It seems that the "shared sacrifice" can only come from default

[mdmc]

I hear no talk of ending our overseas empire. No tax increase from those able to afford it. No cut in wasteful military spending.

How can we get these things? How can we share the sacrifice?

I think it would be epic if our (paid for) politicians bit the corporate hand that feeds them. Big Business always gets what they want; now their minions are threatening to destroy the economy? Bring it on.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

1. It shows you what comes of allowing the mega-rich to lobby their way into government

That's what we Americans have done to ourselves. :(

I'm beginning to see this as a completely ignorant country.

[no limit]

2. They will never allow a default. This is all for show

make us as afraid as possible of a default then use that fear to cut the very programs we all depend on and then take that money and give it to the richest people in this country.

This will allow Obama to pretend he never wanted to give rich people more tax cuts, nor cut social security, nor cut medicare. But because of an emergency he just had to do it. And the usual suspects around here and elsewhere will happily fall in line and call you crazy for not supporting the president in this. Eventhough right now they swear there is no agreed to plan on cutting any of these things so we all just need to shut the fuck up about it.

[mdmc]

3. time will tell

thanks for the reply