How smart is it to put government in a legal/financial straightjacket for decades to come?

[Armstead]

There is something that seems to get lost in all of the sturm und drang of the current "negotiations" over the debt ceiling.

Rather than simply dealing with an immediate crisis, the outcome of this seems to be aimed at preventing the public sector from being able to take any initiatives for decades into the future.

That's great for Republicans who want to see government hog-tied and locked in a corral forever.

But life will change, conditions will change and the needs ang goals of society will evolve....Some most likely for the better, and some most likely for the worse.

However if we lock the government budget into place, it will be unable to adapt to emergencies, or to take positive initiatives down the road.

Sure, we need to deal with the current economic mess, and we have to swallow some bitter medicine and cuts....BUT I don't understand why we have to remove the flexibility and ability to harness resources in the future.

[tularetom]

1. Hey they have to steal what they can while they can

In 50 years the demographics will not favor them. The people they have demonized and marginalized for decades will be in the majority. And the government will reflect this population shift.

The day of reckoning is coming and they know it. Naturally they want to take whatever steps they can to blunt its impact.

[indepat]

2. Don't worry, as long as other nations will fund our unexpected emergencies, like for example,

perpetual wars, our government will likely find the will to wage them. :patriot:

[Turbineguy]

3. If you are a republican, it's very smart.

If they can destroy the country, they win.

[Armstead]

4. If they destroy the government they win -- at the expense of everybody else

[bemildred]

5. Hey, if it's good for Greece, it must be good for us too. nt

[boppers]

6. It can all be changed next year.

That's how legislation works. There is no "decades" to it.

[Armstead]

7. Yeah, good luck with that...

If this was the annual budget battle I'd agree with you.

But the Gop is working on an agreement that wilk be very difficult if not impossible rescind...Especiallt if the GOP gains more power by milking it.