instaPoll: Do you support the President's call to increase taxes as a way to address our national debt?

On May 16, 2011, the government officially reached the debt ceiling, or the level imposed by Congress on how much national debt the U.S. can carry. Despite reaching this threshold, stronger than expected tax revenues have extended the government's borrowing authority through August 2, 2011. The Administration cannot raise the debt ceiling without permission from Congress and so for the past several months, congressional leaders and Administration officials have conducted negotiations to determine the size and scope of spending cuts necessary for Congress to agree to lift the debt ceiling. Recently, the Associated Press reported that the Administration is seeking to not only raise the debt ceiling, but also to raise taxes on small business owners and potentially low- and middle-income families. Instead of raising taxes on those who can least afford it and on those most likely to create jobs, I remain committed to a plan that includes serious and immediate cuts in spending, institutes permanent federal spending caps, and passes a requirement for Congress to balance the federal budget by spending no more than revenues allow. Question of the Week: Do you support the President's call to increase taxes as a way to address our national debt? (  ) Yes (  ) No (  ) Other (share your thoughts on my blog here). (  ) I am unsure. Take the poll here. Find out the results of last week's instaPoll here.

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No Debt Increase | A project of Tea Party Patriots

No Debt Increase | A project of Tea Party Patriots

Bill Summary & Status - 112th Congress (2011 - 2012) - H.R.2409 - THOMAS (Library of Congress)

Support this Bill! decrease the statutory limit on the public debt

Bill Summary & Status - 112th Congress (2011 - 2012) - H.R.2409 - THOMAS (Library of Congress)

Caucus Brief: Billiards In The South China Sea

BILLIARDS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.  A new piece from the American Enterprise Institute argues that the U.S. and China are approaching the South China Sea in very different ways.  The piece describes the Chinese approach as a game of billiards where to win, China must knock the other balls off of the table leaving itself in control.  In contrast the American approach is described as a game of capture the flag where the U.S. is trying to keep Beijing from capturing the flag of regional hegemony.  From the piece: "American policy makers need to recognize they're playing a different game from the Chinese and adjust their strategy.  While shifting to billiards is too provocative for Washington, if trends continue, it may soon find itself behind the eight ball with few options for maintaining its stabilizing role in the region.  http://www.aei.org/article/103812

Caucus Brief: Asia Needs A Larger U.S. Defense Budget

ASIA NEEDS A LARGER U.S. DEFENSE BUDGET.  An op-ed in the WSJ argues that American naval power maintains the stability and free navigation that allow trade to flourish in Asia, and that cuts to the U.S. defense budget could have significant implications for the region.  From the piece: "China's military rise is changing the balance of power in its neighborhood.  While Washington debates how to cut America's military, China continues to spend generously on defense…The equation budget cutters should ponder is that China's aggressive build-up plus American defense cuts equals Asian instability.  That instability could have far-reaching consequences.  America's military has ensured peace and stability in the region, made the seas safe for trade and transit, provided Asians with the political space to prosper, and guaranteed that no hostile power would again use the Pacific as an avenue for an attack on American soil."  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304803104576425414030335604.html?KEYWORDS=blumenthal 

U.S. SCORES MAJOR TRADE CASE VICTORY OVER CHINA. 

Caucus Brief: Cisco Poised To Help China Keep An Eye On Its Citizens

CISCO POISED TO HELP CHINA KEEP AN EYE ON ITS CITIZENS.  The WSJ is reporting that western companies, including Cisco Systems Inc., may help China build an ambitious new surveillance network that will include as many as 500,000 cameras.  When asked about concerns over political use of the system, Todd Bradley, an executive vice president of Hewlett Packard who is also bidding on the project said, "We take them at their word as to the usage…It's not my job to really understand what they're going to use it for.  Our job is to respond to the bid that they've made."  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304778304576377141077267316.html

DOUBTS MOUNT OVER CHINESE ECONOMIC GROWTH. 

Caucus Brief: China's Communist Party Turns 90

CHINA'S COMMUNIST PARTY TURNS 90.  China's ruling Communist Party has mobilized nationwide ceremonies and non-stop media coverage to mark its 90^th anniversary today.  Chinese television has been running documentaries about the party's history, and the new Chinese National Museum has opened an exhibition called the "Road to Rejuvenation."  From the NYT: "The official treatment of these events is clear: maintain a strong institutional apparatus and remain vigilant against inner-part usurpers and foreign saboteurs.  Thus, even in the midst of an anniversary celebration, the party's continuing inability to honestly and fully confront its past speaks volumes about its past and future.  It is symptomatic of existing insecurities."  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/01/opinion/01iht-edshambaugh01.html

CHINA'S COMMUNIST PARTY'S 90^TH BIRTHDAY IN PHOTOS.  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304450604576417930393076832.html

CHINA MILITARY TELLS VIETNAM TO COOL TEMPERS OVER S. CHINA SEA.