Can Boehner Break the Cycle of Economic Hostage Taking?
By Thom Hartmann A...
Republicans want to hold our economy hostage again, but they may not get the chance to do so. With the February 27th debt limit deadline looming, House Speaker John Boehner will bring up a clean debt ceiling bill, and many of his members are not happy. Republicans tried to put forward a new list of demands for a debt-limit increase, but Speaker Boehner has given in to the President, and moved up the vote to tonight.
The Republican's previous economic hostage taking has cost our nation billions of dollars and at least 750,000 jobs, but a clean debt ceiling bill could break that cycle, and prevent even more damage. Far-right members have refused to increase the debt limit under any circumstances, so moderate Republicans will have to side with Democrats to pass this legislation. It will be interesting to see how this vote turns out, and whether it furthers the divide in the Republican party.
The hard-core Republicans simply want to block any so-called victory for the President, and they could very well turn on Speaker Boehner for giving up on their list of demands. The Republican economic hostage taking has already cost our nation too much, but perhaps an end to their obstruction is near. Hopefully Congress can pull together the votes to increase the debt limit, and break the cycle of exchanging austerity for basic legislation. Stay tuned.
Comments
#2
I am cheered by Rep. Boehner's statement, which is at least sane, in the current climate.
Quite honestly, I see Boehner's move, emphasizing the "divide" between "normal" Republicans and the tea party, as an appropriate death knell to extremist politics in Congress and a harbinger of opportunities for progress in the future.
The biggest opportunity is for immigration reform, which would heal a historic wound in the Republic. It is practically inconcievable to thinking Americans that well-paid legislators in Congress would sit by for a full year (and more) without enacting a future for our nation on those here, and those seeking to become Americans, on their fate and impact on all of us. Frankly if there is a lack of will and courage among Republicans to resolve this issue then they very well deserve to be voted out of Congress.
Dave
#3
The only good republican... oops.
#4
They don't care about our economy on Main street as long as their economy on Wall street is okay. If there is, after gerrymandering, voter suppression and electronic voting machines (not to mention the privatized propoganda service that is main stream media), still some semblance of democracy then Boehner might prevail.
#5
Brilliant political move by Speaker Boehner! Only 28 'safe seat' republicans voted yea. He has hung the raising of the debt limit around the neck of the Democrats. With that issue out of the way until March 2015, the Republicans will concentrate on fixing Obamacare. Plus they made great strides in keeping the house and retaking the Senate in November.
#6
"Fixing" Obamacare? Are you kidding?!! All they want is to destroy it. The thought of them taking the Senate in November is enough to trigger nightmares. What side are you on anyway, "Ou812"? Pardon me if I'm misinterpreting, but you sound like you're fine with a GOP Congress. - AIW
#7
Thom, you need to know this, Look what I found, I did not wright this.
Volkswagen isn't opposed to a union, but Republicans are threatening jobs.
By Laura Clawson Follow for Daily Kos Labor
Workers at a Tennessee Volkswagen plant are facing threats of retaliation as they vote this week on whether to unionize, but the threats aren't coming from their employer. Instead, it's Republican politicians trying to combat union support even though Volkswagen is neutral in the vote.
In fact, Steven Greenhouse reports, "Volkswagen is eager to have a German-style works council at the Chattanooga plant." A works council is a form of workplace governance bringing together managers and workers and which would, in the United States, require a union. With the company taking a neutral-to-positive stance, though, Republican politicians are stepping in to intimidate and threaten as bosses often do in union representation votes:
Here is a You Tube Video.
State Senator Bo Watson, who represents a suburb of Chattanooga, warned on Monday that if VW’s workers voted to embrace the U.A.W., the Republican-controlled Legislature might vote against approving future incentives to help the plant expand.“The members of the Tennessee Senate will not view unionization as in the best interest of Tennessee,” Mr. Watson said at a news conference. He added that a pro-U.A.W. vote would make it “exponentially more challenging” for the legislature to approve future subsidies.
Gov. Bill Haslam and Sen. Bob Corker have also implied dire consequences for jobs in the area if workers unionize. As one VW worker puts it, "It’s essentially saying, 'If you unionize, it’s going to hurt your economy. Why? Because I’m going to make sure it does.' ... I hope people see it for the underhanded threat that it is."
This is what is wrong with The Republicans legislators in the state of Tennessee. Tennessee Republicans legislators wants to return their state back to a southern plantation style of workforce, were the people do not have a voice in the workplace. Volkswagen knows the benefit of a German style work council environment. A works council is a form of workplace governance bringing together managers and workers and which would, in the United States, require a union. Unions can eliminate inequality with the ability of the American workforce to achieve a higher standard of living, of healthcare, retirement at a decent age, and the ability to buy the product they make, a Volkswagen vehicle. However, The Republicans always wants to repress what they consider big government, to a government that is controlled by corporations, American-style corporate power, in other words, fascism. We must Vote the Republicans OUT OF OFFICE!!!
Ron Ramsey (Vegasman56)
#8
Hey Alice, I'm not on anybody's "side". I made an observation. I don't particularly like Politics. One of my favorite writers, Tom Robbins says in his book "Jitterbug Perfume" "Politics is for those who have a zest for changing life, but lack a zest for living life".
#9
Woops, wrong book. Still Tom Robbins, but the quote is from "Even cowgirls get the blues".
#10
"Ou", I got the Robbins quote. Sounds glib and cute, but not particularly insightful. Sweeping generalizations of that sort just don't work for me.
Anyway thanks for the clarification. - AIW
#11
Ou -- How can anyone be on this blog and not like politics. Okay "like" is the wrong word. You do not have to like politics, but you are required to care about politics.
#12
I think she's stumbled into the wrong blog.
#13
Hey Chuck, my interest in politics, is how serious those on this site are about it. What difference does it make if I like Politics or not?
#14
Try reading his post again. He said it's about caring, not about "liking" politics. Since you've already stated you're not on "anybody's side", it seems clear you're not that interested in politics. Have a nice day.
#15
AIW -- I do not think you should dismiss Ou so readily. She seems to be unaware of how politics effects her daily life. I would tell Ou about such things as 4,000 people dieing in Iraq and Afghanistan because of politics. I would tell her about millions of children going to bed each night in the USA because of politics. etc. However, you are the word smith not me.
#16
I assumed Ou was a her because of the avatar, but who knows? -- c8
#17
Chuck, I appreciate your diplomacy. But the dire nature of various issues weighing on me right now (both public and private) has me a little short on patience. "Ou" just doesn't sound like she's got much on the ball. In her initial post she resembles a bubblehead cheerleader at some goddam football game, rhapsodizing about "great strides" Republicans are making ad nauseam, and them "fixing" Obamacare... Pl-eeeeez! And what's that thing she's got sticking out of her mouth?! (I won't say what it looks like... tsk. I might get flagged.) Anyone alive in the early 21st century who's oblivious to how politics affects his/her life is asleep at the wheel or just plain stupid. Sorry Chuck, but I've other fish to fry. - Aliceinwonderland
#18
OU812--Oh, you ate one too! "is the eighth studio album by American hard rock band Van Halen, released in 1988"
OU812 ..a term used by A. Wharton http://www.thomhartmann.com/blog/2009/10/senator-bernie-sanders-vs-insur... on Oct 30, 2009. It's the only other reference to that term on the Thomhartmann.com blog. That's, of course, not to say that A. Wharton is who is currently posting this photo.
This is an image of Sen. Michelle Bachmann..and has been used by a number of people.
http://www.tineye.com/search/12f08a38c74f9b9c6c0640fba85e084c3bb316a6/
So, OU812 could either be a man or a woman. You just can't go by the icons but I'm sure they do have a psychological effect on the way people think about them. On the internet, no one knows your a dog...or in this case...Michelle Bachmann eating a giant whatever it is. My guess is that a male would most likely post something like this.
#19
From the sound of those posts, it might as well BE Michelle Bachmann! Gag me...
#20
I am extremely naieve
#21
Hey Chuck, don't be so hard on yourself. We've all been duped or jerked, one time or 'nuther...
What I find incredible is that a loudmouth bubblehead like that is actually a senator! On the other hand, it's no less incredible that Paul the Pipsqueak Ryan is also a senator. I mean, people actually vote these toxic cartoon characters into office! Wowie zowie. Speaks volumes about the collective IQ of a public fed a diet of Fox, and other corporate drivel. - AIW
Thom's Blog Is On the Move
By webmaster
Hello All
Thom's blog in this space and moving to a new home.
Please follow us across to hartmannreport.com - this will be the only place going forward to read Thom's blog posts and articles.
Images of Thom
From The Thom Hartmann Reader:
"Right through the worst of the Bush years and into the present, Thom Hartmann has been one of the very few voices constantly willing to tell the truth. Rank him up there with Jon Stewart, Bill Moyers, and Paul Krugman for having the sheer persistent courage of his convictions."
From The Thom Hartmann Reader:
"Thom Hartmann is a literary descendent of Ben Franklin and Tom Paine. His unflinching observations and deep passion inspire us to explore contemporary culture, politics, and economics; challenge us to face the facts of the societies we are creating; and empower us to demand a better world for our children and grandchildren."
From Unequal Protection, 2nd Edition:
"If you wonder why and when giant corporations got the power to reign supreme over us, here’s the story."
FYI, there is absolutely no way apparent to communicate with this organization that controls who we see running for Pres/VP; http://www.debates.org/ ...at least I could not find one. The HUGE $$$$$$$$$ pooring into this org, since it's technically not political or parisan is not even regulatable...I don't think.
oops, meant this on yesterday's post, sorry