The Republicans had just about everything they wanted and were poised for an historic triumph. The bill that Boehner presented Thursday night would have achieved all of their objectives and it would have been a political impossibility for the Democrats to have rejected it.
Then the Republicans could not help but give in to the extremists in their party and sent a bill to the Senate that would have required an ammendment to the Constitution by the end of the year. Amending the Constitution is one of the most consequential things that the Congress, assuming the states agree to it, can do. This would have been a dangerous and irresponsible change to the Constitution if the Democrats had agreed to it. It is impossible to predict what kind of national emergencies we could face in the future and a balanced budget ammendment would have greatly limited our options in dealing with such a crises.
The Decocrats can now go to the public and say that they were willing to agree to massive cuts in spending and foregoe revenue increases from the wealthy to reduce the national debt but had to draw the line when it came to agreeing to a dangerous and irresponsible change to the U.S. Constitution just to appease the tea party extremists.
I've not read either bill. How do the republicans/TeaPartiers plan to 'get around' the balanced budget amendment, once passed, if there is a national emergency of some sort requiring massive expenditures ? Seems to me, without a word of this amendment being yet penned, it's a bit premature to dismiss such an amendment, which can have 'emergency measures' written right into it along with contingencies on spending to deal with such national emergencies. It is the 'idea' of a balanced budget amendment that is being resisted here...must be some social program that needs some deficit funding....
An amendment won't fix anything, the necessary laws are already in place...they just aren't being followed and no one is challenging that.
Too funny. I guess laws no trump the constitution. Since when?
Lamaitre, you're against the balance budget amendment. How much debt are you ok with between now and say 10 years? Is 5 more billion ok? Is 10? 20? What number are you ok with?
__________________
John Adams “The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence.”
Ronald Reagan: 'Everybody that is for abortion has already been born'
"I never said I was worth it. I only said I wouldn't do it for less " William F. Buckley Jr.
Too funny. I guess laws no trump the constitution. Since when?
what's your point? An annual balancing of the budget is required by existing laws...it hasn't been done in 2 years. Enforce the existing laws before amending the Constitution is what I'm saying.
I read somewhere (don't remember exactly where) that prevailing wisdom thought Reid and the Senate would send a modified version of the House bill back to the House for a compromise version of the bill. Apparently this didn't happen.
__________________
Jesus Christ--The reason for the season!
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank a veteran.
If you're certain you know everything, there's little opportunity to learn anything.
what's your point? An annual balancing of the budget is required by existing laws...it hasn't been done in 2 years. Enforce the existing laws before amending the Constitution is what I'm saying.
Please cut and paste where existing law requires a balanced budget.
Cal, that is exactly what has been done. I hope the house blocks this deal. Shut it down.
__________________
John Adams “The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence.”
Ronald Reagan: 'Everybody that is for abortion has already been born'
"I never said I was worth it. I only said I wouldn't do it for less " William F. Buckley Jr.
Please cut and paste where existing law requires a balanced budget.
Cal, that is exactly what has been done. I hope the house blocks this deal. Shut it down.
My goof, I thought it was a balanced budget was required to be submitted annually by law, but its actually a budget is required to be submitted by the President, but no approval is required: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_...budget_request
Senate Vetoes House Debt Bill
