Why Democrats Should Call Republicans' Bluff on the Looming Debt Default Conflict

The largest political battle, barring something really stupid coming along, in the next few months will be over the attempt to raise the federal debt limit. While it sounds boring, it's critical to every budget item, including science funding. Without increasing the federal debt limit, the U.S. would default on its debt (as well as be unable to pay for all of the allocated federal spending). Keep in mind this federal debt limit is absolutely artificial: since the U.S. has a sovereign and fiat currency, this is a self-imposed constraint. We could set the debt limit to any amount or even get rid of it entirely if we wanted.

Republicans plan on using the federal debt limit as an excuse to screw over working Americans by slashing Social Security and Medicare. But Dean Baker lays out why this, if Obama and the Democrats play their cards right (and that's a big if), could completely blow up in the Republicans' faces (italics mine):

In order to avoid this train wreck, supporters of Social Security and Medicare have to restructure the options. They have to push President Obama to announce in advance that he will never sign a debt ceiling bill that includes cuts to Social Security and Medicare, the country's two most important social programs....

This would be a hugely popular position since not only Democrats, but also independents and even Tea Party Republicans overwhelming support Social Security and Medicare. Furthermore, the gun, in the form of a potential debt default, is actually pointed at the Wall Street banks, not the public.

A debt default would be a very bad situation and one that we absolutely should try to avoid. But the day after the default, the country would still have the same capital stock and infrastructure, the same skilled labor force and the same technical knowledge as it did the day before the default. In other words, the ability of our economy to produce more than $15 trillion in goods and services each year will not have been affected.

One thing that would not be around the day after a default is Wall Street. The default would wipe out the value the assets of the Wall Street banks, sending Goldman Sachs, Citigroup and the rest into bankruptcy. The recovery for the economy from such a situation will be difficult, but the shareholders of the Wall Street banks would be wiped out and their top executives unemployed.

For this reason, the threat of a default is a gun pointed most directly at Wall Street. Given the power of Wall Street over Congress, is inconceivable that they would ever let the Republicans pull the trigger.

This means that if President Obama is prepared to take the right and popular position of supporting Social Security and Medicare, he will win.

Keanu Reeves movies notwithstanding, shooting the hostage is a bad idea, especially when he's your guy.

Very Serious Pundits and their progressive enablers will howl like the bane sidhe. They'll claim taking such a stand is 'irresponsible'--screwing over middle class people however, is, of course not irresponsible. Ignore them (usually a good idea). For once, call the Republicans' bluff. Unlike healthcare, where the Democrats had to pass something, they can just sit on their hands, since the Republicans have so much more to lose here.

Besides, making Republicans act like the grownups for once instead of petulant sociopathic children wouldn't be such a bad thing either...

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The US Constitution says congress has the power to grant patents and copyrights "for a reasonable time." The supremes have ruled this means anything congress wants it to mean, up to and including "forever minus a day." So why not have congress set this limit at 'infinity minus $1' ? Got a sticky social problem? Pass a law! Problem solved.

"The largest political battle, barring something really stupid coming along, in the next few months will be over the attempt to raise the federal debt limit. While it sounds boring, it's critical to every budget item, including science funding. Without increasing the federal debt limit, the U.S. would default on its debt"

Not necessarily. It would be a mess, to be sure. However, there are arguments that for the US to default on its obligations would be unconstitutional. Also, the failure to raise the debt ceiling might bring two pieces of legislation into conflict. Do we really think that the Executive Branch would choose to default while the Judicial Branch sorted things out?

There may also be an option for the coinage of money to cover costs. However, two coinage acts passed into law In December, and may make the coinage of huge amounts of money impractical.

It would be hilarious to proactively put certain government departments on half time, or suspend their activities, as a cost saving measure.

* The patents office
* Anything to do with comany-on-company lawsuits (enforcement, court time)
* Registration of new companies and corporate entities

Oh - next time any broadcast network whines about censorship, suspend the policing of the TV and commercial radio broadcast spectrum licensed to them. Open season for anyone who can put up an antenna. Hey: free speech, amirite?

By Paul Murray (not verified) on 03 Jan 2011 #permalink

Yes, according to the fourteenth amendment its unconstitutional for congress not to pay its debts. The courts and the president actually have nothing to do with it and would probably raise more issues then they solve if they were to do so. THe constitution vests the congress with the power to raise the money and pay the bills its as simple as that.

The whole argument is therefore circular.
You spend the money but you argue about paying the bills,get frustrated, and hold your kids hostage until your husband agrees with you to go on a long vacation. But he doesn't because he's working over time to make the money to pay the bills so if he doesn't , agree what??? you poison the cat.???!

I think not.... but it is about that absurd . Congress dug this debt hole. NOt the president.. ok the republicans claim he did but not without their consent and well now: they all need to sit down and talk about it. But only after they pay the outstanding debts, so they can keep their house, and then decide what to do with the cat...

Yes, according to the fourteenth amendment its unconstitutional for congress not to pay its debts. The courts and the president actually have nothing to do with it and would probably raise more issues then they solve if they were to do so. THe constitution vests the congress with the power to raise the money and pay the bills its as simple as that.

The whole argument is therefore circular.
You spend the money but you argue about paying the bills,get frustrated, and hold your kids hostage until your husband agrees with you to go on a long vacation. But he doesn't because he's working over time to make the money to pay the bills so if he doesn't , agree what??? you poison the cat.???!

I think not.... but it is about that absurd . Congress dug this debt hole. NOt the president.. ok the republicans claim he did but not without their consent and well now: they all need to sit down and talk about it. But only after they pay the outstanding debts, so they can keep their house, and then decide what to do with the cat...