Yesterday Republicans put three items on the House floor that might have created exceptions in the Republican Shutdown for Washington DC, the VA, and the National Parks Service. These are areas over which Republicans have received a lot of complaint for their hateful blackmail, so they hoped that they could take some heat off themselves by creating the appearance of wanting to pass these exceptions. At the same time they are blaming Democrats for blocking them, but that’s a lie too.
The latest proposal from House Republicans to reopen only certain parts of government failed Tuesday night as Democrats insisted they would not pick winners and losers among federal services, and the White House threatened a veto.
The latest Republican plan was to keep open national parks, veterans services and the District of Columbia, an approach modeled on recommendations by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who has led the GOP’s strategy in the standoff that resulted in the first shutdown of the federal government in 17 years.
“If the Democrats are really concerned about funding the VA, let’s fund it,” said Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.), as House Republicans emerged from an afternoon strategy session.
But three bills failed in the face of Democratic opposition. House Republicans used a procedure that required a two-thirds vote, hoping that would pressure Democrats to vote for them, knowing the bills would fail without their support. All three, however, were rejected largely on party-line votes… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <LA Times>
As heartless as this may appear, Democrats were absolutely correct to vote against these measures. Why? Because we’re all in this together, except the bastards causing it.
Republicans proposed that Democrats agree that the people of Washington DC are more important that the people suffering in hundreds of cities and towns all over America, because that’s politically convenient for Republicans. They are not. That’s just a divide and conquer strategy.
Republicans proposed that Democrats agree that Veterans’ care, as much as they deserve it, is more important than care for the people who may die, since the funding for their care has been cut off, because that’s politically convenient for Republicans. It is not. That’s just a divide and conquer strategy.
Republicans proposed that Democrats agree that allowing people to go to National Parks, watch Panda Cam, etc. is more important than EPA cleaning up toxic waste sites, because that’s politically convenient for Republicans. It is not. That’s just a divide and conquer strategy.
Moreover, the article missed the boat in one way. Republicans weren’t trying to get Democrats to support these measures. They had been informed that would not happen. Republicans did not want to pass the measures. If they had, all they had to do is bring them to the floor using normal procedures. Instead they chose a procedure that requires a 2/3 supermajority, knowing in advance that the measures would fail. I’m guessing their next ploy will be to actually pass refunding for some small project with strong emotional appeal and send it to the Senate, where Democrats must say No and hold out for the millions od Americans that desperately need a clean CR.
This was all kabuki: a divide and conquer scam.
21 Responses to “The GOP Divide and Conquer Scam”
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"House Republicans used a procedure that required a two-thirds vote, hoping that would pressure Democrats to vote for them, knowing the bills would fail without their support."
Now the Republicanus/Teabaggers are likely to "advertise" that the Democrats refused to vote for the funding. What the sheeple won't realise is that the vote could have been a simple majority vote in the House, but that Republicanus/Teabaggers 'rigged' the vote for a 2/3 supermajority. To paraphrase Sir Walter Scott, "What a tangled web of lies they weave, when first they practice to deceive the people."
The Republicanus/Teabaggers will see it as a win/win because had the bills had passed with or without the supermajority, the Senate Democrats would likely have voted them down. Either way, it appears like the Democrats are obstructing, and the Republicanus/Teabaggers will make hay with that as long as they can.
Republicanus/Teabaggers don't give a rat's ass about Washington, DC. They are only interested in not being inconvenienced themselves. They don't give a rat's ass about veterans because they are yesterday's cannon fodder, and likewise, they don't care about the millions of non veteran elderly and sick because they just take up resources that could go to their 1% benefactors and corporate welfare.
Divide and conquer, indeed! Another case of projection, having accused Mr Obama on many occasions in the past of dividing the country.
You are soo right.
That't was exactly my point, except that the arealdy are claiming 'Democrats won't fund _______.'
In addition, my projection that they would actually pass a measure funding a small group with high emotional appeal was correct.
Serious question – did the GOP/TP want to pay the National Guard too – or is that my dyslexia again? I wondered about that when I read that people are planning peaceful marches and peaceful demonstrations in October and on Nov 5 – we know how 'over excited' the powers of law and order can be when faced with peaceful people – pepper spraying people standing still and so on…. it made me wonder – and I thought of Kent State…
Military pay is already exempt. Support services for them are nogt.
Thanks TC! Sorry I have been out of touch for a few days – my router perished and so I had to get a new one ….. sigh – but at least I'm back now!
YVW, Pat. Losing a router stinks! Glad you're back!
Dear Mr. Boehner –
You can end your Teahadist Rethuglican Shutdown right now – just ALLOW A VOTE ON THE CLEAN CR THAT THE SENATE HAS REPEATEDLY SENT TO YOU!
Harry Reid said the same thing on CNN tonight. I was so amazed that he stood up!
Maybe the Nevada leg Hound went out and bought a pair of Obamaballs. 😉
He sure needs them
Amen to that!!
That's just what I'm saying as well!
All or nothing at all. Repugs think they can take the pressure off by funding certain items – think again, guys.
That's the best strategy.
I was concerned about my first day of work in fear that the VA Hospital would not be open… I was wrong and was informed that the VA money is fully funded until 2014… In addition, I work without compensation as a (WOC-PST) so money was not the issue as far as I was concerned… These Republican/Tea-Bags lie and they can not conquer when you have the facts on your side… 🙂
I have NO idea what a "WOC-PST" is (and apparently you baffled Google with it in MULTIPLE combinations and permutations) – but I'm glad it worked out for you.
Sorry my bad… Without Compensation Employee – Peer Support Technician
Where the VA problem will arise is that, in a few weeks, there will be nothing for their monthly benefit checks.
I was actually impressed by Harry Reid tonight. He gave an interview to Dana Bash on CNN and told her that Boehner could end this if he had the courage to call a vote in the HOuse.. Harry did not back down when Dana asked if he were calling Boehner a wimp, Boehner and the rest of the Republicans are terrified of the Tea Party.
See my reply to you above. 🙂