Thursday, July 7, 2011

A Moment of Truth Is Approaching in Washington

The U.S. national debt is an embarrassment and a threat. The Europeans are teetering on the brink of their own disaster with Greece swaying precariously at the top of the heap. Meanwhile, Republicans cling to their tax breaks with both hands,while Dems undoubtedly are looking to print money and hand it out, as the November 2012 election pokes its scary head above the horizon.

Now is the moment for patriotism... or at least self-preservation... to trump partisan, selfish motives and impulses in DC. The Dems must curtail their urge to give away the store, while Republicans must pay something closer to their fair share of taxes. If the two sides can't find common ground for the common good, history will say, "A pox on both your houses."

For those of you who find this stuff obtuse,obscure, and daunting (I sure do), here's a pretty good primer:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43647632/ns/politics/t/users-guide-debt-debate/

Once you grasp the fundamental issues and principles, your still faced with the fact that everybody's got an opinion.

Former President Bill Clinton --- who looks older than God these days, but probably isn't any wiser for it --- says any deficit cutting must wait until the economy has fully recovered.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/06/bill-clinton-deficit-cuts-economy-recovered_n_891330.html

When will that be, Mr. Clinton? The day after the 2012 national election?

Then there's this blogger,who says Washington will trade away the interests of the elderly for the sake of the nation's multi-millionaires and billionaires:
http://www.bargainingforbenefits.com/2011/04/06/lets-trade-the-elderly-for-millionaires/

Another commentator contends, "We don’t CURRENTLY have a spending problem, we CURRENTLY have a revenue problem." http://gogreenteaparty.com/blog/2011/06/27/paul-ryan-gets-schooled-about-his-boneheaded-cut-and-grow-ideology/

Meanwhile, Obama says that his meeting today with Congressional leaders was "constructive" but far from dispositive. He adds that they meet again on Sunday. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20077617-503544.html Well at least both sides take things seriously enough to give up their Sunday golf matches.

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