Ron Paul Just Can't Get No Satisfaction

We already know that Ron Paul is pretty unhappy with the way the government works.

So, it comes as no surprise to hear that he's not OK with the creation of a "super committee" to help figure out where to make spending cuts.

According to Ron, the creation of the "super committee" is unconstitutional because it would "take over for what the House and Senate are supposed to do."

Uh, he might have a point there.  

Dear White House: We Are Still Dazed & Debt-Crisis Confused

The White House released this graphic today, which is meant to explain the debt crisis. Best part: that cute donkey. We always wanted one of our own.

• Read more: Myths and Facts About the Debt-Ceiling Compromise

President Obama Plans Midwestern Bus Tour

There is something about a good, old-fashioned road trip that gets people so excited.

And, politicians seem to love the idea of hopping on a bus and touring the country.

Which is why it's no surprise that President Obama's staff has announced that he will be making a tour of the Midwest on August 15.

The focus of the trip will be jobs and the economy, but no other details have been released so far.

Lucky us, we're going to be in the Midwest that very week -- on POTUS bus watch! Stay tuned!

Debt Deal Negotiations Keep Pizza In Business

If anyone benefited from the recent debt deal crisis, it was the pizza industry.

According to IDreamofPizza.com blogger Jason Feirman, Washington, D.C., has been going through a "pizza boom" over the past couple of years.

But, even more recently, pizza has been the food of choice during the debt talks on Capitol Hill.

House Speaker John Boehner even threw a pizza party for the House GOP freshmen! Meanwhile, a Papa John's director was quoted as saying: "We've been shipping tons and tons of pizza up to the Hill."

Um, Capitol Hill? Where's our invitation to the pizza fest? We happen to love all things cheesy.

John McCain Calls Tea Party 'Bizzaro' ... 'Hobbits'

John McCain likes his fantasy fiction a little too much, it seems.

He railed against conservatives who refuse to support House Speaker John Boehner's debt ceiling plan.

But, he didn't just say that they needed to stick together.

"That is not fair to the American people to hold out and say we won't agree to raising the debt limit until we pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution," he said. "It's unfair, it's bizzaro. And maybe some people have only been in this body for six or seven months or so really believe that."

That wasn't the weirdest part, however.

"The idea seems to be that if the House GOP refuses to raise the debt ceiling, a default crisis or gradual government shutdown will ensue and the public will turn en masse against Barack Obama," John said. "Then Democrats would have no choice but to pass a balanced budget amendment and reform entitlements and the Tea Party Hobbits could return to Middle Earth."

John Boehner Swears At House GOP

House Speaker John Boehner is getting mouthy.

In all fairness, he is having a rough week. 

The debt ceiling crisis is getting worse, there is no compromise in sight, and the deadline is looming closer and closer every day.

John yelled at the House GOP members in a closed-door meeting on Wednesday.

"Get your ass in line," he demanded. "I can't do this job unless you are behind me."

House Majority Whip Cracks Whip As He Whips Out Movie Clip To Whip House GOP Into Shape

Remember when you were in school and you had that teacher who would show movies instead of teaching?

Well, that's what House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) allegedly did earlier this week -- and everyone is mad about it.

Apparently, to psyche up House GOP members for the debt plan vote, Kevin showed them the below clip from the Ben Affleck movie "The Town" during a closed-door meeting. The movie is about a group of bank robbers in Boston and the scene specifically depicts Ben asking Jeremy Renner to unquestionably go along with him to beat up some dudes.

For obvious reasons, House Democrats are angry about it, as well as Ben, who is a bit of a liberal.

We're not even sure the clip even works that well as motivation analogy for the House vote. (There are so many other clips from so many other movies that work so much better.) But, it was a good attempt.

We have a better suggestion for next time, Kevin. And, it's a song. #WhipItGood!

Denis Leary Offers Debt Ceiling Advice

Denis Leary's Twitter cracks us up.

The Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actor and comedian has a lot to say about pop culture. This time around, however, he's talking serious business: the debt ceiling.

And, he's got some advice to offer congress members.

"@denisleary: 4 words: Eric Cantor dunk tank #death2thedebt," is just one of the many wise words Denis has to offer, for example.

Check out the rest of his ideas, and urge him to come up with more, on his Twitter - @denisleary. 

President Obama Causes Congressional Website Crashes

President Obama urged Americans last night to contact their U.S. Congress members and tell them they need to reach a compromise on the debt ceiling negotiations.

So, what did Americans do? They hit the Internet -- and crashed Congressional sites, Hill leaders' sites, and even the House Democrats' Budget Committee website.

You can use this website to find out if your Congress member's website has actually crashed, or if you're just having Internet problems of your own.

Senator Rand Paul To Britney Spears: 'What Would You Do About The Debt Crisis?'

Britney Spears will take Washington, D.C., by storm as she rolls into town with her "Femme Fatale" tour -- featuring Nicki Minaj -- on July 31.

So, at last week's Congressional Baseball Game, we had to ask U.S. Senator Rand Paul, the son of GOP Presidential Candidate Ron Paul, one very important question:

Glittarazzi - "If you could ask her any question, what would that be?"
Rand Paul - "What should we do about the debt crisis?"

Whoa! That's a tough question.

Don't worry, Brit. If you can't come up with an answer ... we won't hold it against you! :-)

Read more:

• Watch our Q&A with Rand Paul
• Buy tickets for Britney's 'Femme Fatale' show
• Visit "Ron Paul 2012" online
• Check out Rand Paul on Twitter
• Fun & Games: Congressional Baseball Game Heats Up Nationals Park
• Photo gallery: 2011 Congressional Baseball Game
• Flashback: Ron Paul Hits Homerun at Congressional Baseball Game

Video by Greg Blakey, glittarazzi.com