I posted yesterday about the stunning political incompetence of Republican Senators, who reportedly are willing to give Obama an increase in the debt limit in exchange for a vote (yes, just a vote) on a balanced budget amendment.
As I explained, there is no way they can get the necessary two-thirds support to approve an amendment, so why trade a meaningless and symbolic vote on a BBA for meaningful and real approval of more borrowing authority for Obama? My analogy yesterday was that this was like trading a all-star baseball player for a utility infielder in the minor leagues.
I did acknowledge that forcing a vote on a BBA was a worthwhile endeavor, but said that the GOP has that power anyhow, so why trade away something valuable to get something you already can get for free?
Little did I realize that Republicans already did force a vote on the balanced budget amendment. Less than one month ago, on March 2, Senator Lee of Utah got a vote on a “Sense of the Senate” resolution in favor of a balanced budget amendment. Senator Lee’s resolution was approved by a 58-40 margin, which is nice, but an actual amendment would need a two-thirds supermajority, so this test vote demonstrated that there is no way to approve an amendment this year.
I’m glad Senator Lee proposed his resolution. I’m glad Senators were forced to go on the record.
But I’m mystified, flabbergasted, and stunned that Republicans apparently are willing to give Obama a bigger debt limit in exchange for something they already got.
This would be like the Yankees giving Derek Jeter to the Red Sox in exchange for a player they already have, such as Alex Rodriguez. I imagine New York sportswriters would be dumbfounded by such stupidity and would rip the team’s management to shreds. So that gives you an idea of how I feel about what’s happening in Washington.
As I noted in yesterday’s post, I’ll soon write about the fiscal reforms GOPer should demand in exchange for a higher debt limit.
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Here is what the GOP should demand – real rules with teeth that limit spending: No spending above 18% of GDP without a supermajority; No spending increases without corresponding cuts; No tax increases without supermajority.
In short, REAL FISCAL CONSERVATISM.
This is why Sen Reid wont agree to it. Which means if the GOP demands it, no agreement and no debt ceiling increase a crisis will ensue. SO the GOP is stuck with (a) asking for something they wont get and ‘causing a crisis’ or (b) pretending to do somthing while actually caving.
Getting a BBA vote is a showboat meaningless token.
[…] as Dan further points out, the GOP already got a vote on the BBA on March 2nd and it failed. So, the GOP is saying, […]
To use internet vernacular: Obvious Bootleggers and Baptists are obvious.
The Republicans apparently have their own reasons for wanting to raise the debt limit, regardless of what they say, and need political cover. The fact that their motivations for doing so may be different from the Democrats doesn’t help the taxpayers one iota.
People have talked about the two parties being one big party. I’ve heard Rush Limbaugh list the differences when he hears anyone suggest that. They’re hard to argue with on their face, but then Republican and Democrat politicians don’t need to have the same motivations to want the same result.
Concern yourself no more about why they would make such an ‘irrational’ trade. Don’t even waste your breath asking whether they are liars or just stupid. Don’t just shrug at the stupidity/dishonesty of politicians generally as the expected norm – that’s just more cover they can hide behind.
Stop letting them off the hook and ask the apposite question which is: Why do, (a majority), of Republican politicians want the debt limit raised? Because it’s blindingly apparent they do. Y’all are not stupid. Why do you doubt what logic tells you?
The answer is: They are not representing the interests and philosophy of their constituents at all. Political cover blown.
Voters need to send that message loud and clear so their so-called ‘representatives’ know they’re not fooling anyone, (or enough), and thus believe they can have their cake and eat it too.
The Tea Party guys y’all sent to Washington can’t fight the entrenched mentality on their own. They still need that kind of support from voters to shut these clowns down.