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© 2011 Eric Odom - Movement Politics
During the past two months some of the most flamboyant tea party organizations have called all hands on deck to push Republicans into a “Government Shutdown.” While the effort is valiant, I personally question the underlying motive and overall strategy.
Before you get upset at me and head straight for the “reply” button, ask yourself a simple question.
“What’s the objective?”
I see three possible scenarios as a result of the question.
1) You believe a shutdown of government will cut spending and save money
2) You want to score political points and position for 2012 and beyond
3) You just want to make a statement and prove the nation can survive a shutdown
Let’s take a look at the facts as I see them.
1) You believe a shutdown of government will cut spending and save money
I hate to have to break it to you, but this is nonsense. A Government Shutdown, in the form currently upon us, doesn’t really save us anything.
The non-essential workers will be asked to turn in their government IDs, blackberries and stay home until the funding is approved. They also won’t be getting paid, at least not during the shut down. However, the minute the government is back on the job, the ‘non-essentials’ will return to work and also receive retroactive pay.
Yes, you read that right. In a perfect example of the screaming inefficiency of our government, the people sent home and told not to work, will be getting paid for not working. So, who is really getting hurt by the shutdown? NOBODY! The non-essentials will be given paid days off, and we the taxpayers will foot the bill.
In fact, most Congressional staffers are paid the first of every month. This means they’ve already been paid on April 1st, and if the government fires back up by the last day of April they’ll get paid again the first of next month. (Congress needs to authorize retro-active pay, which as I’m told would likely be the case)
I’m in no way suggesting this is right. I would argue that virtually all non-essential government jobs should be cut anyway.
But that isn’t the case under the current type of shutdown. The current type of shutdown is simply (in many cases) paid time off while finances are debated (should Congress authorize retro-active pay).
2) You want to score political points and position for 2012 and beyond
Well, the problem is that our political opponents are looking at it this way. (I take that back… another problem with this is that much of our military will go the mailbox and not see paychecks.)
Democrats are the best spin machine in the nation. If they don’t have a way to properly spin this against us now, they will by the time people go to the polls.
All of this looks pretty bad on Obama and Harry Reid right now, but I’m not convinced we should be playing chicken with something like this at a time of such financial crises for unemployed Americans nationwide.
3) You just want to make a statement and prove the nation can survive a shutdown
Fine. But don’t do it at the expense of our military and don’t do it if you have no plan to actually eliminate these positions/departments.
Because unless you can actually do something about it… your effort is pointless.
THE REPUBLICAN CONTINUING RESOLUTION BILL
Look, when it comes to demanding trillions in cuts, not just billions, I’m right there in the thick of the fight. But right now that isn’t possible. There literally is no coherent method through which this can be achieved.
Harry Reid and Barack Obama are LIVID about $12 billion in cuts and defunding of Planned Parenthood. Why on earth would you think they’ll let anything bigger pass through?
BUT, Republicans just presented a bill that would cut $12 billion in a week, defund Planned Parenthood and remove our military from the political fight over the budget. Why are we as a movement not supporting this???
SOLUTION
It’s simple. Demand continuing cuts through this process. Push the GOP to continue dismantling programs through these CR’s and raise hell in the direction of Democrats for every word they utter against cutting spending.
This is ALL we can do until we knock these liberals out of the Senate and White House. So we may as well get very good at it and make sure America knows who wants to fix the problem and who doesn’t.
My two… for what it’s worth.
-Eric Odom
P.S. This temporary budget bill has backed Obama into a nasty corner. Again… why are we not supporting this???
P.S.S. Also remember that a shutdown occurred in the 90′s under almost the same type of government layout. How well did that work out in reducing the size of government? We need to win Senate and defeat Obama. That’s the bottom line.
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I agree with most of your points, but am haunted by the quote from the movie Galaxy Quest, “Never give up. Never surrender. “
I agree with all you stated Eric. I think Boehner made a great move here. Backed those moon bats into a corner.
I agree w/ you Eric. IF we get the riders in with the extension then it would be foolish to let it shut down and take the flak for being at fault whether we are or are not. I would even accept a small cut in the 12B if we got it with the riders attached.
I’m with you. We are not the majority party and unfortunatley we can just do so much.
I am against a government shut down – I think the Democrats will definitely turn this on us. Depriving military personnel of a paycheck is not going to be popular. I joined the Tea Party because I wanted our government to be fiscally conservative. I am sure i am going to be attacked here, but I am not interested in the social issues. I think abortion is a private matter and should not be decided by the government. I really don’t understand why we are against funding abortions – we pay $300 now, or we pay for this unwanted child from cradle to grave with welfare. I know it is a moral issue and a hot topic for everyone, but economically it makes sense NOT to bring unwanted children into this world. If this is the only issue that is keeping the Republicans from making a deal, I believe they are making a big mistake. Our ultimate goal is to win the Senate , House and WH in 2012 – this stunt could derail that effort, in my opinion.
I fail to see how you can call yourself a fiscal conservative yet advocate for the use of taxpayer dollars to fund a leftist organization that provides abortions.
That’s not a social issue. That’s an issue of sheer lunacy and complete misunderstanding of the founding principles of our nation.
I’m glad that responded to that. I’m not interested in funding anyone’s abortion OR child. We need to put an end to funding both.
The Tea Party is about fiscal conservatism and personal accountability.
I agree with fedup57. Look at who has the highest abortion rate. Imagine the wildfire imbalance that would occur if funded abortion for the “supressed and less fortunate” was cut off. Perhaps abortion isn’t such a bad thing after all.
Thank you Doug, that was the point I was trying to make. It’s simple math – pay for birth control now or pay for medical, food, housing and education for life. I know that abortion is reprehensible to everyone on this blog, but our country can’t keep paying for more and more people to be added to the welfare system.
So what you are saying is essentially “The poor have no right to exist. We should kill them before they are born.”
No Ross, I am not saying to kill them. Of course , abortion should be the last option. But Planned Parenthood does provide birth control, and yes, I think it is best not to bring unwanted children in to the world when you cannot provide for them financially or emotionally. The price of birth control is much cheaper than paying for these children after they are born. Federal funds are not used to pay for abortions – the Republicans just don’t want to give any funds to an abortion provider. PP provides many preventative services to women besides abortions.
our health…and all that it encompasses should not be political….the government needs to stay out of my and everyone’s health…it’s not their job.
And it isn’t JUST about abortions! PP has numerous programs in our schools designed to “keep ‘em coming!” In curriculums all across the land, they advocate for our children to do anything sexually that feels good and doesn’t hurt someone else. And when you turn up pregnant, well just skip the parents and come on down for that abortion. PP is just a scourage on the land, and putting one thin dime of anyone’s money toward such reprehensible activity without explicit consent and under such dire financial circumstances as we now face is nothing short of a travesty!
The Government is way to BLOATED! We have all witnessed foolishness in the way the Gov. Employees are paid for everything! Even in a Shutdown they get PAID! Everyone wonders why we’re broke!!! Trump For President! Get someone who knows Money!
This country needs to be shut down! Our government was created to do two things…..print and issue money…which they do not do…they gave that to the federal reserve..they print the money, then charge us to use it, nice huh? Second, they are to “protect” the country militarily….I think anyone that has looked at the mexican border situation, knows they sure as hell are not doing that…..so if they are not doing their basic mandate…..SHUT’ EM DOWN! imho
the federal government is just too big….they collect taxes recklessly and they spend recklessly. personally, I think they should cut 5% of everything, every year….with no favorites and no threats…salaries and benefits and everything…but they always have to play power games.
I am totally frustrated with the blame game and one upsmanship going on in DC. While I am for the shut down in principal, I agree that at the end of the day, with all the protections employees get such as retroactive pay, it will save nothing. And the only people to really pay either way will be the American people. We need to stand behind those fiscally responsible and sound ideas promoted by people like Rand Paul and others. The real target or goal is to have common sense restored to our government and to realize you cannot accomplish this with some pain. Very few treatments that can cure are painless. We need to become fiscally sound stewards and run the government like we run our households or small businesses. I never deny the fact that I voted for Ross Perot twice because he was one of the few voices of common sense I heard in the chaos known as government. We would need to protect those currently on or approaching services previoiusly thought untouchable (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid) and restructure these entitlements so that down the road people adjust and relearn their roles in them. Much like our parents and grandparents had to learn how these systems would affect them when they first came to be. And finally can the American people finally wake up and realize that more important than the separation of church and state is the insane separation of government and the people. The disconnect will lead (and is leading) us as a country to disaster.
both parties in congress…and the union thug in chief…and the media revel in the blame game. it’s gives them more power and more money. we need a fairtax.org to take away the money and the power to social engineer via the tax code and we need to vote out every incumbent, every election, every time to take away their power until we see fiscally responsibility, constitutionally limited government and free markets! we don’t have to be victims here…unless, of course, it’s easier and more lucrative!
Sorry, Eric, but I disagree. As I see it, there are at least 4 objectives — not 3. The 4th objective is, in a word, war. The Republicans have tried to be reasonable and civil but what have they gotten for their efforts? The liberals have thumbed their noses and all but DEMANDED a shutdown. I don’t *want* a shutdown, sir, but I think it’s high time to take a stand. As for your 3 objectives … For me, your objective #1 was invalid from the get go since I figured funding/pay would be restored once a settlement was reached. I would expect no less from the Corruptocrats. And, #2 is almost insulting since I don’t give a rat’s patooty about political “points.” All I care about is saving this country. And, like most Tea Partiers (I think), I hate politics but I’m involved because it’s my responsibility as a citizen — no more; no less. Finally, #3 is — for me at least — totally inaccurate. Frankly, I’m not sure we can survive a shutdown. But, by the same token, I’m not sure we can survive this mess we’ve gotten ourselve into … period! Much as I dread it, I’m coming to believe that the country needs to fail so that those of us who care about what our founding fathers tried to establish can pick up the pieces and start over again with a fresh slate. I’m not so naive to believe that that’s something that can be easily accomplished and I’m not dumb enough to believe that it’ll be accomplished without bloodshed, quite possibly my own.
Very good comment and I’m with you in the tone. Especially the need to view this as war.
But what is the plan? What’s the strategy? Your comment assumes that a shutdown will solve the problem. My posts suggests I don’t believe this to be the case.
I’m fairly confident that if a shutdown occurs, it will be back up and running in a few weeks (or months?) and we’ll be right back where we are now.
I want to spend my time and energy on something that I believe will have significant impact. If you can show me a clear path to that via a shutdown… I’m with you!
Like you, I believe this is a war. But unlike you, I don’t yet see the fruit that would come from this shutdown.
Know what I mean?
The plan has to include — as Reagan did — taking the message to the American people. And that is what conservatives are really bad at — explaining our message to those who are not already part of the choir.
The fact that obama voted thrice to let abortion survivors die is at the very root of this, and why you hear cheering on the floor to keep the riders. They are VERY important, because MOST Americans do NOT want their tax dollars buying abortions for ANYone. That’s the reason I started the Tea Party in my town, right after obama did the Mexico city deal making my tax dollars buy INTERNATIONAL abortions, as well. How our dollars are spent are very important to this Tea Party lobbiest, as well as fiscal issues, and I am so proud that our guys are actually listening to us for once and at last!
abortion should not be a government issue. it’s none of their business…it’s between a woman and her doctor…only!!!!
Hey Fedup57, Really who cares if Repubs take back everything ??? Remember we had W. and Rep. Senate and Congress for years and Spending was out of Control. We do not need Government to live and Breath !!! Most of us are self sufficient and I don’t need Gov. to be a free man! I am so tired of looking at Career Politicians on TV and saying how hard it is to Get things done. Then they constantly say we need jobs and more funding !! Good grief ! People sound like a bunch of whiners and “worry” about a shutdown ! OOOOHHHH Scary!!
I’m not sure I see where someone here says they’re “worried” about a shutdown.
And I agree with you on the GOP vs Dem frustration.
The difference is the Dems in there now, along with Obama, our acting downright malicious towards the nation.
That is absolutely true. They seem to be actively, knowingly, and willingly destroying this nation. With Obama, it’s ideology. With the others, I’m not certain if they are just lemmings or if they are as diabolically opposed to our nation as the President is.
Yeah, the Republicans were so bad that the deficit was 161 Billion the last year they were in control of spending and the deficit today is an estimated 1.6 Trillion, ten times worse.
well, Bush did nothing to improve the economy….he didn’t veto any spending…in fact, he asked Obama to go forward with the stimulus. both parties in Washington are the problem…not the solution.
In general I agree with you, but my understanding is that the military would be paid. If not, that is a very big issue. Some money would be saved in that contractors would not receive any back pay when the shutdown ended, but that is a relatively small amount of savings. I have been arguing for a long time that the Republicans, although trying to do the right thing here, simply do not have the votes in the Senate to be successful nor could they override a veto. Expectations from the Tea Party and others are too high given the political reality. The best they can do currently is make the cuts they can get passed and hope for better numbers after 2012. In the interim, fight as hard as possible to get Rep. Paul Ryan’s budget passed, but that may also be impossible until we have more conservatives in Washington, including the White House.
btw- how many of the voters (or even non-voters) out there know that Congress STILL GETS PAID when the government shuts down??? Funny how they get paid, they are exempt from Obamacare (and get the BEST healthcare in the country) and retire with fantastic pensions (anybody still get one of those anymore?) And yet these are the folks sent to Washington to vote on and get thngs done. I may be against abortion, but I would have paid to have some of them aborted from mother’s womb!
When you make these points I feel a little better about the compromises involved, I just hope we don’t make anywhere near the same amount of compromise on the just proposed budget authored by Rep. Paul Ryan.
RFM
I have to disagree with you. The President, Democrats and the People need to wake up to the fact that the Republicans will no longer be played by the President or the Democrats. This is just a political game that has been played by every President and every Congress. For the most part always by the Democrats. They had no, and have no intention of making the real cuts that need to be made. They have no interest in having a balanced budget. Its time we force their hand on all issues, and got this country and our economy back on track.
I don’t really want a shutdown, and it may not be the right answer. But I do think it is time that the Republicans grew a backbone, stood their ground on this and all issues they are supposed to be doing the peoples business, and we all know it. They have not done the peoples business for years.
The Democrats, Cry Wolf over and over, and the Republicans fall for it. Their spins turn to much, and they cave to the demands of the out of control Democrats. And we end up with more and more unwanted, and worthless laws, programs, regulations, or whatever. It favors nobody but the Democratic Party, and its supporters.
Don’t you think it is time that our Government started working for the People, and stop working for themselves, and their supporters.
The Constitution, is the only thing in this Country that I stand up for. If we have anything close to a Sacred Documents in this Country it is the Constitution. The Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights contained therein.
It is very sad when somebody from e Czech Republic makes a statement like the one below, and I am I am sure many other Americans find so true.
“The danger to America is not Barack Obama but a citizenry capable of entrusting a man like him with the Presidency…Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince. The Republic can survive a Barack Obama, who is, after all, merely a fool. It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools such as those who made him their president.”
published in the Czech Republic newspaper Prager Zeitung
Maybe it should be read on the floor of Congress. But I have run off track of the subject. But somehow it all fits, and with lots of truth.
If we shut down the Government so be it. If it can honestly be prevented. With a logical compromise, and not just because the Republicans cave because of the President or the Democratic Senate. I do comment the Republicans for trying to get a budget for last year. Which that Democrats failed at all levels to do. They we two busy taunting Obama Care, Buy outs, Pay offs, Take overs, unwanted and unfair treaties with Russia. or sucking up to the Muslims, or just not doing anything except spend the taxpayers money. We as a Free people need to pay for the operation of the Federal, State and Local governments. We don’t need to pay for Illegal Aliens, Drug or Oil Cartels, or kowtow to Dictators.
I don’t care if the President, Harry Reid or any other Democrat is livid over cutting Planned Parenthood. That and many other Social Engineering projects need to be de-funded. That is the problem with all governments withing this country. They do way more than they need to do, and spend far more that they should. Its not their personal piggy bank, but they think our taxes are. This is not a Socialist Country, lets stop trying to run it as such.
The liberal-socialist-humanist-communist cult called ‘democrats’ are visciously blocking any MEANINGFUL cuts in spending. They are exceedingly arrogant in their position, and they plan to WIN. Forcing a shutdown places them in a corner whereby they will have to relent. Also, B.O. will veto anything the libs consider unsdesireable. The shut-down will ‘put the ball in their court’. That’s called “strategy”. The obvious problem is that their cohorts in the ‘media’ will blame the Republicans for the shut-down.It’s a tedious issue, but forcing the libs into a corner is the only way to break their lock on the ‘system’.
By the way, the military will NOT shut down-either way.
Okay, where are we getting our info? I had heard on Fox the last time we were facing a shutdown that the military would NOT be affected by the shutdown. But Eric, you keep saying the military won’t be paid. As long as our Warriors are taken care of, I say shut it down. A whole bunch of folks put up time, money they couldn’t really spare, and most precious of all, faith in a new set of leaders this past election that were supposed to really change things. If they keep compromising, we’re back to where we were before the elections. Let the firebrand freshmen and fired up veteran Republicans keep putting the cuts on the table and let the Dems, the real demons in this game, be the ones who keep saying no. Let the country see the new “party of ‘no’”, and let them see who is truly FOR cutting the gargantuan government debt beast, and who isn’t.
Here”s how I feel, Shut the gov. down, when they all leave padlock the doors and don’t let the greedy, power hungry useless good for nothings back in. Have an election and put all independants in there with no agenda accept to turn this country around. I know, wishful thinking. My grandchildren have no future with this gov. we have now. God help us all.
If the vote is to protect re-election, then you continue to be a HUGE part of the problem Vote for what is right, respond to question based on what is right, then you will be in the right and do not have to look over your shoulder. Have integrity!
The key is to be principled, but not to principle ourselves to death (in this case, to debt). Democrats and their bizarre political agenda won’t ever go away. This is just one more step in a concerted effort to relentlessly apply pressure on the Dems. It’s why we need young and idealistic congress(wo)men. They need to be energized bulldogs and when one hurdle is handled, then pounce on Dems again. Dems are protecting a losing ideology (socialism/socialjustice vs FREEDOM) and will wear down enough for us to go to “pest control” mode. Our problem has been lack of vigilance in the past to oppose Dems when they invade a new area with stupidity and redistributional theft.
Please remember that liberal governance is an oxymoron. There’s plenty of liberal left to enjoy in life without subjecting ourselves to the “chaos known as liberal governance”!
Dear Eric,
Do not apologize for your opinions. We should support the Continuing Resolution for one week. It looks as if the president will veto it anyway. The Democratsa have been hoping for a shut down. Let us not give it to them.
Respectfully yours,
Paul Hammond
I loved it when Trump said, “Why doesn’t Iraq pay us back in Crude oil” for elimanating the Dictator and giving some form of Freedom? Like he said we’ve spent a TRILLION dollars there for them and then all of our Brave men and women who sacrificed THERE LIFES FOR THEIR FREEDOM! The LEAST IRAQ can do do is sell their oil to us at a discount! I am not saying TAKE IT, BUY IT at a low price. Like Trump says “Why is the U.S> allways footing the bill for helping these “RICH NATIONS ?
Dear Eric,
Dear Eric,
Do not apologize for your opinions. We should support the Continuing Resolution for one week. It looks as if the president will veto it anyway. The Democratsa have been hoping for a shut down. Let us not give it to them.
Respectfully yours,
Paul Hammond
As a Tea Party Member, Libertarian, and a Department of Defense Civil Servant (there area a few that call our selves that). I need to make a couple points.
1. There is no guarantee on retroactive pay for non-essentials. Congress has to pass an bill for that and given the current situation….not bloody likely. Only essential employees will get paid once a budget is passed. This would be anyone who was required to come in like military and such. I should point out that there is no word from Obama on what we are to do. As chief exec he should have been on this immediately. Sadly Clinton was. Months in advance he had a plan drawn up. Obama …nothing. So either he is going to cave at the last minute or he is really foolish.
Congress gets paid due to a lapse in the law that doesn’t tie them to the Fed Bud passing. Shenanigans. I don’t buy that Boxer tried to prevent this either. There had to be something unpalatable with that bill that had the GOP to stop it. No idea….any ways…
2. The unconscionable part for me is the fact that we are 3 wars deep. Don’t fool yourself on Libya. Its not like those naval ships and jets just go where ever they want. Sure sure everyone is thinking of their pay BUT think harder. HOw do supplies reach those locations? USG civilians man the ports, so do contractors, they drive the boats that move those supplies cross the oceans, and man the HUGE warehouses here in the states and abroad. They will go dark…I know. I just got done working on the plan for some of these. Supplies will stop. Sure they have some where they are needed but unless that shut down is a couple days and not weeks….there will be an issue. Not to mention if someone needs to be evaced for emergency surgery. Will all the rear echelon locations be up and running? Its not all manned by green suited soldiers.
In this climate shut down is bad. True there are places that could use but then you enter into talk about letting congress chop the budget up and pass some things over others when by the constitution they have to pass the whole thing. Perhaps this is one of those areas for update…no idea…
I agree with you Eric and of course, the Democrats are playing the old people and children cards, like they REALLY care about what happens to us. I’m a senior and I’m sick and tired of them telling everyone that they are for us, BS!! They are taxing my social security because my wife still works and combined, we make more that what’s allowed. Nevermind that I paid taxes already on that money years ago and they didn’t change the pretax dollars on SS until I was much older. Now they are killing Medicare, BUT they are taking care of us, yeah, right. You can thank Bill Clinton and Al Gore for that tax legislation on us seniors. If we don’t keep fighting them, we can kiss our country goodby.
I’m against the shutdown. It does not serve our long term goal. We must be patient and consistent. This is our Nation that we are talking about. A government shutdown is a childish temper tantrum. Perhaps some think our Reps should hide in Toronto so there won’t be a quorum like in Wisconsin. Anyone promising quick fixes or easy choices is foolish or lying.
I care about the big picture not this daily squabling. I don’t want to have to vote for Sharon Angle or Christine Odonnell in 2012. If we don’t have a quality candidate then don’t run anybody and let the Republicans run their RINO. It makes the movement look bad when there is not a bonifide all-around candidate running as a tea-party under Republican ticket. Focus on the next Rand Paul and Marco Rubio and not the daily media and scare tactics of the lefties. More importantly who is going to be our leader against the second term of Obama! I like Donald’s retoric lately but thought someone would come out of the fray by now that would really ignite the tea party/conservative/libertarian base….Let the current government shut down or compromise, as I don’t care. I am focused on continuing to speak about the issues locally in the hopes we take back each branch of government with true fiscally conservative leaders with libertarian social views. If that happens then this government shutdown conversation will be moot and meaningless and we can have our country back. If not then get prepared for a split of the United States b/c that is the next step. I don’t need bloodshed as the North can have their socialism and the south our free market libertarians.
Jason, unfortunately you have fallen into the trip. ALL conservative candidates fall under the savaging of the liberal establishment and media if they truly threaten the status quo. Christine O’Donnell and Sharon Angle are quality candidates. RINO’s are not. If you want to embarrass the party, allow a RINO to be the candidate. That destroys the message of what the GOP stands for, because RINO’s agree with Democrats or stand for nothing.
Candidates like Christine O’Donnell and Sharron Angle — both of whom took on the toughest fights in the country — had to suffer under the destruction of the Republican Party caused by RINO’s.
You need to stop believing the news media and recognize that what they are telling you is not for your benefit
cut 5% of government budgets every year….that will stop the squabbling.
It is sad to noe, but, what we see any more is a clearly defined separation of government from it’s (supposedly) people!
Government has insolated and isolated itself from all the crap it lades upon its’ own people… that is, the taxpayers. Obozo lades us with the ObozoCare Program but yet the government has exempted itself, and so have the unions too for that matter. WE are saddled with SSI, while the government has no such a poor program for themselves. We get laid off from work and go hungry (so-to-speak) but they are protected and insulated from any such inconveniences. Under Obozo and company it is now, “A people, of and for the existence of the government: government is now god.”
I think it won’t save money , but will show the Democrats that they really mean it. These cuts are so essential. Our country is going down the drain and it worries me. I’ve lived through Depression and WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and all the Gulf Wars and the current one. I truly feel that there is no true realization that the country is in a really bad place. People almost behave as thought they are watching a movie and it will have a good ending, but I can promise you it won’t. there are really bad times coming for us if we don’t get a handle on the spending and now.
Eric I agree with you, you are right on as usual. Keep doing what you do.
BTW, doesn’t this WIsconsin voter fraud issue deserve a spotlight? Voter fraud needs to be front and center when things calm down on budget. The guys who are willing to cheat will always have the advantage.
I was never for anything but a partial shut down, one where certain agencies or departments of the Federal government are no longer funded – a partial temporary shut down that somehow meanders into a permanent shut down of some agencies. The Federal Government needs to operate more like private industry. Federal employees need to be told, “We just do not have the funding for your job right now; we will call you back when we do.” Since we know the Federal Government will never get the money, they will never call back. But, if we are talking about the DOE, some of the DOE gets sold to private industry in the meantime, and the rest gets spun off to the DOD or shut down permanently.
Planned Parenthood is a small and valiant start on the path to fiscal and economic responsibility. Next, we need to go after the DOE, EPA, HUD, Homeland Security, and more. It is beginning to look more and more like the CIA is never going to stop embarrassing U.S. citizens. The CIA promotes continuing agitation and conflict in foreign countries. Maybe the CIA should be on the chopping block. I do not think letting the Department of Defense handle international problems could be any worse. U.S. citizens do not intend for their country to be the meanest bully on the block.
We need to chop off the offensive gangrenous tentacles before the infection kills the main body. Many citizens have decided that crippling the Federal Government is the best answer. A Federal government that is completely beached and cannot move forward is even better. Then the citizens will have some peace! The Federal Government is not what needs to be moving forward. What needs to be moving is business and industry. The Socialists always undermine business and industry, bringing those to a halt, which is our current problem.
The Tea Party needs to be careful. They are wonderful people, but sometimes seem a bit naive. Socialists may be behind some of the ideas, plans, and maneuvers Tea Partiers grab to promote. Tea Party members need to search out the sharp economic and fiscal conservatives with whom to research their ideas before they leap. Some band wagons are Trojan horses that are filled with nuclear fallout.
I’m simply opposed to the whole concept of the CR. I see your point on the shut down, but we should have shut down when the budget deadline passed.
OK, you’re opposed. What then would be your solution since the Senate and Obama will not agree to any meaningful budget?
i.e. Obama and Reid “might” agree to “maybe” $30 billion in cuts over the entire budget.
The CR currently proposed would knock out $12 billion in a week.
I left my reply. It was number 38 and now it isn’t there
I didn’t do anything to it so not sure what happened. Maybe try re-posting?
I was punchy. It was there. Number 38. Sorry. I apologize
Still Punchy. It is number 32.
Punchier its number 33. I’m going to take a nap and get myself together
YES, YES, YES! I can’t say it better than this:
“It’s simple. Demand continuing cuts through this process. Push the GOP to continue dismantling programs through these CR’s and raise hell in the direction of Democrats for every word they utter against cutting spending.
This is ALL we can do until we knock these liberals out of the Senate and White House. So we may as well get very good at it and make sure America knows who wants to fix the problem and who doesn’t.
My two… for what it’s worth.”
Mine too,
I’m in full agreement with you, Eric. I believe that both parties should stop playing political games and think about the reality of what is required of them. The government needs funding in order to operate, the country does not need frivolous programs and funding for entitlements that only put a band-aid on individuals promiscuity and irresponsibility. That would be like a parent feeding their child Twinkies and Ho Ho’s instead of proper foods for nourishment and Right now, I think there is too much conflict and pride in both parties that it is going to be impossible to come to an agreement on any government issue that is going to benefit this country. We have to pray and act.
If we can get a 12 billion cut with every 1 week CR then I’m for it. That’s 624 billion dollar cut in 52 weeks. Otherwise forget it. Shut it down.
AS I remember there were 2 or 3 shutdowns during the Clinton years….biggest prob. for the little guy gov’t worker was that when they finally got paid, naturally their checks were bigger and the IRS took out more taxes then they would have if they had gotten their regular paychecks on time. Kinda big slap in the face!!!
I completely agree with you Eric! My biggest fear has been that Republicans will shoot themselves in the foot and lose the whole deal because of in-fighting. I have not understood those who criticize the House because they are not cutting the budget by the whole amount NOW. Boehner knows it isn’t possible. I admire him for the work he is doing–there are dozens of “urgent” bills that need attention NOW. Why demand cuts that he knows will never pass the Senate in this Congress? I’ve been frustrated that we haven’t come together and supported him. And I so agree that the Dems would take this and twist it to their advantage…they always do. Why not take the cuts in increments? No one says that Boehner is satisfied with 60 billion or whatever the number is now. He will keep going! Especially if we support him!
Right on Eric!
YES, I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU. WE MUST KEEP OUR EYE ON THE REAL BALL WHICH IS GETTING OBAMA AND THE DEMOS OUT OF CONTROL IN 2012.
There is little similarity in the situations of 1994 and 2010. For starters we had a whole different set of personalities starting with the White House. There we had a very savvy politician, not a maladjusted ideologue.
The senate leadership had no Harry Reid or Chuck Schumer. These two are unfortunate mental midgets elected only because their respective constituencies operate with a fixed and predictable mind set.
As for the house, Olive Oyl could have done a better job for the American people than that done by the Queen of Hearts Nancy Pelosi. The woman is a wrecking ball in Botox.
Look, in 1994 we were not coming fresh from a financial collapse, a housing market collapse, a potential run-away inflation, Trillions in newly printed money, the monumental failure of a trillion dollar stimulus bill, the take over of the automotive industry by the government and the unions, I could go on and on. As frosting on the cake, there was a budget that the Congress had done as every congress in history had done up until this unholy match-up of Obama, Reid and Pelosi
If the Democrats understand what the Republicans a saying to them by the actions being taken right now there is some chance we may come out of this mess with the Ryan Budget, and some chance at bringing this runaway train to a halt.
The shutdown is a necessary thing if it gets their attention.
This is not about ideology as the Democrats and certain others would have We The People to believe.
nuff said.
Defunding of PP will not happen.
Obama is going to veto their effort to keep the Government running.
Reid revealed it all to day on the Senate floor when he said it’s about Party Ideology it has nothing to do with the well being of the American people. This is how we end up in this mess because of party Ideology . Both parties have Governed according to their agendas. Not our Constitution a Constitutional form of being Governed is a Government that is of the PEOPLE. by the PEOPLE, for the PEOPLE. NOT Party Ideology. The American always pay the price for the Ideology power struggle of the Parties.
It’s all about party power
If we cave now are we ever going to get the American people to believe us again? And if we cave now what will we do to make the changes that we need to do the cuts we need to do? It seems that every time we compromise we are left with egg on our faces. Is this what we want?
@Sandy
I suppose I should have been more clear. I don’t believe supporting the CR, with its $12 billion in cuts, defunding of planned parenthood and funding of the military is “caving.”
I should have been more clear in that I support BOTH methods. I just see one path as being far more effective short term. A shutdown is incredibly risky and I guarantee you it won’t last long.
The CR, however, has some serious teeth.
You make a lot of sense. But my guts tell me I’d love to see them shut down just to show the rest of us that we don’t need them.
If George Washington facing the greatest army and navy the world had ever seen thought like you we’d still be part of the UK.If something is not right..you stand up and say HELL NO ! ….and then you don’t sit down.We only control(to a partial degree) 1/3 of the government. The founders put together a government that was easily slowed and stopped.It’s the way it’s supposed to work.We are in a vehicle driven my a man who could care less as we approach our financial cliff. The time for covering your eyes because you think you can’t avert the coming catastrophe is over.
This is exactly what I’m talking about. Please, by all means, tell me precisely what your strategy is. A government shut down will likely only last a few weeks (if that) and then Republicans won’t get as good a deal as they would have in the currently proposed CR.
Furthermore, no one has explained to me why they consider support of the current CR “waving the white flag.”
I’m open to other strategy, but “SHUT IT DOWN NOW” doesn’t really provide for any solid long term solutions.
Just sayin…
It would be a Welcome site! “WE THE PEOPLE” not WE THE GOVERNMENT! Independance not Dependance!
You seem to be laboring under the misconception that Conservative Republicans want a government shutdown. They want spending cuts. If a shutdown becomes a byproduct, that’s the price of keeping a promise. $61 billion is merely a drop in the ocean but if they are ever to get Paul Ryan’s bucket full, they can’t be first to blink.
Remember the old saying about a journey of a thousand miles. Think of this as the single step. It’s the Democrats who seek a shutdown and who are misreading the American public. We are not living in the same economic climate as the 90s. It is THEY who are rejecting the House measure to fund the military through September and who still have provided no substantive budgetary alternative.
This is a street fight. Now is as good a time as any to take the gloves off!
I agree with Eric almost entirely as I usually do. What I didn’t hear is what does the congress do if Obama does not budge and we can’t get the 12 billion in cuts and defund the bunch of child killers working at planned parent hood. The name alone has to be the biggest oxymoron besides maybe the fairness act that I’ve ever heard. I think GOP has to stand their ground on the budget cuts their demanding or shut it down. I also believe the anointed one knows he can’t win this reelection without something to drastically shift things in his favor. Although I don’t think Obama is as certain as he’d like to be that this shutdown will break in his favor. Hes clearly nervous but what else does he have? Trying somethings better than nothing. Maybe when the Senate gets cleaned up like the house did he might start to hear the message but the fat lady is already singing in the background. God bless all that want to save this great country and maintain a world order led by the free world.
Eric, You have convinced me that the CR is good. IF it can keep its teeth. Besides we will be right back here next week with the same issues.
What happened to term limits so we don’t have quacks like Barbra Boxer and Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid in the senate. I named democrats but I don’t like any career politicians getting to powerful. Power corrupts like nothing else. Then the money follows. Most these 20 year politicians have increased their wealth by 20 times their income over their tenure. If they saved every dime they earned, got a decent return on investment they still couldn’t justify the wealth they acquire somehow as politicians. Like buying land then putting an earmark in for an exit off the highway to the land they just bought. Wow, what do you no, they just turned $100,000 into a couple million. Did you no that senate and house members and their entire staff are not subject to insider trading laws like the rest of us. Why? Same reason they get separate health care then we do. Their are way to many crooks and they take care of each other. If I did what Rangual did I’d be in federal prison. He faces no criminal charges, keeps his job but gets censored by the house are senate are some BS. For the people my ass!
My names Losie, not Lisie but when I change it as soon as I send a post it puts Lisie back up. Anyone no how to fix this, it’d be
Good Evening,
I support a government shutdown.
Keep in mind, the financial needs posed by military and other critical concerns will be met one way or another. Government “shutdown” merely means that some less critical services won’t be available for a short time. The nation will continue to be defended.
I see a good deal of merit in your concerns, Eric, but I feel you’ve omitted a critical fourth concern: Abortion.
We wouldn’t be having this problem if the President and the Senate weren’t determined to fund Planned Parenthood at all cost. As we all know–if we’re honest with ourselves–Planned Parenthood primarily functions to provide abortions. They’ve done so for most of 40 years.
Put simply, the nature of your remarks illuminates the rationale for why I have not joined the Tea Party movement, and probably will not. Generally, I support many of the ideas the Tea Party promotes and am thrilled with the feisty perspective. However, the Tea Party doesn’t seem willing to confront particular social issues, such as abortion, “safe sex”, or gay marriage, so I can’t promote the Party in good conscience. The Republicans are already too blase about these matters.
Even if you cast moral concerns aside, I don’t believe this country can sustain itself much longer if we don’t tackle these problems. No economy will run without people to make it run; we’ve already eliminated close to 1/3 of this most recent generation of people, if not more than that.
Even if we manage to fix the economy with tax breaks and limited government–two concepts I support completely–we won’t repair the country if we lack the people with which to repair it over the next 70 years.
Those people won’t be able to help if they’ve been aborted.
abortion should not even be a government issue! it’s between a doctor and a woman…period!
Cathy, I and others won’t tolerate this kind of nonsense. Sexuality has always been a matter between a man and a woman. It’s precisely because of the rabid feminism of many women that government must be involved, both to require women to be accountable to men, AND to require everyone to be accountable to the children they conceive.
Anything else is wholly unacceptable.
SHUT THE GOV”T DOWN!!!!!!
The cuts do NOT go deep enough. The cuts SHOULD be 10% accross the board MINIMUM!!!!
Non essential employees MUST be terminated immediately!!!!
Why do these self appointed royality have to be in Washington???
They should be in their respective states where their constituents can have
access to them. With today’s technology, there is email and “Go to meetings dot com” to allow them to communicate with each other.
Presently, Those public trough-slurpers are now away from home and conduct themselves like immature punks on a camping trip with no chaperons.
They could be allowed 4 visits to D.C. per year for a maximum of 2-3 weeks each time. NO other travel!!!
Less staff and much less contact with lobbiests!!
Think of the savings!!! ….BILLIONS!!!!!
If they REALLY had the taxpayer at heart, They should change all the present laws that allow them to be treated differently than any taxpayer.
The health care plan should force congress to be put on this plan for 10 years as an experiment BEFORE any of us be allowed to join this plan.
the federal government is just too big….they collect taxes recklessly and they spend recklessly. personally, I think they should cut 5% of everything, every year….with no favorites and no threats…salaries and benefits and everything…but both parties in congress always have to play power games.
I have no problem with the CR as long as the Republican’s are CUTTING that same percentage of the budget, and we don’t give up anything more ! That has been the problem for years, the Progressives have whined and cried and stomped their feet, and we just give in to their BS!!!! No MORE!
I think the true enemy of the people is showing up now with the Democratic Libs telling us that they would rather create suffering than fix the problem that they created in the first place. It is so easy to say, hey I was wrong now let’s fix it. However, if you are a psychopath Liberal, you just don’t care to fix anything and never will care about fixing any thing. They would rather create hate than admit the error of their way. I think they have succeeded, I have hate for them now when before I listened and waited for a solution only to be disappointed with lack of action.
Dick Morris made the suggestion that any shutdown be directed at specific programs with no popular support and I think the GOP has done a poor job of listening to his advice. Short term CRs that make progress are fine but they have been too small to make a real difference. A line in the sand must be drawn somewhere and either a government shutdown or the debt ceiling must be the leverage applied. The debt ceiling is rapidly approaching so take your pick and make a stand. The deficit is $1.65T and the Federal Reserve is buying 70% of the debt. This is like someone dumping over $1T in counterfeit bills into the economy. Inflation will rage out of control and we cannot kick the can down the road anymore.
You forgot a benefit. While they will likely get paid, those government workers won’t be interfering in our lives for a short period of time. Government incompetence has it’s perks.
I was military, it would have been devastating not to get a paycheck. Obama is choosing to do this as a way of forcing conservatives to back off. He’s putting a gun to the heads of the military families to control us. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be a PFC out on the front lines having to worry about whether my kids back home have enough food.
How do you call yourslf a “fiscal conservative”. The entire Tea Party movement is about wasting money on idealogically driven nonsense. A real fiscal conservastive would question why we are spending more money on our military than the entire rest of the world combined. A real fiscal conservative would ask why we spend twice as much on health care as other countries do and we get worse health outcomes. A real fiscal conservative would wonder how we are letting corporations and wealthy citizens maintain tax shelters that allow them to pay a smaller percentage of their income on taxes than a working person supporting a family. A real fiscal conservative would understand that the way to stimulate a failing economy is by short-term goverment spending on domestic projects. A real fiscal conservative would see that protecting our environment from pollution is a long term good investment – same with building basic infrastructure like bridges and trains. Please stop pretending that the Tea Party cares at all about responsible government finances. It’s just so obvious that what you really stand for is punishing people that don’t agree with your 1950′s world view.
I strongly believe that the Republicans should hold their ground on cutting spending. I would hope the reason they’re willing to risk a shutdown is that they’re trying to make a statement to that effect. BUT, aren’t there a lot of places where they could cut $300MM? I don’t think it is the $300MM that is really the issue here, but rather abortion. They knew the Democrats would give them a fight about this and that’s why they chose it. I am pro-choice and it really angers me that with all that has to be dealt with regarding the budget, why is it more important to push their abortion agenda? Enough with the abortion issue!!!!! They could have picked a different organization/area to cut and I believe it would have been less problematic.
In that respect, the Republicans are no better than the Democrats and it is that reason that I am strongly in favor of the Tea Party. But, PLEASE, LET’S NOT MAKE THIS ABOUT THE ABORTION ISSUE!!! If the Tea Party is going to take a stand on abortion, either way, then I’m withdrawing my membership.
I agree with you Cheryl – I joined the Tea Party because I thought it was about taxes and making government smaller. Sounds like the TP is now the Religious Right and is more about social issues. I made a similar comment to yours and was quickly berated by Mr. Odom – I am definitely withdrawing my membership to the Tea Party – it’s becoming something that I don’t want to be a part of.
I still don’t understand how you feel that FUNDING of abortion is not a FISCAL issue.
If the government spends money on a sandwich, it’s a fiscal issue. If the government spends money on ANYTHING, it is a fiscal issue.
Social would be “you can or can’t get married to a goat.” This scenario would become fiscal when the government pays for the wedding.
Know what I mean?
It becomes a fiscal issue because we have to SUPPORT these children after they are born with welfare, education and medical care. I guess I would use the phrase “stepping over a dollar to pick up a penny”. Yes, we do have to pay for birth control, but it saves the government money in the long run. And the government is NOT funding abortions, if a women goes to PP for an abortion – SHE has to pay for it , not the government. Yes, they provide abortions as well as birth control and many other services, but the government is not paying for the abortions. Just stating it over and over doesn’t make it true.
Yes, they are all fiscal issues and the conservatives and Republican leadershiop are too dense to make the point very, very public!
Abortion shouldn’t be an issue period. It’s never all right to kill a baby. Thought I’d point that out Cathy. Enough about Bush already, don’t we hear enough from Obama and the main stream media about Bush. My Dad almost died about ten days ago, thank the Lord he’s still with us. But if he would of It’d probably been Bush’s fault. That was old last year, this year let’s move forward. I have never wanted anything in my life as much as I want to see that compulsive liar, and baby killer defeated. Did we all no that Obama signed a bill that if an abortion fails and the baby falls out alive, it’s illegal to give that child aid. I’m sorry but that’s not a country I can be to proud of at this time in history. God will punish the evil baby killers when their time comes to explain why they assisted in millions of baby’s altimate death
I feel screwed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
None of the 3 points are correct. We are in a WAR and the Republican leadership has just told the progressives that we do not intend to WIN!
The party leadership has no, has zero backbone. The last time we under-stood WIN was when Reagan led the party and berfore that it was WWII.
Either we fight to win or we continue to mush about in the swamp while
this once great nation fails. My children and grandchildren and yours
will bear the burden.
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