Reply #63: Well, we'll see if we "got" anything when the magic beans we traded for hatch -- Dec of 2012.

[Pholus]

The debt ceiling was merely the *latest* hostage. It's not like the 'thugs were out their priorities to vote for it.

Until then, we managed your ransom by cuts alone and a SOOPERCongress which is supposed to deliver further reduction (in other words, a promise to consider our desire for "balance"). Both the Boner and McConnell have already stated baldly where that is going to go, and Reid and Pelosi's reactions indicate they know the score as well.

But I largely expect that that the boosters here will shortly be changing their tune from "just wait, the Bush cuts will expire, we don't even have to do anything -- that will be the revenue increase"

to

"BE REALISTIC here. The jobs and economy can't take the hit from the tax INCREASE this represents right now. Sorry, we have to keep them and our hands are tied by our new agreement -- they simply have to be paid for by further cuts which to satisfy the minority must primarily come from the safety net."

That's if they win the election of course. Otherwise President Bachmann (MAKER forbid) simply extends the cuts, they get fast-tracked through congress (REGARDLESS of who is in charge if history is any indication) and then makes them retroactive.