Failure to Launch, Safety Net in Danger, FDR & the Debt

It seems almost certain that the elderly and disabled are in for some difficult times and tough adjustments.  Politics continue to take center stage and politicians are playing the blame game and riding the waves of re-election funding.  It seems that no one is looking out for the interests of the most frail and vulnerable among us and that every politician is looking to protect only his/her own ass.  Today may be a crucial day for everyone who is concerned about the common good.

No Agreement on Debt Ceiling

"Congressional leaders failed Sunday to reach agreement on a plausible path to raise the country's borrowing limit ahead of international market openings on Monday.  At least publicly.  According to sources in both parties, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) are likely to introduce separate debt packages in their respective chambers Monday, each with a different approach to avoiding a catastrophic default, and the key question now is whether the two plans can be reconciled in some way -- whether the trains are moving in the same direction or set to collide head on."

Overall, the approach appears to be cuts with no revenue -- something that Conservatives ought to support wholeheartedly.  However, there are so many twists and turns and so many competing special interests on the Republican side that there is no predicting success or failure as they attempt to please everyone.  I say:  "Tea Partiers beware;  your influence is about to come to an abrupt halt as Republicans selfishly realize the damage you are causing to the GOP,  (notwithstanding the essentially irrelevant damage to America)."

The Shredding Safety Net

"Social Security payments aren't the only federal lifeline that could grind to a halt if the debt ceiling impasse continues beyond Aug. 2.  The federal government supports myriad safety net programs, such as unemployment insurance, tuition grants, food stamps, child care subsidies and housing assistance. That's not to mention the nation's massive health insurance programs: Medicare and Medicaid."

Stopping, reducing, or delaying these payments will not only hurt the aged, the disabled, and the poor.  The effects on the economy as a whole also would be catastrophic.  It's truly frightening to consider that many Conservatives want a debt default.  Maybe the chaos would vindicate the survivalists.

What Would FDR Do?

"The only recent president who has faced an economic crisis more prolonged or more severe than the one our economy faces was the progressive legend Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who faced down both the Great Depression and the Nazis with equal aplomb and bested them both, and the contrast between how Obama is handling his economic showdowns with Republicans entering his reelection and how Roosevelt handled a similar time in his presidency could not be more clear.  Obama has wanted to bring the nation above politics and create a grand bargain that incorporates ideas from both parties in an attempt to prove that our country is not as divided as our politics suggests, and he has, in his own words, been repeatedly left at the altar by Republicans with no conscience who want nothing more than to destroy him and his presidency."

The opinion is that FDR was both more practical and more principled than President Obama . . . in spite of the President's many compromises and vision of the future.  Mr. Obama's ability to dream big on behalf of the country may become his downfall.

For Your Information

Debt Ceiling for Dummies: Why Compromise Is so Necessary

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More on the Debt Ceiling, Defending Medicare Part D, Who Speaks for the Disabled and Aged?

When I started TMDR, I never thought I'd be paying so much attention to the debt ceiling.  I knew there would be budget and fiscal issues and I knew there would be political differences.  However, I never thought there would be such inflexible ideological positions or that one party would bring the United States to the brink of default.

Debt Ceiling Talks Might Be Making Progress

"The White House is denying reports that President Obama is close to a deal with House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) on a debt limit/deficit reduction package comprised of concrete spending cuts, and aspirational revenue increases."  However, Democrats are concerned that President Obama may be giving up too much -- that "aspirational" revenues could come sometime in the future while spending cuts would begin immediately.

The article continues, "One Democratic operative close to principals in the talks put it this way: 'It is now up to Reid and Pelosi to have the courage to defend Democratic values and say no to a deal that will eviscerate Medicare and Social Security.  Will they?'"

Democrats are becoming skeptical about any budget deal.

Will Democrats Continue to Defend Medicare?

Recommended reading:  "Quite rightly, the Democratic Party has long been considered the party of Medicare.  The giant health coverage program for the elderly and disabled was created by a Democratic president and initially passed by a largely Democratic Congress over stiff opposition from Republicans.  When Republicans proposed gutting Medicare -- first in 1980s budget debates and again following the 1994 Republican takeover of Congress -- Democrats have stood firm to defend it."  "Now, in the midst of budget talks, the way the party deals with that same [Medicare] drug benefit will determine whether Democrats can retain their credibility as the Party of Medicare or surrender the program's future to its historical antagonists in the Republican Party."

Who?  Is It You and I?

Democratic values and Conservative values are on the line.  Somehow, some way, a reasonable compromise must be joined.  And, yet, it seems that both sides are unmoved and unmovable.  We know very clearly who protects and speaks for the rich.  The question is: "Who protects and speaks for the poor, the sick, the disabled, and the aged?"  Is it the Democrats, the Liberals, the Progressives, the religious community?  Is it you and I?

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Polls Support Balanced Spending, GOP Shuns Gang, Video - Health Politics

Balancing the Approach to Balancing the Books

"Democratic officials are crowing over a string of recent polls showing public opinion rapidly shifting towards support for a debt ceiling increase."  According to DNC Communications Director Brad Woodhouse, "'With the deadline to avoid an historic and catastrophic default on the United States' debt approaching, recent polls all reflect the same conclusion: that the American people overwhelmingly support a balanced approach to addressing our nation's fiscal challenges with both spending cuts and revenue, a position that President Obama is advocating for but that Republicans are refusing to even consider.'"

Here's an interesting chart on the Most Popular Options for Debt Reduction from the ABC News / Washington Post poll:

Personally, I think the poll simply reflects the basic FAIRNESS of the large majority of Americans (and a majority of Republicans).  It simply demonstrates their willingness to share sacrifices.  Of course, there remains a small minority who still don't want to bear their fair share -- who still want unfair tax advantages for themselves and their businesses.  When people are aware of inequity, they disagree.

Gang-B-Gone!

As expected, top Republicans are pushing away from the Gang of Six Plan.  "In a publicly released memo meant to undermine support for the Gang of Six plan in its current form, House Budget Committee chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) laments, 'it increases revenues while failing to seriously address exploding federal spending on health care, which is the primary driver of our debt.  There are also serious concerns that the proposal's substance on spending falls far short of what is needed to achieve the savings it claims.'"

First, federal spending on health care is not the primary driver of our debt;  try tax breaks for the wealthy and two wars started by the previous Administration.  It appears that -- once again -- Mr. Ryan is choosing politics over any attempt by himself or other Republicans in the grip of Conservatives to create a solution.  Clearly, much more detail needs to be worked out.

The article continues, "Perhaps most telling of all, a Senate GOP Leadership Aide told Politico, 'Background guidance: The President killed any chance of its [the Gang of Six Plan] success by 1) Embracing it. 2) Hailing the fact that it increases taxes. 3) Saying it mirrors his own plan.'  One imagines that if Obama'd said nothing, GOP aides would be complain just as loudly that the President hasn't publicly embraced any proposal coming out of Congress.  Now that he has, Republicans will run away -- and that's just what we're seeing."

Video:  'Gang Of Six' In The Health Care Spotlight

An interesting discussion:  "The proposal from the Senate’s so-called "Gang of Six" has injected some new life into efforts to raise the debt ceiling and settle on a package of spending cuts that would pass both chambers.  President Obama's enthusiasm was evident at a surprise press room appearance on Tuesday, which also served as an opportunity for him to position Democrats as the party willing to compromise."  "NPR’s Julie Rovner talks with Jackie Judd [Kaiser Family Foundation] about the re-emergence of the 'Gang of Six' senators in the debt-ceiling debate, what their plan means for the CLASS Act, and how missing details are likely to be filled in."

For Your Information

130 Republicans Who Are In Congress Today Voted To Hike The Debt Ceiling Under Bush Without Hostage Threats

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