If you're not feelin' it, the pressure from the debt crisis countdown to Aug 2, you must be living in a cave. It's everywhere, the talking heads on tv, the radio talk shows, the newspapers, the internet---will the sky really fall, is it really that serious, or will we somehow find a way out of this more than scary situation before we need to find out? For all the drama, there's still no ending. Our congress seem unable to solve the riddle of the debt crisis as we move ever closer to the deadline One plan after the other has been offered up as way out, or at least a way to keep going for awhile, and each one has been scuttled, as too weak on taxes, or too strong on cuts.
President Obama so far, while long on words and scolding speeches, has been woefully short on any resolution or plan of his own design. He has given several press conferences, the latest this morning, imploring bi-partisanship. Perhaps if he could have been more of an example---he could have rallied all the troops, instead of pitting one against the other. Instead, he continued to blame Bush for past deeds, and the Republicans for holding the nation hostage and for, offering only unsatisfactory plans,which seems to be anything at all that includes serious spending cuts and doesn't include increasing taxes. In other words, it's my way or the highway, fellas---get it? John Boehner, House majority leader, gets it alright, and virtually threw up his hands last Friday, saying he could not negotialte with the president any longer, as they are just too far apart in their thinking and the president keeps changing his mind. Nothing short of a "clean bill", Obama's past April term for a proposal to increase the debt without any cuts, giving him full reign to keep spending, seems to be what this president really wants, though he reluctantly now agrees to some light weight cuts---unbelievably, he keeps blaming the Republicans for their stubborn unwillingness to compromise, and even turning down Senator Harry Reid's plan, which raises the debt limit, but omits the holy grail of a tax increase.
One is reminded of the old story, "The Emperor Who Wore No Clothes"---the transparency is so there, but the bully pulpit of Obama allows him to think he can run nakededly through the controversy wearing his only real solution---to raise taxes in order to keep paying for his over spending. The problem, Mr. Obama---is DEBT OVERLOAD--- we are spending more than we're taking in---raising taxes will just prolong and cover up the symptoms of a disease called "living outside our means". Nor is it fair, many feel, to continuously berate the rich (those making over 250,000.00, for "not giving their fair share"). What's fair about asking for more and more, while you continue to spend more and more, already having racked up more debt than any other president in history? Of course, there is the other side of the argument, which claims it's unfair for the rich to not share their wealth when the country is in such trouble, but that is a philosophical debate, not pragmatic, nor practical at this very crucial time---we simply can't afford to rock the boat with higher taxes on those who in many ways supply the jobs. Even the Democrats have come around to recognizing that, as seen with the one plan they have presented, via Harry Reid, Senate Majority Leader.
There are now two plans being considered: The John Boehner plan, which raises the debt by 1.2 trillion and requests in return, 900 billion in cuts, but another review in 6 months with possible further increases; and the Harry Reid plan, which offers 2.2 trillion debt raise, no review until 2012 (after the election) and cuts dependent on the wind down of our two wars, assumable and not considered negotiable cuts by the Republicans. Both are probably dead on arrival. The Boehner plan, as of last night, had awkwardly stalled, the Republicans not even able to agree among themselves on whether to include a balanced budget amendment to the bill, which the more conservative members of the party were insisting upon. The Reid plan won't fly either, as the president has said he will veto it, due to the exclusion of no new taxes. Is this brinkmanship or incompetency? Both parties are suffering from inside fracturing and election-itis. They desperately need a president who can lead them to higher ground.
But NEWS FLASH!! As this is being written, the Boehner bill has passed the House---with the balanced budget amendment boldy included and requiring passage by an outside committee before an additional 1.6 trillion could potentially be added later. Progress? Not so fast---Nancy Pelosi has already declared this latest move by the Republicans as "going nowhere" " and a waste of time". Hope floats, but politics torpedoes --once again.
President Obama, meanwhile, is definitely feeling it, as he gave yet another speech this morning, sounding frustrated , more conciliatory, and urging more compromise and decision, but as the CBO cautioned him, our credit ratings are not improved by speeches. Ooh, that had to sting a little----a Rodney Dangerfield moment for sure, as the president appears to be losing ground and respect. Perhaps, with this latest development, and as Obama begins to feel the pressure on his shoulders, there's still hope that he will begin to lead and bend enough to bow to circumstances and the reality of an economically broken country. That would be true leadership, which sometimes comes late in the form of humility and grace. It is time for both---may he find it, for all of our sakes. Now is his chance----the ball is of this evening, in the Dems' court. The clock is running out----tick, tock, and no more time-outs.
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