Speaking plainly for the benefit of his national audience and implicitly challenging Republicans to oppose him, Obama contended that we have to choose our priorities.
Our biggest problem is unemployment. The debt agreement exacerbates it.
Troops in Afghanistan may have jolted the politicians into action when they asked Adm. Mike Mullen if they would be paid if a deal isn't reached on the debt ceiling.
The threat of default is a manufactured, self-inflicted crisis that can be resolved immediately with a bill containing a single line authorizing an increase in the debt ceiling.
Many think that unless a deal is reached by Sunday, the markets will start to react on Monday, setting in motion a financial crisis that may be unstoppable.
Now that the noose is starting to tighten as Aug. 2 is less than two weeks away, Republican leaders realize that the time for posturing and grandstanding is over.
The debate over whether to increase the limit is in effect about a simple choice: will the U.S. government honor its commitments or stiff its creditors?
Gov. Bev Perdue found a voice in opposition, with several vetoes, including key ones of a budget plan, voter ID legislation and a restrictive abortion bill.
To defend ourselves in an endless war against a faceless enemy, we have abandoned principles long held dear and engaged in practices our parents and grandparents wouldn’t recognize.
Contemplating President Obama’s announcement, “We Shall Overcome” began to play in my mind, and I realized how appropriate it is today. "Yes, we can!” and “We Shall Overcome” both convey the will to struggle in the face of formidable opposition.