Trillions more in debt is GOOD for you. Trust US.

I have to give rare kudos to Democrats Larry Kissell and Mike McIntyre, who voted against the U.S. House deal to raise the federal debt ceiling — even if it might have been for the wrong reasons.

Sixth District Republican congressman Howard Coble, who represents Moore County, and 2nd District Republican Renee Ellmers, who will soon represent Moore County, both voted for the debt ceiling increase debacle:

“I voted for the bill because it cuts government spending at a greater amount than it increases the debt ceiling,” Coble said. “We did that without raising taxes, without harming Social Security and Medicare, while at the same time, putting us on the path to enact a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.”

In a statement released Monday, Coble said the bill was not as strong as the Cut, Cap and Balance Act that he co-sponsored, but he called it the best deal obtainable on the brink of the deadline when the government’s borrowing authority expires. Coble said it was the best deal available when one considers the divisions within Congress at this time.

“I think in many instances the deadline of Aug. 2 was overblown,” Coble said. “For argument’s sake, let’s assume if we had done nothing prior to Aug. 2, the end of the world would not have occurred on Aug. 3.  (!!!)

“I don’t mean to dismiss the importance of getting this thing resolved, and that is why I voted for this bill. I think the time has come to resolve the issue because we don’t want to tempt fate that America’s credit rating could be diminished.”

Coble said the constitutional amendment feature was an important factor in his vote.

“I think this bill is going to streamline the process for us to get a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution,” he said. “I think the steps we took today will put us on the glide path toward a balanced budget amendment. I hope that we will be sending a constitutional amendment to the various states soon. It is the only sure-fire way to make the federal government spend no more than it collects.”

Ah.  Coming down on both sides of the issue.   The good congressman saw the importance of “getting something done.”   Hitler, Stalin, Saddam Hussein, and Osama bin Laden also “got something done.” None of what they got done was good for their countries, or for humanity in general.

The politician mindset is a LOT different from that of a business owner or ANYONE else in the real world.  Most people in the real world try to make decisions based on what makes the most sense for them and the people around them.  Politicians make decisions based on what will get them the best press coverage — or what will look and sound the best on a political ad.

Handing out a bigger check, or giving away money for a new road sounds better in an ad or a news story than cutting the budget to protect future generations.  Kids LOVE Santa Claus giving out presents.  They don’t like it too much when parents cut out their dessert so they will lose weight.

Since 1982, there have been at least two other deals like this, where the debt ceiling got increased in exchange for promises of spending cuts.  The spending cuts never happened, but the SPENDING kept going at breakneck speed.  I am confident we will see more of the same.

The Balanced Budget Amendment has been dangled in front of us for more than 30 years.  Getting an amendment to the Constitution passed is an awesome task.  Why do you think we have so few?   It’s kind of like dangling a treat in front of your dog, trying to get him to do a trick.  They are dangling that in front of us, trying to cajole us into marking their name on the ballot again in two years.

This game, played against the backdrop of our country going down the tubes, is nothing less than disgusting.