Today, Fox News reported:
1) "Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, suggested during a House floor speech Friday that raising the debt ceiling was being held up by members of Congress because President Obama is black.
'Only this president--only this one--only this one has received the kind of attacks and disagreements and inability to work,' she said. 'Only this one. Read between the lines.'"
Let me guess. Jackson Lee is black?
This is getting so tired.
Let's be honest here. Let's pretend one doesn't know anything about Obama's policies and job record. Therefore, one wouldn't be able to judge whether it's reasonable of members of Congress to be resisting his debt ceiling deal.
But let's say that one does know about the past history of black race baiters making racial accusations whenever things don't go their way.
If that was the context, what would one think after hearing Jackson Lee accuse Congress of racism?
One would hardly even entertain her notion, of course! People know that race baiters like her have a history of making irrational accusations of racism. Kind of like crying wolf.
Knowing this, one would judge that her statement is likely to be irrational race-baiting, and would likely ignore it.
Now, is that the result you want, Jackson Lee? To have people turn a blind eye to all accusations of racism, including the legitimate ones, simply because race baiters such as yourself turn people off by making mean spirited, irrational accusations of racism?
Jackson, how would you like it if I made assumptions about you based solely on the lawsuit filed against you by your former legislative director? You wouldn't like that, would you? You'd want to be able to present your own version of events, right?
Well, how would you like it if people always assume you're crying wolf when you make race based accusations?
Well, today's your lucky day. I am not a typical person.
Even though I know you are likely to be crying wolf (that's a nice way of putting it), I'll still investigate your claim of racism. Here I go.
2) The Fox News article continues:
"'What is different about this president that should put him in a position that he should not receive the same kind of respectful treatment of when it is necessary to raise the debt limit in order to pay our bills?' she added.
A member of the Congressional Black Caucus, Jackson Lee said the debt limit was raised many times under previous Democratic and Republican presidents. 'In the minority community that is the question that is being raised. Why is this president being treated so disrespectfully?'"
How is the debt ceiling situation under Obama different from debt ceiling situations under previous presidents?
Well, the first thing that comes to my head is this: He's black! Congress is racist! It must be that!
No, not convincing enough for you?
I wonder if there's an obvious answer as to why Congress would be hesitant to raise the debt ceiling, hesitant to give Obama the potential to accelerate America's debt growth rate even further.
Let's take a look at a chart of the annual budget deficit from 1987 to 2010, covering the 5.5 combined terms of George Bush Sr., Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Obama.
Oh wow, look at that! The budget deficit went from about -$500 billion under Bush in 2008, to about -$1.45 trillion under Obama in 2009, and stayed elevated at about -$1.3 trillion under Obama in 2010!
Under Obama, there's been a massive increase in the federal budget deficit! Could that be the real reason Congress is wary of making a debt ceiling deal with Obama?
Oh, wait. Didn't Jackson Lee say that Obama was treated differently than other presidents had been treated during debt ceiling negotiations?
Hmm. Let's take another look at the 1987 to 2010 data. Did any of the presidents previous to Obama preside over a one year period where the deficit rose anywhere near $950 billion, as it did under Obama? No? Good. I think we have our answer.
I think it's quite obvious as to why Congress is fearful of raising the debt ceiling again. They're likely afraid that Obama would keep the deficit at current ridiculously high levels, or, even worse, raise the deficit again!
Or could it be that Republicans are feeling pressure from the Tea Party, a group that wasn't around during previous presidencies? Or could it be that Republicans are just disgusted by the scandals surrounding Obama post-election? (Much less the pre-election scandals!)
Conclusion
Jackson Lee is a member of government! Think about that! She is someone chosen by Texans to represent them in government. To govern their society!
If you showed up on an uninhabited island with 100 people, would you choose Jackson Lee to handle any of your affairs?
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