Government in the Bathtub?

You know how Republicans (especially the Tea Party wing) go on and on and on about "reducing the deficit"and stopping the President's "reckless spending"? Turns out, this is one of many instances in contemporary GOP mythology where an outlandish inaccuracy (aka "lie") is repeated over and over to various media outlets until certain news consumers begin to believe it.  "I heard it from several reporters on Fox . . . ."  Sound familiar?

 

To set the record straight, here's some information on that very subject from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office via a post at Politicususa:(To read the full article:  http://www.politicususa.com/2013/05/15/gop-whip-empty-scandals-avoid-realities-most-rapid-deficit-reduction-wwii.html)

 

"The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office reported a continued decline in the federal budget deficit: “The CBO projects a $642 billion budget deficit for fiscal year 2013, down more than $200 billion from its February estimate and the smallest annual shortfall since 2008. It is the lowest level of deficit spending to date under President Obama, who faced $1 trillion or more in annual deficits during his first term.”

 

Now the shutdown of our government is unconscionable.  Period.  And for those who harp on deficit reduction, the action seems downright schizophrenic.  The estimated cost of this maniacal shutdown, in monetary terms:  $300 million dollars per day.  Of course there are too many human costs to enumerate.   In the face of this high-cost drama and despite hardships too many Americans are experiencing because of it, the Republican Tea Party wing is celebrating and feeling proud about closing down the US Government.  Sheer insanity. 

 

BUT remember, what has seemed to be the chief Republican goal for years (possibly tied with stopping Obama and in lieu of that, stopping "Obamacare") has been to "shrink government" so that it would be small enough to "drown it in a bathtub."  They think we have no need for government.  At all!  How the bloody hell can any human of sound mind believe that?   Geez, people.  Maybe that's what Michelle Bachman considers "winning" which I just heard her say they're doing. 

 

We know this whole thing is crazy.  What we don't know is how or when the insanity will end.  House Speaker John Boehner could resolve it in an hour if he would allow the Senate's "clean" Continuing Resolution to come to the floor for a vote ("clean" = legislation that addresses only its intended purpose, one that has no other issues attached).   The catch:  Boehner have to show more concern for the Country than for his speakership, because he might lose it if he calls for a vote.  He wouldn't lose his House seat or his seniority.  But so far there's been no evidence of courage and little to no concern for the American people.  The Senate bill I'm talking about simply funds the government for the next 2 or 3 months (not sure which--but short-term). 

 

The President has said he's willing to discuss longer-term budget changes with Republicans after this temporary solution is passed and the debt ceiling is raised on October 17.   Contrary to Republican talking points, our President has not refused to talk with Republicans; in fact, he invited Republican leaders to sit down with him at the White House.  Of course his WH visitors held a press conference as they were leaving the meeting to trash the President and continue distorting the situation.  President Obama has said all along he will not allow all the people who will benefit from the Affordable Care Act to be left in the lurch; he's not going to "negotiate" on a law that's been law for three years!  What a horrible precedent that would set.  Impossible.  

 

It feels as though I'm in the middle of a nightmare.  But some of the frustrated Americans I've heard speak in the last couple of days—people already suffering from your shutdown—are living a very real nightmare.  Mr. Boehner, please make it possible for these Americans to sleep at night and resume their pre-shutdown lives.  Also, stop wasting federal dollars, and allow our Country to have a fully functioning government again.

 

At the next GOP caucus, you might tell your members that the United States Government will not be drowning in a bathtub or anywhere else—not as long as Barack Obama is President of the United States.  Not as long as there are some voices of reason left in the Senate and the House.  I have little doubt there will be a lot more of those voices after the next Congressional elections, thanks to irresponsible actions of Republicans.   What do you think?