House Republicans to Raise Debt Limit and President Obama Presents Tougher Gun Laws

Posted on the 19 January 2013 by Real Talk @talkrealdebate2012

This week I offer my praise of the week to two “unlikely” recipients.  I want to praise House Republicans and President Obama.  I say unlikely because regular readers of this blog by now know that I’m not a happy camper at the moment when it comes to our politicians (example).  So I was pleasantly surprised and delighted that both of these recipients have taken steps to address real problems our country face.

Today, news broke that House Republicans will pass a bill next week that will raise the debt limit for three months.  It will raise the nation’s borrowing limit, while they begin negotiations with Senate Democrats on a budget deal for next year.  The Senate hasn’t passed a budget in 3 years.  They’ve agreed to extend the limit for the long-term if a budget deal (of which would have spending cuts included) is passed by the Senate.  This seems like a pretty reasonable proposal.

Now you may be asking yourself why this warrants praise.  I think for two reasons:

  • Politicians are like children.  They need praise every once in a while.
  • The best part of this deal is that if our politicians are unable to adopt a budget by April 15th their paychecks will be withheld.  Yes, it seems like someone has been reading my posts.  As I have said so many times, politicians will only care to truly get the job done when their entitlements are in jeopardy.

Speaker Boehner said: “we are going to pursue strategies that will obligate the Senate to finally join the House in confronting the government’s spending problem.  The principle is simple: No budget, no pay.” (Have I mentioned how much I love this proposal?)

This week I’d also like to praise our newly reelected president.  President Obama and I don’t always agree on certain policy.  This week however, we are in sync.  President Obama held a news conference on Wednesday in which he provided 23 executive orders that he wanted passed by Congress to combat the escalating gun violence in America.  He like I support a ban on assault weapons.

I commend the fact he has begun the gun control debate.  I think he proposed sensible measures.  I think they are a step in the right direction.

hope that our House of Representatives and Senate show some “political courage” and flex some “political muscle.”

hope they denounce the NRA lobbyists.

hope they do their jobs.

Who knows, if they are good boys and girls I might consider praising them someday.

Emailrealtalkdebate2012@gmail.com

Twitter@adrakontaidis & @talkrealdebate