Rational Nation USA

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation U SA Purveyor of Truth Is anybody, and I mean ANYBODY in either party really serious about controlling the explosive rate of debt growth we have experienced since the 2008/2009 meltdown? I really think not. Mitch McConnell talking to Chris Wallace about raising the debt ceiling. Below the fold THINK PROGRESS weighs in. Content as expected from a far left publication. Meanwhile, over at CBS and Bob Schieffer's FACE the NATION Ted Cruz chimed in and actually made a bit of sense. Assuming of course he, and anyone else is really concerned with debt control or reduction. BOB SCHIEFFER: Well, now, just a minute. Just a minute. The government is approaching another deadline February 7, when it will run out of money unless Congress agrees to raise the debt ceiling. Will you agree to raise the debt ceiling, or will you demand something in return. SEN. TED CRUZ: Look, of course, we should do something. We shouldn't just write a bl...

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Lib e rty -vs- Tyr a nny Questions: Do you trust this man? Do you think this issue is resolved? Is it just me or has the Tea Party left reason for the realm of wishful dreams? Then there is the following from FDL ... " It would seem that Senator Cruz should be in a more sour mood given that his plan to stop Obamacare is set to be thwarted. Things really seem to be going poorly for Cruz as the Houston Chronicle, one of his home state’s most prominent papers, took back its endorsement of him. " Houston Chronicle - "When we endorsed Ted Cruz in last November’s general election, we did so with many reservations and at least one specific recommendation – that he follow Hutchison’s example in his conduct as a senator. Obviously, he has not done so. Cruz has been part of the problem." And this. "In three week period following Cruz’s speech — even as GOP’s national approval ratings plummeted — conservatives fra...

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Liberty -vs- Tyranny This from the Queen of gimmickry. The Hill - House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Friday rejected the House GOP’s three-month plan to increase the debt ceiling. A spokesman for Pelosi said that the bill coming to the floor next week, which would raise the debt ceiling with the condition that Congress will not get paid if the House and Senate fail to pass a budget, is a "gimmick." “This is a gimmick unworthy of the challenges we face and the national debate we should be having. The message from the American people is clear: no games, no default,” Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill said. He called for a “clean” debt-ceiling increase without conditions. “We need a clean debt ceiling increase and a bipartisan and balanced budget that protects Medicare and Social Security, invests in the future, and responsibly reduces the deficit,” he said. “This proposal does not relieve the uncertainty faced by s...

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Birthplace of Independent Conservatism Liberty -vs- Tyranny ABC is reporting a tentative deal has been reached raising the the debt ceiling by 2.4 trillion dollars with guaranteed spending cuts in the same amount. The Note : Democratic and Republican Congressional sources involved in the negotiations tell ABC News that a tentative agreement has been reached on the framework of a deal that would give the President a debt ceiling increase of up to $2.4 trillion and guarantee an equal amount of deficit reduction over the next 10 years. Congressional leaders plan to brief their members on the framework tomorrow. The reaction from both parties' rank-and-file will determine whether this tentative deal becomes a final deal. Here, according to Democratic and Republican sources, are the key elements: A debt ceiling increase of up to $2.1 to $2.4 trillion (depending on the size of the spending cuts agreed to in the final deal). They hav...

by: Les Carpenter Rational Nation USA Birthplace of Independent Conservatism Liberty -vs- Tyranny The President, in a display of executive power and arrogance, threatened Monday to veto the republican's Cut, Cap, and Balance initiative should it arrive on his desk. Lets dispense with all the hyperbole and vitriol and address the issue objectively. It is becoming increasingly clear republicans and the President are engaged in a great test of wills. There is little question but what both sides have decided to play hardball, and neither side at this point appears to be able, or willing to negotiate a reasonable resolution to the impasse. As this is being written it appears the President is holding the greatest number of cards . As the nation waits, the people cannot help but wonder why the supposedly intelligent and mature individuals they elected to represent them are unable {or unwilling} to find a way to balance the budget, honor our obligations, and find a way to put ou...