Clean up on Ceiling Increase, Aisle Right

The first bill of six under consideration today in the United States House of Representatives deals with raising the debt ceiling. Only forty minutes of debate will be allowed for the bill, a 2/3 vote will be required for passage and no amendments may be attached. Looks like smooth sailing for the passage of that bill, except for the fact that it's doomed to fail.

The spotless bill, usually referred to as a "clean" bill, has no concessions or riders attached to it. That means the clean debt ceiling bill will not have cuts to Medicare or Medicaid, as Republicans have meekly and demurely asked for. It will also not contain the elimination of entire federal government departments. The Republicans sent a request for that in a note folded like an origami dove, the symbol of their peacefulness and desire to compromise.

None of the GOP's coyly suggested concessions have been included in the "spotless" debt ceiling bill (known as the "clean" debt ceiling bill). Republicans will be able to claim there's no desire on the part of Democrats to make major cuts.

Nobody is mentioning the attachment of a little paragraph at the bottom of the folded dove note, one that may have been rude and now baudy (it became baudy). It turns out Republican concession pleas may not be so sweet after all. Some of the cuts may be mean spirited and impolite.

Bottom Line:

• Highly likely no debt ceiling increase today.
• Creating civics confusion will help people learn more about civics better than no story at all.