Will Obama Outmaneuver the GOP Again?

The debt showdown in D.C. is getting really nasty. This week Obama upped the ante by claiming that if the debt ceiling isn't raised, the government might not be able to send out Social Security checks.

This is an old Democrat scare tactic. Whenever there is a budget battle at any level of government, unscrupulous Democrat politicians hold up the programs that would be most painful to cut as a way to scare voters to put pressure on the GOP to cave into their demands.

The GOP shouldn't fall for it any longer.

The Federal government is expected to take in $179 billion in revenue in August. Interest on the debt, Social Security, Medicare, and military salaries will add up to $143 billion in August. That leaves $36 billion left over for everything else. Yes, other things will have to be prioritized -- that's called living within one's means.

Here's what the House needs to do: immediately pass a bill mandating that if the debt ceiling isn't raised, the administration must prioritize paying the interest on the debt, Social Security, Medicare, and military salaries above everything else. If the Democrat Senate fails to pass the bill, or if Obama fails to sign the bill, then everyone will know who is responsible for Social Security checks not going out.