Jared Bernstein: Cantor’s Behavior "Profoundly Irresponsible And Reckless." Isn’t That What Republicans Do?
Former White House adviser Jared Bernstein is, of course, an economist and thinks in terms of what makes sense, and good policy. But that’s not exactly the game we’re playing here, is it? A journalist just asked me what I thought of Eric Cantor abandoning the budget talks because the Democrats are insisting that the deal include both spending cuts and revenue increases. I’ve been around this town awhile. I could easily slip into the cynical Washington insider mode and write off this kind of political theater as strategy or posturing. But not this time. It’s profoundly irresponsible and reckless behavior. Given the fragile recovery, the recent growth slowdown, and the looming debt ceiling, I don’t understand how someone elected to represent the best interests of the country can justify such an action. I know…the R’s really don’t want revenues to be part of the budget deal. But the reality is that they’re not running the country on their own and that means they’ll need to compromise. Anyone walking away from that table needs to take a hard look at the extent of economic hardship facing American families right now and ask yourself why prolonging that pain is worth the political leverage you gain from it.The time for such game playing is long past. Stop screwing around, cut the deal, and raise the debt ceiling .
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on June 24, 2011. Filed under