It would be wonderful if we could force our platform on the Dems after getting crushed in an election but it is simply not a realistic option. Yes, there are things we can still do since we hold the House, but why? People voted for this, let them see the result.

If this is the only way then at least abstain on the final votes! Let anything too toxic to oppose pass with Democrat votes only! Why support anything we’re convinced is harmful to our nation?

Look, everyone on this post (including and especially Mr. Erickson) has missed the whole point of what’s going on – keep your eyes on the ball!

It’s about two things: Chicago-style politics and political survival. The Chicago political style is highly effective when working with “low information” voters, democrats in general, union members, other governmental “hangers-on” and weepy-eyed spineless liberal republicans (the corporate types). Regarding political survival – show of hands by everyone who cares if the current house repub leadership team survives 2014 re-election. Anyone? That’s the problem – we who want change don’t care if the current team is forced out – but they do. They’ve built theeir careers to get the power afforded them by their positions – they DO NOT CARE ABOUT DOING THE RIGHT THING IF IT CONFLICTS WITH THEIR PERSONAL SURVIVAL.

First, Obama is a racist, and highly narcissistic psychopathic bully/weasel who happens to be friendly and personable. It’s no surprise – this is the pedigree of a typical Chicago Pol – which is exactly what he is. In the Chicago world-view “what’s not to like”?. So wise up dummies! Try to recall Obama used to be close friends with the now jailed ex-governor of Illinois – Rod Blagojevich. They both came up through the democrat machine in Chicago.

BUT – he is not the problem to focus on because there is nothing any single person or even group of people (say the House/Senate) can do to alter his behavior.

The republicans, whatever they are – are irrelevant (until they adopt a transformational strategy).

The problem, and the focus of attention is, and needs to be, the “47%”, the low information voters AND the “weepy-eyed” spineless republican voters. These are the folks who elected the Chicago Pol. Any action taken needs to address them. It needs to happen soon and it needs to be dramatic. It needs to be – as much as possible – a “near-death” experience.

In fact, given the idiocy of the last election its probably appropriate if a large number of these voters suffer terribly for their choices. So give them their choice. But don’t dribble it out over 10 years. Give it to them ALL AT ONCE – over a few months.

What (you say) the hell is this guy talking about? Well here it is. Give the electorate what they voted for, but do it all at once, do it now. Don’t wait for a fight with Obama, ignore Obama. Have the House Republicans put through a debt ceiling limit that is ASTRONOMICAL IN SCOPE. Double the current national debt now – not in 10 or 20 or 30 years – RIGHT NOW by Feb 2013.

Bring the debt ceiling to 30 Trillion immediately, but also appropriate for the coming budget year 10 to 15 Trillion in NEW spending. Rebuild every bridge and dam in the country – all at once. Repave every road by the end of 2013. Build a brand new Panama Canal. Put colonies on the Moon and Mars. Fund operations to mine the methane moons of Jupiter! Give every US resident (even illegals) a guaranteed “Lake Wobegon” retirement package and a “job for life”.

But do it ALL quickly. Let’s see what the political and media discussions are about then. Lets see how the world economy and the bond markets and the Fed all respond.

Maybe Mr and Mrs 47% will wake up. If not, then it does not matter. If you’re going to have to face armageddon at least do it on your terms.

For the next two years or until Obama and Ds drop in popularity Boehner calls the shots on House policy and deals. No one else is challenging his control over the House message, no one. When, not if obama messes up and irriates the public, and drops in favorabilty , then it will be safe for Boehner to move for a gain. What he will gain after giving Obama all he asks for is the mystery.

Obama mostly wants another CR and debt ceiling deal. Boehner may get a chance at cutting Medicare and Social Secuirity as a reward for cooperation but I hope he does not fall for that trap. Comprehensive reform and debt reduction is how to move on. There are plans on right like the Rand Paul plan and others. Republicans need to be in on design of debt reduction and entitlement reform. They took no crumbs on ACA and were not part of that design, thankfully.

But, a Boehner-Obama deal must not be just Obama handing GOP as a reward for CRs and debt ceiling two unpopular entitlements to cut so House caucus own them. That ‘deal’ is what I fear. We need a stronger hand than this game dealt us.
We on outside looking in can fire shots his way and keep up the good fight in public opinion since we voters are waiting for 2014.
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There may be no big crash any time soon, too many safety nets and lending firewalls.
US Credit for more borrowing is stellar for a major nation and US can borrow forever but a poor economy may irritate enough voters who still want to work who supported Obama in 2012 to switch to GOP in 2014.

jim, Do not be afraid. We will get through this.

We are faced with this problem because Obama won the election, and Obama won the election because his base turned out and ours didn’t. In a year in which we should have easily won back control of the Senate, instead we lost two more seats. Our focus, virtually our sole focus, ought to be on figuring out how to win the next two elections.