[Benchwarmer]

I see your point and I agree with you in principle. The problem is that Senate Leader Harry Reid has promised Mr Obama that he will deliver legislation that will stave off any further debt negotiations, following any agreement to increase the present debt ceiling. Normally about every 8 months on average the debt ceiling is reached and a new one is agreed on in congress. Since Mr Obama doesn't want to take any more heat on the debt and spending in general, the leader and the president cooked up a plan to defer any further negotiations until after the next presidential election in November of 2012. Reid's bill extends the next possible debt talks until mid 2013, well past the election date.

Why did Reid table both bills coming out of the House? Two reasons, 1- the above mentioned election concerns and, 2- In the words of former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz, spoken just last evening; "Democrats won't even vote on the Boehner Bill because it includes a balanced budget, if they had to operate under a balanced budget they wouldn't be able to buy votes anymore."

Reid can't remember he's an American first because his boss is standing over him holding him to their agreement. IMO

The other sides fault again? Republicans take no prisoner blame for themselves. It had to be the Far left people that are setting on a porch in China that has caused this mess. Or, was it the far right people that are in Afghanistan that pissed in the creek that caused gas price to go up. it couldn't have been a Republican.