Austerity by Magic Asterisk

Mercifully the Speaker of the House’s oped was short. I’m trying but that’s the only kind thing I can find to say about it. Its growth by austerity theme is evident from the inception:

The American people continue to ask "where are the jobs?" and the overspending going on in Washington, D.C., is a big part of the reason why. Our national debt, which has grown significantly due to President Obama's failed "stimulus" policies, is a drain on our economy and a crushing burden on our kids and grandkids.

But did we expect Mr. Boehner to do anything other than praise the policies of Herbert Hoover? He wants to blame the President for the failure to reach any compromise on long-term fiscal responsibility but he proposes nothing in the way of specifics. In fact, he criticizes the President for considering tax increases. No wisdom on how to get us back to full employment and no courage on long-term fiscal responsibility. This is what the Republicans have as leadership? It is a wonder that USAToday wasted any of its space on this oped!