Where We Live: Roundtable On The Looming Debt Crisis
A two-stage solution in Washington and at home
Yesterday, Republicans who control the house finally addressed the issue that's been gripping the nation: Naming Post Offices.
Yes, when it became clear that House Speaker John Boehner's two-stage solution to avert the debt crisis was not going to get enough votes from within his caucus, the House quickly turned to the important task of naming the Post Offices in Peoria and Pasadena.
Now, with warnings of catastrophe coming when the country reaches its borrowing limit Tuesday - it's back to more "negotiations" in a town where compromise seems almost impossible.
In Hartford, negotiations over a budget deal ended long ago - now, its up to rank and file union members to vote on their own kind of "two-stage" solution. Stage one ended with rejection of a concessions package negotiated by Governor Malloy and union leadership. In stage two, a "clarified" deal will get a re-vote, under new rules. Much like in Washington, we hear of "catastrophe" if it's not passed.
Today, where we live, our reporter roundtable tries to talk us off the cliff.
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Listener Email from Sylvain
Has there ever been a worse congress? Can't pass a budget, can't deal with important issues like the debt ceiling, can't negotiate. It's pathetic that posturing prevails over negotiation 101 (meet somewhere in the middle...). Can Congress be recalled?
Listener Email from Patti
Instead of people hating the benefits which union workers receive, and saying those benefits should be taken away at this time, why aren’t those same workers demanding that their employers give them the same benefits? I think this is a case of divide and conquer as the American worker is settling for ever less.
Listener Email
State employees would be more than happy, as in the past, to agree to wage freezes and furlough days.
The agreement won't pass due to draconian pension changes. The problem, as we all know, is not tier 2 but tier 1 and that was stopped in 1984. Because the legislature failed to properly fund the plan is not reason for us to open the contract that expires 2017. We will take our chances then.
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