Senate Democratic leaders sent a letter to President Obama today encouraging him to bypass Congress on raising the debt ceiling if he so chooses.
“As you know, Republican leaders are threatening to bring on an economic catastrophe unless Democrats make deep cuts to Social Security and Medicare,” write Sens. Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Patty Murray (D-Wash.).
“It is hard to imagine that the Speaker and Leader McConnell would really follow through on their threat to let our nation default on its debts. They are responsible leaders who know better. Sadly, some of their Republican colleagues do not,” they continued.
“Therefore, we believe that you must make clear that you will never allow our nation’s economy and reputation to be held hostage. In the event that Republicans make good on their threat by failing to act, or by moving unilaterally to pass a debt limit extension only as part of unbalanced or unreasonable legislation, we believe you must be willing to take any lawful steps to ensure that America does not break its promises and trigger a global economic crisis — without Congressional approval, if necessary.”
The senators also asked Obama to “continue to ignore claims that agreeing to an increase in the debt limit would somehow represent a concession by Republicans to Democrats.”
“We support your view that an extension of the debt limit is not something for which Democrats should have to negotiate.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) lashed out at the letter as the “height of irresponsibility.”
“The Democrat leadership hiding under their desks and hoping the President will find a way around the law on the nation’s maxed-out credit card is not only the height of irresponsibility, but also a guarantee that our national debt crisis will only get worse,” McConnell said in a statement.
“With the President asking Congress to raise the debt ceiling, Democrats in Washington are falling all over themselves in an effort to do anything they can to get around the law—and to avoid taking any responsibility for Washington’s out-of-control spending,” he added.
“Rather than offering any plan to break the spending habit that’s causing the problem, Democrats are looking at everything from the ridiculous (printing a trillion-dollar coin) to outright abdication of Congressional responsibility. But avoiding this problem will only make it worse, which is why many of us view the upcoming debt limit debate as a perfect opportunity to face up to Washington’s spending.”
The situation couldn’t be clearer. The Federal Government, under Obama, has lost its last shreds of legitimacy. No wonder Obama wants bodyguards for life!
Isn’t there a law about obligating the government to pay for something without proper authority? And don’t people get whacked for it? Lke, possibly felony-level whacked?
Congratulations, Barack, on your re-election. Welcome to divided government. Have a nice ride.
In addition their being possibly a law about obligating the government to pay for something without proper authority–how many servicemembers over the years have been punished for unauthorized purchases on government credit cards?
Friends, Romans, Senators, lend me your ears. This is madness, for if we cede our power to Caesar, we will have no protection should he or one of his successors choose to use it against us. While it is true that the Senate has become so deliberative as to be incapable of decisive action when such action is needed, to grant this one man the authority of the whole Senate and of all the representatives of the people renders us completely irrelevant and at his mercy, and believe me, such a man as he has no use for people who are as stupid as we are as to give him such authority. Perhaps he will keep us around for show, but make no mistake, we will serve at his pleasure, and suicide or beheading awaits anyone who becomes a liability. And if the people should rebel against this new order? We shall be the ones to take the blame, for Caesar can yet point to us as the incompetent ones who failed him and them, and offer them our heads to sate their desire for revenge. Even if Caesar should die in such a rebellion, we shall perish with him, for the people will not hold us guiltless for this new order, because it was our job to prevent it, and they will rightly see as a part of it. In conclusion, we have nothing to gain and everything to lose by making Caesar into a dictator, and every scenario results in us losing our privilege, our power, our fortunes, and likely even our lives and those of our families.