Capitol Hill Blue Forums Political Issues Politics In General This Quote Says Everything About The GOP's Shutdown Stand

I seriously doubt that Mr. Obama will 'cave-in' on his namesake SCOTUS-approved law.

"Yes, the legislature is behaving like a bunch of utter morons if they think that driving the US government into default is a good idea. But it's their right to behave like a bunch of utter morons."

--Felix Salmon, REUTERS

"Why we won't mint a platinum coin". Reuters. Retrieved Jan 9, 2013

I suggest that Mr. Salmon is minimizing the effect that a legislature behaving like morons is having on the global economy.

Salmon is quoted as saying:


I wonder if he is aware of the fact that a large majority of Tea Party faithful in Congress have invested heavily in credit default swaps that pay off in the event of a national debt default.

They stand to make a fortune on the blood and backs of a devastated nation.

They're not behaving as morons, they're behaving like this bunch right here:


THEN Mr. Salmon goes on to say:


---Uhhhhh, I dunno, mutually assured destruction kept us safe for well over forty years.
I think Mr. Salmon might not have been alive back then. He looks wet behind the ears. I wouldn't be surprised if he's too young to remember Members Only jackets. Maybe his Dad had one?

a double edged sword

not being a Constitutional scholar or for that matter an expert of anything and after reading a couple of pertinent articles, I have come to the conclusion the President can raise the debt ceiling by EO using Sec 4 of the 14th Amendment.

An EO pertains to the federal government and as such is a qualified procedure. Now "Section 4 confirmed the legitimacy of all U.S. public debt appropriated by the Congress." (wiki). Unfortunately there is a catch.

This only works for monies already appropriated. Thus when the appropriation process ends and all funds have been disbursed, the president has no recourse.

On the Constitutional side the issue is moot and it would be anyone's best guess what the legalities are.

When Pres Clinton made reference to it perhaps he did not think it through.

Now ... where are the legal scholars and their educated opinions?

"I wonder if he is aware of the fact that a large majority of Tea Party faithful in Congress have invested heavily in credit default swaps that pay off in the event of a national debt default. "

Source please.

• Contrary to what you might want to believe, both parties have engineered government shutdowns over the years. Link
• Not everyone on the right is thrilled with what Marlin Stutzman said. Link

I dont think it is a matter of the thrill but rather confronting the reality of their situation

someone sold them on the idea they would win this and defund ACA. The reality is the Dems will never in this or any other lifetime give up ACA. The rational players realize this and have to wonder if the apple has been poisoned by Cruz.

It goes without saying that no one can go on the air and say what people are thinking.

Welp, to start with, there's Eric Cantor.


Eric Cantor's Glaring Conflict of Interest

Would you like more?
I mean, he's one of the leaders but I'm sure with a little more research I can dig up a nice little laundry list.

You are correct, sir...9 to 12 with the GOP in the lead.
Today however, we are staring at an actual default on the national debt, first time in the nation's history, I believe.

Government shutdowns hurt a lot of people but a default on the debt....we're talking "no milk in the store" style economic collapse....GLOBAL STYLE.

Make no mistake Golem, I recognize that this silly brinksmanship has occurred in the past on a smaller level, what we're talking about here is pure Jim Jones People's Temple stuff.

btw- Ted, you still arguing that the NDAA doesn't apply to American citizens?

An executive order wouldn't be to raise funds. It would be to set aside the debt ceiling. There's a distinction. My understanding is that the President just has to declare a national emergency and can raise the debt ceiling by executive order based on that threat. The executive branch that has the power to "bury" citizens away indefinitely and to be judge, jury, and executioner and murder Americans without due process can certainly set aside a ceiling on debt that's a threat.