Throwing a wrench in the deficit/debt dithering

I don’t know about anybody else, but just the sound of Mitch McConnell’s voice is enough to make me sick. He just sounds like a Confederate windbag. And the back-up plan he has proposed, giving President Obama the power to raise the federal debt ceiling himself (I have yet to hear a convincing explanation to assure me that is possible and constitutional) for the sake of saving the “GOP brand” and party momentum, is spineless. Absolutely gutless. If you want to talk about shirking and reflecting responsibility, talk to Mitch McConnell.

As if the political theater in DC was not already tiresome, it has now become shameful and despicable. My guess is some kind of deal, something that has been kept under the table by both shades of Republicrats, will be pushed through Congress at the last second next Friday, just as April’s budget deal miraculously materialized hours before the government shut down. (Or perhaps not and Michele Bachmann — there’s that name again — will either be proven right or to be a complete boob by whatever ensues.) But until then the demagogues will be milking the opportunity to point fingers, avoid responsibility for any negative consequences, and act immoveable for as long as they can.

The other day I thought of something that would really throw a wrench in the whole mess. President Obama does his best impression of Charlie from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (“Wild card, bitches!”): he announces he will not seek reelection. It will never happen, especially since his reelection campaign has already raised $86 million. But what if ol’ Mitch McConnell and all his chicken shit Republicrats give Obama the power of the purse and the ability to raise the debt ceiling (however that is possible), and Obama turns around, raises the debt ceiling and taxes on the rich, and says, “Fuck you! I’m out!”? Where would good ol’ boy Mitch McConnell be then, huh?

It is highly improbably, but if Obama were to forgo a second term I suppose that would perhaps move the debate past future campaign politics. Frankly, it is all one big show anyway; there is, no doubt, a lot of camaraderie behind the curtains to keep the circus going. And it will keep going, no matter the consequences.

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