Slide and Thanks from the Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC.com)
(Red Highlights are Mine)
The unintended (or maybe they were intended) consequences of the debt ceiling deal, which is a lousy deal for the entire country in my view, is in part clearly shown on this chart by making things even worse (jobs losses are very worrisome).
The audio and visual part of the Maddow Show can be seen here (15-minutes). It is worth your time.
A couple of points that Maddow mention are worth underscoring - like:
The GOP loves those automatic triggers, but they hate compromise, so we end up with a shitty deal (excuse my French), but the deal stinks to high heaven, like, well, you know a pile of you-know-what. Maybe like horse hockey (as my grandpa used to say).
Background: The trigger will be pulled automatically on spending if no future deals can be agreed to by any plan the "super committee" of 12 comes up with and puts forth for a vote, but no amendments or filibuster will be allowed. That plan will only need 7 votes to move the bill along for the final vote. Seven members of the House and Senate deciding the future of the country and not even the President has a say-so. Some deal, right?
If the the plan, or Raw Deal II that I call it, can't be agreed to, then those automatic, mandatory cuts kick in (the trigger is pulled and we shoot our collective self in the head).
The point is that the DEMS seem to think that negotiations are like a game. If we lose this time, then we are supposed to win next time. Sadly, this is a not a circumstance where if you lose, you are supposed to win, or presuppose, it's your time to win.
I further note that the GOP takes no prisoners in this kind of war -- a sustained war on the entire Federal system of government. They will not be satisfied, and their tactics on this "deal" show clearly beyond any doubt, is to dismantle the entire government and make it fit in a TEA bag.
The GOP are not satisfied with the history and greatness of our country, despite always saying they are, which as worked pretty darn good for over 235 years, until they get the changes to the basics that they want. Funny, I always though the GOP stood for tradition, the basics, and the rock-solid Constitutional framework. Ha - where'd that go? Now, they are content to downsize the entire Federal system including not only the size and cost of government, but axe the role, function, and purpose of government. Funny, but not ha ha funny. I thought those questions were settled in 1776 and 1865.
All I am saying is that the GOP loves automatic triggers and mandatory cuts, but they hate compromise. Those things of course mean they can further duck their sworn duties by passing the buck (assumes there is a buck to be passed).
The GOP hates hard work and positive outcomes unless and until they get their way for their political base and of course, for the upper crust who relies on the GOP to change the rules to benefit the upper crust.
It's a great symbiotic relationship for the GOP and big money and big corporations that apparently are now getting their final way (they think).
It's like that little bird that rides around on the Rhino's back eating the insects that irritate the Rhino all the while getting a free ride and protection. In this case the insects are the DEMS and the public (i.e., Unions, public employees, teachers, seniors, students and the less-fortunate), and the Rhino is well you know who the Rhino is.
What I see unfolding is not the country I have known all my life, nor served proudly for over 40 years, and it's probably not yours, either. The question is: What do we intend to do about it?
0 comments:
Post a Comment