And we're supposed to praise them for this? First, it was suicidal. Second, where do they get off trying to do something this big, and unrelated, in the debt ceiling talks? Third, let's not forget, the Republicans already got what they wanted - the goal of both sides, D and R, is to come up with a plan for $4 trillion in budget cuts in exchange for raising the debt ceiling.
As Mr. Biden said in opening the meeting, held at Blair House across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House, the goal for both sides is twofold: a long-term deal that would save at least $4 trillion over the next 10 or 12 years, which would clear the way for the House and Senate to agree to the necessary increase in the nation’s $14.3 trillion debt limit.The Rs already won if both sides have accepted tying the debt ceiling to massive cuts in government programs. And now the Republicans are still saying "no new tax increases." Too freaking bad. When Democrats know that what we need is more investment in the economy, not cuts, yet both sides have now agreed to cuts, the Republicans have already won - they don't get to dictate the terms of the cuts too.
Not to mention, George Bush was the one who got us into this mess, with his trillion dollar tax cuts. It's not entirely clear why the Republicans get any say at all when they created this problem in the first place.
