COMMENTARY | Some in Congress, like Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., have said President Obama can raise the debt ceiling via the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, according to USA Today. The applicable wording states, "the validity of the public debt...shall not be questioned." For August, the federal government is facing $306.7 billion in expenses but only is due to take in $172.4 billion.
Obama spoke to the nation Monday night from the White House, rightly calling for a "balanced approach" to dealing with the deficit and the debt ceiling impasse, something he's spoken of for some time. But time is running out, and with the rubber about to hit the road, the president needs to show some fortitude and be a leader on this issue, even if he's challenged in court and/or Congress.
Obama has the backing of other representatives like Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., and at least one former President Bill Clinton, according to CollegeNews. This despite the president saying, "I have talked to my lawyers" about the 14th Amendment possibility. "They are not persuaded that that is a winning argument."
Imagine if John F. Kennedy kept begging the Russians to pursue a "balanced approach" during the Cuban Missile Crisis, saying something to this effect to the USSR: "Oh, scary Soviets, we'll let some of your ships past our blockade. Just don't aim so many missiles from Cuba at us." Yet he stood up to the Soviets and ordered a naval blockade in October 1962 until they ultimately backed off.
President Truman didn't keep on harping about a "balanced approach" when he ordered seizures in 28-plus industries between 1945-1946 over labor issues due to "national emergencies" justification, according to The Freeman. Rightly or wrongly, these men showed leadership and at least made decisions in crunch time.
America can't afford an utterly timid executive branch continuously placating right-wing bullies, especially when there's simpler ways out. Many Republicans and tea partiers are threatening the American way of life. Obama needs to realize it's impossible to compromise or pursue "balance" with fanatics and irrational people.
It's time for leadership and decisiveness from the Oval Office by using either the Constitution or the "national emergency" justification and raise the debt ceiling by himself. A "national emergency" looms.
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