So how are Tennesseans reacting to the news of an apparent "deal" on the U.S. national debt ceiling. The reaction, if people's reactions via Facebook are any indication, is very mixed. Some people believe that this proposed legislation is just a band-aid-and not a very good one-which does very little to deal with our growing debt problem, and puts it off for yet another day when we might revisit the default question again soon. Still others are glad that some agreement has been reached and that there are apparent triggers for across-the-board cuts in spending if Congress fails to keep its end of the bargain. Many Tennesseans weren't the least bit vague in expressing their feelings over the debt ceiling proposal.
"EVERYBODY...PLEASE call your US Senators, and US Congresman regardless of party and tell them NO! We spend 40,000,000,000 dollars more PER DAY than we take in. They are proposing savings in the first year that equals that one day of deficit. And we are suppose to be stupid enough to believe this was a grand bargain."
-From Middle Tennessee conservative activist Raymond Baker
"While the debt ceiling is not the whole problem, we have financial commitments. So legislate those commitments downward, sensibly and effectively to let us see the end of indebtedness as a nation in 20-30 years. But the financial world works on schedules of repayment, and unless we want to pay more for everything the debt ceiling issue must be resolved before Tuesday. Our bond rating will be reduced if we do not pay our bills on schedule, and it will also be reduced if we do not provide a realistic plan to reduce our debt. Ignoring either issue will result in a real financial catastrophe and loss of our world financial leadership status, both of which mean something when it comes to foreign trade. No idealistic pat answers will fix this - only hard work and realistic dedication to getting it right. Compromise to get the debt ceiling raised while we PAY OUR BILLS. Then do what you will to cut spending, big time."
"Dr Roe - these are trying times. We know that easy answers are hard to find, and we know there is NO WAY for the Republicans to not get the blame by the media and the liberal spenders when this is over. Vote your conscience on this, and remember that bad legislation is WORSE than none. Barack Obama's billion-dollar birthday party is not a good reason to raise the deficit; the GOP needs to keep the issue of out-of-control spending on the front burner. No 2 TRIL from the HILL; make the Senate vote on C-C-B; the House has done its part already. Speaker Beohner has done what he can, but we the people are saying NO MORE TO GOVERNMENT DEBT."
"...do not vote for the bill coming back from the Senate. BAD BILL!"
"Slowing the growth of our government just won't cut it anymore. We will only support shrinking the size of our government. For our posterity! Please show some backbone and loudly say "No!" to any business as usual, status quo-empowering compromises to raise the debt ceiling. It’s time to take a stand!"
-comments From Congressman Phil Roe's (R-Johnson City) Facebook page.
"I support Chuck in his effort to cut spending substantially and still get a deal done. Is the proposal perfect? No. Do we need something passed? Yes. It's my opinion that Chuck is a very responsible leader for our district. He has and will stand up for what is right. After all if no politician gave an inch would anything get done in Washington? There is a lot of good in that bill thanks to Chuck's persistence on certain issues."
"The "compromise" plan is a turkey. Please redeem yourself by voting NO this time."
"Vote No - Stand Firm!"
-comments from Congressman Chuck Fleischmann's Facebook page.
Meanwhile, Nashville area blogger and conservative activist Ken Marrero has discovered in his research that, lo and behold, America's biggest debt-holder, the People's Republic of China, defaulted on its old debts and apparently remains in default, yet that nation is in an increasing position to challenge America's place as the guarantor of global hegemony. China survives, so could America have survived "default," and did we act too soon?
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