The House GOP has leaked a tentative list of its demands in return for not wrecking the American economy and pushing the government into default on its debt. As reported by National Review, that list reads, and no, I'm not kidding:
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One Year Debt Limit Increase
Not a dollar amount increase, but suspending the debt limit until the end of December 2014.
Similar to what we did earlier this year.
Want the year long to align with the year delay of Obamacare.
One Year Obamacare delay
Tax Reform Instructions
Similar to a bill we passed last fall, laying out broad from Ryan Budget principles for what tax reform should look like.
Gives fast track authority for tax reform legislation
Energy and regulatory reforms to promote economic growth
Includes pretty much every jobs bill we have passed this year and last Congress
All of these policies have important positive economic effects.
Energy provisions
Keystone Pipeline
Coal Ash regulations
Offshore drilling
Energy production on federal lands
EPA Carbon regulations
Regulatory reform
REINS Act
Regulatory process reform
Consent decree reform
Blocking Net Neutrality
Mandatory Spending Reforms
Mostly from the sequester replacement bills we passed last year
Federal Employee retirement reform
Ending the Dodd Frank bailout fund
Transitioning CFPB funding to Appropriations
Child Tax Credit Reform to prevent fraud
Repealing the Social Services Block grant
Health Spending Reforms
Means testing Medicare
Repealing a Medicaid Provider tax gimmick
Tort reform
Altering Disproportion Share Hospitals
Repealing the Public Health Trust Fund
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Otherwise, presumably, the hostage dies.
These people really have gone nuts -- stark raving nuts. It is the most stunning case of mass self-induced lunacy that I have ever witnessed in my lifetime. They are so caught up in their own self-righteousness that they have lost touch with reality. What will their price be the next time a debt ceiling increase is needed? Making Ted Cruz emperor for life? Putting Sarah Palin on Mount Rushmore?
After a wish list like this, that's about all they'd have left to demand.
No. The madness stops here. This has gone well beyond politics to posing a serious threat to the existence of constitutional governance.
Speaker Boehner, meet the president's new "negotiator":
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