice was tactical retreat, and live to fight another day, or burning the boats

and hanging around to face the inevitable slaughter of all.

[jpgray]

4. Spending cuts are certain. Revenue increases and the future of the New Deal are in doubt

Moreover cutting spending now is like opening another vein when we're already bleeding out. What's killing the economy and holding down hiring is a lack of demand. It's true a stimulus or jobs bill would be unlikely to pass, but that's hardly a reason to pass what amounts to an anti-stimulus, taking money out of the economy at an extremely fragile moment. Remember nearly half of the budget goes back into the wallets of taxpayers--what effect will cutting spending have then, do you think, on the economy? And if the economy grows sluggishly or returns to recession, the deficit gets worse, because revenue plunges further and more spending is needed on social programs as more people become desperate.

It's idiocy, unless you view the world as a Beltway columnist might.

[Amonester]

5. egg effing zakly.

Why is it that so many people seem to have no clue about that REALITY is totally behond me.

[EFerrari]

6. No, you seem to be misinformed.

The American public feels strongly about JOBS and about taxing the wealthy. The Big 3 are not safe from cuts in the second round, not at all. And far from being embarrassed, the Republicans are ecstatic, and were celebrating all afternoon. Ryan: "I've been here 13 years and we try this every year. This is the first time we got it". Does that sound embarrassed to you?

And since Obama's line in the sand was revenue, not getting any is a big deal. Not to mention, the right direction for the economy. Plus, he has said he'd let the Obama tax cuts (as Drier called them today) expire before. The Republicans don't need to explain extending tax cuts to their base since they "create jobs", a fallacy that Obama has repeated.

The Super Political Cover Committee is anti-Democratic and unaccountable, the triggers suck for Medicare which has been strapped for years.

So, yes, we got a horrible deal out of what should have been housekeeping. Nothing to celebrate here at all. ETA: And you can kiss job creation good bye, which is no small deal to millions of Americans, especially black men, women and youth).