Nicholas Kristof - The Opposing Party

[Derechos]

Senator Mitch McConnell has a clever plan to resolve the federal debt impasse. Congressional Republicans would invite President Obama to raise the debt ceiling on his own, and then they would excoriate him for doing so.

Hm. Just a bit contradictory?

Meanwhile, the impasse arose because Congressional Republicans thunder against government red ink, yet refuse to raise revenue by ending tax breaks that help Warren Buffett pay a lower tax rate than his receptionist (which he agrees is preposterous).

Another contradiction? Of course.

Senator McConnell’s plan — a pragmatic way to avert a catastrophic default — may be torpedoed by more extremist House Republicans, like Michele Bachmann. They seem to fear that ending tax loopholes for billionaire fund managers would damage a fragile economy. Yet they seem to think that this invalid of an economy would be unperturbed by the risk of a default on our debts.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/14/opinion/14kristof.html?ref=opinion

[no_hypocrisy]

1. If Obama were to raise the debt ceiling unilaterally, he shouldn't do it via McConnell and his

"deal". Obama might as well do it by citing authority in the 14th Amendment to the Federal Constitution. What McConnell is proposing is more unconstitutional than the proposed 14th Amendment end run. Congress cannot delegate its authority with respect to revenue because the Founders wanted the two Chambers to be answerable to The People, each representative, each Senator to the individuals in his/her territory.

[FSogol]

2. The Founding Fathers never foresaw sniveling fucks like Cantor and McConnell being elected.

:shrug:

[no_hypocrisy]

3. With due respect, in a sense, they did.

That's why the Separation of Powers was carefully drafted, to help an imperfect branch self-regulate. If Congress were to act independently of what The People wanted, then their tenure would be threatened within two years or six years, depending upon which Chamber. And even if representatives like Cantor do get re-elected, his hold on power might be tenuous and he'd be relegated to just voting yes or no.