(Update) Ronald Reagan to Tea-Publicans: Do your duty and raise the federal debt ceiling

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

I posted about this back in May. Ronald Reagan to Tea-Publicans: Do your duty and raise the federal debt ceiling.

Today the House Democratic Caucus unveiled a new video about the need for Congress to do the right thing and raise the federal debt ceiling starring Saint Ronnie Reagan, entitled "That's an Adult Moment."

The video features a weekly radio address from President Reagan delivered in September 1987. Reagan was apparently growing tired of the very possibility that lawmakers would balk at their responsibilities. Political Animal – Dems embrace (and GOP rejects) Reagan:

“Congress consistently brings the Government to the edge of default before facing its responsibility,” he told the nation. “This brinkmanship threatens the holders of government bonds and those who rely on Social Security and veterans benefits. Interest rates would skyrocket, instability would occur in financial markets, and the Federal deficit would soar. The United States has a special responsibility to itself and the world to meet its obligations. It means we have a well-earned reputation for reliability and credibility — two things that set us apart from much of the world.”

That last part should resonate with those who care about “American exceptionalism” — exceptional countries pay their bills.

The point of the video, of course, is to drive home the point that this is no longer the party of Reagan. Indeed, Republicans in 2011 recognize the Reagan legacy and deliberately reject it. These are folks who claim to have a religious-like reverence for “Ronaldus Magnus,” but have no use for his style of governance.

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I continue to be fascinated by this, in large part because the GOP, almost literally, worships Reagan, and yet, has no use for his beliefs or the way in which he approached his responsibilities.

The video from the House Democratic Caucus seems to be an effort to needle Republicans over this. It won’t work, of course, but I’d be delighted if it at least led to some questions for GOP lawmakers, asking them to explain why they’re right to pursue default while Reagan was wrong.

Once again, this is not your father's GOP.

UPDATE: Dana Milbank of the Washington Post writes The new party of Reagan:

Tea Party Republicans call a vote to raise the debt ceiling a threat to their very existence; Reagan presided over 18 increases in the debt ceiling during his presidency.

Tea Party Republicans say they would sooner default on the national debt than raise taxes; Reagan agreed to raise taxes 11 times.

Tea Party Republicans, in “cut, cap and balance” legislation on the House floor Tuesday, voted to cut government spending permanently to 18 percent of gross domestic product; under Reagan, spending was as high as 23.5 percent and never below 21.3 percent of GDP.

That same legislation would take federal spending down to a level last seen in 1966, before Medicare was fully up and running; Reagan in 1988 signed a major expansion of Medicare.

Under the Tea Party Republicans’ spending cap, Reagan’s military buildup, often credited with winning the Cold War, would have been impossible.

"Republicans have begun to admit the obvious: The Gipper would no longer be welcome on the GOP team. Most recently, Rep. Duncan Hunter Jr. (Calif.) called Reagan a 'moderate former liberal . . . who would never be elected today in my opinion.'"