The Republican Temper Tantrum

[Howey]

John Boehner, 2009:

I’ve made it pretty clear to [my caucus] that as we get into next year, it’s pretty clear that Congress is going to have to deal with [the debt limit], We’re going to have to deal with it as adults. Whether we like it or not, the federal government has obligations and we have obligations on our part.

So much for those words of wisdom:

Congressional Republicans, who played a major role in piling up the government’s unsustainable debt in the first place, have thrown a tantrum and walked out of the debt limit talks. This bit of grandstanding has brought the nation closer to the financial crisis that Republicans have been threatening for weeks. But, at least now, their real goals are in sharp focus.

The two Republicans in the talks, Representative Eric Cantor, the House majority leader, and Senator Jon Kyl, the minority whip, had no intention of actually negotiating. Negotiations require listening to those on the other side and giving them something they want in exchange for some of your goals.

It has been obvious all along that cutting government services alone is not a solution to either the budget deficit or the mounting national debt. The Democrats, at least, acknowledged that reality at the bargaining table by saying that along with the cuts the Republicans cherish, there would have to be increases in revenue — an end to unnecessary tax loopholes for corporations or the rich.

Those demands were modest — too modest — and Vice President Joseph Biden Jr., who is leading the talks, said they were making progress. But any compromise at all proved too much for the Republicans.

Mr. Cantor said that because he and the House would not support a tax increase, he was walking out of the talks until President Obama “resolved” the tax issue himself with House Speaker John Boehner. In other words, Mr. Cantor and Mr. Kyl preferred striking a Tea Party pose to the hard work of reaching a deal.

The negotiators say they have essentially agreed on about $2 trillion in spending cuts over the next 10 years, which could be acceptable if they are phased in gradually and exempt the nation’s most vulnerable. But Democrats in the talks say that in exchange for agreeing to those cuts, they asked for some balancing increases in revenues. Their proposals were not to raise tax rates, but rather to end credits like those for oil and gas companies. One Democratic negotiator, Representative Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, said they also want to curb tax deductions for the very rich.

It was inevitable that Mr. Obama, Mr. Boehner and Senate leaders would have to write the final chapter of these talks, and Republicans were at least correct in asking for a more public role from the president, who has shied away from leadership here. Mr. Boehner has, so far, limited his opposition to tax rate increases, and he may prove more willing to accept reality and the need for revenue than Mr. Cantor.

But at least 11 hard-line Senate Republicans have already said they will oppose any deal that does not include a balanced-budget amendment — a nonstarter for Democrats — and Mitch McConnell, the Senate Republican leader, said this week that all revenue increases are the same as raising taxes and are unacceptable.

The deadline for raising the debt limit or facing a default is Aug. 2. Republicans cannot walk away from their responsibility to pay the bills and keep the economy out of further crisis.

[uselesslegs]

Dems, if they're serious about this, need to come out like crazy men with messaging.  "Corp. entitlements, tax loop holes for Corps and the very wealthy...DID NOT and HAVE NOT created jobs on the level that's being touted as the justification for their continuation.

YES we need to take a serious look at Government spending and make some painful cuts, we've put ourselves in quite the bloated hell-hole, but to keep pretending that NO revenue needs to be added in the interim is BS.

Shared sacrifice has to be just that "shared." 

[Howey]

Dems, if they're serious about this, need to come out like crazy men with messaging.  "Corp. entitlements, tax loop holes for Corps and the very wealthy...DID NOT and HAVE NOT created jobs on the level that's being touted as the justification for their continuation.

Why now when the country's at  it' craziest? Nobody's listened for the  past two decades!

[uselesslegs]

Sometimes, the only way to fight crazy, is with an overdose of sanity.  If anything, it may leave them in dull, slobbering contemplation long enough to get some shit straight.

[Howey]

It's clear now the issue isn't anything but the black man as president:

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/us-house-and-florida-sends-mixed-signals-libya

The House today refused to authorize authorizing U.S. involvement in Libya, marking the first time since 1999 that Congres has voted against a president's authority to carry out a military operation. But the House also voting against a bill to cut off funding for offensive military action. Here's how Florida voted:
 
On resolution supporting the Obama administration, all Democrats voted yes, along with Miami Republican Rep. David Rivera. All other Republicans voted against the authorization.
 
On the bill cutting funding, 10 of Florida's 19 Republicans voted yes: Gus Bilirakis, Vern Buchanan, Ander Crenshaw, Connie Mack, John Mica, Jeff Miller, Tom Rooney, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Dan Webster and C.W. Bill Young. Republicans voting no were, Sandy Adams, Mario Diaz-Balart, Rich Nugent, Bill Posey, David Rivera, Dennis Ross, Steve Southerland, Cliff Stearns and Allen West. All six Florida Democrats voted no.

[ekg]

John Boehner, 2009:

I’ve made it pretty clear to [my caucus] that as we get into next year, it’s pretty clear that Congress is going to have to deal with [the debt limit], We’re going to have to deal with it as adults. Whether we like it or not, the federal government has obligations and we have obligations on our part.

So much for those words of wisdom:
 

seems the 'in a huff' walk out was planned..

Republicans: Walkout from Biden-led negotiations was long planned

Republicans: Walkout from Biden-led negotiations was long planned
By Molly K. Hooper - 06/23/11 08:55 PM ET

GOP aides and lawmakers said House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s (R-Va.) decision to exit debt talks led by Vice President Biden was inevitable.

The timing of Cantor’s exit from the talks has been discussed for weeks, and senior House Republicans cast it as a natural progression for the negotiations.

“There have been discussions about when these talks need to end and when the Speaker and the president need to get in the game,” one GOP aide explained.

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/168287-republicans-biden-group-walkout-was-long-planned

Boehner spokesman Michael Steel said Cantor consulted Boehner Thursday morning before announcing his decision to leave the talks, which puts those negotiations in limbo.

kinda takes the 'umph' out when you planned to be that dramatic all along..

and btw, whoever thought a panel with Cantor,Kyle and McConnell on it could do anything bi-partsian should be fired..

[Howey]

seems the 'in a huff' walk out was planned..


kinda takes the 'umph' out when you planned to be that dramatic all along..

and btw, whoever thought a panel with Cantor,Kyle and McConnell on it could do anything bi-partsian should be fired..

Wait. Michael Steel...THAT Michael Steel?

[uselesslegs]

The Repubs (or almost all Repubs) have fully accepted their role of the abusive spouse.  They'll be happy to agree with you, as long as it's EXACTLY what they deem agreeable, if not...they'll make your life a living hell until you understand...you were completely wrong to begin with and that compromise would have been bad...MmmmKaaayy?

[ekg]

Wait. Michael Steel...THAT Michael Steel?

Boehner's spokesman is Michael Steel, but not that Michael Steel 

that Michael Steel is with another 'e'... Steele

[ekg]

The Repubs (or almost all Repubs) have fully accepted their role of the abusive spouse.  They'll be happy to agree with you, as long as it's EXACTLY what they deem agreeable, if not...they'll make your life a living hell until you understand...you were completely wrong to begin with and that compromise would have been bad...MmmmKaaayy?

Jim DeMint has come out to let any GOP member know that if they compromise with Obama on the debt ceiling, then they're gone .

his words..

[ekg]

Jim DeMint has come out to let any GOP member know that if they compromise with Obama on the debt ceiling, then they're gone .

his words..

here's my question..

when they (all) say shit like that, how can any member of their party claim it's Obama who not only won't compromise or work with the other side.. but his fault when shit doesn't get done?  When they literally threaten their members if they compromise or work with the Prez and shut down an entire section of the gov't that's needed in order to govern.. what result is it they expect?

I only wish the Dems had the balls to stand up to them..

[Howey]

Jim DeMint has come out to let any GOP member know that if they compromise with Obama on the debt ceiling, then they're gone .

his words..

I've got a funny feeling alott of tthem will be  gone come Novembber 2012.

[uselesslegs]

here's my question..

when they (all) say shit like that, how can any member of their party claim it's Obama who not only won't compromise or work with the other side.. but his fault when shit doesn't get done?  When they literally threaten their members if they compromise or work with the Prez and shut down an entire section of the gov't that's needed in order to govern.. what result is it they expect?

I only wish the Dems had the balls to stand up to them..

Once again, the abusive spouse.  Nothing is ever the abusive spouses fault, ever.  Even if they trip over a table, the same table that's been in the same place for years, it's not their fault.  Their anger or embarrassment (or both) are immediately redirected to their punching bag...whom somehow, someway...could have/should have...magically helped them avoid the fall. 

BUT...had the punching bag spoken up, prior to the fall....If somehow, someway they were in the right place at the right time and yelped, "look out!", well then...they STILL get a smack in the chops for assuming the abuser would trip or worse yet...implying they weren't paying attention, were perhaps short on the intelligence required to avoid the potential mishap.

Or better yet, when devout ideology, disgust, "righteous" anger and fear present you with YOUR version of a reality that is nightmarish, so nightmarish that is demands that you ignore all common sense, hypocrisy, irony, and any sense of ethical decorum that stands in the way of you getting your reality back...well then...you do what ya gotta.

Take your pick!