I attempted and failed miserably at explaining the debt ceiling and its importance to a friend. There was a lot of wild gesturing and then a heavy sigh at the end. I think it comes from how debt ceiling, deficit and budget are inexorably intertwined. And the next thing you know states are facing the same budget crises that they faced this past year. A problem that will persist until we are out of this hole. Anyway, if you have been wondering what this is all about, Ali Velshi explains it here.
Category Archives: Congress
The Worst of Times
“The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments.” ~William E. Borah
Congress has been enjoying a two vacation in their districts. And by ‘enjoying’ I mean, subjecting themselves to what can be the most difficult part of their jobs; answering to their constituents by way of Town Hall meetings.
Here’s a visual:
And this one, too:
(both via Crooks and Liars)
I’m torn between smirking from the hilarity of watching the likes of Paul Ryan sneak through small town Wisconsin and disgusted by the behavior of adults. I understand anger with politicians and I’m pretty sure most people have honestly thought of hurling something at the television during the Sunday morning talk show circuit. But there’s a fine line between the first amendment and the joys of democracy and being a total shit head who should be arrested.
It might be tired and a cliche but very true that if you aren’t angry then you aren’t paying attention. I think we’ve gone well past angry to livid especially in the face of unemployment and a giant ‘fuck you’ from the GOP to seniors and the poor by way of erasing Medicare and Medicaid. I nod when I see the passion in the voice of these people attempting to get their most likely well-off and employed member of Congress to understand their plight. We also live in a time where this hysteria and displeasure towards our elected officials can lead to the worst possible situation. A terrifying scenario that was once a ‘yeah right’ is now a distinct possibility.
So, in a time where uncertainty prevails and passions run high, how do we go about traversing the tenets of democracy without falling off the deep end? I’m not asking because I have a response but because I really want to know how we got to this point and how we get back.
Also posted in In the News 1 Comment
What the whole world is seeing
via the Washington Post
“There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle.” ~Alexis de Tocqueville
I’m a poor excuse for a political blogger. Perhaps because I feel things far too deeply and that, already, spells disaster for a life in politics. Regardless, each time I make an attempt to write about the Debt Deficit Debacle of 2011 everything either up and changes or I end up so frustrated by the entire process that I throw my hands in the air and go back to do something far more productive than following adults behave like four year olds. Something like watching Basketball Wives. I’d rather watch a bunch of angry black women yelling and throwing drinks at each other than watch the President and Speaker of the House have a pissing contest. This. Right here. What we’re seeing is not only posturing at its absolute finest but also the epitome of what happens when men are in charge of everything: It’s like they’re averse to compromise. Or being rational. It’s a sad state of affairs right now and the policy wonk in me wants to get into the nitty-gritty of whos and whats of the trillions that need to be cut and how we got here in the first place and oh my God, if I hear one more Republican state how awful stimulus funding is without mentioning TARP, I’m going to lose it. Can you sense my anger about this entire situation? One that defies rational so how am I to be rational myself?
Have you been watching? Even if you started yesterday when you witnessed the Speaker going “mano-a-mano” (his words) with the President of the United States. What are your thoughts? Our country is in some serious trouble though Sarah Palin thinks we’re all getting worked up over nothing. There’s nothing to fret about as she waves a hand in front of your face. But, I care and worry. Most people do. The markets that help keep this country running sees this as Armageddon. So what do you think? Because I, for one, am embarrassed.
Yes, the whole world is watching, Mr. President. And we should all be ashamed of what they’re seeing.