Oh goody, we’re saved. Congress has decided that, after spending us into near bankruptcy, they can be allowed to spend more money we don’t have. In fact, we get to spend $900 billion more than the $14+ trillion we’ve already spent over what we actually have. Ain’t it grand.
In exchange for the blank $900 billion check that Obama received, our brilliant leaders have managed to acquire a “guaranteed” $1.2 trillion in spending cuts. Over ten years. So, doing the math for those who went to Berkley, that’s $120 billion in cuts this year. Thus, if all of what they say is actually accomplished, we would end up another $780 billion in debt. That’s on top of the $14 trillion we’re already in the hole.
If these cuts really exist, why in the world would we need to raise the debt ceiling? If we are actually going to knock $1.2 trillion off the debt, we could leave the debt ceiling where it is and our precious credit rating would be just fine. So if everything they say is the truth, we still end up in deeper debt. If everything they say is true, there was no need to raise the debt ceiling. If everything they say is true, we don’t need a commission to determine what we need to do next to further reduce the deficit. If everything they say is true, then there’s no need for the tax increases we’re about to see via the end of the Bush tax breaks and Obamacare. If everything they say is true, there will be no need to raise the debt ceiling again in the future.
So, whatcha wanna bet there’s some lies in all this mess?
The plan is a mess, and everyone that has been involved is fully aware of that fact. They are hoping we won’t figure it out before the 2012 elections. The only real solution to all this has already been demonstrated by our friends in Canada. They’ve reduced their deficit and stabilized their economy with tax cuts and spending freezes. Industry is moving back into Canada, jobs are being created, and the country is seeing growth that they’ve not seen since the last time they had Conservative leadership.
Here’s what’s going to happen next. Six months from now the Bush tax cuts will end, effectively raising taxes on all Americans and further crippling the economy. We will be at or near the newly raised debt ceiling and once again the Congress and White House will play their little games to see who can win. We, The People, will of course lose. We will get to pay for all this.
Next will come the threats. Granny will starve, children will die, dogs and cats, living together, mass hysteria!! Ok, maybe not that last part. But every “critical” program will be threatened if we don’t once again raise the debt ceiling that is nothing more than a political moving target. Any of this sound familiar so far?
Pop quiz - why is it that we can cut 10% of the military budget in one year, but can only cut 1% from the rest of the budget? Please don’t say “waste”. If you think there’s no waste in Medicaid or Medicare, you clearly attended class at Berkley.
Lastly, a compromise will be reached at the eleventh hour. We will once again be “saved” by the very politicians who are causing these problems. Those in the Tea Party will be held accountable for the previous failure, currently being called a victory, and our voices will be marginalized by the media. The new deal will fix the issue temporarily until the next time the debt ceiling is reached. Only the election in 2012 has any chance of breaking this vicious cycle.