The debt ceiling must not be negotiated. Here is why.

[LuckyTheDog]

If the Republicans are allowed to use the threat of default as a bargaining chip, there is no limit to what they could do. The ramifications of a default would be so dire that virtually nothing would be beyond their grasp.

If they can ask for Obamacare to be ended, approval of the Keystone XL pipeline and all the rest, what would be next? Here is where I think they are going. If they get big concessions now, their next gambit could be to demand the resignation of President Obama and Vice President Biden. President Boehner would then gladly do the bidding of the Koch brothers.

I don't think it's all that far-fetched to think that is what they are up to.

[pnwmom]

1. I mostly agree with you, but I don't think they would go so far as to demand resignations.

They are simply demanding that Obama adopt all of Romney and Ryan's proposed policies.

[haele]

2. They won't actually force the resignation of the President -

they'll pull an impeachment gambit to waste time and congressional activity, but they don't want to win yet - they're looking at 2014 and 2016 where they can use gerrymandering to aid stuffing congress with Dominionist and/or facist fellow travellers.

They're planning to get their friends in the media and think tanks to blame their opponents for all of the damage they're doing - but their plan only works if they get concessions for their tantrums.

While many are frankly stupid and venal, there are enough clever(not smart, mind you - just gambler-clever) and greedy GOP'ers that could possibly get such a plan to work.

With the help of the asshole money behind elections, the idea that the boys from big business are making manuvers on both sides of the political aisle to turn this into the Corporate States of America is not far fetched.
Bought concessions from Blue Dogs or less dedicated politicians (you know, politicians who are there for the perks instead of actually working for a living...) will only play into the hands of the power brokers.

Haele

Hey Congressional Tea-Partiers! Don't ya'll have a HOA you can F*** up for everyone else but you and your clique - instead of our country?