Why are we still being silly about this debt ceiling? Even the most obsessive-compulsive "balance the budget" tea partiers have to be aware that not raising the debt ceiling isn't actually an option, right?
And I mean really, why is anyone against raising taxes on the top 1% of Americans? Does anybody really think that rich people are going to say, "gosh, I'm being taxed at a higher rate, so I'm going to stop trying to make money." HELL NO. What they're going to say is, "I'm being taxed at a higher rate, and like most americans, I'm living either exactly at or above my means, so if I don't want to accept a reduction in my lifestyle I'm going to go out and make MORE money."
I honestly do not understand the political situation right now. I mean, Republicans are right, we do need to cut spending, in a major way, even cuts that will make life worse for everyone, 'cause that's what you have to do when you've been spending beyond your means. But the idea that you're going to balance the budget without raising taxes for ANYBODY? And we're WAY below average for tax revenue as a percentage of GDP compared to other industrialized nations, and taxes are WAY below the average for the history of the United States? Come on!
So, someone please show me why the Republicans who are playing chicken with the debt ceiling are not complete and total imbeciles.
Actually, the ones who have the power to make a settlement are geniuses, achieving their political aims and campaign promises by dangling the threat of "those crazy tea party folks" who might just force the United States of American to (possibly unconstitutionally) default on its debts for the first time in American history, under a banner of fiscal responsibility. They've finally found a way to make the tea party work for them. Gives them an edge of unpredictability and, therefore, a much higher capability to bluff and extort concessions from Democrats by bluffing. It's like if you're playing chicken with the USSR, but they know that in your back pocket you can always have a special election and elect some crazy fool who will just be like, "NUKE 'EM DAMN THE CONSEQUENCES I'M FROM AMURKA!" It's like saying, "Now, don't push me, 'cause if you jump bad on me, I'll call out Crazy Cousin Billy and let him run the show." Or like you have an alternate personality who comes out when people try to raise taxes on your rich friends. "Don't make me angry... you wouldn't like me when I'm angry... ARGH!! TEA PARTY SMASH (the world economy)!!!!"
So yeah, explain to me why I'm wrong, the Democrats are at fault here and the Republicans are saving America.