EJ Dionne on this artificial crisis and what Obama should do.

[woo me with science]

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2011/07/18/why_did_congress_waste_six_months_110601.html

Why Did Congress Waste Six Months?
By E.J. Dionne

....
What's even worse is this entirely artificial, politician-created crisis has kept government from doing what taxpayers expect it to do, which is to solve problems that citizens care about.

The most obvious problem is unemployment. The best way short-term to drive the deficit down is to spur growth and get Americans back to work. Has anyone noticed that Americans with jobs can provide for their families, put money into the economy -- and, oh yes, pay taxes that increase revenues and thus cut the deficit?

There are some entirely obvious steps government can take. Ramping up public works spending is a twofer: It creates jobs upfront and provides the nation's businesses and workers the ways and means to boost their own productivity down the road.

....

So why not do it? "I'm operating within some political constraints here," Obama explained, "because whatever I do has to go through the House of Representatives."

Excuse me, Mr. President, but if you believe in this policy, why not propose it and fight for it? Leadership on jobs is your central job right now. Let the Republicans explain why they want more cops and teachers let go, or local taxes to rise...

(more at link)

[JDPriestly]

1. Obama -- handsome face, beautiful voice, nice personality, but weak knees

[DJ13]

2. Why Did Congress Waste Six Months?

For the same reason they (& Obama) waited until the Bush tax cuts were expiring before they thought about dealing with the long term unemployed.

If both sides want the same thing, and they want to spread the blame around, then wait until the last minute so you create a phony "crisis" that needs quick action without any real debate.

[emilyg]

5. Right on.

[DCKit]

8. Can't disagree. nt

[msongs]

3. nice to always have a bogeyman to blame for lack of action, so convenient is it not? nt

[Joe the Revelator]

4. Are you saying the HoR is just a bogeyman....

I guess it WOULD be easier if Obama was a dictator, ruling by decree,but...

[Hardrada]

6. Dionne is not a wild man but is usually right on these issues.

[no_hypocrisy]

7. Six months ago, did anyone in Congress explicitly announce the debt ceiling wasn't going to be

raised without some major policy/spending concessions?

Or was it assumed it would be raised like it had been seven times during the * Administration?

[deacon]

9. Well the media allowed the GOP to sell the "crisis" to the public. n/t