Biden needs to go it alone on the debt ceiling.
@crooksandliars
Just #MintTheCoin
Or go to the SCOTUS challenging the #DebtCeiling law as unconstitutional (and keep paying bills in the meantime). The debt ceiling law directly prevents any POTUS'S duty to faithfully all other laws.
It is time to end this financial blackmail
@TCatInReality @crooksandliars
The problem is that the laws the last Congress passed are impossible to execute.
The last Congress ordered the president to spend a bunch of money that doesn't exist. So what is he supposed to do with that? If I give you $20 and order you to spend $50 of it, what do you do?
Well fortunately with a system of coequal branches the president doesn't actually have to execute impossible laws. He just does his best, and is subject to impeachment anyway.
But there is no room for a SCOTUS challenge there.
@volkris @crooksandliars
Let's take a hypothetical. If the midterms gave the GOP a veto proof majority in both houses, and they passed a law requiring $0 total debt (and any income goes first to paying debt).. that would essentially shut the entire US gov for years.
That couldn't possibly be constitutional given the government's other obligations to defend the country, promote general welfare, etc.
@TCatInReality @crooksandliars
Why couldn't it possibly be constitutional? Rather, it absolutely IS constitutional!
It's just the democratic process at work.
If we elect people to shut down the government, well, that is the word of the people. We get what we vote for.
@TCatInReality @crooksandliars
You're missing that it's not a case of one law taking precedent over other.
Congressional appropriation laws are permission to spend what is there. The president still has permission to spend even if he mathematically can't.
It's like, I can write a law giving you permission to flap your arms and fly around the room, and even if that's not possible, it's still the law. You still absolutely do have that permission. That you can't actually use that permission doesn't mean you don't have permission.
So really it's not one law taking precedent over another. It's economic reality, math, taking precedent over legislation, and that's exactly how it is supposed to work.
@volkris @crooksandliars
I suspect, like me, you've never argued in front of the Supreme Court.
I appreciate your viewpoint. But I disagree.
Have a nice day.
@TCatInReality @crooksandliars
I mean, why do you disagree? What is your argument?
I mean each of us can understand civics and understand the functioning of our own government for ourselves. In fact I'd say it's vital to a democratic institution that the people do understand the way their government works.
To just accept claims without reasoning is a problem here.
@volkris @crooksandliars
I disagree.
Perhaps you've noticed that the US gov has the ability to borrow money (mostly from itself), therefore can spend $50 when ordered to, even if given $20.
Now, you can argue the #DebtCeiling limits the gov's right to borrow. But why does that law take precedent over the other spending laws?
It makes no sense for one law to take precedent over all others - esp with such severe financial harms.