Politics

[connor_in]

I don't see why the Republican Party doesn't pass the clean spending bill. It is much closer to the spending levels they want than the levels Obama wants. So they have already won.

Taking the country randsum over a law that past is not governing. If the ACA sucks then the voters are going to vote GOP in 2016 and they can do it then.

All I can say is I hope we don't default on our debt.

Obama has already illegally changed the law that passed the House and Senate and he signed. Why do you guys keep coming back to this "it is the law of the land" stuff when there have been many examples of this administration NOT enforcing other laws of the land?

 

[Black Irish]

Obama has already illegally changed the law that passed the House and Senate and he signed. Why do you guys keep coming back to this "it is the law of the land" stuff when there have been many examples of this administration NOT enforcing other laws of the land?

Yeah, libs get behind the Supreme Court upholding the ACA like it's the 10 Commandments. But they forget that they were lamenting this same Supreme Court as being morally bankrupt for upholding Citizens United barely a year ago. What have you done for me lately, highest court in the land?

 

[chicago51]

That Congressional Exemption From Obamacare? Another Myth | The Exchange - Yahoo Finance

The whole thing with congress and congressional had nothing to with being exempt from the law. It had to do with contributions toward health care premiums. Basically it allowed Congress to contribute toward their employees health care expenses just most business do. Employers typically pay 70-80 percent of the cost.

Anyone that is besides the point. Forget policy. Forget political views. What is the political strategy here? Do you think that the law will actually get repealed? I think it is a strategy that for one hurts a lot of people and two it s a big political risk to the Republican Party.

This me talking as a political strategist:

I don't see why the Republican Party doesn't pass the bill at the spending levels they wanted. Block everything Obama wants for the next 3 1/4 years and if the health care law fails you in a great position for 2016.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

That Congressional Exemption From Obamacare? Another Myth | The Exchange - Yahoo Finance

The whole thing with congress and congressional had nothing to with being exempt from the law. It had to do with contributions toward health care premiums. Basically it allowed Congress to contribute toward their employees health care expenses just most business do. Employers typically pay 70-80 percent of the cost.

Anyone that is besides the point. Forget policy. Forget political views. What is the political strategy here? Do you think that the law will actually get repealed? I think it is a strategy that for one hurts a lot of people and two it s a big political risk to the Republican Party.

This me talking as a political strategist:

I don't see why the Republican Party doesn't pass the bill at the spending levels they wanted. Block everything Obama wants for the next 3 1/4 years and if the health care law fails you in a great position for 2016.

Not if, but when. It will fail because it's flawed heavily in practice and basic economics. My greatest fear is that like 98% of federal programs, repealing this law and getting rid of it will be ten times harder than all the back room deals and shady $hit the Dems did to get it passed with a super majority.

Everyone who passed 6th grade math knows medicare, medicaid, and SS are all going to be bankrupt by 2030, but we aren't doing anything about it. Why? Every politician is afraid to address the issues on a large scale. Paul Ryan got painted as trying to throw grandma off a cliff with his plan.

 

[BobD]

So if we are going to pay all federal employees back pay for the time they are on furlough, why aren't they just working now? WTF?

I was gonna post this last week and forgot.

 

[FLDomer]

So if we are going to pay all federal employees back pay for the time they are on furlough, why aren't they just working now? WTF?

I was gonna post this last week and forgot.

My brother in law works for the national weatherservice and has to come into work everyday and not get paid (but will get back pay).... I agree why not every one else.

 

[IrishLax]

So if we are going to pay all federal employees back pay for the time they are on furlough, why aren't they just working now? WTF?

I was gonna post this last week and forgot.

Totally agree. If you know they are going to get paid, then they should be at their desks working. It makes no sense to "shut down the Government" because there is no approved budget... yet guarantee that a fat check will be cut to all of these people for no work performed. Would this kind of crap ever happen in the private sector? Nope.

It should be simple... if you're not going to pay them, then don't have them work. If you are going to pay them, they should all be at their desks doing work.

Just another illustration of ridiculous Government waste. Taxpayers are now shelling out millions a day for no work performed.

 

[IrishLax]

My brother in law works for the national weatherservice and has to come into work everyday and not get paid (but will get back pay).... I agree why not every one else.

This is such a joke to me... why does he have to work, but so many others don't? This "essential" vs. "non-essential" crap is just total bogus if everyone is eventually going to get paid.

Right now the only person taking it on the chin is Joe Taxpayer who is getting deprived of some services, while his tax dollars are still paying for the "work" that isn't happening.

 

[GoIrish41]

This is such a joke to me... why does he have to work, but so many others don't? This "essential" vs. "non-essential" crap is just total bogus if everyone is eventually going to get paid.

Right now the only person taking it on the chin is Joe Taxpayer who is getting deprived of some services, while his tax dollars are still paying for the "work" that isn't happening.

Its not as if people don't want to work. They have been sent home. Those who are working for compensation to be named later are kinda taking it on the chin as well ... and they, too, are taxpayers. This whole shutdown is a huge joke.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Its not as if people don't want to work. They have been sent home. Those who are working for compensation to be named later are kinda taking it on the chin as well ... and they, too, are taxpayers. This whole shutdown is a huge joke.

People that are working now deserve to be paid. I will agree with that.

As far as the people that are not working, I see no problems with them not getting paid. This really is no different than the private sector where sometimes temporary measures are called for where people are laid off for a week or two at a time. Those decisions come from their bosses even if the events that lead up to the short term layoff are the result of management mistakes.

 

[FLDomer]

This is such a joke to me... why does he have to work, but so many others don't? This "essential" vs. "non-essential" crap is just total bogus if everyone is eventually going to get paid.

Right now the only person taking it on the chin is Joe Taxpayer who is getting deprived of some services, while his tax dollars are still paying for the "work" that isn't happening.

It is a joke and what sucks for my brother in law and my sister (along with many others) is that they have 3 kids and the bills are still coming in. They are lucky (smart enough to have saved) that they dont live pay check to pay check but many are not in that boat.

 

[GoIrish41]

People that are working now deserve to be paid. I will agree with that.

As far as the people that are not working, I see no problems with them not getting paid. This really is no different than the private sector where sometimes temporary measures are called for where people are laid off for a week or two at a time. Those decisions come from their bosses even if the events that lead up to the short term layoff are the result of management mistakes.

I don't disagree with this at all. I think federal employees should be called back to work since it is clear they will be paid anyway. Despite Boener's assertion that "this isn't a damn game," this IS just a political game. Too bad federal workers are the game pieces.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

After a month or so won't that tell us how many of these gov employees are "essential" and how many are non essential???

My microscope would start with the Dept of Labor, Dept of Agriculture, Dept of Energy, and Dept of Education.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

It just pisses me off that there are enough democrat AND republican votes in the house to pass the CR, but Boehner won't allow them to vote on it. If they didn't have enough votes, I might think the democrats should be bargaining, but there are enough republican votes to pass it, so the blame falls solely on the tea party and Boehner for being a puppet.

The only good thing in all this is that it's hurting the tea party.

I wouldn't be surprised if Boehner is delaying it to try to hurt the tea party because of philosophical differences with them and a perceived thorn in the party's side. I'm not sure if that's happening but I could see that being why. Set up Cruz as a fall man of sorts to try to make a change in the Republican Party back to a more normal viewpoint.

 

[BobD]

I wouldn't be surprised if Boehner is delaying it to try to hurt the tea party because of philosophical differences with them and a perceived thorn in the party's side. I'm not sure if that's happening but I could see that being why. Set up Cruz as a fall man of sorts to try to make a change in the Republican Party back to a more normal viewpoint.

Quite a few political strategist feel like that's what's going on. As aggravating as this is, if the Tea Party is weakened, we all win.

 

[BobD]

Poll: Congress approval 11 percent - Jose DelReal - POLITICO.com

 

[ACamp1900]

Yep, because lord knows the last thing the government needs is a group of people who actually take fiscal responsibility seriously…

 

[BobD]

Yep, because lord knows the last thing the government needs is a group of people who actually take fiscal responsibility seriously…

Who is this group you speak of'?

 

[MJ12666]

Poll: Congress approval 11 percent - Jose DelReal - POLITICO.com

These type of polls are really meaningless. At the congressional level the only poll that matters is the poll within how individuals feel about their particular House member. My quess is that each member has a rather high approval rating since they almost all of them win re-election.

 

[GoIrish41]

Supreme Court to consider rolling back campaign donation limits - CBS News

 

[GoIrish41]

Yep, because lord knows the last thing the government needs is a group of people who actually take fiscal responsibility seriously…

Yes because the fiscally responsible thing to do is to put a million people out of work and threaten to default on government debt.

 

[irishpat183]

Totally agree. If you know they are going to get paid, then they should be at their desks working. It makes no sense to "shut down the Government" because there is no approved budget... yet guarantee that a fat check will be cut to all of these people for no work performed. Would this kind of crap ever happen in the private sector? Nope.

It should be simple... if you're not going to pay them, then don't have them work. If you are going to pay them, they should all be at their desks doing work.

Just another illustration of ridiculous Government waste. Taxpayers are now shelling out millions a day for no work performed.

This is such a joke to me... why does he have to work, but so many others don't? This "essential" vs. "non-essential" crap is just total bogus if everyone is eventually going to get paid.

Right now the only person taking it on the chin is Joe Taxpayer who is getting deprived of some services, while his tax dollars are still paying for the "work" that isn't happening.

IT IS ALL FOR SHOW! What don't people understand....

They're doing this on purpose.

 

[irishpat183]

Yes because the fiscally responsible thing to do is to put a million people out of work and threaten to default on government debt.

It must also be fiscally responsible to pass health care overhauls without reading it or without the money to pay for it......

 

[irishpat183]

Supreme Court to consider rolling back campaign donation limits - CBS News

This and getting rid of affirmative action. I can dig that

 

[SoDakDomer]

It must also be fiscally responsible to pass health care overhauls without reading it or without the money to pay for it......

We haven't had the money to run the goverment for decades, that's why we have national debt in the first place. But now is the time for a showdown and a financial crisis ok?

 

[autry_denson]

Quite a few political strategist feel like that's what's going on. As aggravating as this is, if the Tea Party is weakened, we all win.

It's true that this may ultimately reveal what happens when you allow idiots who lack an understanding of even the most basic ideas in macroeconomics to have any decision-making authority.

But the costs in the meantime are enormous. The hit that the economy is taking every day that this shutdown continues is huge, and if we even get close to the possibility of default it will have long-term ramifications for our economy and the world's economy. The fact that a non-trivial number of elected officials are willing to put the nation at risk in this way is truly bizarre.

 

[irishpat183]

We haven't had the money to run the goverment for decades, that's why we have national debt in the first place. But now is the time for a showdown and a financial crisis ok?

Great attitude.


If not now...when? When does the madness stop?

 

[irishpat183]

It's true that this may ultimately reveal what happens when you allow idiots who lack an understanding of even the most basic ideas in macroeconomics to have any decision-making authority.

But the costs in the meantime are enormous. The hit that the economy is taking every day that this shutdown continues is huge, and if we even get close to the possibility of default it will have long-term ramifications for our economy and the world's economy. The fact that a non-trivial number of elected officials are willing to put the nation at risk in this way is truly bizarre.

YOu guys are insane. The Tea Party is the LEAST of our problems and your talking head MSNBC anchors are just looking for the next "bush" to get liberals behind it. You're sheep. Face it.

The problem IS OUR ENTIRE SYSTEM. Tea party? How long have they been around? Compared to career politicans like Reid (State broke for years) Pelosi (state broke for years)....But you're bitching about Ted Cruz?

LOL.

 

[Buster Bluth]

YOu guys are insane. The Tea Party is the LEAST of our problems and your talking head MSNBC anchors are just looking for the next "bush" to get liberals behind it. You're sheep. Face it.

The problem IS OUR ENTIRE SYSTEM. Tea party? How long have they been around? Compared to career politicans like Reid (State broke for years) Pelosi (state broke for years)....But you're bitching about Ted Cruz?

LOL.

I'm failing to see the connection between career federal politicians and their state's fiscal positions, which are the result of different politicians/circumstances...

 

[irishpat183]

I'm failing to see the connection between career federal politicians and their state's fiscal positions, which are the result of different politicians/circumstances...

And I fail to see how a Tea Party, tha'ts only been around a few years, is somehow brining down the federal government. (that's been on it's way down long before this)


Absurd. And yes! The spend happy parties we have up there now, are the problem.


Are we all ignorant enough to think that if we keep passsing the buck, it's never gonna catch up?