[millie]

I know there are a lot of rumors going around about what is going to happen if we don't come to some decisions about the debt ceiling. What do you think is going to happen Aug 2nd?

[OilandVinegar]

Honestly, I don't think it's going to happen. I think they will come to some sort of agreement and we will have a budget. It's always something with the politicians. You would think they would be more concerned with what the public wants but they don't seem to.

[alygirl]

I honestly think hell has a better chance of freezing over than these politicians reaching any kind of agreement before Aug 2nd or any time soon after that. What will happen? Time will tell, but we will lose our AAA credit rating regardless.

[jason]

The president can raise the limit without congress by way of the 14th amendment. Clinton did it several times. What is going on now is purely for show in my opinion. Republicans want to push a temporary increase so it will be fresh in the minds of voters come next election. Democrats want to do it all now so voters will forget. They are all doing it for show, and we are the puppets.

As far as the credit rating, Gunther says nothing will affect it, but I think it already has been affected.

[ash]

I never thought it would get this nutty in my lifetime, heck even for my kids. Right now we are so screwed up its hard to tell what side is up and what side is down. Greed destroys too much yet we never learn.

[JordansMom]

I vote for holding the salaries of the President and Congress until they get things settled. I agree with Jason, it's all for show. Bulls pawing at the ground and snorting smoke at each other. It's a shame they have scared everyone to death over it though. If they hold up Social Security and Disability checks, the whole country will go down in flames. Most of those folks are living paycheck to paycheck anyway.

[Hacha]

I think it's just a bluff to try to get each other psyched out enough to acceded to the other party's wishes. I don't think we will have a problem though, because the president can raise the debt ceiling without the votes of Congress. It's just all political showcasing and posturing.

[Friendlygal]

Originally Posted by jason

The president can raise the limit without congress by way of the 14th amendment. Clinton did it several times. What is going on now is purely for show in my opinion. Republicans want to push a temporary increase so it will be fresh in the minds of voters come next election. Democrats want to do it all now so voters will forget. They are all doing it for show, and we are the puppets.

As far as the credit rating, Gunther says nothing will affect it, but I think it already has been affected.

The credit rating companies have already decided to drop the credit limit. Nothing that happens in the next few days will change that. The partisanship they have shown has taken care of that. President Obama can raise the debt limit, but then the Republicans have already said they will attempt to impeach him, which will just make for more time they aren't dealing with any real issues so I doubt he will go that route.

[happymom]

I'm with Jordan on this one - hold the salaried of Congress members, the House members and the President. I believe they passed something today?