Debt ceiling crisis: Enough blame to go around

By Juanita Bratcher

 

If you’ve been watching the debt ceiling crisis debate and negotiations on Capitol Hill, by now you’ve heard various plans being tossed around to solve the crisis, word phrases from politicians that change sometimes on a daily basis, and blunt and pointless talk from legislators (the “wheelers and dealers” responsible for solving the debt ceiling crisis) pointing fingers and blaming each other.

America’s credit is on the line and the American people are wondering what the heck is going on. Why can’t these elected officials that we sent to Washington, DC to keep America thriving and at its best playing political games? And some from a childish or spoiler’s standpoint?

Yet, very little, if any, valid compromising has been made between opposing factions on what should be done to ward-off what would be a devastating crisis if America can’t pay its debts and take care of its obligations. This crisis should have been cleared up long before now so that efforts could move forward in making inroads in dealing with the economy and job creation, among other things.

Now, just a few days before the deadline of August 2, 2011 there is still a stalemate, impasse between the two (Democrats and Republicans) or is it the three factions (including the Tea Partyers?)

On Friday (July 29, 2011), House Speaker John Boehner was successful in passing a bill after failed attempts to get the 218 votes needed.

Under Boehner’s plan, the nation’s $14.3 trillion debt ceiling would have increased. The debt limit would have increased by $900 billion, a proposed $917 billion in reductions in projected government spending, and another vote by Congress on the debt issue in six months.

Boehner’s plan passed 218 (all Republicans) to 210. No Democrats voted for the bill. But even when voting on the bill, Boehner knew it had no chance of becoming law. Days earlier, 53 Democrats had signed a letter vowing to vote against Boehner’s plan. And even if it had passed the Senate, the bill was facing a DOA from President Barack Obama.

In a statement to the nation Friday (July 29, 2011), prior to the vote on Boehner’s plan, President Obama called on Congress to compromise to avoid defaulting on the Nation’s debt and calling on the American people to make their voices heard in this debate.

 “Right now, the House of Representatives is still trying to pass a bill that a majority of Republicans and Democrats in the Senate have already said they won’t vote for.  It’s a plan that would force us to re-live this crisis in just a few short months, holding our economy captive to Washington politics once again,” said Obama. “In other words, it does not solve the problem, and it has no chance of becoming law.”

The president went on to say that “What’s clear now is that any solution to avoid default must be bipartisan.  It must have the support of both parties that were sent here to represent the American people -– not just one faction.  It will have to have the support of both the House and the Senate.” (President Obama’s complete statement is posted on CopyLine’s website) 

Shortly after Boehner’s plan passed the House it was tabled in the Senate by a 59 (53 Democrats and six Republicans) to 41 vote. Then the focus turned to Senate Leader Harry Reid’s plan, one that provides for the government to continue paying its debt until after the November 2012 election. However, Democrat leaders in a press conference said Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell had declined to negotiate with them.

The clock is ticking away towards August 2. It’s time to put the country first, and stop playing gamesmanship politics that stands to erode America’s good credit rating, lead to economic collapse and stiffen America’s means to fulfill its obligations.