A One Word Answer to Shutdowns: STUPIDITY
As demographics move against Republicans, they have become more and more desperate to cling to power by changing rules, moving the goal posts, and just outright cheating. Beginning around 2002, lead by Tom DeLay, they raised gerrymandering to an art form, making it almost impossible for Dems to win in thousands of state and federal districts around the country. Voter suppression with dog whistle “voter ID” bills around the country has kept untold numbers of perfectly qualified voters from voting. Every election, they come up with some fake crisis to drive their mouthbreathing base to the polls. In between, to keep everyone on edge, they’ve started using debt limit showdowns and now government shutdowns to get what they want. Let’s be clear – by threatening the nation’s credit and millions of federal workers, Republicans are hostage-taking, plain and simple. Trump, the trashy reality television star, is rashly using the latest shutdown as a bludgeon as this preferred alternative to actually legislating and governing. This winner take all mentality that has infected Republicans is tearing the country apart, making life miserable for millions, and costing the economy billions all over his 5th century solution to a 21st century problem. The Dems know that they simply can’t cave on this issue, because then Trump would use the tactic every single time he didn’t get what he wanted from the legislative branch. Republicans in the Senate are in lock step behind Trump, cynically wrecking the lives of millions of Americans while their dear leader plays games. It’s cruel. And stupid.
Enter Mark Warner, US Senator from Virginia. He’s called bullshit on the shutdown by introducing the Stop the STUPIDITY act, which stands for:
S-hutdowns
T-ransferring
U-nnecessary
P-ain
I-nflicting
D-amage
I-n
T-he (coming)
Y-ears
The bill is designed to take this particular hostage-taking tool away from Republicans. It’s common sense and simple. It provides for continued funding of the government at current levels if a new appropriation bill fails to pass, adjusted for inflation. It also ceases funding for the legislative and executive branches until a funding bill is passed. I like the idea of this bill a lot. Let’s inflict pain directly on those causing the problem, not innocent government workers and military who are serving their country. I know the chance of it passing this Senate is low, but when something terrible happens due to the shutdown, and it eventually will, there could be enough pressure on Repubs to grow spines and stand up on their hind legs.
To not pass a bill like this certainly is STUPID.
Haven’t seen the bill, but I would be surprised if Warner didn’t leave in an escape hatch for presidential use.
1At the risk of being labeled a conspiracy theorist, are we really sure this shutdown isn’t a Putin plan to destroy the American economy?
Even when some portion of 800,000 Fed workers return to work, there will be long term economic damage. I suspect for years.
2Sadly, the Goopers are all for stupidity, as they demonstrate daily.
But still, kudos for trying!
3Its this or the 2nd amendment. (you think?)
4Too much “collegiality” in the Senate, however Senator Warner’s legislation is a step toward ‘splaining to Old Scratch McConnell that matters are about to become real. From the day before President Obama was sworn into office to the current government shutdown, Mitch has perverted the rules of the Senate to impose his Koch/KKK/JBS agenda. With Speaker Pelosi replacing Lyin’ Ryan in the House, Mitch no longer has his toxic tool in the House to play his game. Added bonus of increasing numbers of women in the Senate is that Old Scratch is very much in danger of being exposed as the larcenous rule manipulator that he is. His position on a tree limb behind Dotard45 regarding bills to end this shutdown could and should cost him the Senate in 2020. How he navigates his way out of Donnie’s latest mess determines his fate.
5Jane & PKM–what is JBS?
6Good for Mark Warner!
Jo, more of a western “bug,” the John Birch Society (JBS) has some Koch roots in conservative crazy with the father of Charles and David Koch. Not quite a cousin to the Libertarians, but big on the ‘limited government’ ideology. As with most Cons, they trip all over themselves with no distinction between ‘limited government’ and government spending. Also another “the ends justify the means” group that tends toward corruption to achieve their aims. Another group of self-proclaimed deficit hawks who become quite dovish, if they think power is within their grasp.
7Micr: Kudlow suggests with confidence that the economy would bounce right back. I disagree – even after the back pay is restored (perhaps, I don’t trust Trump)…families will first of all settle their debts, and I PREDICT they will put the rest of it into savings. This would in some way be good for the economy, but many will have decided they really didn’t need that new car, bigger tv, clothing, meals out start a business. This would more directly affect the community, the merchant.
8From the beginning of this shutdown, I have said if he gets away with this to get his wall, the next shutdown will be when he can’t get funds for his ‘Space Force’.
9I tried to watch the tevee to see what the Jackass in chief had to bray but couldn’t bring myself to in invite him in to my house in any form. Better to use the time to make a food bank donation
10WaPo has a story I highly recommend.
11“Around the Globe, Trump’s style is Inspiring Imitators and stirring dark impulses.”
It’s about how dictators all over the world are using the Weaselheaded f**knuggett as an excuse to move away from democracy.
@Micr 2: I also immediately tagged this on Putin. The answer to the question “Who Benefits from This Situation” = Vladimir Putin and his Russia. He has been deconstructing our country, stick by stick, long-distance from his desk in Russia. As Steve Bannon told CPAC and the country back on Feb. 23, 2017, the reason they’d come to DC was “to deconstruct the administrative state”.
By putting people who don’t even understand the concept of public service in charge of governmental agencies, these agency heads have gotten rid of many needed regulations and have neutered policies that benefited ordinary citizens. Trump has accomplished much towards achieving Putin’s aims and agenda.
If one views Tя☭mp’s handling of his administration as a magician’s trick, all the deflection, his ridiculous tweets, his speeches at his rallies, his constant snaring of media headlines and teevee panels focused on his latest “news” topic, one sees the concept of watch-what-this-hand is doing and pay no attention to what the other hand behind his back is doing.
Think about it. It’s kinda like a puppet show, with Putin as the puppeteer, taking apart our government. Brilliant and cheap strategic way to cut his enemy down.
Needless to say, I’m worried half to death because there is no Zoro to ride in and save us, no hero who jumps in and puts this a$$hole of a criminal behind bars, along with his entire crime family and cohorts like Mitch McTurtle and all those Senate Rethugs conjoined at the hip with Dastardly Don. I’m sure there are many powerful people who would love to DO something to fix the current situation, but feel they are powerless to accomplish anything by themselves.
My mind is wandering again — remember when Ivana Trump called him “The Donald”. Could that have been a humorous take-off on the title Don in the Mafias? That’s another constant link in Dastardly Don’s life – Mafias, both American and Russian Mafias.
12Nailed it!!!
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