Burn, Baby, Burn

Here comes the counteroffer:

House Republican leaders have made a counteroffer to President Obama in the fiscal cliff negotiations, proposing to cut $2.2 trillion with a combination of spending cuts, entitlement reforms and $800 billion in new tax revenue.

[SNIP]

“What we are putting forward is a credible plan that deserves serious consideration by the White House,” Boehner told reporters in a brief appearance at the Capitol. He said he hoped the administration would respond in a timely manner.

That’s not a credible offer.

First, considering the steaming pile Obama had Geithner serve up last week, Boehner’s counter is far too timid. Instead, Boehner should have demanded the budget be balanced immediately, no new taxes, and for Obama to spend three days in the snow, wearing sackcloth and begging forgiveness. That is how you stake out your ground after being slapped in the face.

But it’s also not credible because it just isn’t credible. It doesn’t go far enough. It doesn’t do anything but kick the can. Again. Boehner’s counteroffer is little more than a preemptive surrender. Imagine President Bush lining up a couple armored divisions in Kuwait early in 2003, then begging Saddam to please let our troops back on the ships and go back home.

Well, that’s what Boehner has done. He’s told the President he’ll cave on taxes without demanding in return any of the real dirty work on spending. Boehner is worse than useless. Chuck him out, staple the balls back on Eric Cantor’s crotch (you’ll find them in Boehner’s bottom-right desk drawer), then put Cantor up there and see if he can do any better.

Otherwise?

Let. It. Burn.