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Mitch McConnell Just Proposed the “Pontius Pilate Pass the Buck Act of 2011"
Redstate ^ | 7/12/2011 | Erick Erickson

Posted on 07/12/2011 2:23:28 PM PDT by Qbert

Mitch McConnell is right now talking about making a historic capitulation. So fearful of being blamed for a default, McConnell is proposing a compromise that lets Barack Obama raise the debt ceiling without making any spending cuts at all.

Consider sending McConnell a weasel as testament to his treachery. His address is 601 W. Broadway, Room 630, Louisville, KY 40202 and the phone number is (502) 582-6304.

McConnell’s idea is to make the debt ceiling automatic unless Congress, by a 2/3 vote blocks the increase. Oh yes, he put a salve on it by dressing it up in tough talk that, to quote the Wall Street Journal, “[a] ‘eal solution’ to U.S. fiscal problems isn’t possible as long as President Barack Obama remains in office.” So since no “real solution” is possible, McConnell proposes to go Pontius Pilate and wash his hands of spending, blaming Obama while doing nothing himself.

Here is how the plan would work.

In a nutshell, the President would get to raise the debt ceiling three times in the next year at several billion bucks a pop without making any spending cuts unless two-thirds of both houses of Congress disagree. In his press conference, McConnell says he would not give the President “unilateral authority to make spending cuts on his own,” but this plan would allow the President to raise the debt ceiling pretty much automatically.As the Politico notes,

Senate Republicans are actively pursuing a new plan under which the debt ceiling would grow in three increments over the remainder of this Congress unless lawmakers approve a veto-proof resolution of disapproval.

In effect lawmakers would be surrendering the very power of approval that the GOP has used to force the debt crisis now. But by taking the disapproval route, Republicans can shift the onus more onto the White House and Democrats since a two-thirds majority will be needed to stop any increase that President Barack Obama requests.

Yes, instead of putting the burden on the White House, McConnell would make it damn near impossible to block a debt ceiling increase. We’ve seen this before. The House once had the Gephardt rule that required the debt ceiling vote be attached to a more popular measure so members of Congress could escape a tough vote.

Consequently, the debt ceiling has gone up to $14 trillion without Congress ever having to make a tough choice about debt.

And now Mitch McConnell wants to make it even easier by allowing Congress to go through a dog and pony show of feigned cuts that never get cut while allowing escalation of our national debt. So much for accusing Barack Obama of smoke and mirrors.

2014 cannot come soon enough to destroy the political future of this weasel.

———————————– Editor’s note: I decided to make the title less incendiary.

Consider the Associated Press’s headline right now: “GOP Leader McConnell proposes giving Obama new power for automatic debt limit increase”

Updated again: Changed to title to something less incendiary. I still encourage weasels be mailed.

UPDATE: Some of the most willfully ignorant and willfully naive McConnell supporters are coming out of the woodwork to say this is not *the* plan, but a contingency plan if *the* plan can’t be agreed to. So let’s get this straight: if Democrats won’t agree to make spending cuts, we’ll fall back to the contingency where they get to raise the debt ceiling without making spending cuts.

That’s not a contingency, that’s handing the Democrats a silver platter.


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events; US: Kentucky
KEYWORDS: debtceiling; debtdeal; debtlimit; gopigs; judas; judasparty; mcconnell; mcconnell4mcconnell; mitchmcconnell; moderates; stupidparty
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To: MestaMachine

“Do the math.”

You don’t understand the opponent. Whatever he wants to do to get around this supposed “trap” that McConnell believes he has set, he will do. Lie, cheat, steal, etc. How many times (DOMA, AZ immigration law, Fast and Furious, etc., etc.) do people need be reminded of this before it sets in?


81 posted on 07/12/2011 3:48:50 PM PDT by Qbert ("The best defense against usurpatory government is an assertive citizenry" - William F. Buckley, Jr.)
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To: FlipWilson
So why try anything as no matter what is tried it will ALWAYS be a fact that 1) democrats never negotiate in good faith and 2) the media will always cover for them.

Good question - I'm tired of the GOP "trying" anything. Offer policies, run on them & then fight for them. Talk directly to the electorate.

F negotiating with the democrats until they show they are worthy of being negotiated with, F allowing the media to filter the message.

82 posted on 07/12/2011 3:49:08 PM PDT by skeeter
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To: FlipWilson
That is why it is being called the Pontius Pilate solution, e.g. McConnell and the Republicans wash their hands of it and let the dems own it.

BTW, how will the democrats be held accountable when the media will not tell the truth of the matter?

The GOP cannot be seen to be 'making a deal' with these people at all. They must be seen only to oppose their marxist policies.

83 posted on 07/12/2011 3:58:49 PM PDT by skeeter
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To: Qbert

I do understand our opponent omly too well. Perhaps it is our “opponent” that does not understand US.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2747570/posts

A discussion on our current state of affairs

Tuesday, July 12, 2011 6:52:20 PM · 4 of 6
MestaMachine to Indy Pendance

My senses say the hard left in this country, fronted by obama and backed by ?, is not preparing for an election. WE are. One way...or another.


84 posted on 07/12/2011 3:59:13 PM PDT by MestaMachine (Guns don't kill people, the obama administration does. (Gunwalker Ping List))
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To: nascarnation

Union bosses. Most of the rank and file that are not part of the NON-UNION rentamobs are STILL Americans.


85 posted on 07/12/2011 4:02:31 PM PDT by MestaMachine (Guns don't kill people, the obama administration does. (Gunwalker Ping List))
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To: Qbert

And I can’t believe there are FReepers saying that those of us who can see this CRAP for what it is are knee-jerking.

I guess they can’t read or only read one or two sources who agree with them.

This is inside DC BS and McConnell needs to lead or get out of the way. Marco Rubio for Senate Minority Leader! Or Pat Toomey.

Any conservative to get rid of the worthless track record of GOP majority/minority “leaders” in the Senate that do nothing but bend over and take it from Dems.


86 posted on 07/12/2011 4:05:27 PM PDT by Fledermaus (Mitt Romney makes Nelson Rockefeller look like Ronald Reagan. NO MITT 2012.)
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To: MestaMachine

“Read my last post, please.”

Yes, I read it.

So this plan apparently allows him to raise the debt ceiling several times before the election and then he or whoever else is elected at that point demands new tax increases to service the now much higher debt Obama has accrued.


87 posted on 07/12/2011 4:07:10 PM PDT by BlatherNaut
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To: MestaMachine

I worked in UAW shops for 40 years.
They vote Democrat - 95% of the time.
There were a few who hated draft dodging BJ Clinton and went for Perot.


88 posted on 07/12/2011 4:11:06 PM PDT by nascarnation
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To: Outlaw Woman
A side note: they (gop) really are going to screw around and hand the marxist another 4 years.

McConnel's proposal is similar to McCain suspending his election campaign so he could vote on the first failed stimulus package. A full 3/4 of this country does not want the debt ceiling raised. We are tired of DC's lies and games.

89 posted on 07/12/2011 4:14:00 PM PDT by justa-hairyape
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To: Lancey Howard
It reminds me of when Tom DeLay said, “That’s it, we’ve cut to the bone everything that can be cut.” He was, of course, being sarcastic and slapping at his Republican colleagues, but some morons - - on our side! - - took what he said as his honest conclusion. Head-shakingly un-freaking-believeable.

That is incorrect. When Delay said that, he meant it. The deficit that year was $319 billion or 2.6% of GDP. 20% of Obama's. This included the bailout for Katrina.

DeLay Declares Victory...

90 posted on 07/12/2011 4:18:15 PM PDT by A.Hun (Common sense is no longer common.)
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To: BlatherNaut; Qbert

Look. This thread is about what Mitch McConnell SAID, not what he DID, and HE can’t do anything. It’s Boehner we have to watch.
Secondly, we are in a war. Not just a political war. A REAL, on the ground have to protect yourself war. We have hope that an election can stop this, but are at this point unsure if there will even BE an election. ANYTHING we do now is a stall for time, trying to run the clock out.
These are terrorists in the whitehouse, this whole administration top to bottom and however far it extends FROM the whitehouse.
WE have to be ready for anything, and I mean anything. There is no immediate POLTICAL solution for this. The reasons are on Qbert’s post. Politics can’t overcome utter lawlessness. Blaming Mitch McConnell or any other politician who agrees with us now doesn’t change the facts. The “law” has proven it cannot and will not help us, and this is by no means the worst of it.
So now we stall. And get ready if you aren’t already. Because it’s coming.


91 posted on 07/12/2011 4:29:26 PM PDT by MestaMachine (Guns don't kill people, the obama administration does. (Gunwalker Ping List))
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To: nascarnation

Who voted for Reagan? And Pat Toomey in PA? Scott Walker in WI? Thad McCotter of MI?


92 posted on 07/12/2011 4:34:02 PM PDT by MestaMachine (Guns don't kill people, the obama administration does. (Gunwalker Ping List))
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To: nascarnation

“I hope you’re correct, but I think Baraq’s hard core supporters comprise:

Welfare clients
Union members
Govt employees
Idiot liberals
Minorities
Illegals
Dead voters”

You’re right. But these are sub-groups are already represented in the two main groups - 50 IQ racist blacks and batshit crazy fruitloops.

For example, let’s take three of the sub-groups you listed - welfare clients, minorities and dead voters. These sub-groups fall into the main group made up of 50 IQ racist blacks. The fact that these sub-groups are already represented by a main obuma voting group - 50 IQ racist blacks - means they can’t be separated out and added to obuma’s vote count.

It’s also true of the other sub-groups you mentioned.They all fall into the other main group - batshit crazy fruitloops.

King obuma has reached his maximum level of stupid voters. There ain’t no more. All the pig can try is massive voter fraud, but then he’s flirting with the destruction of the fascist elite, including himself.

Cheers


93 posted on 07/12/2011 4:36:26 PM PDT by sergeantdave
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To: MestaMachine

It’s a very good point that is probably close to the truth.

All the same, as others pointed out, it’s a gamble — and a risky one at that. The economy is on the brink of something even more disastrous than what happened several years ago. This trouble is directly tied to the government’s taxing and spending policies.

The prospect of that debt ceiling and the consequences of hitting it have the Democrats in a tizzy, at a time where their hand really and truly needs to be forced. We need sane budgetary policies and we need them NOW. Political points might be scored down the line by taking this gambit, but the fact is that it only pays off if things go to hell.

The American People can’t afford to have things go to hell. When things go to hell, people get desperate. When people are desperate, they start listening to the demagogues that offer easy answers. When people start listening to the demagogues, conservatism and its sensible approaches get pushed to the wayside in favor of what’s radical and sounds good.

One would hope that Congressional Republicans would take pause and consider very carefully before making such a move. The gains grabbed from such a move might not be worth the pain necessary to attain them.


94 posted on 07/12/2011 4:48:27 PM PDT by MWS
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To: MWS

The House can vote for deep cuts. The Senate might, or might not pass it. obama can veto it. Back to square one. It’s a fuster cluck.


95 posted on 07/12/2011 5:01:56 PM PDT by MestaMachine (Guns don't kill people, the obama administration does. (Gunwalker Ping List))
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Boop His Nose

Diving Tiger Says
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Give whatever you can

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96 posted on 07/12/2011 5:03:17 PM PDT by TheOldLady (FReepmail me to get ON or OFF the ZOT LIGHTNING ping list.)
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To: MestaMachine

Reagan won in 1980 with 50.7% of the vote. Carter + Anderson were the rest.

I assume RR didn’t need a lot of UAW votes to get to that vote count.

I’m not knowledgeable on the recent state races.

Again I only base my view on what I experienced in Ohio and Indiana. The UAW rank and file were very reliable Democrat voters. They were “educated” by their leadership from the day they walked in the door.


97 posted on 07/12/2011 5:17:10 PM PDT by nascarnation
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To: A.Hun

98 posted on 07/12/2011 8:19:23 PM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: Qbert

Leave it to Republicans to figure out a deal that leaves them powerless when they finally have the majority numbers they hid behind when they were in the minority. Snatch a castrated minority from the jaws of a majority. Eunuchs. Oxygen thieves.


99 posted on 07/12/2011 11:34:22 PM PDT by Still Thinking (Freedom is NOT a loophole!)
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To: Cheetahcat
They PAID the POS Off, has to be the reason,NO sane person could do this!

Or they have something to hang over him.

100 posted on 07/12/2011 11:35:34 PM PDT by Still Thinking (Freedom is NOT a loophole!)
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