Obama's gutsy side is showing

How refreshing to see Obama acting with guts in standing up to Republicans -- and not playing their games.

First, he made a pre-emptive declaration that he would not negotiate with them over whether to raise the debt ceiling.    It was a foolish exercise because it allows Republicans to pretend that it is Obama's fault for spending too much, so he is wise on many counts not to repeat that.

In fact, the debt ceiling is about whether the U. S. Government is going to pay its bills that have already been approved by Congress and already been incurred.   Republicans want to use it as a bargaining chip -- as a hostage, if necessary -- to force future spending cuts.

Obama is just saying "No" and sticking to it.   First he rejected the suggested end-run of using the 14th amendment, which gives the president the power to enact laws passed by Congress.   Some legal opinions have reasoned that Congress's approval of the spending authorizes the executive branch to pay the bills and, ergo, to obtain the money to pay them.

Now he's saying that he also will not use the gimmicky "platinum coin"  suggested by Paul Krugman and others -- that is truly a gimmick, but arguably justified as using one absurd gimmick to combat an equally absurd stance by House Republicans.

Obama says, in effect, 'No, we're going to handle this like adults,' and he's going to challenge the Republicans to behave like adults too.    'We have incurred these bills legally and we must pay for them.   Then we will have the debate about the budget, and spending, and revenue.'

Bravo !!!!    He's going to force the Republicans to face this honestly and above board.  We should give him the public support to back this up and "force" him to stick to his gutsy stand.

Ralph

PS:  Obama is showing further gutsiness in pushing for gun control, for broad immigration reform, and for the appointment of Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense.