Suppose they just vote on the debt ceiling, nothing else

[Nancy Waterman]

And let the world know it was only the Republicans who refused to vote for it. If and when everything crashes, it will be 100% their fault. I think that would scare the sh** out of the GOP if they had to get blamed for such a disaster. We should just refuse to play this game and vote on a clean bill. If the House GOP refuse or the Senate filibuster, again it will be entirely their fault what happens. End of story.

[Autumn]

1. Obama and the Dem's should push for that.

Quit letting the GOP frame the agenda and let them eat their own shit.

[Nancy Waterman]

Exactly so!!

Make it clear and simple. We are responsible. They are not. They are threatening to wreak havoc.
Let them eat the whole thing if that is what they choose.

[pnwmom]

2. Everything crashes, and it's the Rethugs fault, and we're in for

ten or twenty years of Depression. Or more.

Nice to be able to blame them, but I don't see how that's going to help us much. Obama might get reelected -- maybe -- and we'd still be stuck in a Depression.

Or Obama might not get re-elected. Half of Americans would easily believe the Rethugs argument that the deficit is what's causing our problems -- and that's why the market crashed.

[Nancy Waterman]

3. I think they will chicken out

But it is a shame they have brought the government to function as a game of chicken.
They have power because we believe they are stupid enough to do what they threaten,
no matter the consequences. Their power comes from how crazy they are or at least how crazy they seem.
How fu*ked up is that for a way to run a government?!

[joshcryer]

5. No, we'd be screwed for a year while waiting for proper elected representitives.

Then we'd disarm our military to a significant extent and be solvent very quickly.

[pnwmom]

18. You don't get it. The consequences of a default would be skyrocketing

interest rates. There would be a domino affect on our whole economy, and the world's economy. A new Congress wouldn't be able to quickly solve these problems. We'd have 10 years or more of worldwide Depression -- versus the recession we've been having.

[joshcryer]

4. It's their fault either way, but I do like that since it makes it into a vote as opposed to...

...evil under the table shit.

But since we don't control the House I find it highly unlikely such a vote would ever make it out of committee.

[no_hypocrisy]

6. One big reason why not: Boehner would never let a stripped Bill get to the floor for a vote.

[boxman15]

7. Right.

It would make sense to do this, but it'll never happen thanks to the Speaker.

It's ridiculous it's gotten to this point, though.

[no_hypocrisy]

9. Welcome to DU!

[boxman15]

11. Thanks!

[brooklynite]

8. They already did...it failed

[joshcryer]

10. Got a link to the vote? Would appreciate it.

[mzmolly]

13. The Republican house will not vote on a clean bill.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/04/11/6452025-wh-dems-want-clean-debt-ceiling-vote

Dems and the WH called for this kind of a vote last spring.

[karynnj]

14. Here's a link

Though I never heard of this source, this is what happened. The Republicans forced the vote and many House Democrats voted with the Republicans as it was spun as being against fiscal responsibility.

http://www.eagleworldnews.com/2011/06/01/us-house-rejects-bill-raising-debt-ceiling/

Rand Paul tried to get a similar vote in the Senate - where he would vote "no" - Boxer called it a stunt.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/0611/Senate_GOP_considers_clean_debt_ceiling_test_vote.html

[joshcryer]

20. Thank you! So it appears that the Republicans are controlling the narrative.

Instead of "the United States will default if the debt ceiling isn't raised" they're making it "anyone who raises the debt ceiling is not fiscally responsible!"

[mzmolly]

12. "White House: Obama Wants 'Clean' Debt Vote" Headlines from April of 2011

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/04/11/6452025-wh-dems-want-clean-debt-ceiling-vote

[Nancy Waterman]

15. So they won't negotiate and they won't do a clean bill

I am so tired of us being bullied. Their power is in the fact we don't think they care enough to not destroy the world economy.
They are completely crazy and it scares us to death.

[mzmolly]

16. Right.

I have no idea why they have any power at all, let alone so much.

[joshcryer]

21. They're neofascists. I hope people get out and vote this go around or this country is doomed.

[Renew Deal]

17. I've been saying that Obama should ask for a clean bill all along.

And that's what he should do now.

[pnwmom]

19. He said that's what he wanted in the very beginning.

They said no.

And so it stands.

[joshcryer]

22. See post #14.