The national debt ceiling

Received via email: The National Debt Ceiling, by Jack Dawsey

The nation’s debt ceiling is hovering around $14.2 trillion. (That is not much money if you say it real fast).

Except for super computers, there is not a 10-key calculator on the commercial shelf that can calculate $14.2 trillion. Nonetheless, the debt ceiling needs to be raised, lest the US defaults on its obligations.

If you have been alive since 1981, you know that the nation’s debt was about $1 trillion. Obviously, it has grown exponentially. Who caused this enormous problem? Who has the biggest spending habits, republicans or democrats? Moreover, in political terms, who should be held responsible? But first a point of fact is necessary with respect to the United States Constitution.

I mention the Constitution because there are people that think the document is plenary inspired, that men of perfection in the 18th century devised a perfect tool, that it shall be followed and obeyed, line upon line and precept upon precept. And finally, that it should rest next to one’s bed, much like the bible.

Here’s the quote. It’s from Amendment XIV, Section 4. It reads: "The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law...shall not be questioned." It’s a salient point. I will come back to it at the close of this editorial.

Now, who is responsible for the national debt? Consider this: Since 1981 the republicans controlled the Office of the President for @20-years and the democrats’ for @10. During the period, the republicans controlled the congress @15-years and the democrats’ @15. Therefore, the more exclusive problem of the national debt, so it seems, is at the door of the President.

Under the leadership of Ronald Reagan and Bush the elder, the national debt went up and up. But during the Clinton years, the debt went down. In fact, George Bush inherited a ton of money. With him at the helm, the debt exploded like a cherry bomb on the 4th of July. But then, when one engages in two wars “off budget” at a cost of @4-trillion, and if one throws in another $1.5 trillion for a program called Medicare Part D (without paying for it), and add another $1.2 trillion for tax relief to the richest corporations in America; and too, never veto a bill from a republican congress, 2000-2006, the nature of budget deficits tend to grow.

Under President Obama, the national debt has increased too. But in preparing his budget, if one puts back on the budget document the cost of the two wars omitted by Bush, and if one expands the Afghanistan war, (and starts another half war in Libya); and too, adds a Health Care program (written by the health care industry), his budget too tends to explode. But should we expect anything less?

For example, I estimate it cost about $50 million each to buy one U.S Senator in one election cycle, or a grand total of $5 billion to buy the US Senate.

Congressmen and congresswoman come a little bit cheaper. You can buy one, (and dangle them on the rear view mirror of your car) for about $20 million.

Or you can buy the whole House, chairs, desks, window dressings, including the roaches in the cafeteria for about $8.7 billion. By the way, next year the Office of the President will be sold for @$1-billion.

Therefore, with money like that being thrown around Washington, (and the IOU’s that come with it), I’m surprised the national debt is not beyond the calculations of the super computer.

One final thought about the drop-dead date for raising the debt ceiling. It is this. The republicans always cry crocodile tears saying “no more taxes…! But to the republicans it’s not a tax if the Social Security check for the widow of Joe the Plumber is reduced $200 per month. It’s not a tax to reduce the benefits of Medicaid to the most vulnerable. And it’s not a tax to reduce the VA benefits of a warrior who lost a limb in Iraq. When however, the President insists on a balanced approach of revenue increase and spending cuts to the budget, the republicans scream holy hell. They throw a temper-tantrum, conveniently ignoring the fact that the preponderance in the growth of the debt occurred on their watch (1980 – 2008).

Now look back at that 14th Amendment quote made earlier. If the President invokes his constitutional authority and takes a strict constructionist’ view to the 14th Amendment, ignoring the games of Boehner-McConnell and Cantor, the republicans (and the cool-aid party), will go berserk. So, let the House impeach, and enjoy the foolishness and spectacle of a Senate trial.