U.S. Speaker of the House Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) speaks to members of the press during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on March 30, 2023 in Washington, DC.
Don't Be Taken by Corporate Media Both-Siderism: The GOP Alone Manufactured This Debt Ceiling Disaster
The “both sides” reporting by mainstream news outlets is misleading the public and giving a free pass to McCarthy and his MAGA extremists who have taken the U.S. economy in name of savage austerity and more tax cuts for the rich and corporations.
The credit-rating agency Fitch on Thursday morning put the nation’s AAA rating on a watch list, citing “increased political partisanship” over the debt ceiling. Later, I heard ABC News attribute the standoff on the debt ceiling to “polarization” in Congress. NPR blames the fight on “hyper-partisanship” in American politics. Reuters blames the stalemate on lawmakers “digging in on partisan positions.”
“Partisan standoff” is the way most of the media is now characterizing the fight.
Hello?
Enough with the “both sides” reporting on the debt ceiling.
I admire Joe Biden, but he should not have allowed the media to so badly mischaracterize what’s happening.
The current fight over raising the debt ceiling — and the growing possibility the United States might default on its debts — is not because of partisanship. It’s not due to political polarization. It’s not because lawmakers are “digging in” to “partisan positions.”
Republicans alone manufactured this looming disaster.
In order to become speaker, Kevin McCarthy made a deal with right-wing MAGA House Republicans to use the debt ceiling as a way to hold America hostage and force the Biden administration to come begging.
McCarthy and his band of MAGA crazies don’t give a fig about the national debt. Hell, they had no problem raising the debt ceiling three times under Trump — while providing trillions in tax cuts for the rich.
This current fight is entirely theirs.
The “both sides” reporting is misleading the public and giving a free pass to McCarthy and his extremists.
I admire Joe Biden, but he should not have allowed the media to so badly mischaracterize what’s happening. He never should have begun negotiating with McCarthy. Biden has the bully pulpit; he should have addressed the nation by now, pointing out that this fight is manufactured entirely by House Republicans.
The media’s reporting is inexcusable.
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. In a few short weeks, US voters will have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. Our Fall Campaign is underway, and we need your help. To power our newsroom through the rest of the year, we need to raise $125,000 by midnight on October 31. So if you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
The credit-rating agency Fitch on Thursday morning put the nation’s AAA rating on a watch list, citing “increased political partisanship” over the debt ceiling. Later, I heard ABC News attribute the standoff on the debt ceiling to “polarization” in Congress. NPR blames the fight on “hyper-partisanship” in American politics. Reuters blames the stalemate on lawmakers “digging in on partisan positions.”
“Partisan standoff” is the way most of the media is now characterizing the fight.
Hello?
Enough with the “both sides” reporting on the debt ceiling.
I admire Joe Biden, but he should not have allowed the media to so badly mischaracterize what’s happening.
The current fight over raising the debt ceiling — and the growing possibility the United States might default on its debts — is not because of partisanship. It’s not due to political polarization. It’s not because lawmakers are “digging in” to “partisan positions.”
Republicans alone manufactured this looming disaster.
In order to become speaker, Kevin McCarthy made a deal with right-wing MAGA House Republicans to use the debt ceiling as a way to hold America hostage and force the Biden administration to come begging.
McCarthy and his band of MAGA crazies don’t give a fig about the national debt. Hell, they had no problem raising the debt ceiling three times under Trump — while providing trillions in tax cuts for the rich.
This current fight is entirely theirs.
The “both sides” reporting is misleading the public and giving a free pass to McCarthy and his extremists.
I admire Joe Biden, but he should not have allowed the media to so badly mischaracterize what’s happening. He never should have begun negotiating with McCarthy. Biden has the bully pulpit; he should have addressed the nation by now, pointing out that this fight is manufactured entirely by House Republicans.
The media’s reporting is inexcusable.
- Let's End The False Debate Over the Debt Limit ›
- It’s Time For Democrats to Declare War Over the Debt Ceiling ›
- Corporate Media Continues to Blow It on Coverage of Debt Ceiling Hostage Situation ›
- Opinion | For Corporate Media, Caving to GOP Debt Limit Blackmail Was a Triumph of Bipartisanship | Common Dreams ›
- Opinion | Inequality: The Biggest Story Corporate Media Isn’t Covering | Common Dreams ›
The credit-rating agency Fitch on Thursday morning put the nation’s AAA rating on a watch list, citing “increased political partisanship” over the debt ceiling. Later, I heard ABC News attribute the standoff on the debt ceiling to “polarization” in Congress. NPR blames the fight on “hyper-partisanship” in American politics. Reuters blames the stalemate on lawmakers “digging in on partisan positions.”
“Partisan standoff” is the way most of the media is now characterizing the fight.
Hello?
Enough with the “both sides” reporting on the debt ceiling.
I admire Joe Biden, but he should not have allowed the media to so badly mischaracterize what’s happening.
The current fight over raising the debt ceiling — and the growing possibility the United States might default on its debts — is not because of partisanship. It’s not due to political polarization. It’s not because lawmakers are “digging in” to “partisan positions.”
Republicans alone manufactured this looming disaster.
In order to become speaker, Kevin McCarthy made a deal with right-wing MAGA House Republicans to use the debt ceiling as a way to hold America hostage and force the Biden administration to come begging.
McCarthy and his band of MAGA crazies don’t give a fig about the national debt. Hell, they had no problem raising the debt ceiling three times under Trump — while providing trillions in tax cuts for the rich.
This current fight is entirely theirs.
The “both sides” reporting is misleading the public and giving a free pass to McCarthy and his extremists.
I admire Joe Biden, but he should not have allowed the media to so badly mischaracterize what’s happening. He never should have begun negotiating with McCarthy. Biden has the bully pulpit; he should have addressed the nation by now, pointing out that this fight is manufactured entirely by House Republicans.
The media’s reporting is inexcusable.
- Let's End The False Debate Over the Debt Limit ›
- It’s Time For Democrats to Declare War Over the Debt Ceiling ›
- Corporate Media Continues to Blow It on Coverage of Debt Ceiling Hostage Situation ›
- Opinion | For Corporate Media, Caving to GOP Debt Limit Blackmail Was a Triumph of Bipartisanship | Common Dreams ›
- Opinion | Inequality: The Biggest Story Corporate Media Isn’t Covering | Common Dreams ›