Madeline Crabb
Shut the government down!
By Madeline Crabb
Tomorrow is October 1, and the day our government may shut down because the issue of raising the debt ceiling has not been settled. This is a serious issue that requires serious consideration, not just a few fleeting words by socialist-in-chief Obama. He and his socialist/communist cohorts in Congress would rather spew their lies about how Tea Party Republicans want to shut down the government, thus denying Aunt Millie or Uncle Fred their Social Security checks, instead of making sober decisions regarding spending and debt. OK, if the president wants a shutdown so he can spread more venom to poison and confuse Americans, then let's just shut it down!
For those of us who are Constitutional Conservatives, we know that neither the Republicans nor Tea Party groups have been calling for a government shutdown. In Senator Ted Cruz's marathon speech last Tuesday/Wednesday, never once did he call for a government shutdown. The only people proposing the idea were members of the Liberal Left who kept accusing their opponents of wanting such action. They have accused us of all sorts of things. Puh-leeze...
When Senator Reid gets started, it's amazing to hear the vitriol that can spew from his mouth. What he and his cohorts say is destructive to communication, atmosphere, attitudes, the "spirit" of Americans, credibility, and the process of legislating. They are nothing but big bullies! They don't bring reason and facts to the arena, but accusations, platitudes, "tear-jerking stories of woe," clubs, and finger-pointing. Sadly, the Republicans generally acquiesce to whatever the Left wants. They have no collective backbone. And if they don't surrender, the Left will beat them into submission. Talk about a dysfunctional system. Maybe we should throw them all out and start over. Just sayin...
In all seriousness, America really is in some deep doo-doo. We are getting ready to again raise the debt ceiling. The Dems refuse to cut anything. As Nancy Pelosi says, "The cupboard is bare." I think she meant that there are no more cuts that can be made. Uh huh, and I have some beach property to sell in Alaska. There is a cupboard that is bare – the one that holds the money for all those programs the Left and sadly, the Right, so love. For us to arrive at $17 trillion of debt, everybody has had a hand in the spending frenzy. It's just that the Dems have always been known as the party of big-spenders. However, once the Republicans get to D.C. and drink the Potomac Punch, they join the spending party. So folks, maybe it is time to shut down the government for awhile so everyone can reassess.
Let's look at some cold, hard facts, starting with the fact our Federal Government has been operating without a budget under Obama since April 2009. According to Matt Staver, Chairman of Liberty Counsel Action, refusing to pass a budget, contributes to the "ongoing fiscal disaster" that is being "orchestrated by spendthrift leftists and ultimately hands the Obama administration a blank check. Plus it puts the Democrat-controlled Senate on the wrong side of constitutional law." Staver said that Article I of the U.S. Constitution requires Congress to pass a federal budget, and that the Congressional Budget Act requires the president to submit a budget to Congress by February 1 every year. Under federal law, Staver said the House and Senate are mandated to reach agreement on a concurrent budget resolution by April 15 of each year." Considering the enormity of our government, and for fiscal responsibility, don't you think a budget is necessary? In our homes, we can't just deposit the weekly/monthly paychecks and then spend willy-nilly without some sort of plan (budget), and balancing the checkbook on a regular basis. Doing so would be insanity, and would get us into a lot of trouble. If we don't know the balance of the checkbook, we can spend too much and overdraw on our account. If we don't know exactly what bills we owe, how can we responsibly manage them? And if Americans, as individuals, families, and businesses need a budget, why doesn't the Federal Government need one? So, isn't it preposterous that Congress doesn't insist on a budget?
And furthermore, when we individually spend more than we have in the checkbook, there are penalties that accrue for our error – whether intentional or not. Then we must resort to dipping into our savings accounts to fund the mistake, or borrow money from someone, or some organization like a bank. What happens when the Federal Government has an "overdraft" as a result of spending too much? They just take it from another "account" like Social Security savings; borrow it from another country like China, Japan, or Saudi Arabia; or they simply print more money.
When we Americans borrow money, we have to pay it back. While paying it back, we usually don't assume extra debt because we have a limited source of funds. Government, on the other hand, has the printing presses. The government thinks it can simply print more money to cover its obligations, and continues to spend like there is no debt. In our own homes, such irresponsible behavior would have us in bankruptcy. Our government has been showing the same irresponsible behavior for far too long, and it has America in a profound predicament that we will probably never recover from. Bankruptcy is the least of our problems.
Studying the U.S. Debt clock (www.usdebtclock.org) will show that our Gross Debt has exceeded our Gross Domestic Product. The actual Gross Debt to GDP ratio is 106.57 percent. In our homes, this would mean we can't spend any more money. Such upside down numbers would mean we probably couldn't get any more loans/credit. Such a bad condition doesn't bother many in our government though. To continue the out-of-control spending, Mr. Obama makes a few more "deals" with other nations, even if they aren't our friends. They loan us money – we give them "freebies." The "we" I'm speaking of is We the People. Remember that everything our government buys or gives away is from money they forcibly take from the taxpayers. So I ask: Given the budget and debt situation, isn't it a great time to close down the government and seek some solutions? Like looking through Pelosi's "cupboard" again?
So how about raising the debt ceiling again? Did you know that when Obama took office in 2009 that our national debt was $10.6 trillion? Today, looking at the actual Debt Clock, our debt is $16.9 trillion. That's an increase of $6.3 trillion in just five years. If Obama and Congress keep spending at the current pace, the debt will be $21 trillion when Obama leaves office. It is reckless and totally irresponsible for our government to allow us to get into such a huge financial hole. We can't operate in our private lives this way. And the credit card companies don't continue raising our credit limits if we aren't responsible clients, who actually pay down their balances, and demonstrate that overall, we are good risks. Obama makes the argument that if the government is shut down, America will default on its debts. This isn't true, but then, most of what Obama says is a bunch of lies. He also says that these other countries will no longer trust us. News flash: they already don't trust us. There is a push around the world to change from the dollar to different currencies. People in other nations understand what our government is doing and the devaluing of our currency. American citizens just don't seem to get it. They keep electing the same people to office that caused our current problems, both Democrats and Republicans. It seems jail time would be more appropriate for them instead of elected office.
So now, Mr. Obama says that "raising the debt limit does not increase the debt." Yeah, right. As Jay Leno says about Obama's comment: "Raising the debt limit does not increase debt, like raising the speed limit does not increase speed." The House Rules Committee also had a laugh this weekend when a message was delivered that Obama had drawn a "red line" regarding debt limits. He will not negotiate. But what were his feelings back when he served his short term in the Senate?
Obama's supposed stance in 2006 is exactly how Congress should proceed today in addressing our debt and any debt ceiling increase. We must STOP spending. And yes, more programs, perhaps whole agencies must be eliminated. We can't continue at this pace if we plan to exist in the future. But then, for socialism/communism to succeed, the collapse of our economy is necessary. Remember, Obama tried to hide his true "colors" from Americans when he ran for the presidency. Many of us, however, were not fooled, and are not surprised at what has transpired since he took office. To save our nation, we must take drastic economic steps. Now! Don't you agree? So, Congress, don't cave on conservative principles. Let Obama shut down the government and try to blame you. We the People, those Senator Reid calls "rabid, willful, extreme, guerillas, and anarchists" will stand behind you all the way. To anyone willing to hear....
© Madeline Crabb
September 30, 2013
Tomorrow is October 1, and the day our government may shut down because the issue of raising the debt ceiling has not been settled. This is a serious issue that requires serious consideration, not just a few fleeting words by socialist-in-chief Obama. He and his socialist/communist cohorts in Congress would rather spew their lies about how Tea Party Republicans want to shut down the government, thus denying Aunt Millie or Uncle Fred their Social Security checks, instead of making sober decisions regarding spending and debt. OK, if the president wants a shutdown so he can spread more venom to poison and confuse Americans, then let's just shut it down!
For those of us who are Constitutional Conservatives, we know that neither the Republicans nor Tea Party groups have been calling for a government shutdown. In Senator Ted Cruz's marathon speech last Tuesday/Wednesday, never once did he call for a government shutdown. The only people proposing the idea were members of the Liberal Left who kept accusing their opponents of wanting such action. They have accused us of all sorts of things. Puh-leeze...
When Senator Reid gets started, it's amazing to hear the vitriol that can spew from his mouth. What he and his cohorts say is destructive to communication, atmosphere, attitudes, the "spirit" of Americans, credibility, and the process of legislating. They are nothing but big bullies! They don't bring reason and facts to the arena, but accusations, platitudes, "tear-jerking stories of woe," clubs, and finger-pointing. Sadly, the Republicans generally acquiesce to whatever the Left wants. They have no collective backbone. And if they don't surrender, the Left will beat them into submission. Talk about a dysfunctional system. Maybe we should throw them all out and start over. Just sayin...
In all seriousness, America really is in some deep doo-doo. We are getting ready to again raise the debt ceiling. The Dems refuse to cut anything. As Nancy Pelosi says, "The cupboard is bare." I think she meant that there are no more cuts that can be made. Uh huh, and I have some beach property to sell in Alaska. There is a cupboard that is bare – the one that holds the money for all those programs the Left and sadly, the Right, so love. For us to arrive at $17 trillion of debt, everybody has had a hand in the spending frenzy. It's just that the Dems have always been known as the party of big-spenders. However, once the Republicans get to D.C. and drink the Potomac Punch, they join the spending party. So folks, maybe it is time to shut down the government for awhile so everyone can reassess.
Let's look at some cold, hard facts, starting with the fact our Federal Government has been operating without a budget under Obama since April 2009. According to Matt Staver, Chairman of Liberty Counsel Action, refusing to pass a budget, contributes to the "ongoing fiscal disaster" that is being "orchestrated by spendthrift leftists and ultimately hands the Obama administration a blank check. Plus it puts the Democrat-controlled Senate on the wrong side of constitutional law." Staver said that Article I of the U.S. Constitution requires Congress to pass a federal budget, and that the Congressional Budget Act requires the president to submit a budget to Congress by February 1 every year. Under federal law, Staver said the House and Senate are mandated to reach agreement on a concurrent budget resolution by April 15 of each year." Considering the enormity of our government, and for fiscal responsibility, don't you think a budget is necessary? In our homes, we can't just deposit the weekly/monthly paychecks and then spend willy-nilly without some sort of plan (budget), and balancing the checkbook on a regular basis. Doing so would be insanity, and would get us into a lot of trouble. If we don't know the balance of the checkbook, we can spend too much and overdraw on our account. If we don't know exactly what bills we owe, how can we responsibly manage them? And if Americans, as individuals, families, and businesses need a budget, why doesn't the Federal Government need one? So, isn't it preposterous that Congress doesn't insist on a budget?
And furthermore, when we individually spend more than we have in the checkbook, there are penalties that accrue for our error – whether intentional or not. Then we must resort to dipping into our savings accounts to fund the mistake, or borrow money from someone, or some organization like a bank. What happens when the Federal Government has an "overdraft" as a result of spending too much? They just take it from another "account" like Social Security savings; borrow it from another country like China, Japan, or Saudi Arabia; or they simply print more money.
When we Americans borrow money, we have to pay it back. While paying it back, we usually don't assume extra debt because we have a limited source of funds. Government, on the other hand, has the printing presses. The government thinks it can simply print more money to cover its obligations, and continues to spend like there is no debt. In our own homes, such irresponsible behavior would have us in bankruptcy. Our government has been showing the same irresponsible behavior for far too long, and it has America in a profound predicament that we will probably never recover from. Bankruptcy is the least of our problems.
Studying the U.S. Debt clock (www.usdebtclock.org) will show that our Gross Debt has exceeded our Gross Domestic Product. The actual Gross Debt to GDP ratio is 106.57 percent. In our homes, this would mean we can't spend any more money. Such upside down numbers would mean we probably couldn't get any more loans/credit. Such a bad condition doesn't bother many in our government though. To continue the out-of-control spending, Mr. Obama makes a few more "deals" with other nations, even if they aren't our friends. They loan us money – we give them "freebies." The "we" I'm speaking of is We the People. Remember that everything our government buys or gives away is from money they forcibly take from the taxpayers. So I ask: Given the budget and debt situation, isn't it a great time to close down the government and seek some solutions? Like looking through Pelosi's "cupboard" again?
So how about raising the debt ceiling again? Did you know that when Obama took office in 2009 that our national debt was $10.6 trillion? Today, looking at the actual Debt Clock, our debt is $16.9 trillion. That's an increase of $6.3 trillion in just five years. If Obama and Congress keep spending at the current pace, the debt will be $21 trillion when Obama leaves office. It is reckless and totally irresponsible for our government to allow us to get into such a huge financial hole. We can't operate in our private lives this way. And the credit card companies don't continue raising our credit limits if we aren't responsible clients, who actually pay down their balances, and demonstrate that overall, we are good risks. Obama makes the argument that if the government is shut down, America will default on its debts. This isn't true, but then, most of what Obama says is a bunch of lies. He also says that these other countries will no longer trust us. News flash: they already don't trust us. There is a push around the world to change from the dollar to different currencies. People in other nations understand what our government is doing and the devaluing of our currency. American citizens just don't seem to get it. They keep electing the same people to office that caused our current problems, both Democrats and Republicans. It seems jail time would be more appropriate for them instead of elected office.
So now, Mr. Obama says that "raising the debt limit does not increase the debt." Yeah, right. As Jay Leno says about Obama's comment: "Raising the debt limit does not increase debt, like raising the speed limit does not increase speed." The House Rules Committee also had a laugh this weekend when a message was delivered that Obama had drawn a "red line" regarding debt limits. He will not negotiate. But what were his feelings back when he served his short term in the Senate?
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The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government can't pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government's reckless fiscal policies...Increasing America's debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that 'the buck stops here.' Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better.
Obama's supposed stance in 2006 is exactly how Congress should proceed today in addressing our debt and any debt ceiling increase. We must STOP spending. And yes, more programs, perhaps whole agencies must be eliminated. We can't continue at this pace if we plan to exist in the future. But then, for socialism/communism to succeed, the collapse of our economy is necessary. Remember, Obama tried to hide his true "colors" from Americans when he ran for the presidency. Many of us, however, were not fooled, and are not surprised at what has transpired since he took office. To save our nation, we must take drastic economic steps. Now! Don't you agree? So, Congress, don't cave on conservative principles. Let Obama shut down the government and try to blame you. We the People, those Senator Reid calls "rabid, willful, extreme, guerillas, and anarchists" will stand behind you all the way. To anyone willing to hear....
© Madeline Crabb
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