General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I'm not sure the country is going over the cliff, but DU sure as hell has. [View all]LWolf
(46,179 posts)Here you go:
When the Republican/right agenda is allowed at the table, and the agenda of the American left is not, you don't get honest, authentic compromise.
This deal could have been worse, to be sure. It could have been a hell of a lot better, too, and would have been if agenda items from the American left were ever allowed on the table to begin with.
One way to raise revenues is to increase taxes; that was on the table. We might have made better gains here if the other way to raise revenues was allowed.
Another way to raise revenues is to increase spending. That was not on the table.
Was strengthening SS on the table? Lowering the retirement age, increasing the benefits? SS does not add to the deficit, but it does add to the economy, since those dollars tend to be SPENT, not saved. If cutting SS can be on the table, then strengthening should damned well have been there, too.
Was stimulating the economy through domestic government spending on the table? Austerity is a terrible drag on economic growth. Or did we just accept that the only spending allowed would be military spending, and that austere domestic cuts would somehow help?
Was supporting American workers and their rights on the table? Higher earnings = more taxes paid, more spending.
These are just 3 of many items that could have been on the table, could have been considered, but weren't.
I don't think this place has gone crazy, unless you think the only reason this place exists is to be an echo chamber applauding the "Baracking" of America every time the left gets left off the table.