Debt Ceiling Politics Pervades Washington, D.C.
Ah, the mystical and mischievous workings of Washington, DC.
“The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure,” he said. “It is a sign that the U.S. Government can’t pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government’s reckless fiscal policies. … Leadership means that ‘the buck stops here.’ Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better. I therefore intend to oppose the effort to increase America’s debt limit.” Senator Obama, 2006
And now President Obama in 2013, Obama: No Negotiation.
In this round, however, the president and his aides maintain that when it comes to raising the government’s borrowing authority and meeting its debt obligations, there’s no bargaining.”The entire world looks to us to make sure that the world economy is stable. You don’t mess with that,” Obama said Thursday. “And that’s why I will not negotiate on anything when it comes to the full faith and credit of the United States of America.”
And Senate Leader Harry Reid: No conversation,
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., on Thursday demanded the GOP-controlled House simply send the Senate unencumbered spending and debt ceiling bills.”There’s no need for conversations,” Reid said. “We’ve spoken loudly and clearly, and we have the support of the president of the United States. And that’s pretty good.”
And the esteemed Senator from Tennessee Robert Corker: No transparency.
Ted Cruz vs. Bob Corker
Ted Cruz and Bob Corker debate which one of them wants to defund Obamacare more.
That old adage that “the more things change, the more they remain the same” certainly seems to pertain to Washington, DC. And the old guard based upon the actions of the Senate on Friday morning retain full control. And so who is to blame for the confusion, impasse’ and pending government shutdown?
