The Republicans in Congress keep complaining that the Democrats won’t negotiate with them. But what they don’t mention is that the Democrats did negotiate and already made big compromises, as you can see from this figure:
© Center for American Progress
But the Republicans waited until the last minute and then tried the extort the Democrats into giving in to all their demands.
But actually, I don’t think this is about demands. They just want to get their way, even if they don’t know what their way is. Or as Republican Congressman Marlin Stutzman put it:
We’re not going to be disrespected. We have to get something out of this. And I don’t know what that even is.
They don’t actually care about policy. They just don’t want to look like the losers they already are.
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Open mic video. There is an open mic video between Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell stressing that they only want to “Win”. Posted by “Today” I don’t know how to post videos.
Here’s the video Ebdoug was referring to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eziI4h3J0Eg
And here’s President Obama’s awesome response to Congressman Stutzman: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/03/obama-gop-shutdown_n_4037502.html
Continuing resolutions quite frequently use a 90% figure: i.e. you get to spend 90% of what you had last year until a real budget is passed. Problem is, Congress hasn’t been able to pass a real budget for domestic agencies for some time.
I’m not pleased with the Republican shut down or the inability of our government to function, but there are tit for tat school yard politics going on everywhere.
I remember the last shutdown with Clinton and Gingrich. Clinton didn’t baricade our open air national monuments, thats pathetic. Our WWII vets are dying every day by the 1000’s and there aren’t many left. To prohibit those who can still make the journey from visiting their memorial (not Obama’s) is a smack in the face of every veteran, of which I am one. I expect the President whether he’s right or wrong to act like an adult, no matter what the other side does. They even ordered our national cemetary in France to be shuttered, which is sacred ground to so many. I expect my president to rise above the idiocy and not play politics during a game of chicken. If he was my Soldier his body would be so sore from the push-ups he’d be doing he might not be able to pull his pants up.
Grow up Barack, quit acting like a dog-gone baby before I drop you for more push ups, now get out of my face and carry on.
I, too, have a certain level of angst with regards to the closing of open air locations, but can’t quite get as fired up as you are PSgt, although I understand that at least some WWII vets are being allowed into the memorial. To me, closing the WWII, Korean War, and Viet Nam Memorials (I don’t know that they actually have closed off access to the VN Memorial) is a step too far and I agree it’s rather petty, but, frankly, a minor one when compared to the damage being done to people all over the country by the antics of the Publicans. To place limits on accessibility to open air national monuments has some pragmatic issues attached to it, though. Although Park Police are still on the clock (although not getting paid) other NPS employees are not working. This includes maintenance, cleaning, and interpretive staff.
From what I can tell, though, most agencies and departments have been given pretty broad discretion as to how they will address the partial shutdown. In the Forest Service, some regions made decisions that applied to all Forests. Other regions allowed the Forests to make those decisions under general guidelines. I’m guessing the Park Service has handled this in a similar manner.
One thought on this: visibility in the time of vapid news that we live in is the name of the game most of the time. That women and kids in WIC are not receiving the support they so desperately need isn’t an easy visual to convey. Memorials and monuments, national parks and campgrounds are far more visible and are not exempt from the discontinuation funding.
If you, PSgt, as a moderate independent person have concerns that vets are not being given access to veterans’ memorials, I’d suggest that the pressure and outrage you need to express is misdirected.
As always Don you bring up some very good ideas to consider. I just see it as the president is my Commander in Chief and he above anyone else should take care of those who serve him.
I am quite pissed at the idiots who want to shut down our government but don’t have the kahunas to not accept any pay. It kinda shows you how much they care about the average guy in the trenches. I think no-one in either legislative branch or party should get a nickel or any of their staff for that matter. But this president just doesn’t seem to know how to get people calmed down and seated at the table. It seems like he wants to antagonize instead of lead. I don’t ever recall Bush blaming Clinton for the intel mess leading up to 911 or Clinton blaming 41 for anything. He just wants blame people and that won’t get anybody at the table or solve any issues. He didn’t have to worry about it when he had the majority in both houses, but that is not the norm. It’s the way things should be. I acutally greatful when a President doesn’t have complete control. IMO he just doesn’t have any experience in dealing with people who disagree and he’d a been better served by having had previous executive experience like Clinton or 43.
HI Guys, If you’re interested here’s an article from a down under (Australian) columnist.
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/comment/republicans-to-struggle-with-crisis-they-created-20131003-2ux7m.html
Except the veterans are being let into the monuments. And remember the blue paint. Employees have to be there to monitor.
I think you just have it wrong, PATRIOTSGT. Memorials and monuments should be the first thing to close. To place the desire to visit memories ahead of WIC or Head Start does not make you a patriot. It tells me that you are selfish. Before chastising the president for not acting like an adult, you should act like one yourself. Adults put the needs of others before their own desires.
Austin, that article is really good. Thanks for sharing it.
ZED I understand your point, but it’s a false equivalence, but both WIC and Head Start still have money and no one has lost any service from them yet as both programs have enough money until the end of the month. Additionally, republicans have offered to fund many other programs individually if it’s that much of a crises I’m sure they would, but its the we won’t negotiate period attitude that would prevent that. Since when is there “no negotiations” in anything. Our whole system of government was founded and set up to allow negotiations. So both sides should do exactly that.
During the 3 shut downs in 95 and 96 Bill Clinton did not shutter the open air monuments, he would not have been so petty. I agree that the Smithsonian galleries should be closed since there are many valuable there, but open air monuments give me a break. So who’s the better leader Bill or Barack, I think that’s easy to answer.
Ebdoug to your point, if the president asked the military and younger veterans would be glad to provide security, heck I’d volunteer to push wheel chairs. Heck they could probably deputize without pay a whole bunch of guards both civilian and military, if they wanted.
Our WWII vets don’t have a lot more time and for some it may be their last chance. Mr. President, tear down those walls.
Austin, on the gerrymandering its absolutely correct, but it does happen in blue states just the same. Both sides play the same game. In my state there has only been 1 red governor in the last 60 years and that was because he faced such a weak opponent. Anytime there is a red congressman elected the state quickly works to redraw the map to make sure that doesn’t happen again. Basically, a candidate for Governor only has to win the 1 major city and 2 counties out of 24 to be elected and they are blue.
Patriotsgt, I’m completely with you on this one. I understand and agree with the claim that the memorials need to be protected from vandalism. But that’s no excuse. Vandalism can be cleaned up, and regular citizens can also keep an eye out while they’re there. There’s no need to block off the open-air memorials, and I find that distasteful.