The system of government that we inherit from the founders of our country comes with backstops that prevent brinkmanship and it has worked pretty well except for one Civil War. Its use wasn't expected in contemporary American politics and the failure of Democrats to recognize it and to make necessary adjustments in negotiations weakened their position.
Several years have been lost, and grass roots constituents were left confused, angry, and demoralized as they watched Republicans bully Democrats in Washington again and again. Even today, there are too many Democrats who haven't come to their senses to see that this is a fight to the finish, not business as usual.
With crisis after fabricated crisis leaving the nation at the brink, the news media explains it all away by saying things have always been this way and both sides are responsible. Before lashing Democrats for their ineffective counter against their opponents, consider the advantage Republicans are being given by the media that gives them plenty of cover.
What's important now is to recognize the situation for what it is.
Whether they realize it or not, the intrepid and admirable folks who offer platinum coins and other ingenious solutions, this isn't the time to develop the viable alternative plans that would compensate for Condition #2 in the table above. It won't change the mind of a single Republican who's hellbent on having an agenda and brinkmanship won't end.
The 14th Amendment could be used to bring an end to the use of the budget and the debt ceiling for brinkmanship. Section 4 is often quoted:
The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned.
Section 5 cannot be ignored.
The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article
There may be a route back to sanity in these two sections. It will take the same kind of determination displayed by the Republicans in what they've done.
It will also take recognition of the seriousness of what's at stake. The Republicans non-negotiable position calls for fiscally sound policies that they choose and they’re willing to bring irreparable harm to the US economy and financial chaos, or else. The contradiction here is so stark and vivid it demands explanation.
Instead of offering a persuasive case (if there is one) for the austerity they promote, they raise suspicion about malevolent intentions.
When you look into the very real possibility of cascading disasters that could start with debt default you have to wonder if that isn’t the Republican goal. All the while they were saying, “We don’t want to become Greece,” did they really mean, “Let’s create the conditions to become Greece to the 10th power?” When debt defaults, lenders lose confidence and want to be paid more for their risk. Interest rates go up. Servicing the existing debt becomes a heavier burden. The impact is felt by businesses and individuals.
Without being able to pay all of its bills, federal programs are eliminated and workers are laid off. The downward cycle begins. Shrinking GDP and incomes, less revenue collected in taxes, deflation, and impoverishment.
Every American needs to understand that this is where the Republicans are leading us, if we let them.
Democrats can celebrate when they know that the brinkmanship game is over for good. It cannot be allowed to continue.
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