Earlier, along with two other 8th District progressives, I was meeting with Congressman Dave Reichert at his office in Mercer Island, Washington. I went first, asking him about the Ryan budget and negotiations relating to the debt ceiling. When I pressed him on some of his answers and non-answers, he got agitated. I cornered him into admitting he wouldn't support any revenue enhancements of any kind, including subsidies to extraordinary profitable corporations, or tax breaks for the richest individuals. To that I replied, "so there shouldn't be any shared sacrifice", at which point he got up and started to walk out of the room, ostensibly due to my rudeness. I talked him down by offering to be the one to leave, so my two friends could get a chance to ask questions. Then I walked out.
What is it with Republicans walking out of the room during budget discussions? Is that part of the Grover Norquist pledge?
The problem for Republicans that have the capacity to be reasonable, and I consider Congressman Reichert to be one of those, is that they are required to take positions that simply aren't defensible. When pressed, they have no recourse but to get defensive and indignant.
Anyway, in case anyone wasn't clear on this, Dave Reichert opposes shared sacrifice in dealing with our massive budget deficit. The richest corporations and individuals, the ones that have done spectacularly well while most Americans suffer, are exempt from any sacrifice whatsoever. 100% spending cuts.
There truly aren't any moderate Republicans left.
By the way, NWroots is happening next Saturday, July 9th. There you will find some reasonable Congressmen – Jay Inslee, Jim McDermott, and Dennis Kucinich. You will also hear from Washington's top Union man, and former Canadian Provincial Premier, MP, and Health Minister, Mr. Ujjal Dosanjh.
Hope to see some of you Northwest Kossacks at NWroots.