The correct number is 535, BTW. I s'pose my brain (even older than my teeth) was trying to award statehood to DC.
Randy Joe Tullos
Alas, the fatal flaw. Congress appropriates funds, and the assumption that a compromise is better both point to why we are in a crisis. Everyone in congress that has been there more than 6 months are to blame. BTW, the number 535 is significant in many ways. The constitution provided for 1 representative for every 75,000 citizens. The courts allowed it to be change to limit the size of the house. If not we'd have about 4000 house members, and the constituents could elect their own representative. Now we elect a compromise candidate because money makes it impossible for a true representative to be elected.
Raymond Atkins
"'It became necessary to destroy the town to save it." This is one of the more infamous quotes to come out of the Vietnam era, and it has chilling relevance now.
Jim Geist
Treason....hang them all.
Duane Parsons
Yes, the debt crisis has been manufactured by House Republicans. The Democrats have waved the white flag and the Republicans will not accept the surrender.
Under George Dubya (and probably before), the debt limit was simply referred to as “housekeeping” and no Congress had a problem in voting to increase it. Both parties need to hold hands and jump off the cliff together. Can we not put the vitriol and political rhetoric aside for just a little while and push for a compromise?
The deal has always been the solution. Congress has rarely done anything memorable without a compromise. Often, their deals were made with quiet persuasion — seeking out members on the fence, and finding what it would take to knock them off; e.g., political favor. These tactics worked, even if they were not the most effective way to run a government. Now, even winning ugly seems impossible.
The House is the best example of the changes in Congress. The last few elections, whip-sawing between Democratic and Republican majorities, have eliminated many of the moderates in both parties. The special favors for the home districts known as “earmarks” have been banned in the GOP-controlled House. Therefore, Speaker Boehner can now only say, “Get your ass in line” to the House Freshmen instead of offering a new bridge, library, etc.
The political game of chicken is headed for a tragedy and both parties seem to have gone even further and removed the steering wheel to demonstrate they are locked into a certain path and can’t swerve. We hear the House Freshmen spin all the time when they insist their constituents refuse to accept a compromise and have thus tied their hands. But, what if the House Freshmen are truly crazy like rogue elephants? It’s time to stop playing the game of chicken. Avoid the rogue elephant; politically isolate it or use force to disarm it.
IMO, one way for Speaker Boehner to stop playing the game is to reach across the isle and bring in about 50 moderate Democrats with a revised bill. President Obama could do the same by declaring that the other side has foregone all pretenses at rational legitimacy, and simply proceed to govern as best he can for the good of the country.
Terrell Shaw
Jared I choose to ignore excrement like your last rant. Buy a dictionary before you post here again, please. Deal with issues rather than your hatred for the President, or don't put it here.
Jared Lathem
I do not hate the president. Calling him a failure does not equal hatred. Calling him arrogant does not equal hated. I love how the left can name call but as soon as a conservative does it it is hate speech. Why do I need a dictionary?
Here is a fact for you: The president has no plan. He has submitted no plan to the CBO. Here is another fact: Senator Obama voted AGAINST raising the debt ceiling under Bush. Here is yet another fact: Senator Obama disagreed with so much that President Obama is doing.
Jared Lathem
Am I correct thinking that is directed at me? If so, I would be careful. Terry doesn't like mean things like that written on his wall.
Tom Powell
Terry, I think hitting all those high notes has rattled your brain. He who has 4 and spends 5 has no need for a purse. After Obama rammed his policies through ignoring the outcry from the citizens he lost the house. But those who got elected are now trying to keep their pledge---a new and novel idea for the hill. I personally dont want to see a constitutional convention to amend the constitution. It is too risky. But it seems that when voters learned that they could vote themselves a distribution of OPM they did and now here we are. One side wants to live within their means and some want to live beyond their means. We put In God We Trust on our money. We wouldnt dare put that on a credit card. Keep it in tune.
Raymond Atkins
Terrell, I have to agree with you about the arrogance displayed by the freshman Tea Partiers. It would be very easy to dismiss them as right wing nut jobs were it not for the fact that they are going to cause this country great harm with their intransigence. Of all the many players in this debacle, they apparently are the only ones who feel that they are above the need to compromise. They seem to feel that they are under some sacred mandate, although to be honest, I have yet to hear a clear elucidation of the supposed Tea Party platform. Other than they hate Obama, of course.
