Posted on 06/28/2011 2:52:34 PM PDT by reaganaut1
In the ongoing debate over raising the debt ceiling, one option has not had much prominence: whether the Obama administration could ignore it altogether, and just spend the money it owes anyway. Would that be legal?
Matthew Zeitlin at The New Republic spoke with a few political scientists, budget wonks and constitutional scholars who argue that it would be. An excerpt:
Garrett Epps, a legal journalist and professor at University of Baltimore School of Law, has made an even broader argument in a pair of articles for The Atlantic’s website. In an interview, Epps told me that there was a strong argument that the debt ceiling is unconstitutional because it exceeds the legislative branch’s power of the purse. The argument goes like this: Because Congress already appropriated the funds in question, it is the executive branch’s duty to enact those appropriations. The debt ceiling, then, is legislative “double-counting,” because the executive branch is obligated to spend the money Congress appropriates, without having to go back and ask again for permission.
Of course, ignoring the debt ceiling could have some severe political consequences, especially since most Americans do not seem to realize that doing so primarily requires making good on payments already promised, as opposed to committing to new spending. That may explain why most Americans still are against raising the ceiling.
(Excerpt) Read more at economix.blogs.nytimes.com ...
Thats exactly what would need to be done.If Obama does not follow the law, why should the people?
Let them do it. Then the S&P can downgrade our credit rating and finally light the match and toss it onto this gas covered smoldering mass that used to be the United States of America. Countries are already looking to dump us as the worlds reserve currency. America is like the punch-drunk boxer out on his feet and has no sense to fall over. We can only blame ourselves for standing by and letting the govt do this to us. So feel free to hate on me for stating the truth that no one wants to talk about.
and i blame the GOP- because they do nothing but sit around like little girls and take it (except for a few exceptions- Issa being one of those cases)...
This is why we have to make sure we get the majority and especially the super majority back in the Senate. Plus ad more seats to the House
He could try and ignor it, but the House can defund it and order him held in contempt until impeachment. He wont be able to as much as fart without someone-the military, crawling up his ass.
If they fail to do it, then under the tenth amendment, the states can do it and if not the states, THEN THE PEOPLE can enforce their will.
And I am ready, Are you?
...and just spend the money it owes anyway. Would that be legal?Releasing the (supposed) Strategic Reserve a few days ago will also have an impact on A) national security and B) the deficit.
Same old stunt. Every time lefties run into opposition they start spreading runors that they’re just going to ignore what the people want. Clinton was just going to stay for another term, Democrats were just going to ignore the 2010 election, Gray Davis was just going to refuse to leave, Obama was just going to ignore Congress. And every time they cave.
It would be an impeachable offense, but is there any GOP rep. or Senator who would have the guts to vote to impeach?
Sure he can do this if he wants a revolution to start imediately.Many of us are at the end of our ropes with the mismanagement his lendership has wrought.
” And every time they cave. “
With the exception, of course, of TARP, Porkulus, and Obamacare - possibly the three worst pieces of legislation of the past 75 years, and all passed over the objection of substantial majorities of the population...
Very soon, we are going to see some brave politician stand up and tell obama to go “f##k himself”....and that guy or gal will raise a billion dollars in campaign contributions overnight.....
He certainly will if he thinks it is advantageous. Republicans better shoot down this trial balloon.
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Obama has never failed in audacity to break the constitution itself. why would he hesitate for this, when the Times gives him cover?
and the Republicans CAVED on the last budget, saving less than 1% of a budget that was DOUBLE that of Bush’s.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2741243/posts?page=5#5
...they can’t even get us our 100 watt bulbs back after 4 years, even though the Obama administration itself, admits the USA is getter colder, not hotter.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2740366/posts
our Gulf drilling industry is in shambles. GOP does nothing. EPA runs rampant. GOP does nothing.
...with a few valiant exceptions, like DeMint, the GOP is like Brave Sir Robin.
why should Obama worry about getting permission OR forgiveness from them ?
nobama can do anything he damn well pleases...until someone stops him. This marxist/socialist/anti-Free-America thug will just what he pleases to do. Just who is going to stop him?
There's no point authorizing $2 trillion in extra borrowing now because it'll be used up by the end of 2012 and we'll still be no better off.
He doesn't want budget cuts and there's talk of an additional stimulus!
He harps on "millionaires and billionaires" all while paying far fewer in federal income taxes than his 35% bracket. Biden's even worse, paying just 23% while also in the 35% bracket.
He’s ignoring every other law, so why not?
Who’s going to stop him?
NYT reminds me of those millions of delusional Greeks.....=.=
the debt ceiling has always been a joke anyways
If you could get 10 million or more Americans to NOT pay their taxes, it might have an impact
SO basically the house organ TIME magazine idea is a real trial balloon? The left is actually thinking of declaring the US Constitution to be null and void??
A lot of these trial balloons are pretty interesting ideas.
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