U.S.: Let’s Get this Debt Issue Over and Done With

If you want a taste of the climate in which the White House will steer its course in 2012, you need only take a look at the current negotiations taking place in Washington about raising the debt ceiling.

This step is a routine exercise (the ceiling has been raised 10 times in 10 years). However, the discussions between Obama and the Republicans have become an emblem of the ideological battle being played out in Washington.

The president is ready to make concessions to limit public expenditure, but he also wants to put an end to the tax exemptions for the wealthiest. This seems reasonable given the current state of the American economy.

However, there you have it: The Republicans (more precisely, those recently elected by the tea party) don’t want to hear talk of a tax increase, and they have been blocking everything for weeks.

Even the Americans have had enough of it and cannot express a greater disgust at these party politics that have immobilized Washington since the start of the year.

The deadline is set for Aug. 2. After that, the United States could find itself in default of payment. That wouldn’t necessarily be the end of the world, but it would be ludicrous seeing as an agreement is clearly within everyone’s reach.