The republicans are blackmailing the U.S. by refusing to vote for raising the debt ceiling, and

[still_one]

linking it to massive cuts

For years since 9/11 the republicans have been somehow implying that the Democrats are not patriotic or somehow "less American", than they are, and for the most part the Democrats have not fired back

Now is the time for Democrats to file back. Not once have the Democrats EVER threatened not to vote for increasing the debt ceiling by linking it to something else, because the consequences would be disastrous for our country, but that is exactly what the republicans are doing, holding the country hostage

enough is enough

[dkf]

1. Obama voted against it as a Senator.

[still_one]

2. and Obama was wrong, however, the Democrats as a whole did NOT vote that way, or hold the country

hostage as the republicans are doing, and that is my point, not that "some" congress people are voting against it. In this case the republican party is standing pretty much together on this position to vote against it

[sendero]

3. Why do you think they are doing this?

Every time they threaten Obama he CAVES. He will CAVE again, when he should just tell them - "I'm not playing and if you hold this up you will face the consequences, not me".

But he won't. The Repubs have figured out that they can push Obama around so they are pushing. You'd have to be really inattentive to be surprised at this.

[still_one]

6. I think it is more because the republicans believe their constituents are behind them in this. That

however, is not a sure bet

[sendero]

8. They may be behind it..

.. in principle. If it actually happens they will lose that smile in a big hurry.

[kentuck]

4. Why are Democrats so timid about being blackmailed??

Shouldn't they be screaming to high heaven?

[TheKentuckian]

5. Because it is a sham.

[still_one]

7. What does that mean? The fact is if the U.S. defaults that would be a disaster. I could understand

why the republicans are playing the game, because they believe it will destroy the Democrats in the next election if the entire economy melt downs completely

and yes, it can get worse