Debt Debacle Highlights Complete Failure of U.S. Republicans

COMMENTARY | If the debt limit isn't raised and a default situation develops, even in the short term, Americans need to be aware of why it happened and where the incompetency comes from. Playing chicken with the economic recovery of the United States, and to a degree the whole world, Republicans in Congress are proving they aren't grown up enough to be there.

Like a group of bullies who threaten to destroy the playground if everyone doesn't ride the merry-go-round in their direction, it's their wholly wrong-headed plan or no plan. The conservatives in government, especially those affiliated with Tea Party movements, are nothing but corporate tools and instruments of failed ideology.

Here are three observations I have on this entire mess.

Symbol of America in decline

I was in Germany just a few days ago and was struck by how differently the two countries are responding to the economic crisis. While Germany has taken a leadership role in the Greek bailout and negotiations to stabilize the Euro Zone, our Congress can't even manage an absolutely required debt limit raise.

Driving through Germany, I saw huge windmills churning out electricity, solar panels installed on rooftops in spite of the cloudy weather, and heavy road construction underway. Speaking to Germans, I found people satisfied with their health care system and strong social programs. In other words, a country well on the way to full recovery.

I also found it interesting that it seemed harder to change dollars than I remembered from the last time I was there.

Republicans won't consider revenue sources

I've heard comparisons of the debt limit debacle to personal finance. That it's like just refusing to pay your mortgage. What the Republicans are doing is worse than that - they are not going to pay their house bill until they paint the house, but they don't know how to paint. By refusing to consider revenue, it's equivalent to turning down the big raise the boss offered as well.

Republicans don't like the Senate plan because it includes savings from the war region draw-downs

This one should be expected, since they didn't want the money spent on wars included in the budget throughout the Bush years. To conservatives, it seems the only real cuts to spending are those that hurt people or jobs. Republicans like to rant about how government can't solve problems, and they are right - at least when Republicans have any power.