Kiner's Korner: Come On Mr. Boehner, Show Some Leadership

In one week's time, unless a compromise on the federal debt ceiling is reached, the United States risks defaulting on its debts. Much like a third world nation, our credit would be downgraded, and the cost of borrowing (if we could even find countries to buy our debt) would increase. And who would pay for this increase cost to borrow you might ask? The answer is simple - it is us, the American taxpayer, who will once more be asked to shoulder the burden. Our image as the greatest economic power in the world will be shattered.

Members of Congress represent a cross section of the population. Democrats don't just represent Democrats and Republicans don't just represent Republicans. Tea-Party followers should also understand that concept. It's really quite simple. Election to office has one very simple quality to it - whoever is elected represents all the people. This is why, at least to me, the issue of raising the debt ceiling should be simple.

Intransience on the part of our elected officials is wrong. The arrogance of power, manifested by Tea Party political ideology, is hurting America. As I write this article on Sunday night, the threat of American default is already having an effect.  Dow futures are down over 100 points at 10 p.m. This is not just a Wall Street issue-it's also a Main Street issue.

The fact that the United States could lose its AAA credit rating, unless a satisfactory conclusion to the federal debt ceiling is reached, will hurt us all. Mr. El-Erian, the world's largest manager of bond funds, said that "Stock markets around the globe will look to price in a greater uncertainty premium on account of political squabbles in the world's largest economy and the increasing risk that it may lose its sacred AAA rating".

And what does Republican House Speaker John Boehner have say to about this? Basically that Asian markets (and presumably others) are of no concern to him. Did he ever hear of a global economy! I would guess that an average high school civics student would even understand that if world markets are shaken, that the ripple effect on the United States would be problematic.

Speaker Boehner has a tough road to hoe. He wants to keep his Republican caucus together and not alienate his Tea Party extremists. A leader, however, has to do just that-lead! Mr. Boehner doesn't seem to have the courage to do this. Shame on him!

At this juncture, Senator Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma) might possibly emerge as one of our heroes. Senator Coburn is one of the most conservative members of Congress (with a 100% conservative voting record). He is both a physician and a U.S. Senator who has gotten the nickname "Dr. No" because he has constantly blocked Democratic legislation.  Senator Coburn, however, supports a bipartisan plan to increase revenues and cut spending. In seeing the need to compromise, the Senate seems to be on the right path. This bi-partisan approach to the debt ceiling problem does not seem to be working in the House of Representatives, though.

When there is so much at stake, why can't compromise work? It really doesn't take much to reach across the aisle and say, hey listen, I'll give a little if you do. The Republican Tea Party caucus members must work for all Americans. I understand Mr. Boehner's desire in keeping his caucus together. But isn't America more important than that! Come on Mr. Boehner, show some leadership.