Debt Limit Shenanigans Reach New Level of Farce

[DonViejo]

JOSH MARSHALL – FEBRUARY 11, 2014, 12:33 AM EST

House Republicans are scheduling a vote for Wednesday on a proposal to lift the debt limit for roughly one year. But what was once a reckless game of chicken has descended into a ridiculous charade. Gone are the days when House Republicans threatened to force the country into default if the President wouldn't agree to vast cuts in spending. Now, as the price of a debt limit increase, Republicans are demanding a spending increase.

That's right. As part of the global effort to rein in spending, which is purportedly what the annual debt limit cliffhanger is about, they want a relatively small spending increase - specifically reinstating military retirement benefits which were axed as part of the sequester. Or, in other words, insisting on undoing something they won in an earlier debt limit hostage crisis.

But it gets better.

This particular demand is also supported by the Democrats. The only hitch is that Democrats - coming off the last three years of game playing - insist that debt limit increases be "clean", ie., not involve legislative extortion.

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http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/debt-limit-shenanigans-reach-new-level-of-farce

[el_bryanto]

1. That is pretty hilarious.

"Hey I'll give you $10 if you need it."

"No, I can't be seen to be working with you." (pulls out a gun and puts a bandit mask on) "Now, give me $10 or else."

"Hmmm. No. I can't be seen to be weak."

"Come on dude. Just let me mug you."

"No way man. Just take that silly mask off and put the gun away and I'll give you your $10."

"But then I'll look weak."

Bryant

[DetlefK]

2. The Democrats should openly thank them for giving up.

The Tea Party-base would love this.

[pangaia]

3. I assume they just want democrats to vote AGAINST

reinstating military retirement benefits, which Republicans basically axed in the first place.
Ah, my brain is like a smoke-filled niche.

[Mass]

7. No, they want the Dems to vote for it so that they can say there is something attached to the bill.

They do not have a majority with the GOP alone, apparently.

[Motown_Johnny]

4. Restore UIA benefits and increase food assistance and we have a deal

If they want more spending then I say we give it to them.

[edhopper]

5. When I heard this

I thought of Clevon Little in Blazing Saddles.

[Mass]

6. It would be hilarious if it was not that dangerous

The problem is that the limit is on the 27th and the House is closed until the 25th.

If this proposal fails (and it will likely because the Dems do not seem to want to play), there will be two days for the House to pass that when they come back from recess. Given the Republican caucus and its stupidity, it is dangerous.