This is my first diary. I have no idea what proper protocol is, or anything like that. I've been lurking for a few years, but finally wanted to share a thought.
If I'm mistaken as to the facts, please let me know. This has probably been suggested by someone else before, so sorry if I steal their thunder.
I keep hearing members of Congress state that if we do not raise the debt ceiling by August 2nd, we will not be in "default" as long as we keep paying our interest. And in order to do this, we need to cut spending drastically.
And the opposition party in Congress seems to state unequivocally that they will not raise the debt ceiling unless we Democrats cave on everything.
If these are true, the Treasury Department then would be in charge of what gets cut in order to pay the interest. A department, under the executive branch of a democratically elected president, would need to make those decisions.
Why not have our President come out and play some serious hardball. I know it isn't his style, but, simply say this.
"If your representative is a Republican, and voted against raising the debt ceiling on May 31, 2011, funding to your district will be cut first. Your constituents will be the ones to not receive Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, etc..."
Rather than letting a representative in Congress get away with saying "The American People......", the response needs to be "You represent the _ district of __. Are you saying the people of your district ......"
If these members of the opposition party want to claim that cutting funding represents the wishes of their constituents, let them. Make the people who voted them in pressure them. That's how democracy works.
If the opposition is interested in pushing their party interests, push our own party interests. We are the party of Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security. If your party is against it, we'd be glad to take it away from you.
Yes, this is harmful. Yes, this is very scorched earth. However, somehow we have to push back against this onslaught from the other party. And if it means their supporters have to suffer, maybe it will help them realize voting against their self-interests has costs.
Make the opposition pay the price.