Republican efforts to sabotage the economy have been largely successful, making the 112th the least productive Congress in US history. Those efforts reached their apex a year ago when Republicans blackmailed America, and caused a drop in the US credit rating. The downside of that episode it that it caused many Americans to recognize for the first time that Republicans are selling-out America for political gain. Because Republicans fear reminding the voting public of that fact immediately before a national election, they may try to kick the can down the road, just beyond the election.
Top congressional Republicans are plotting ways to avoid a government shutdown fight when the fiscal year ends Sept. 30, believing the partisan brinkmanship that defined last year’s budget battles would be devastating to their party heading into the November elections.
In early September, House Republican leaders want to pass a three-month temporary funding measure that sticks to last year’s debt-limit agreement, according to aides involved with the planning. But that could spark a fight with some House and Senate conservatives who yearn for the lower funding numbers in Rep. Paul Ryan’s budget.
“I think somebody does need to stand up and bring it all to a screeching halt,” said Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.). “I’m not talking about shutting down the government but having a real debate over spending cuts.”
But while higher spending levels might irk conservatives who are itching for a funding fight, it’s aimed at comforting Republicans in both chambers who see political peril in drawing attention away from the economy with a battle that could shut down the government. They’d like for the fight to end quietly this year in the hopes a Republican sweep in November would allow them to freely rewrite spending bills in early 2013… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <Politico>
Picture Credit: Imagination Soup
Lets look at the possibilities here, if Republicans get their way and kick the can. If the Republicans win the House and Senate, it will work to their advantage, because it will have helped them win by disguising their true nature. If Democrats win the House and Senate, it will work to Republican advantage, because it will give Republicans a last chance to sabotage the economy in the lame duck session.
Therefore, I think that, if Democrats allow a temporary extension at all, which I seriously question, they should hold out for an extension that at least takes us past the lame duck session and into the 113th Congress.
The thing to remember about Republican negotiation strategy is this. It’s always based on Heads I win, Tails you lose.
10 Responses to “Will Republicans Play Kick the Can?”
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The thing to remember about Republican negotiation strategy is this. It’s always based on Heads I win, Tails you lose.
No need to add one thing!
Thanks, Phyllis.
I agree with Phyllis. This has been their strategy for the last 12 years.
Except for when they are blackmailing.
"Top congressional Republicans are plotting ways to avoid a government shutdown fight when the fiscal year ends Sept. 30, believing the partisan brinkmanship that defined last year’s budget battles would be devastating to their party heading into the November elections."
Partisan brinkmanship would be devastating for their party — DEVASTATING FOR THEIR PARTY! What the hell ever happened to being good for the people who these legislators are supposed to represent?
"And clearly there's agitation in the conservative ranks over how Boehner and his lieutenants have handled majority spending decisions."
Are there chinks in the Republican/Teabagger armour? It is quite apparent that the factions within the GOP are starting to raise their ugly little heads. Not once in the article did I see any concern for the people. They are still trying to distract voters by calling out the Senate Democrats for failure to pass any meaningful legislation, when anything put forward gets filibustered by the GOP thereby requiring a super majority vote which is unwinable.
All this political bull shit is NOT governance. It is time to dump the Tea Party in the harbour and start having discussions that are about the people, not the politicans and their re-electability.
Republicans care for party first, super rich second, corporate criminals third, and that's all.
Of course they will! That's what a "do nothing" congress does best.
Good point.
The thing to remember about Republican negotiation strategy is this. It’s always based on Heads I win, Tails you lose.
The Republican Mantra 💡
Indeed!