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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThere is more than one way to burn down the Reichstag
What if the debt crisis is not brinkmanship? What if the kleptocracy wants a default? Right wing economists actually testified before the Senate Banking Committee that it would be OK the US to default on the debt.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/19/mark-warner_n_3957968.html?utm_hp_ref=tw
Clearly their paymasters want to put this idea into circulation. Why? Two years ago Eric Cantor http://www.salon.com/2011/06/28/eric_cantor_conflict_of_interest/ invested in puts against Treasury bills. Has he done so again? Who else is selling America short in the literal sense? The Koch brothers?
What would happen if the US defaulted on its debt? Well, the current political system would be completely discredited. How would the crisis be resolved? Would the Very Serious People call for a super commission like the thieves who are currently running Detroit? Would we have a national version of that? Would it be the crisis in which a US version of Galtieri would seize power? We need to at least start entertaining the possibility that this is not brinkmanship. We need to consider the possibility that the kleptocracy wants a default.
MORE:
http://www.correntewire.com/there_is_more_than_one_way_to_burn_down_the_reichstag
99th_Monkey
(19,326 posts)This is an important voice.
I hope it is wrong, but fear it is not.
kiranon
(1,727 posts)agent46
(1,262 posts)If what you say is true, then they want to bring this country down and must be removed - not by votes. This is sedition.
Emergency legal measures and class action suits from every corner of the U.S.. Failing that, drag them out of office by their collars and belts.
JPZenger
(6,819 posts)The bill passed by the Repubs in the House specifically says that China gets paid first, no matter what. Bonds held by the Chinese get paid even if the government shuts down. US military service-persons won't get paid, but the Chinese will. You know where the Republican's hearts lie.
Chaco Dundee
(334 posts)Usually what we supect to happen hits us a lot harder,or worth than we expected.now it does make sence to look at what was said and laughed at long ago.Workers of this world,unite.I am not even sugesting communism but nothing more than a combined effort to achieve what is ours.to live in comfort and with dignity.if we of 50,60,years and older would organize instead of whine about the crimes committed to silence us,we could change this world for those who come after us.instead,we whine.are we that lame?are we that irresponsible even to ourselfs?are we not the agegroup that owes our youngsters a reason to look up to us?
Generic Other
(28,979 posts)I assumed they had.
JHB
(37,161 posts)It sounds like something I'd like to wave under some noses, but I'd need the actual text.
Cleita
(75,480 posts)A commentator remarked that when the sequester affected air travel, Congress did something about it because it affected them directly. By this logic, allowing the government to crash means they won't get paid or have health insurance, so he feels they will do something about it before it happens.
We'll wait and see.
dgibby
(9,474 posts)Congressional pay is exempted, so they will be paid.
truedelphi
(32,324 posts)Didn't we?
And besides, a lot of these people don't have to work for money. Between the insider info that comes to them on account of various Congressional committee positions, and that they use to help relatives procure lucrative contracts, to their deals with lobbyists, most of them are set for life.
Cleita
(75,480 posts)the core.
shraby
(21,946 posts)truedelphi
(32,324 posts)This piece from corrente wire is spot on.
And blaming only the Republicans who are doing this is silly. The average person has NO FRIGGIN' POWER right now, at least not politically or economically.
The only power we middle and lower incomed folks have left is in our communities and in our families.
And I see the reason that our power has been taken from us as stemming from policies that both parties sanctioned. Both parties are responsible for the atrocious handling of economic matters. I mean, for Christ's sake, only one Senator refused to vote for the Banking Reform and Modernization Act, signed off on by Bill Clinton. That piece of legislation set us up for the 2008 economic collapse.
While the republicans stage their coup, there is a backlash brewing. People are fed up with both parties, and with everyone in Congress, and they have had it. They are miserable under the FASCISTS, regardless of the tag after their name reading D or R.
dgibby
(9,474 posts)and will hasten Globalization, creating the owner and serf society the 1% lusts for.
libdem4life
(13,877 posts)Cryptoad
(8,254 posts)responsible if the Government shuts down?
dgibby
(9,474 posts)Cryptoad
(8,254 posts)Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)bvar22
(39,909 posts)Nobody "wanted" The Sequester,
but here we are....
Social Programs are being defunded,
but the Military still has plenty of $Money for more elective WARS,
and Its NOBODY's fault!
[font size=3]"The Sequester cut those programs.
We didn't do it!"[/font]
Scary Thoughts indeed.
dgibby
(9,474 posts)are whenever they can cut spending EVER propose sequestration as a solution? DUMBEST move ever.
bvar22
(39,909 posts)..very clever.
The politicians had a problem.
Their 1% owners are demanding that Social Programs be cut and those funds diverted to "private" 1% pockets,
but NO politician wants to go back home to their voters and be the one who cut Meals-on-Wheels or anything else that actually helps The People.
THAT is what all those high dollar conservative Think Tanks like PPI are for.
They came up with a SCAM where our "representatives" (Democrats & Republicans) can cut these programs to the bone, but dodge ALL responsibility with the Voters back home.
The "Sequester" gives every craven one of them Plausible Deniability.
"THEY" didn't vote to cut Meals-on-Wheels
The SEQUESTER did it!!!
This stuff does NOT happen by accident.
You will know them by their [font size=3]WORKS.[/font]
calimary
(81,421 posts)All I can say is - stranger things have happened. Fascinating tidbit about eric cantor, too. Wouldn't surprise me, that weasel! Wouldn't surprise me if others of his little pals did something similar.
Uncle Joe
(58,389 posts)Thanks for the thread, kpete.
leveymg
(36,418 posts)Double, double-plus good for paralyzing the Administration and creating another false fiscal crisis. In other words, another buying opportunity.
Benton D Struckcheon
(2,347 posts)Back in 2000, when Bush was elected, everyone hunkered down and got ready for a recession. Ordinary working folks know they're not interested in prosperity, just in lining their pockets. Down in Argentina, when they had their default, there was a very good story that ran in, I think, The Atlantic, on how the rich down there were quite happy with the standstill in the economy that resulted. Kept the working folks down. They could drive their Mercedes down the highway in little to no traffic, completely relaxed.
That's what it's all about, always and everywhere.
Vox Moi
(546 posts)..when the Republicans stated that their first order of business was to make Obama a one-term President the goal became making a presidency fail. Not policies, not political initiatives, it was a duly elected branch of government that was the target.
I'm not saying that the Republicans are enemies of the state, but I do agree that their words and actions are, at times, indistinguishable from enemies of the state.
I've long felt that the public's frustration with the Congress is exactly what the 'small government' interests in this country are hoping for. The single most effective argument Romney made for his candidacy was that he was a successful businessman, but the argument was really anti-government. All those rules and regulations bogging down free enterprise are anti-American. By extension, the government itself is anti-American.
Reagan's nightmare: "I'm from the Government and I'm here to help." is a perfect example of a mind-set that wants a government small enough to fit in an out-basket.
Frustration with government is a time-honored political tool and is cited in the Declaration of Independence. Thing is, not one founding father voted for the Stamp Act and then led a Tea Party revolt over it.
Every time someone bashes the government I ask them to replace the term 'government' with 'We, the People".
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)"I'm not saying that the Republicans are enemies of the state, but I do agree that their words and actions are, at times, indistinguishable from enemies of the state."
woo me with science
(32,139 posts)Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Come on, people. We need another 250 recommendations on this one.
DirkGently
(12,151 posts)The immediate argument would probably be to zero-fund all social programs, healthcare, etc.
Followed by more tax cuts for the "job creators" of course.
Republicans hate democracy and the middle and working classes. A really major catastrophe might be just what they need to finally destroy them both.
woo me with science
(32,139 posts)woo me with science
(32,139 posts)vanlassie
(5,681 posts)Pterodactyl
(1,687 posts)... off the massive debt we already have.