Debt Ceiling

I am somewhat bemused by the alleged anger of the American people, as reported in the media, over the recent events in Congress with respect to the debt ceiling and federal budget. Our representatives are being blamed for their behavior, but I think we are missing the point. If we are to be angry, it should be at ourselves. We chose them. We elected them. Why wouldn't they act the way they do? I do not accept the argument that we did not elect them to perform as they have. In the last election, the voters in Maryland's 1 s t Congressional District had the opportunity to re-elect a middle of the road congressman but chose instead a very conservative candidate.

Back in 2008, George Bush was painted by all Democrats the worst president because of the wars and financial mess we were in. You voted in President Obama, and he can't even rein in his own party to fix the debt ceiling. Americans were fooled thinking this man was going to change things around. Well he's done that! The country is about to get huge tax increases and job losses, and the only ways Democrats can remedy that is to cut seniors' Medicare, cut the military budget and hurt poor, working families.

Letter writer David Gosey makes the statement, "During the administration of President George W. Bush, the national debt increased from $5.7 trillion in January, 2001 to $10.7 trillion by December, 2008" and then questions why is it that now "Republicans get religion" on the subject ("Raising debt ceiling has long bipartisan history," June 7). By Mr. Gosey's own numbers, during the Bush years the debt rose $5 trillion in eight years. Under Obama, the debt has grown $4 trillion in three years.

The Sun believes that Republicans are being irresponsible for insisting that any increase in the federal debt ceiling must be matched by similar cuts in federal spending ("Debt ceiling: Republicans stand by their ultimatums," June 5). I suggest that it is better to play chicken than it is to play ostrich, i.e. bury your head in the sand and hope it goes away. The current U.S. debt exceeds $14.5 trillion. The federal government spends over one-third more than it obtains in revenue.

For six straight hours on July 19, Maryland Rep. Chris Van Hollen forcefully led the Democratic floor debate against passage of House Resolution 2560 - the "Cut, Cap, and Balance Act. " His biggest problem with the legislation was its requirement for a seemingly onerous balanced budget amendment. Mr. Van Hollen claimed he wasn't against "garden variety" balanced budget amendments - just this one, because it required limiting annual government spending to an insufficient 18 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product.

- With the debate over raising the nation's $14.3 trillion debt ceiling heading into its final stretch, President Barack Obama will visit the University of Maryland on Friday for a town hall meeting the White House said will be focused on the economy. About 1,000 people are expected to attend the hourlong event beginning at 11 a.m. atCollege Park, which will take place as congressional leaders continue to search for an agreement that will cut the budget deficit by trillions of dollars, raise the debt ceiling by Aug. 2 and eke out the best possible political position for their parties for the 2012 election.

Wall Street sent the United States a wake-up call on the national debt this week, but it appears conservatives didn't get the message. It took about a nanosecond for Republicans to start blaming President Barack Obama for the decision by Standard & Poor's to lower its outlook on U.S. credit to negative instead of stable, and to increase their threats to hold hostage a crucial vote on raising the debt ceiling. The warning from S&P is surely not something to be taken lightly. Should the nation's bond rating be lowered from its current Triple-A, the consequence could be severe.

Where was the business community when the debt ceiling debate was going on? Why weren't they piling into Washington with grim faces and falling charts showing Congress what was likely to happen if America continued make a spectacle of itself, looking to all the world like Ozzy Osbourne and his family had taken over the Capitol? Why are corporate lobbyists' fingers only on the speed dial buttons when fighting for corporate welfare but not for the welfare of the nation? Don't they realize that their corporate welfare is dependent on the welfare of the nation, and the welfare of the nation is dependent on the middle class?

I have been watching the surreal drama that is playing out in Washington, just another insignificant American citizen, wondering when the curtain will fall on the histrionics. I hope after all the confrontations and clashes the debt ceiling will be raised in the last minute, House Speaker John Boehner will appear on talk shows, his eyes moist, claiming victory, and President Obama will go off on his fundraisers, telling the world that for America to survive as we know it, we need new taxes - but I cannot be sure.

A Senate committee listened Tuesday to the pros and cons of expanding Maryland's sales tax base to include more services, as well as goods purchased over the Internet. The Senate Budget and Taxation Committee spent the day in Annapolis receiving briefings on taxes, the federal debt ceiling, education funding and toll increases. Legislative committees meet occasionally between the 90-day General Assembly sessions. Tangible products, but few services, sold by Maryland retailers are taxed at 6 percent.