The 112th is leaving town and we have arrived at this point with what they left the nation

[Skidmore]

in terms of work barely done and remaining. I just want to suggest that we take the time to arrive at some agreement on what we want to see accomplished. We need to be on the same page and have some plan on input into the process other than focusing on what just occurred. I'd like to see us do some leaning forward in anticipation of how to counteract the upcoming battle in a couple of months and squabbling amongst ourselves is not the answer.

Perhaps we can start on this thread with some ideas.

I do want the President to invoke the 14th amendment if the Republicans try to blackmail the nation with the debt ceiling again. In fact, I would like to see the debt ceiling eliminated as a mechanism for ginning up bad policy.

Social Security should be left alone and I want to see significant examination and transparency with the defense budget before we touch any other social program or program investing in infrastructure. Eliminate mercenaries and bring troops home for starters.

Gotta run to get my errands done but I hope we can have some good discussion on this thread.

[KharmaTrain]

1. Invoking the 14th Ammendment...

...will surely trigger one hell of a court battle revolving around the age-old battle of separation of powers. Congress, in specific, the House, are the ones who have the ultimate power of the purse thus taking away that authority...especially by an executive action is sure to be viewed as a power grab. Let's put shoes on the other foot and this is a rushpublican trying to override a Democratic house...would you find this kosher?

What we saw in this cliff debacle was the splintering of the house rushpublicans, but how splintered is still to be determined. A new House goes into business tomorrow and while there are less of 'em, there are fewer moderates and it's not certain if Boner will be the leader or someone else. I expect we'll play this brinksmanship game on the debt ceiling, but this administration has learned that this is the best way for them to prevail.

To your question as to what should be examined...if I could wave a magic wand...it'd be ALL corporate welfare...defense, price supports, contractors and more. Yes...leave SS totally out of this and if there are to be changes to medicare they should be of waste, not elligability. If anything, we'll have to look at expanding coverage as more people turn to government-sponsored care thanks to Obamacare.

Sadly we're in for a couple rough months...the debt ceiling in the House and the revision of filibuster rules in the Senate. You also have a very polarized electorate that now manifests in a dysfunctional legislative...

Cheers...