In the Fascist Republic of Fitzwalkerstan, Fuhrer Walker used the budget as an excuse to gut workers’ rights. On a national lever, it’s the same. It’s not about the budget. Most people don’t realize that the Democratic starting point for the current budget was not zero cuts. It was Obama’s original budget for this year, a $40 billion increase to cover increased costs and more stimulus spending. We have no budget now only because Republicans in the Senate kept filibustering that budget. So a equal compromise between Obama’s increase and Boehner’s initial position $30 billion in cuts is a modest $5 billion increase. Republican claims that Democrats refuse to compromise ring hollow when the latest offer that Republicans have refused is $33 billion in cuts, $3 billion MORE than the Republican starting point. That is not compromise. That is cave-in! But it’s not about the budget. Fust like Fuhrer Walker national Republicans are using budget negotiations as a front to try to impose their dreaded social programs, part of which are defunding Planned Parenthood and forbidding the EPA from protecting the environment from criminal corporations.
The federal budget stalemate that stands to trigger a government shutdown shifted Thursday from a debate over spending cuts to a fight over the thorny policy issues of abortion and environmental regulation that have divided Democrats and Republicans for years.
Facing a deadline of midnight Friday, negotiators worked day and night in an effort to strike a compromise as the policy demands loomed as a major new obstacle.
For a third straight day, President Obama called House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to meetings at the White House. Afterward, Obama set a hard deadline for reaching an agreement, saying he wanted a deal from the congressional leadership overnight.
"I expect an answer in the morning," Obama said, emerging from a late session at the White House. "My hope is that I’ll be able to announce to the American people, sometime relatively early in the day, that a shutdown has been averted."
Underscoring the stakes involved, Obama canceled plans to visit Indiana on Friday so he could remain in Washington and oversee the talks.
If the two sides near an agreement, another short-term measure could be instituted to allow the deal to be adopted.
Meanwhile, the government continued preparations to halt government operations. In Baghdad, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told troops that they may not receive their next paychecks because of the shutdown.
For weeks, Republicans have insisted on reductions in federal spending. Conservative House members also have pushed for Republican policy priorities only indirectly related to the spending debate.
"This debate used to be about saving money," Reid said earlier in the day. "That is no longer the case. The ‘tea party’ is trying to push through its extreme social agenda — issues that have nothing to do with funding the government."
Inserted from <LA Times>
Rachel Maddow and Rep. Chris Van Hollen discuss Republican desire for a shut down and attempts to shift blame.
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The Democrats are at a disadvantage, because rank and file Republicans, deluded by party propaganda, want their party to shut the country down.
Ed Schultz covers Obama’s statement, and discusses Republican duplicity with Rep Jan Schakowsky and Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Republicans refuse to take YES for an answer, because they are not negotiating in good faith. Obama and the Democrats need to grow a pair and say NO to Republican terror tactics.
16 Responses to “Republican Shutdown Not About the Budget”
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TICK TICK TICK TICK TICK TICK TICK boom!
If it closes up sho it closes up shop we all know nutless tried to give them everything they asked for but even he has a limit, even if it is way right of center.
39 is too much.
Republicans, spoiled and self-centered little brats that they are, NEVER negotiate in good faith. All they offer is my way or the highway. THEY WILL PAY FOR THEIR PIGHEADEDNESS!!!
Jack they have overreached.
Blame game – NBC/WSJ poll:
“A plurality of 37 percent say they would blame congressional Republicans if the current budget disagreement leads to a shutdown of the federal government, while 20 percent say they would blame President Obama and another 20 percent would blame congressional Democrats.
Seventeen percent say they would blame everyone. . .”
I’m in the “everyone” corner with a very strong leaning toward the GOP. The Republicans aren’t anymore interested in cutting spending than I am of running around naked in the rain in downtown Nashville.
I’d say 95% Republicans.
Well, the republicans are giving Obama more fuel for his re-election bid in 2012! All Obama has to do is tell the truth about the budget, right?
What’s scary to me is how this is being spun on MSM and RW websites. NOTHING is the poor Repubs fault……it’s all that black guy’s and the union-loving Dems. Just like finding all those votes suddenly in WI for Prosser. (It was an honest mistake, don’t you know?)
I thought by now people would open their eyes….but I guess I expect too much of ordinary people. The Repub spin machine is doing a GREAT job. 😥
//troops that they may not receive their next paychecks because of the shutdown.//
I wish they could walk off the ‘job’ and strike. oops…. no union. God Bless the GOP… they love to piss on everyone…. and call it trickle down responsibility
With Republicans, I’d rather call it trickle down piss.
Tom, I know that you disagree, but I have said it before and I say it again: the only good Republican is a dead Republican. They have become America’s Nazi Party.
I still disagree. I have no problems with Republicans, as long as none are in office.
What can I say but: Amen!
Thanks Benji!
Too bad a government shutdown will not turn off the flow of money to the politicians.
If it did, I’d be chanting “Shut it down!”