On the recordJuly 30, 2011
There is absolutely no excuse for this reckless, unpatriotic behavior on the part of the Republicans. The looming default crisis could be resolved in 5 minutes by simply raising the debt ceiling, as was done 7 times under Bush and 18 times under Ronald Reagan. This is the exact opposite of fiscal responsibility. The Republicans, led by their Tea Party radicals, are determined to cripple government and destroy Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security while leaving untouched a hair on the head of millionaires and billionaires or corporations that pay zero in taxes. I say to the Republicans, stop it. Seniors call sobbing about their Social Security checks. Our soldiers in Afghanistan repeatedly asked Admiral Mullen yesterday, Will we get paid? Will our families get our checks? Shame on the Republicans for making that happen. In battle, when you accidentally shoot your own, it's called ``friendly fire.'' When you deliberately shoot your own, it's called ``fragging.'' Republicans, stop fragging the American economy and the American people. ____________________
