Is politics the only thing getting in the way of the U.S. debt ceiling crisis?

WARNING: THIS IS AN OPINION PIECE

When you stop and think of the facts for a minute, you wonder about why the Republicans are being so anal about the debt ceiling discussion.

The U.S. has raised its debt ceiling more then 102 times in its history, and everyone goes back to  iconised Republican Ronald Reagan. He, if memory serves me well, he had to do it all of 17 times during his presidency. G. W. Bush had to do it seven times, and G. H. Bush four times.

The Republicans are bucking against raising taxes on the "job creators" (a.k.a. "the rich"), when even if the taxes are raised to the desired Democrat point, it will still not be the highest tax ever on the rich.

Isn't Obama the guy who 'killed' bin Laden? After G. W. spent seven years in office 'chasing' him? Would this not make Obama extremely popular in the U.S., even to the right-wing voters?

In my opinion, the refusal of the Republicans to let up and actually try to find a compromise is more of a political bid then anything else. They are trying to force Obama to use his right to veto (which I don't think a president ever has) so that he plumets in the public's perspective, and he remains a one-term president.

Well, if this is the case, I got a message for those politicians: STOP thinking about your own navels and think about the people you represent. You know, the people without  whom you would not be where you are in the first place? Think about the people in its entirety for a change, and not just the wealthy.

See Jon Stewart's take on the economy during this episode of "The Daily Show".

Also, see an article discussing Obama's now declining popularity here.

A rally in Washington D.C. on July 28th to save social security and Medicare.
Photo credit: Colin Campbell

C. F. Pelletier