Last week I wrote a diary that got mostly negative commentary from readers of this blog, in which I recommended that the administration propose a Debt Ceiling bill that would follow the "Gang of Six" recommendations.
My main point was that if it is rejected, we have the moral high ground (although I admit that I personally support some cuts in Medicare and the military. Those hurt most by these cuts will be the military and health care industries.)
The Harry Reid Proposal was even better than what I thought. It even goes further. Now comes its rejection by the House Republicans that's been following its loony fringe like lemmings.
In that case, Obama must not only invoke the 14th amendment and raise the debt ceiling, but also....
... use the Bully Pulpit to show that when the congress is divided the only thing that works is the presidency.
Otherwise this has been in vain. Don't believe the people that are telling you that US downgrade wouldn't be a big deal. In the long run it will not be a big deal at all to people with money, but if you care, like I do, about the majority of children in this country whose parents are well within the lowest 40% of earners, you wouldn't say it is not a big deal.
If Republicans try to impeach Obama for using the 14th, he should claim, that would be a proof that they are using their time for scoring political points instead of compromising, which is how the system works. If they say its not needed, he should do what he should have done a long time ago: Tell ALL OF US HOW WE MAY CONTRIBUTE.
1. Ask high earners, and anyone that can, to reduce the number of tax credits on their tax forms voluntarily, immediately, since their country is in trouble.
2. Ask us to go into fields where help is needed, from technical colleges to computer engineering to nursing, and above all ask the best and brightest to go into K-12 education.
3. Volunteer to the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps, and increase the budget to Americorps by executive order (since so many inner-city budgets were slashed to the point where the only teachers available are not really qualified to teach there).
4. Drive less and walk/bike more may cause people to remember Jimmy Carter. So what! Invest in solar cells and thermal windows instead of a new IPad. Be a personal example too.
5. Start an Infrastructure Bank, as suggested by Fareed Zacharia and others, by executive order. This should SAVE money. Suggest a 1-2 year timeline until IPO when it will be sold by the government.
6. Ask parents that have the means to spend more time with their children. Vow to help those that don't, because that's our progressive way.
Heck, I don't know what else, but I am waiting! He is not only a constitutional scholar that can explain WHY the 14th section 4 was written, he should be also able to be as original as he was on the campaign trail. HE WASN'T! But he borrowed from the best advisors, and he now has the best advisors in every field, since by law we have to give him advise if we are asked.
If Obama takes the initiative, we will win. If we don't, then at least we know where we are standing and be much less gullible in the future.