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Democrats Trapped in the Bodies of Republicans
Townhall.com ^ | February 12, 2014 | Michael Schaus

Posted on 02/12/2014 7:02:15 AM PST by Kaslin

The House of Representatives voted yesterday to pass a debt limit increase with “no strings attached.” The agreement passed by a razor thin margin – with principally Democrat support. John Boehner led a vote where the majority of his caucus rebelled against the increase in borrowing authority for a nation that is already $17.2 trillion in debt. I wish my bank was as generous with lending authority as the GOP leadership and Democrats in Congress.

Of course, Democrats were quick to praise the John Boehner-approved credit increase. Harry Reid even made it a point to articulate his approval to the Washington Post (which was also pretty thrilled to see GOP leadership succumb to liberal tendencies). As a general rule, if someone like Harry Reid agrees with you, or praises your actions, some very serious questions should race through your mind. What did I do wrong? How did I get to this point? Do I really want to be here? Who am I? Did I just have a stroke? Am I on candid camera?

The vote has already garnered some harsh criticism from conservatives and libertarians who were optimistic that the agreement would be accompanied by some sort of spending restraints, or Democrat concessions. And while much of this anger is rightfully aimed at the “big spending” track record of Obama Inc., it is not necessarily DC as a whole that deserves scorn from fiscally minded political junkies.

The GOP establishment decided that a “controversy free” debt limit increase would somehow bolster the Party’s chances at dethroning Senator Harry Reid from his dictatorial post in the United States Senate. After all, it’s hard to make the GOP look like right wing wackos when they act just like Democrats.

Now, I understand the need to avoid a potentially devastating controversy right before midterm elections. But does that really mean we are incapable of using something like the debt ceiling negotiations as a platform to discuss our ideas? Heck, even Tip O’Neil was able to squeeze through some agenda priorities while President Regan controlled the power of the pen. As the Republican Party, have we really gotten to the point where we have abandoned all hope of winning the PR push? “Uh-oh… It’s an election year. We better act like Democrats.”

The truth is, Political Party does matter. Even with the GOP establishment demonstrating their complete lack of lumbar bones, Democrats are still responsible for passing the bill – with the help of only 28 Republicans who have essentially given up on the idea of successful conservative messaging.

Go ahead, blame “the GOP establishment.” Blame John Boehner. Blame the 28 House Republicans who, for some inexplicable reason, decided that voting with the opposition party was the reason they were sent to Washington. But remember that the overwhelming majority of the GOP stuck by their promise to reign in the national debt. In the end, the only thing that could have helped avoid a “clean” debt increase would be fewer Democrats. Let’s face it: The non-negotiating Democrats in the Senate (and at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue) are more responsible for our ballooning debt (and Republican capitulation) than any of the rank-and-file Republicans who refused to OK trillions more in additional borrowing.

What the vote really boils down to is political tactics. The small number of Republicans who voted “yea” are deathly afraid of criticism… And, unfortunately, they harbor this fear with good reason. After all, they are not simply combating Harry Reid and Barack Obama; but they are combating cable news, social media, John Stewart, the New York Times, and other giants of media. Then there are the rest of the Republicans (also known as the majority of the Party) that feel a reasonable amount of public controversy could be a catalyst for political enlightenment. After all, it’s not as if our only two options were between the Ted Cruz filibuster and the John Boehner acquiescence.

Regardless of what “could have been”, the debate is now on hold until after the midterm elections. And while it might be the inclination of those on the right to levy disdain at fellow “Republicans”, we should keep in mind that government is a game of majorities… And the 193 Democrats who voted for the bill are the priority target for Conservative activism in 2014. The words of Bill Buckley are suddenly ringing in my head: Always support the most winnable conservative candidate.

Oh, and praise from Harry Reid really is reason for a re-evaluation of life choices. My guess is that Boehner is in need of some political identity counseling. He may be a Democrat trapped in the body of a Republican.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Editorial
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To: Kaslin
"But remember that the overwhelming majority of the GOP stuck by their promise to reign in the national debt."

LOL. That and a dollar will buy you a cup of coffee at your local donut shop.
21 posted on 02/12/2014 8:42:38 AM PST by Deo volente (God willing, America shall survive this Obamanation.)
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To: EQAndyBuzz
In my opinion, Boehner looked at this and probably realized that if they fight it, it takes Obamacare off the front page and reinforces the liberal mindset that Republicans are trying to destroy the government.

This isn't a time for politics as usual.

The country is $17 Trillion dollars in debt, and $6 Trillion of it was accumulated on Obama's watch. The Federal Reserve is printing $85 Billion dollars worth of Monopoly money every month to prop up the system, which is devaluing the dollar like a lead boat anchor.

The Democrats and RINOs are literally destroying the economy of the United States before our very eyes, and you think Boehner made a wise move by voting to extend even more credit to these criminals and traitors?

No! If Boehner had a brain, a spine, or a single shred of American patriotism in his body, he'd be calling for Obama's impeachment!

At this point in time, a Republican Speaker of the House ought to be spiking a list of demands to the Oval Office door with a Bowie knife!

22 posted on 02/12/2014 8:48:31 AM PST by Windflier (To anger a conservative, tell him a lie. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth.)
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To: Windflier

I sent my CongressCritter Dave Camp (MI) that link along with a nice note telling him he has lost my support and vote for his actions.

I told him America is tired of the Whiney over paid Lobbyists residing in the Offices of Congress. They were elected to control Spending and deal with the Corruption.
As Chairman of the Committee investigating the IRS Abuses he needed to Call Hillary to borrow a pair of Testicals to start issuing Supenas and offering limited Immunity to get to the truth.

I also suggested that at one Time Republicans stood for Limited Government, fiscal responsibility. Now all it appears they represent is the Chamber of Commerce and large Businesses. At this point he should really evaluate what party he is really supporting with his inaction on the Committee and votes of Spending money this country has to Borrow.


23 posted on 02/12/2014 9:05:37 AM PST by VRWCarea51
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To: Mr. K

Uniparty


24 posted on 02/12/2014 9:24:44 AM PST by GeronL (Vote for Conservatives not for Republicans!)
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To: Kaslin

The next two election are going to be very messy like no one has seen before.


25 posted on 02/12/2014 9:27:27 AM PST by Vaduz
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To: EQAndyBuzz; Jim Robinson

” - - - In my opinion, Boehner looked at this and probably realized that if they fight it, it takes Obamacare off the front page and reinforces the liberal mindset that Republicans are trying to destroy the government. - - - “

Excellent distillation of this excellent article.

____________________________
FR BREAKING NEWS:

The 5 year long, lopsided power struggle continues on the now shredded Congressional Field of Battle in the District of Corruption, along the muddy banks of De Nile River.

The simple goal of the much-praised Left Team, also called “Democrats,” as stated by their team captain B. Hussein Soetoro-Obama is to “Fundamentally change the United States of America.”

The multiple, and very complex goals of the Right Team, as yet unstated but consistently acted out by Special Wrongway RINO Defense Squad Co- Captains John Boehner, Eric Cantor, Kevin McCarthy and Pete Roskam is to DO NOTHING that will irritate the Left Team.

The Right Team is also known by the name “Republicans,” a nostalgic name from a long-past time when there was “Liberty and Justice for all.”

The Left Team has a single Offense Squad with All Democrat Stars from many Schools of Higher Government Learning, to name just a few:
* Department of Gestapo Justice, (DOGJ);
* National Spy On U., (NSOU);
* Interrogate Ream Sue U., (IRSU)
* Reid Barrycade Senate Universal, (RBSU).

The Left Team always runs down the Congressional Field of Battle together, and has been admiringly nicknamed “ District of Corruption, United.”

The Right Team has never allowed the many Constitutional Offense Squads onto the Congressional Field of Battle, due to well-timed and strongly worded objections from many RINO luminaries such as Loser Emeritus, “Wacko Birds” McCain.

After a recent weekend, group-hug, bonding session, many caucus meetings, and private deal-making, Lead Co-Captain John Boehner picked up the ball yesterday and ran down the Congressional Field of Battle to score a goal for the Left Team.

Thanks to the RINO Defensive actions of “Wrongway” Boehner and his ‘gang of 27,’ an additional 1 to 4, (nobody is really sure), TRILLION dollars will be added to the National Poverty Debt Game Clock.

Co-Captain “Wrongway” Boehner was assisted by 27 Members of the Special Wrongway RINO Defense Squad.

Needless to say, “Wrongway” Boehner and his ‘gang of 27’ made no contact with any of the Left Team Members.

Time will tell if donations to the Special Wrongway RINO Defense Squad, (SWRDS), will increase or decrease before the Championship Game in November, 2014.

Reporting live from the now deserted Congressional Field of Battle, this is FRiend Reporter Graewoulf.

Back to you, Jim


26 posted on 02/12/2014 10:00:00 AM PST by Graewoulf (Democrats' Obamacare Socialist Health Insur. Tax violates U.S. Constitution AND Anti-Trust Law.)
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To: Kaslin

That’s a new way to desribe McCain.


27 posted on 02/12/2014 10:57:52 AM PST by SandRat (Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)
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To: SandRat

He’s a tranny?


28 posted on 02/12/2014 11:02:27 AM PST by hal ogen (First Amendment or Reeducation Camp?)
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To: JRandomFreeper

When obamacare is on the front pages the GOPe says nothing, does nothing except maybe come out and say they want to fix it. WTF! Fix it?

This bunch in washington has no fight in them. They won’t have any if they controlled the whole congress and white house, they are afraid to lead or take any heat. Utterly worthless!


29 posted on 02/12/2014 12:17:55 PM PST by sarge83
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To: xzins

Speaker Straus in TX is like this too; he need about 30 RINOS to add to the Democrat minority to pass liberal measures. Some votes though require 100 out of 150.


30 posted on 02/12/2014 7:22:21 PM PST by Theodore R. (TX Republicans to endorse Cornball and George P! Stay tuned March 4)
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