Mark,

The target in your "debt bomb" graphic appears to be right on top of Seymour Johnson AFB, home of the 4th Fighter Wing and the F-15E Strike Eagle.

As a Marine F/A-18 pilot, I've put a few crosshairs on the F-15E's from that same base, and there's certainly no love lost between Marines and Air Force in our sibling rivalries, but shouldn't your target have been depicted a little further North on the map?

Semper Fi,

A Retired Marine Hornet Driver

I am at a complete loss as to why we don't hear Conservative/Republican Congressional members yelling this fact (regarding Obama's and the Left's Democratic Socialist agenda) from the highest roof tops ... and on every news show they can get on to. Why are they all smiling and so congenial towards those who are hell bent on taking this Country into ruin?? Mark, if what you say is true, and I'm one American who thinks you are spot on, than why aren't we in the streets protesting this "take over" of America?? I'm stunned as to how melancholy we are about this ... like sheep being led to slaughter!!

"Obama and his leftist cadres have placed our nation on a collision course with economic catastrophe, and plan to resurrect the pieces under a new Democratic Socialist framework."

Is this not enough to start impeachment proceedings among other things such as ignoring DOMA, and ignoring the Florida Federal Court decision stating obamacare is unconstitutional?

"The proposal cuts $111 billion from fiscal 2012 spending and caps future spending at 19.9 percent of gross domestic product, with the enticement that if it is passed in the Senate and signed by Obama, the next debt ceiling increase will be allowed."

Are you saying that the House has trimmed $111 Billion from its austere budget for the next fiscal year? Why aren't the republicans in the House shouting this fact from the roof-tops: The Congress is taking its medicine, now let the Executive Branch!

Words mean things. Deficit is the annual spend in excess of revenues. Debt is our accumulated deficits, to the tune of $14+ Trillion. The Gang of 6 plan lowers the DEFICIT 3.7T over 10 years from what IT WOULD HAVE BEEN! That is NOT attacking the debt bomb-it's smoke and mirrors. It means that if our debt would have been $20T at the end of those 10 years, it "may" now be $16.3T, still an increase from where we are now. Compromise is what our "leaders" say we need? Compromise is what led us to this predicament. We need leadership (with a spine) and a public willing to make the sacrifices needed to get out of this mess. Our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line for freedom. Why cannot the rest of Americans sacrifice some comfort for freedom for future generations?

From your BBA post: "...If the majority of elected legislators would honor the limits of a BBA as written into the Constitution, we wouldn't need a BBA...

That's true, but they never will - never.

A BBA would just be another device to aid them with their smoke-filled rhetoric. A true constitutionalist has no representation in the Federal Goverment - none.

No "balanced budget" proposal will be successful until there are no "off budget" expenditures. A properly designed budget includes ALL revenues and expenditures. Ask any succesful businessman or CPA. If the Federal government expects to pay anything (Social Security payments, for example) that expected outlay of funds must be included in a legitimate, correctly designed budget.

Wouldn't it be easier to abolish the Fed? Then Congress would at least have to pass a test to borrow. Bond buyers decide whether or not bonds are good risks, etcetera... but when you can print and loan yourself your children's money, what's to stop you? A Balanced Budget Amendment? They'll just push the money around on paper. A thief will always find a way.

And I'm not so sure the transformation of America is a short term goal. What if it's a long term goal? BHO could play reason and get the second term. He may decide in the end that the 5th justice on the Supreme Court is the most important war to win. It worked like a charm for FDR, which is why a pres only has two terms now. Maybe it ought to be one.

Here's a look at seven myths that the Obama administration is pushing on the American people:

1) Not increasing the debt ceiling means the U.S. government will default on its debt. This is probably the biggest lie that almost all other claims arise from. Default occurs if the government stops paying interest on the money that it owes. Not increasing the debt ceiling only means that the government can't borrow more money and that spending is limited to the revenue the government brings in. And, with interest payments on the debt making up less than a ninth of revenue, there is no reason for any risk of insolvency.

Time after time, congress and the president have failed to agree on a debt ceiling increase and still there has been no default. Examples include: December 1973, March 1979, November 1983, December 1985, August 1987, November 1995, December 1995 to January 1996, and September 2007.

Indeed, this really shouldn't even be a point of debate. The 14th Amendment to the Constitution requires that the debt payments come first before any other spending.

2) Until the debt ceiling is raised, uncertainty over the payment of U.S. debts will create chaos in financial markets. Given that the Constitution mandates U.S. debts be paid before any other spending and that sufficient money will be available to cover our interest payments, the only uncertainty arises from Obama's actions. Will he try not to pay the interest? Even a delay of a day in paying this interest will create a default. Court action could eventually force Obama to follow the Constitution but a default would have already occurred. But there is a simple way to end this uncertainty: have the president declare now that he will indeed follow the Constitution and make those payments.

Failure to increase the debt ceiling clearly doesn't mean default. During one three week period at the end of 1996 and the beginning of 1996, some of the government shutdown when a similar battle over the debt ceiling occurred, but there was no default. President Clinton used the revenues that were coming in to pay the interest on the debt.

3) Obama doesn't know if there is money to send off Social Security checks on August 3. The president knows very well how much revenue will be available to send out checks on August 3. Indeed, enough money will be available to not only pay the interest, but to also cover all Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and children's health insurance, defense, federal law enforcement and immigration, all veterans benefits, Response to natural disasters. Terrifying elderly people who are dependent on their Social Security checks may make good politics, but it is unconscionable. Yet, these scare tactics aren't really very surprising. The Democrats behaved no differently when they ran television ads bizarrely depicting Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) as pushing an old lady in a wheel chair off a cliff.

4) Mortgage interest rates will rise dramatically if the debt ceiling isn't increased. Not true. Indeed, the opposite is more likely, for not raising the debt ceiling stops the government borrowing more money. Less borrowing by the government could lower mortgage rates as there would be more lending available for potential homeowners. The interest rate paid by the government might go down for a second reason. Just as banks charge individuals a lower interest rate for those who have less debt compared to their incomes, the same is true for governments.

5) Time is Running Out on Debt Deal, and it must be done immediately. Despite Obama’s insistence that a deal be completed by July 15 and Geithner’s claim that a deal had to be reached by July 22, as already noted, there have been many times over the last few decades where negotiations have extended past when the debt limit has been reached. The longest delay lasted three weeks. Besides claiming that there will be a default, no explanation has been offered for why the debate is any different this time.

Possibly all these claims of urgency are part of some grand strategy to scare people, but that strategy depends on voters not knowing what is necessary for a default to occur.

6) If government spending is cut, there will be a depression. Obama promised that a "temporary" increase in government spending would "stimulate" the economy, but he is now telling us that we can't cut that "temporary" increase -- that we are stuck with it.

If Obama's program -- including a 28 percent spending hike since 2008 and more than $4 trillion in deficits -- worked so well, why has our unemployment rate risen more than elsewhere? The European Union, Canada, South America, Japan, and Australia have all had smaller increases in unemployment compared to the U.S. after Obama's "stimulus." We have also had these shutdowns before and the numbers don’t show any negative impact on unemployment or GDP. Figures for the longest shutdowns during the fourth quarter of 1995 and the first quarter of 1996 are available here.

7) The value of the dollar will plummet. Again, the supposed collapse occurs when we default. But there won't be any default. In addition, less government borrowing means lower future taxes, thus making the U.S. a more attractive place to invest. More foreign investment will actually cause the dollar to rise.

It is time for President Obama and his administration to stop scaring people. Cutting government spending back to its 2007 level won't be the end of the world. After all, during the 2008 presidential campaign, Obama himself repeatedly promised “a net spending cut."

The only way for conservatives to get their message out will be billboards all over the country. They need to be placed in strategic areas with high traffic and on both sides of the road, freeway, toll road, etc. Point by point issues, easy to read and understand. Spell it out how this administration is systematically turning this country into a third world nation with unsustainable debt, too many freeloaders, lies and deception and no accountability. Main stream media will not report the truth. Main stream media can only be counted on to distort the truth, tell out and out lies and pander to the liberals. The message has to be delivered the only way possible. BILLBOARDS! Best place to spend your campaign dollars.

No! We own a small custom furniture business!

Mark: Best part of your essay is quoting Senator Obama's statement asserting national debt is bad. His contradicting assertions: debt bad then - but now, debt is good, should be scream "WARNING HYPOCRITE AND LIAR SPEAKING" to even the most loyal and ignorant of his supporters. Alas, the fog of his smooth talk and promises of provision to them keeps them contentendly sucking his poison kool-aid.

Texas Guy: Your Seven Myths is OUTSTANDING! second only to Alexander's Essay. Relevant, succint, complete. Thank you for me providing ammo for those inevitable water-cooler / over-the-backyard-fence / meet-on-the-street and kinfolk-visit discussions with libs. Only wish your hyperlinks were available, Citing authoritative sources sharpens ammo tips.

Mark:

You are right on, as usual. In addition to the BBA, we need a Congressional Containment Amendment that would include term limits, no Congressional retirement plan, Congress obeying all laws that pertain to the public, etc.

We need Statesmen (and women), not slick, career politians.

"Democrats have a clear record of opposing any and all efforts to constitutionally constrain central government spending." Patriot Post.US

Democrats, and the majority of the most minority populations they drool over for votes, have pathological Borderline Personality Disorders (BPD).

"People with BPD exhibit other impulsive behaviors, such as excessive spending, binge eating and risky sex." DSM-IV-TR

Most liberals are extremely impulsive, cannot spend enough on their welfare and other favored socialist constituents (excessive spending), are the gluttons’ of society in many cases (bingers), and often throw normal human behavior and morality into the wind (impulsive and risky sexual behaviors).

Statistically and historically, liberal-socialists and their supporters have insatiable appetites for living for the moment, are caught up in infidelity, sexual perversion, and other immoral scandals, and impulsively spend like spoiled rich children who believe their parents have a money tree out back.

They are essentially the supporters of the morally degradable, deplorable, and sloths’ in American society. And I challenge anyone to argue otherwise.

Love today's Patriot Post!!! It is very well written, blunt, and to the point. My husband and I have already contacted our Congressional representatives to express our support for the BBA, and we will continue to encourage others to do the same as we share these and other facts with those we know. I just read an email sent to the Speaker of the House written by Andrew Napolitano. Excellent read....simply excellent.

I don't own any guns. But now might be a good time to go get one.

Texas Guy: excellent! I've printed it out.

A BBA will not remedy the folly in DC (District of Criminals). What on God's green earth makes anyone think another provision added to the Constitution will be adhered to any more than any of the others that have been routinely disregarded for a century by Republicans and Democrats alike? If the federal government simply adhered to the existing constitutional limitations the Republic would not be one step away from self annihilation.

@James: No time is a bad time to purchase a gun.

@ TexasGuy: Way to go!

@ skyskiers: Ditto.

Reading the PatriotPost comments gives me renewed hope for our country. Diligence and determination will see us through this travail.

It concerns me deeply that congress continues to spar with this individual, as well as the dems.

When is this imposter/ usurper to be removed?

Congress has the power. USE IT.

Not impeachment... removal......legally....

Arrested, charged, tried & sentenced....along with all who have aided him in his effort to destroy the Greatest Nation the world has ever known.

Don't shoot me. The DNC is making major points that needs to be neutralized with the Gippers own words. One is a letter, the other is his diary. In each he threatened the GOP what he would do if the debt ceiling is not raised and what would happen to the country if he didn't. He even said, anything you pass I will VETO. That's leadership, it is also coming back to haunt the more conservative base.

A partial shutdown will have the same effect as in Wisc. No one needs that.

All I'm saying is they are using it. I also stated in the past, the GOP and the Tea Party will take a major hit. If he can get them to defer Taxes until next year, it will work in the presidents favor and again the Conservative base will be played.

FIGHT BACK but pick the fights you can win not with a 71% against you. This mess took decades to get into and in order to climb out of it you have to educate the next generation.

obama is just using scare tatics and blackmail, so that he can get his own way.

Let's be realistic here! We do not control this government. We can only hope to hold down the spending as much as possible for the next 16 months, but we cannot start to turn the ship around until we control the White House, Senate and the House.

If there is one lesson to come out of this fiasco - it is that Americans must put the Republican party in control of government. That means that conservatives must takeover the Republican party in the primaries. A conservative third party run will give the win to Obama and Liberty will be lost.

In a recent group discussion, the question was posed: 'Who in this present crises do you think will blink first, the Dems or the Repubs?'The consensus of course, was the Republicans,and that is the damnable shame of this whole thing. Based upon their past exhibitions of vacillation, weakness and surrender under fire, most conservatives now feel they will fold to the Imperial Presidency. Why, when truth and principle are on their side? Why, when with the slightest effort at public relations, they could fully justify and carry out their Constitutional mandate as budget-makers, prioritize the appropriations they provide for, and clearly list the program funding they rejected, are they unable to find the required courage to do so? Would they really rather consign themselves to eternal infamy, and their party, their moral beliefs, their Country and their Constitution to historic irrelevancy? Without courage, we will have witnessed the highwater mark of The Republican Party in this Country, and removed the last obstacles to a completed socialist state. Let the RNC try and solicit funds from that mark of shame.

Two concerns with a BBA. What happens if the budget is not balanced will the supremes order a tax increase? Why would the crooks and/or mental midgets in Washington follow the BBA, they don't follow the rest of the constitution now?

The Democrats are destroying the US, deliberately or by mistake. I think it is deliberate. They want to replace the US with a socialist "peoples republic".

I am now 72 years old, but still work. I owned three different companies over a twenty five year span. There are several things that are keeping small and large companies from investing in America.

1. Obama's promise to raise taxes on us that put people to work, ie: we make over a certain amount, but reinvest in our business with excess cash flow.

2. Increase in energy costs-both caol and petroleum. Energy is a large part of any business-mmanufacturing, construction and service. Electricity costs are going to sky rocket and oil prduction is going to cease under the czars.

3. Excess regulation runs up costs through increased permit costs and non work related changes in where and how we can work.

4. Higher labor costs. Note, this is the last and least important. We can afford higher labor costs if our unit production is higher than anywhere else. I note that Congresswoman Pelosi exempted the areas her husband has canneries from the minimum wage increase-typical of these people in Congress.

It seems to me that the Tea Party conservatives depict True Americans, the fence-sitting Republicans are part-timers...then there are the Lefties, who just don't seem to want to be Americans...and therein lies the problem. Compromise...?

I don't suppose we could Impeach this idiot, could we?

A balanced budget amendment is the ultimate Trojan Horse. Why? Because it represents the perfect vehicle for the spendthrifts to use to cram MASSIVE TAX INCREASES down our throats. The balanced budget amendment will be USED by the tax and spenders to raise revenue by increasing taxes. They will do this to comply with the new amendment. They will NOT reduce spending.

I have cerebral palsy and I rely on Social Security. I’m not worried about getting paid. However, I am very concerned about Obama’s lack of moral character. He must NOT win a second term. Our country could not survive a second term. Pray for our leaders as they work to solve our budget mess.

Vladimir Lenin wrote, "The way to crush the bourgeoisie is to grind them between the millstones of taxation and inflation." --brainyquote.com He also wrote"the best way to destroy the capitalist system is to debauch the currency"

First sentence, last para, the word is "lightning" (electrical discharge from a storm), not "lightening" (making something lighter). Commentary was otherwise right on the mark. Thanks!

Too bad the mainstream media won't report the fact that Obama is the one playing political games with our future. I unfortunately do not believe the BBA will pass the Senate and somehow the Republicans will be blamed for the default. In my opinion they need to come up with some compromise (even if it includes some tax hikes) so that we can win the elections next year, undo the tax hikes and finally pass the BBA.

RE: cwink I've been saying the same for weeks. Pick the battle you know you can win or loose everything on a misplaced ideology.

In the past I mentioned everyone should bone up on Covert Hypnosis, body language. I hate to say this but the elected leaders have been played.

If you think you won a victory in December with Bush tax extensions, Oboma used the classic "Reframe" to set up conservatives on this issue. What's worse is he's doing it again. He studied what he sees as the enemy and he used their work patterns against them.

I'm referring to the term MAP.(Multiple Access Points) If you understand this concept you can play anyone on a subconscious level and force them to do what you want them to do even if it means they believe they are fighting against you.

I know the difference isn't as subtle as between clip and magazine but there you have it.

@Steve Loizeaux: Shocking!

There comes a time when each individual MUST decide where he or she stands regardless of the rhetoric: either for liberty or slavery. At the present time, there is no other choice. We either choose to live, as our forefathers chose, in freedom from those who would profit from our industry, or in subjegation under the crushing weight of government authority. Unless and until each individual citizen makes this decision, the battle of words between democrat or republican, fiscal hawk or spendtrift, is meaningless. This country cannot continue to spend money when its only source of "revenue" is to tax its citizens! There is a groundswell of citizens angry at the profligacy of our current government. The people elected this marxist butthole on the promise of hope and change, and soon realized they were duped by their collective guilt over slavery and civil rights.

Wish this publication was read by all! BTW: "lightning" rod not "lightening" rod.

"On caveat is that under a Democrat administration, with a little help from judicial diktats, the BBA could result in tax increases indexed to budget increases." Could? How about definitely WILL unless and until we can ensure that judges adhere to the Constitution. Isn't there an impeachment process for judges? Doesn't the Constitution say judges shall hold their seats during Good Behavior? Wouldn't trying to circumvent the Constitution by jucicial diktat be considered "Bad Behavior"? Regarding Obama's statements as (junior) Senator from Ill., isn't it funny how his story has changed now that he's in the hot seat? Every statement he has made since becoming President has been contradicted by every statement he made while Senator, with one exception: "We must redistribute the wealth and rich people need to pay more taxes". I have a word for people like him, but I shall refrain from using it in this family-oriented forum.

I'm not at all sure I can support a BBA. Folks seem to assume that a constitutional amendment will limit the growth of government or some such idea because they can't just keep raising taxes to support increased spending.

Many states have balanced budget amendments in their constitutions. California is one. Has the California State Government been limited in its growth? Has it been limited in its regulations or bureaucracy? The short answer is No. They just keep spending and raisning taxes and fees.

I can't see that the passage of a BBA will solve anything.

Regards, Pat

There is concern among some conservatives that a BBA is not a good idea - please carefully consider the article at the following link - by a retired Constitutional Lawyer. I'm 99 percent in agreement with the Patriot Post most of the time, but this deeply concerns me. Thank you.

http://publiushuldah.wordpress.com/

I am constitutionally opposed to the balanced budget amendment (pun intended). The beauty of the US Constitution is that it is a set of principles rather than specific rules (excepting Prohibition and a few other amendments).

In saying this I realize that the first corruption of the Constitution was the (was it Marshall) case which established a superiority of the Supreme Court, but that issue should be addressed directly rather than making the Constitution a set of EEU type rules on hundreds of pages.

I used to object to term limits, but have changed my mind. I'd love to go back to the Senators being chosen by State Legislators (never can remember my amendment numbers). The nature of our Republic is that it is a confederation of sovereign States (and remember that "state", at the time of the writing, meant almost the same as "nation").

The balanced budget amendment, desirable as the goal is, would be one more incursion of the National government.

I have no answer, but there are many issues that can be distilled into amendments that confirm original intent. My first would be an amendment to Article IV, Section 1 - the "full faith and credit". I would amend it to say that the States only have to recognize the acts and licenses of other States if such are not illegal in that State. (Gay marriage, gun laws, driver's licenses - the liberals support Section 1 on the first of them, but would take the other two to the Supreme Court).

The Constitution says that the Federal government has the obligation to pay its debts, but those were incurred during the Revolution. I am more Hamilton than Jefferson, but even Jefferson allowed for borrowing when he took office. The key is that the borrowing be temporary, to answer a specific need, and be payed off as soon as possible.

Borrowing is a good thing when it is for capital purposes that will pay back in the end. National debt isn't a problem when it is in balance with the GDP. Our problem at the moment is that it is totally out of balance with future production. J.M Keynes would be rolling over in his grave if he could hear his "supporters" today. Deficit spending in a downturn is a stabilizer, but the corellary is building a surplus in good times. The Pharaohs of Egypt did that, the tax then was in grain, and they stored it in good times for the bad times (neglecting the depredations of rats, and could the modern rats now be called "civil servants"?).

We don't need an amendment to force our "national" (I carefully don't say Federal) government to stay within a budget - we need a return to the limitations on the national government's responsibilities as laid out in the Constitution. The Department of War, the Department of the Navy (now combined in the Department of Defense). The Department of State for international relations. But HUD, Education, Agriculture, etc. ?

I don't know how we can do it, I do suggest an amendment that says that a Law Degree is an automatic exclusion from the legislature (an obvious conflict of interest). A bit tongue in cheek, I have been a student of the law for over 60 years - but I don't see the last hundred years of precedents as law, they are to a great extent agenda driven.

This has been a bit of a ramble, and I'm prone to that - but I hope I've opened some thoughts. I am against the BBA, but not against the goal.

Best, Jon

We can't always find some good news, but it's pretty clear that Obama has Fox News, et al, in his sights. He's an actor, not a leader. There's the bad news.

During all this stuff going on in Washington over the last few weeks, all I could think was, Obama sure could use ANOTHER vacation.

Maybe he, whatsherface, and the kids should hop on the 747's and skate on over to Martha's Vinyard for a nice little nosh with the the people who love him.

And then, when they get back on August 3rd, they can throw a party at the White House to celebrate his birthday.

Few Americans understand that since "The Bankruptcy" was declared by Congress in March 1933 (check the Congressional Record) there is NO MONEY. All that is available is debt. Check the paper in your wallet as proof. All discussions regarding a "debt limit" or a "balanced budget" are meaningless.

Such will be true as long as Americans continur to have "faith and confidence" in FRN's (see "Modern Money Mechanics," a FED publication.

Banks, under the FED are not allowed to loan depositors "money." No one ever gets a "loan" at the bank. The bankSTER simply takes our promisory note, uses our signature to convert the note into a negotiable instrument, so that our signature finances the "loan of money" i.e., he takes our "check" so that he can "give" us a check in return, and has the gall to charge us "interest" on that which is ours.

Maybe Americans will wake up to these facts, proven in the previously mentioned documents, and learn that there is "not one penny of gold (or value) backing FRN's. And congress said, the only backing is "US" and "OUR" property.

Sadly, Congress knows this but continues to keep us in the dark and steals from us!

This sitting President is the Pied Piper in the Robin Hood suit selling the Brass Ring.

This President is the elected Administrator of the Government, and again in the last few days we see the merry men(persons), at work for the Robin Hood. When in current times have 3 people been able to shape and direct the out come of major issuses in the U.S. Congress? We have the President Obama, Sen. Reid, Rep. Pelosi, controlling the will of the people, first it was the Health care bill, now it is the Budget. The Founding Fathers thought they had built a Governemt system that could not be controlled BY so few persons, yet here we are with a House bill; cut, cap and balance bill, that is stopped by the Sen. H. Reid, as was the repeal of the Health care bill.

It will be time to vote in 2012, so if it is election, and BHO said, turn the page and it must say "THE END for BHO, 1 TERM and OUT".

Any economic system is "faith and confidence", gold sea shells, rocks, paper, it is the underlying and understanding that your money (what ever that is), will buy goods and services and that your payment (wages, etc), for your labor and service will buy you goods and services. It is important that you and this country be able to pay its debt your debit in that money (what ever that is), and not loose that "faith and confidence" because when that faith and confidence, is lost you no longer have an economic system and will lose your ability to buy goods and services, until some sort of working economic systems restarts or replaces the old one.

It was Hope and Change, from BHO, anyone can bring you change an 8 year old can change things, Improve things now that is a very tall demand and diffcult to do, so part of our BHO, change is bankrupt the USA. So the Pied Piper has had 800 +days with Sen H. Reid and his Dem. party to pass a Budget, they did not and again it is the Rep. party who wants a valid U.S. Government that is not bankrupt, (or if you like a working economic system). So when does this Congress call for Impeachment of this President? In any event in 2012 vote em out. Get the budget in check and the spending under control.

For every year that Congress runs a deficit, every lawmaker who voted for it should lose a chunk of their pension and healthcare benefits.