President Obama deserves kudos this week for
his efforts in hosting the GOP lawmakers at
the White House to listen and share views
on a direction for deficit reduction in America.
The meeting represents the first conference
Obama has held with the entire House GOP since
the Republican won the House majority last fall.
While the meetings were deemed productive and
frank, the significant differences between the
parties did not seem to have been bridged much
except that everyone can say that each side has listened.
Republicans are continuing to reject any notion
of tax increases to help reduce the deficit and
want only spending and tax cuts to get the job done. While Republicans would like to curb government
Medicaid and Medicare spending and use the savings for tax cuts. Democrats wish to find efficiency savings and preserve these programs.
A decision about how to proceed must be reached
because lawmakers are undera deadline to allow an increase in the nation's debt ceiling before August 2nd.
Nearly all economists and member of the business
and finance communities agree that failing to
increase it would be catastrophic for the economy
and could, quite possibly spark another financial
meltdown.
Be tuned....
Sheila McKinney
