The Cost of Electing Fools

(from Kansas Democratic Party/Facebook)

[Note: I've seen cost estimates for the government shutdown at close to $25 billion.  Have heard a couple of "bean counters" say "over $24 billion."]

 

Even a couple of Republicans whose sanity and service I respect— though I rarely agree with their positions —are saying the shutdown was "worth it."  Sen. Orin Hatch was one who said the government closing was "worth it."  Said it's "good" to see people "standing up for their beliefs" even though it was not going to change things.   In the same interview with Chuck Todd this morning, Sen. Hatch  was going on about the need " to get the administration under control"with its big spending (can't remember the exact adjective--excessive, runaway? You've heard those talking points before).  Geeeez.  He's essentially saying it was okay to spend over $24 billion— and cause the anxiety and (in some cases) economic crises of many government employees and the American people whose services (including cancer trials) were affected by the government closing.  Okay to slow down the fragile economic growth the country has been experiencing.  Okay to get to the brink of having our credit rating downgraded and all the repercussions that would have had.  AND YET we can't afford basic food assistance to hard-working Americans living under the poverty line because their greedy corporate bosses are only interested in big profits, not in fairness to workers.  AND YET we can't afford to fully fund Head Start and services, such as Meals on Wheels, for the elderly.  AND YET Republicans stubbornly resist raising taxes on the wealthiest 1% of Americans or discontinuing the unconscionable oil and mega-farm subsidies, despite their windfall profits.  How about finding a way to collect taxes on the offshore US Corporation accounts?  How about some economic patriotism?  Do you think the average low-information voter gets the hypocrisy?

 

The Republican"spin" on what happened— after the Congressional fools had their tea party at the country's expense—has been far removed from the reality of the situation.  And mostly to put a thumb in the eye of a President they despise—again.  It's almost as crazy as Ted Cruz greeting tourists at the Capitol this morning, welcoming them to the now-open seat of our government.  I wonder how many of those visitors realized Cruz played the starring role in the shutdown?  I wonder if Texans will vote him out next time?  He'd make an excellent Walmart greeter.

 

About all the ruckus around the Affordable Care Act: Some of the less-appealing aspects of the law are there because of concessions Democrats made to Republicans during the legislative process—after which Republicans didn't support it.   The President is wide open to making changes to the law, modifying any aspects that aren't working—through the normal democratic process.  My hope is that changes will lead to "Medicare for all" (single payer).  I think that's always been the way to go, but already Republicans (including Hatch this morning) are squealing about "socialized medicine" and doctors discontinuing their practices, students deciding not to pursue careers in medicine.  Maybe that's a good thing.  Maybe those people shouldn't be practicing medicine at all, Senator Hatch.  Sounds like a Wall Street would be a better career fit.

 

Time for me to put away the soapbox for now.  Let's do all we can to be sure the next Congress has a Democratic majority.  And more women!