Tim Scott was raised in North Charleston, South Carolina in a poor, single-parent household by his mama, Frances Scott. Despite the challenging circumstances Frances faced raising her boys on her own, she instilled in each of them what it meant … Continue reading
Posted in Campaigning, Political, President Tagged Far right Republican playbook, Tim Scott
The judges, both of the supreme and lesser Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behavior, … –Article III, Section 1 of The Constitution. Congress “indisputably has the power under the Constitution” to “enact laws prescribing the ethical standards applicable … Continue reading
Posted in Congress, Political, Supreme Court Tagged Chief Justice Roberts, J. Michael Luttig, Senator Durbin, Senator Graham, The Constitution
Tim Scott was raised in North Charleston, South Carolina in a poor, single-parent household by his mama, Frances Scott. Despite the challenging circumstances Frances faced raising her boys on her own, she instilled in each of them what it meant … Continue reading
Posted in Campaigning, Political, President Tagged Far right Republican playbook, Tim Scott
The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law … shall not be questioned.–Fourteenth Amendment The Fiscal Responsibility Act is a historic deal for American taxpayers that will get our country back on the path to … Continue reading
Posted in Congress, Economics, Political, Uncategorized Tagged debt, Default, President Biden, Rep. Langworthy, Robert Reich
The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law … shall not be questioned.–Fourteenth Amendment In an opinion article in The New York Times, Michael W. McConnell, a senior fellow at the right-leaning Hoover Institution, argues … Continue reading
Posted in Congress, Constitution, Political, President, Uncategorized Tagged debt ceiling, Default, Hoover Inst., Michael W. McConnell
Some say smokers are brave. Knowingly, fearlessly facing early and unpleasant death, they remain calm and carefree. Ought we celebrate their bravery or shake our heads at the foolishness? Similarly, Libertarians would take great risks with our economy. Experts say … Continue reading
Posted in Economics, Political, Reed’s Views Tagged Bravery, Default, Small government
Kathleen Parker, in a column printed today in the Elmira Star-Gazette, tells us there is a new GOP. The GOP is no longer the party of NO. The GOP is now unified around a positive program–repeal Obamacare! Her evidence–the vote … Continue reading
Posted in 2014, Congress, Health Care, Political, Reed’s Views, Sequester/Fiscal Cliff Tagged Default, GOP, Immigration reform
Rep. Reed crows that he voted against raising the debt ceiling as if it were a badge of honor. He doesn’t mention default. The United States has never defaulted on its debt, so the consequences are uncertain. We have had … Continue reading
Posted in Congress, Constituents, Economics, Health Care, Political, Reed’s Views Tagged Default, Martha Robertson
Feb 13, 2014 REP. TOM REED STAFF IN FREDONIA FEBRUARY 21ST FOR OFFICE HOURS Feb 11, 2014 REED ANNOUNCES 2014 “HOUSE STEM APP CHALLENGE” Issues: Education Feb 10, 2014 REED ON CBO REPORT: FEWER JOBS, FEWER INSURED BECAUSE OF OBAMACARE … Continue reading
Posted in Congress, Constituents, Economics, Education, Humor, Political, Reed’s Views Tagged Default
Hayden and Robertson Call on Reed Not to Threaten and Vote for U.S. Default and Shutdown Again Elmira – Carl Hayden, business leader and former Chancellor of the NY State Board of Regents, endorsed Martha Robertson, Chair of the Tompkins … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Carl Hayden, Default, GDP growth, Martha Robertson, Reed dodging responsibilities, Shutdown, Stan Lundine, Tea Party Tom, Tom Reed, Tompkins County thriving
The following link will take you to the WETM-TV (Channel 18, Elmira). It contains Rep. Reed’s comments about why he voted AGAINST reopening the government and avoid default. It also includes Martha Robertson’s comments on Reed’s congressional actions. Rep. Tom … Continue reading
Posted in 2014, Constituents, Reed’s Views Tagged Chautauqua County New York, Default, Denocratic Women of the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes, Gov Shutdown, Jamestown elections, Martha Robinson, Tea Party
The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned.–Fourteenth Amendment (Section 4) The debt ceiling crisis … Continue reading
Posted in Congress, Political, President, Supreme Court, Uncategorized Tagged debt ceiling, Fourteenth Amendment, Heather Cox Richardson, trillion dollar coin
Does the Bill of Rights apply to the states? Probably, but only when the Supreme Court says it does. Before 1920, mostly it didn’t. It all depends on the Fourteenth Amendment which reads in part: “… nor shall any state deprive any … Continue reading
Posted in Constitution, Gun Violence, Supreme Court Tagged Bill of Rights, First Amendment, Fourteenth Amendment, Incorporation Doctrine, Justice Thomas, SAFE Act, Second Amendment, Supreme Court
It’s unlikely that this situation will be resolved with something resembling the deal that ended the debt ceiling crisis of 2011. Democrats have gotten somewhat tougher: They believe that President Barack Obama gave in to blackmail, and they won’t do it again. Republicans, on the other hand, have gotten a lot crazier; even if Democrats were willing to make a deal, it’s highly doubtful that McCarthy could persuade his caucus to accept it.—Paul Krugman
The Problem Solvers Caucus proposes a solution to the debt ceiling crisis. Here is the heart of the proposal:
The sixty-four Members of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus have drafted and backed a proposal in case the President and Congressional leadership are unable to reach an agreement. The PSC Bipartisan Debt Ceiling Framework takes a reasonable, responsible bipartisan approach — putting country and stability first.
Our bipartisan Framework will suspend the debt ceiling for six months to allow for the normal budget and appropriations process to work its course this fall and to negotiate deficit stabilization proposals in discretionary spending in the mid-term. We also support Congress appointing an independent fiscal Commission which can consider every means to address ballooning debt and deficit and put the country on a sustainable path. The Commission will include experts and appointees from both sides.
Sounds good on the surface, but consider this:
An article in The Hill discusses the PSC proposal. The author, Sheldon H. Jacobson, approves the plan. He writes:
Whether you are Republican, Democrat, Independent or other, permitting our elected officials to threaten the fiscal stability of our nation is unacceptable. Eliminating the debt ceiling would force our leaders to take responsibility for their decisions. Without such accountability, the insanity of our nation’s fiscal condition will persist, to the detriment of everyone.
I approve of Professor Jacobson’s proposal to repeal the debt ceiling. I find his concern about bankruptcy overstated; there is no provision in law for the Federal Government to be bankrupt, The Constitution forbids it.
Speaker McCarthy may have the votes to pass a GOP budget bill, or not. Either way the result is the same–the debt ceiling remains a problem. Republicans may hope that somehow President Biden, House Democrats or the Senate will solve the debt ceiling problem for them; it is a faint hope. The GOP elected a Speaker; it’s on him to find a way out of the dilemma. There is an obvious solution–a bipartisan vote on a clean bill to raise or repeal the debt ceiling. The longer the delay, the greater the risk of economic disaster.
The cornerstone of new ethics reform should be term limits on all State elected officials.–Chemung County Sheriff Chris Moss
Gibson (R-NY-19) long ago pledged to serve no more than eight years in the House. Tuesday’s announcement that he won’t run for re-election in 2016 cuts two years off that self-imposed term limit.–Brian Tumulty
Chemung County Sheriff Chris Moss writes:
If we enact term limits, we effectively do away with the current broken power structure, and the eventual corruption that inevitably arises from it.
This is an astonishing claim; corruption may be more robust than Chris Moss imagines. Moss continues:
Limiting the number of years that an elected official is allowed to hold office would go a long way in fighting the corrupt culture in Albany. It would also promote fresh ideas constantly being fostered by newly elected officials, encourage qualified candidates to run for office because it would be more affordable, and create higher accountability on legislating and less emphasis on fundraising. It boils down to reducing incumbents’ focus from solely working on their reelection so they could instead focus on voting their beliefs and principles.
Moss’s points:
These are all dubious claims. Moss offers no proof. In practice, experience suggests that term-limited legislators are likely to concentrate on their next job opportunity. Moss writes:
True ethics reform in Albany will never be attained as long as the voters leave it up to the Legislature to enact it. Many of these Legislators simply have too much to lose.
The NYS legislature may well enact some ethics reform measures. One key issue is outside income for part-time legislators. Ethics reform is certainly possible without term limits. It is unlikely that the NYS legislature would enact term limits. However, Moss suggests no other way.
Before Tom Reed was elected to Congress, he claimed to favor term limits. After he was elected, he said he planned to serve no more than six terms. Since then he has been silent on term limits.
Does Chris Moss favor term limits for the office of Sheriff? He doesn’t address that.
© William Hungerford – March 2015
http://www.sheriffmoss4ny.com/the-time-for-term-limits-has-come/
http://www.lohud.com/story/news/politics/2015/01/06/chris-gibson-may-run-governor/21358857/
https://newny23rd.com/2014/05/14/schuyler-county-adopts-term-limits/
It’s unlikely that this situation will be resolved with something resembling the deal that ended the debt ceiling crisis of 2011. Democrats have gotten somewhat tougher: They believe that President Barack Obama gave in to blackmail, and they won’t do it … Continue reading
Posted in Congress, Economics, Political Tagged debt ceiling, Paul Krugman, Problem Solvers Caucus, Sheldon Jacobson
The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) … Continue reading
Posted in Constitution, Political Tagged Article IV, James Madison, Republican form of government, Term limits
It’s the First Amendment For A Reason!
