So, the president decided to take the Republicans up on their challenge to craft a long-term solution to the nation's deficits and debts, even putting Democratic holies-of-holies on the chopping block to achieve a projected $4 trillion in cuts and revenue increases, risking his political career to address what the 'Pubs claim is Americans' greatest concern.
(It isn't, by anyone's measure. But, for the sake of argument...)
Yesterday, after huddling with House 'Pubs, Weeper of the House John Boehner announced that maybe deficit reduction isn't that important, after all.
Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever raising taxes is Americans' greatest concern, you see.
In the post-Reagan world, there is no greater sin for a true Republican than raising taxes.
This is why True Believers like my governor, the Greatest Tax Virgin of All Time, can out-contort Cirque du Soleil's finest performers in trying to balance our state's revenue-starved budget, vetoing a four-cent "tax" on a toxic substance no one needs while championing a $1 "fee" on drivers licenses, which damned near every working person does need, smugly excusing his hypocrisy by saying
"People know the difference between a fee and a tax."
Yeah, Bobby, we do. One is a form of revenue enhancement your party condones, the other isn't.
Oh, sure, you can make arguments that "fees" are specific charges equal to specific services, but that's patent bullshit. Until you can tell me, to the pound, how much highway litter is collected from the $1 "fee" on my drivers license application, it's just fucking revenue. Like taxes.
And revenue's what we need about now. "Savings" on Social Security or Medicaid are meaningless in the face of the debt and its service charges. As are, rational people should admit, "savings" available through closing corporate jet loopholes.
If the debt is the Republican Party's gravest concern, then it's time to change the catechism. "Taxation" is no longer a mortal sin. Demote it to venal, something you might slip and do on Friday night but can wash off with ten Our Ronnies and ten Hail Thatchers on Sunday.
Because otherwise, your crocodile tears for our poor, indebted grandchildren are nothing more than a tear-transparent cover for your real agenda:
Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever raise taxes--on the wealthy.
So, come on, brave deficit-fighters. Pull the one blade you've got that has any kind of an edge.
Or just shut the fuck up.
In closing, let me add that I have it on much higher authority than your Blessed St. Ron (a serial tax-raiser himself, btw) that revenue increases are what really make deficits go down:
Links:
Debt Ceiling Cat's ICanHasCheeseburger page is here. If you're an ICHC user, give him a burger. His sacred visage can also be found here on photobucket.
Spread his holy message.