Walk A Mile In Paul Ryan's Shoes

Is it all for political show?  The idea that no Republican Senator supports the Ryan-Murray budget deal?  Because it doesn't go far enough when it comes to addressing entitlements, spending, etc?

They've gone right back to the Tea Party ways - our way or the highway.  What part of "you're not going to get it all especially at one time" do they not understand?  If it's just political posturing, what's the point?

That there is a deal at all is huge considering the climate of animosity in Congress.  I thought the other day that the Republicans might be getting smart but I see I am wrong.

I suggest any one of those Republican Senators who has the nerve to sit down across the table from Patty Murray, who is a  loyal, tough Democratic worker bee, and see if they can work out a better deal. Or a deal at all.

It's a good thing the Presidential elections are two years down the road.  Republicans are going to have a tough enough time with the mid-terms until and unless something gets through to the obstructionists and explains to them how politics actually work.  They who are holding up Ronald Reagan as their beacon, the man who knew 80% was better than none.  Take it in small increments.  The wins will build. Settling for nothing but everything guarantees you'll get nothing.

It seems elementary to me that in order to move the Republican agenda forward they are going to have to keep the House, take the Senate and the Presidency.  It isn't going to happen as long as the party remains divided or if the obstinate faction wins the battle for the heart soul of the party.

The excuse for the negativity is often blamed on their constituents.  "It's what I was elected to do."  Bull.  None of you were elected to block any sort of progress what-so-ever.  You were elected to figure out how to make things work.  That doesn't mean digging in for an impossible solution then bragging about how you stood on principle!

I'd think you'd have learned after the government shut down.  Apparently you haven't.  That nullifies loyalty and support.  How many of us can you afford to lose?

Are Republicans Beginning To Get It?

I actually like John Boehner when he gets mad.  He just doesn't do it often enough when he's dealing with the ultra conservative wing of his party. You know, the ones who refuse to vote for their own party position if it isn't exactly what they want.

They reared their ugly heads yesterday before the details of the new budget were known nor the ink dried.  Oh, the main stream, old guard Republicans caved they said.  It's another big step backwards.  You know, I wish they'd just go away.  Their methods cost the party far more than they are worth.

Okay.  The budget agreement isn't perfect.  The big thing is that an agreement was reached and it's not all bad.  Well, they didn't address all the major issues.  You'd think they'd learn that tackling all issues in one fell swoop can be disastrous.  Look at Obamacare.  Look at Ted Cruz's attempt to defund  Obamacare.  A big bite by both parties that didn't work for either.

John Boehner called these influencers ridiculous.  I'd use stronger language.  But this ilk of the Republican party are tough nuts to crack.  They are doing the very thing they accuse the President of doing - not bending.  Their way or the highway but disastrously within their own party.

At least Boehner realizes that even a small deal is better than no deal and that the country has no appetite for another government closure nail biter.  We have enough to contend with without that added anxiety yet again.  Consider the economy is making some small inroads toward improvement.  With a year long deal businesses can at least plan for that period of time rather than three months and hold your breath.

They've eased up on some of the more damaging areas of the sequester by allowing discretionary cuts rather than across the board.  This is especially advantageous for the military.  And no new taxes.  Isn't that the Republican mantra?

If just once they'd say, "Good job guys." But no.  It's always negative and divisive. Keep an eye on those who vote against this deal and keep it in mind when the elections come along.  If you're going to vote for an ideologue try voting for one who's ideology is 'country first, political ambitions second'.

While you're at it keep reminded what sort of legislation you get with nothing but partisan, ideological support.  It's called Obamacare.  Smaller bites are far more easy to chew and digest.  Gulps provide nothing but heartburn.

This budget bill is small to be sure.  But chew on it for awhile.  It may not taste so bad after all.

The Downgrade SHOULD Be A Wake Up Call

The possibility of a down grade in the U.S. credit rating has been like a ticking bomb for months.  It has been downgraded long before now by others than S&P but no one paid much attention to it.  At least it wasn't widely reported in the press.

Now all of a sudden the reality has hit and what do we do?  We look for someone to blame.  It's the Tea Party's fault.  It's the Democrats, the Republicans, Obama's  and of course George Bush.  Pick one.  How about all of the above!

So what do we do.  We attack Standard and Poor.  They are immature and foolish.  Their numbers are wrong.  Of course they've never been wrong before as long as they gave us the AAA rating. And they warned us. As have the others.  Moody's and Fitch. The market answered by taking a nose dive even though it was only one of three rating agencies.  But as I pointed out the other two haven't given us a pass.

So what's it all about?  We spend more than we take in and we've passed our limit.  We've borrowed so much that default looms unless we borrow even more and the lenders are saying, "Awww, I don't know how they're ever going to get ahead enough to repay us.  So we'll charge them higher interest to protect ourselves."  Of course that's a double edged sword and if we did default, they'd be out.  Debt forgiveness?  I wouldn't hold my breath.

When you boil down all the rhetoric, what we're being told is the rating agencies see no sign that we're able to get beyond our partisan bickering to put forth a budget that shows a plan for the way back.  Heck, the Democrats haven't put out a budget for two years. There is a law against that.  So what?

The President rejects everything that's been put forward whether it was good or bad plus offering no guidance on how he sees a fix.  The rest of the world is  now wondering where it can go for a stable currency.  Switzerland comes to mind.

So the President is going to move on to jobs.  I've got a clue for him.  With the economy in the tank there will be no jobs.  Tea Party take note.  You took us to the brink, making us look like fools and got nothing for it.  Democrats take note.  Put out a budget.  Republicans take note. Work with the Democrats ~ and vice versa including the Tea Party.  Of course being on vacation for the month we've heard little from you.

We've not heard much from the candidates either.  But Standard and Poor is hearing something loud and clear.  We've no act to get together.  I hate to say we deserve what's happening, but we're the ones who put the people in office.  Strange, isn't it, that we elected an administration and Congress who are deaf, dumb and blind.

A wake up call is only helpful if it's heard, the issue talked about as a national problem rather than a partisan pain in the neck and seen in the first place.  I fear that alarm may be a silent one.   The gang of twelve yet to be appointed will probably have a great deal to do with what Moody's and Fitch decide in the not too distant future.  I've heard little optimism from financial experts.  What an endorsement of our government!

What happens if they fail?  I fear Nancy Pelosi's dramatic statement about saving life on the planet as we know it may become a very haunting refrain.