US government shutdown?

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

So if I understand this correctly, there are enough Republicans that would vote for a clean spending bill to have it pass, but speaker Boehner refuses to call a vote, essentially meaning he's the sole person responsible for keeping this shutdown going. How can a single person have this much power, especially one that voters don't elect directly? One guy is basically holding the government hostage until he gets his way, which is childish and extremely dangerous

Why couldn't the rules be changed to let the minority leader call a vote? That would seem to be the easiest way to avoid crap like this

Because the system isn't designed to give direct control to the people anyway.

That architecture has just been boiled down and reduced away to the obstructionism and gerrymandering you see as the norm now.

The thing of it is that it is all theatrics, the country isn't embroiled in some partisan split based on massive, inter-state issues, it's all a misnomer. The 84th Congress, where the democrats held a 1 seat advantage in the Senate and larger majority in the House, passed major, bi-partisan legislation, including projects initiated by a Republican president. The country was gripped in cold war hysteria and the desegregation of public schools. Deeply divisive issues were gripping the country that were threatening alterations to the American way of life. The President asked for the equivalent of more than 200 BILLION dollars for an infrastructure project, and the congress also happened to pass America's first air pollution law.

This, on the other hand, is an utterly broken political system lurching towards collapse and reform.

[photon]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

So if I understand this correctly, there are enough Republicans that would vote for a clean spending bill to have it pass, but speaker Boehner refuses to call a vote, essentially meaning he's the sole person responsible for keeping this shutdown going. How can a single person have this much power, especially one that voters don't elect directly? One guy is basically holding the government hostage until he gets his way, which is childish and extremely dangerous

Why couldn't the rules be changed to let the minority leader call a vote? That would seem to be the easiest way to avoid crap like this

He's following the Hasert Rule (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hastert_Rule) which has been around for a while I guess.

Boehner has gone against the rule 4 times already...

[MrMastodonFarm]

http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2013/...pital-airshow/

The federal shutdown is grounding the Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbird pilots from performing, but that didn’t stop the California Capital Airshow from continuing with the Canadian Snowbirds.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Red Ice Player

Oh...they are that dumb. But the more stupid they get, the more they suit their demographic, who will be repeating this story as fact forever.

I prefer to think of them as liars.

[photon]

Now he wants spending concessions to raise the debt ceiling.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/06/politi...html?hpt=hp_c2

[To Be Quite Honest]

NSFW!

Apt description of the current political negotiations down south.

NSFW!

[MarchHare]

[troutman]

I support a crackdown on the Dodgers.

#BeatLA

[Cuz]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Because the system isn't designed to give direct control to the people anyway.

That architecture has just been boiled down and reduced away to the obstructionism and gerrymandering you see as the norm now.

The thing of it is that it is all theatrics, the country isn't embroiled in some partisan split based on massive, inter-state issues, it's all a misnomer. The 84th Congress, where the democrats held a 1 seat advantage in the Senate and larger majority in the House, passed major, bi-partisan legislation, including projects initiated by a Republican president. The country was gripped in cold war hysteria and the desegregation of public schools. Deeply divisive issues were gripping the country that were threatening alterations to the American way of life. The President asked for the equivalent of more than 200 BILLION dollars for an infrastructure project, and the congress also happened to pass America's first air pollution law.

This, on the other hand, is an utterly broken political system lurching towards collapse and reform.

I wonder if the situation has reached the point where, as Locke described, it is a citizens duty to overthrow a corrupt government?

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Cuz

I wonder if the situation has reached the point where, as Locke described, it is a citizens duty to overthrow a corrupt government?

Can't remember Locke's post but yeah an argument can be made to overthrow their corrupt government, but the trouble is the one's wanting to overthrow it are the unknowing lackeys of the ones causing the corruption.

When I listen to these Republicans, I can't help getting angry as they claim, up is down and black is white and they keep repeating it as if it's fact.


The latest word seems to be brinkmanship. They are playing this game as if it's the cold war all over again but now they are playing it against themselves. It's kind of sad and could be scary seeing them tear themselves apart.

[Cuz]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Can't remember Locke's post but yeah an argument can be made to overthrow their corrupt government, but the trouble is the one's wanting to overthrow it are the unknowing lackeys of the ones causing the corruption.

When I listen to these Republicans, I can't help getting angry as they claim, up is down and black is white and they keep repeating it as if it's fact.


The latest word seems to be brinkmanship. They are playing this game as if it's the cold war all over again but now they are playing it against themselves. It's kind of sad and could be scary seeing them tear themselves apart.

I am actually referring to John Locke, the famous political philosopher.

The somewhat ironic part, if an overthrow were to occur, is the US constitution was inspired heavily by Locke's writings.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Cuz

I am actually referring to John Locke, the famous political philosopher.

The somewhat ironic part, if an overthrow were to occur, is the US constitution was inspired heavily by Locke's writings.

oops didn't know that but I thought the US constitution was mainly inspired by the 6 Nations Confederacy and I still believe in what I said.

[Cuz]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

oops didn't know that but I thought the US constitution was mainly inspired by the 6 Nations Confederacy and I still believe in what I said.

No worries, my poli sci degree often leads me to the incorrect assumption that everyone knows the major political philosophers like I do

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Cuz

No worries, my poli sci degree often leads me to the incorrect assumption that everyone knows the major political philosophers like I do

Well since we also have a poster named Locke who contributes to this thread, you could have made yourself clearer by giving his first name so I'd know who you are referring to as I do know who John Locke is.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Well since we also have a poster named Locke who contributes to this thread, you could have made yourself clearer by giving his first name so I'd know who you are referring to as I do know who John Locke is.

John Locke was killed by Ben and then they put him in a coffin and flew in a plane which crashed on the island.

Obviously.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Rathji

John Locke was killed by Ben and then they put him in a coffin and flew in a plane which crashed on the island.

Obviously.

Had to look that up, never got into Lost.

[killer_carlson]

Because i only check into this issue every few days, im not totally up to speed. i understand the republicans have driven themselves off a political cliff. Too many egos on both sides.

Has anyone come up with a sensible plan how the US is actually going to pay down their debt? Or even a timeline to get out of the half billion dollar deficit?

[Cuz]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Well since we also have a poster named Locke who contributes to this thread, you could have made yourself clearer by giving his first name so I'd know who you are referring to as I do know who John Locke is.

You are 100% correct, I should have been clearer, my bad on that part.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

Because i only check into this issue every few days, im not totally up to speed. i understand the republicans have driven themselves off a political cliff. Too many egos on both sides.

Has anyone come up with a sensible plan how the US is actually going to pay down their debt? Or even a timeline to get out of the half billion dollar deficit?

Well the deficit appears to have been cut in half since Obama took office. I imagine the debt has to wait until a full economic recovery increases the tax base.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...ficit-in-half/

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

Because i only check into this issue every few days, im not totally up to speed. i understand the republicans have driven themselves off a political cliff. Too many egos on both sides.

Has anyone come up with a sensible plan how the US is actually going to pay down their debt? Or even a timeline to get out of the half billion dollar deficit?

I think the Republican plan is to cut all social programs and then everyone will be forced to live life like an Ayn Rand novel and eventually own railroads and shipping companies. No more debt and everyone is winning.