This afternoon, Obama is calling for a meeting with Congress in order to discuss, and hopefully resolve, the government shutdown, and told CNBC that he feels "absolutely exasperated, because [the shutdown] is entirely unnecessary". The government closed due to the Republican House and the Democratic Senate's failure to compromise on debates over funding and budget bills before the beginning of the new fiscal year; this CNN article further explains the major summaries of the shutdown itself. In the meeting, Obama plans to ask the House to pass a new spending plan without restrictions on the Affordable Care Act and increase the debt ceiling, although it seems likely that GOP leaders are willing to persist against these proposals. White House spokesman Jay Carney stated that Obama does not plan to grant concessions to the Republicans, but rather just focus on reopening the government. We have yet to see what will come after this meeting, but alas, we shall wait.
What do you think of the government shutdown? Do you think that compromise can be made quickly, or will this draw out a little longer than expected?
5 comments:
Even though I'm with Obama on reopening the government, I don't think he'd be thinking logically if he tried to do so without letting Republicans at least partially get their way. The GOP's goal of delaying or completely stripping Obamacare isn't realistic, but the medical device tax is a point that I can see the two sides compromising on. Republicans hate it and not all democrats are for it, so I think there's a good chance that the two sides can come together here and pass a budget at some point, who knows when..
It's a bit frustrating that the Republicans would rather shut down the entire government than compromise. The Affordable Care Act may be a very controversial issue, however, I don't measures such as shutting down the government is necessary. I think in the end the Republicans will be condemned for their action, or their image will be tarnished. Although, I do believe that they may get something out of this act, as Quinn said. It'll be interesting to see what happens after the whole fiasco is over.
I believe that the shut down is a bunch of shenanigans. Being in Congress they should know that they will not be able to get everything that they want. They are supposed to be able to work things out to make a better country. Not compromising to the point the government is shut down is ridiculous.
I agree with Quinn in affirming that there is no way Democrats are going to compromise on a delay or otherwise mangling of Obamacare. And I do think it is in both sides' best interests to reopen the government, for this shutdown isn't only hurting the American economy but also our image around the world. However, it seems to me that both sides are content to let the destruction play out, as long as they can direct more of the blame to the other side. The longer this shutdown drags on, the higher the stakes get, and the greater the damage done to the party that does receive more of the blame in the end. However, there is a fair percentage of the public who believes both sides are at fault, and dragging on the shutdown is doing absolutely nothing to restore Americans' faith in the government.
I would like to point out though that the medical device tax, as onerous as it may seem, is actually supposed to help fund Obamacare, so repealing it would, perhaps somewhat ironically for Republicans, be shifting more of the cost to the federal government. Of course, eliminating taxes is also a Republican stance, so in this case it's a pick-your-poison situation.
Let's hope that these buffoons in the Capitol can reopen the government before they have to start bickering again over the debt ceiling.
Shutting down the government seems to me to be a childish response. Some leaders of our nation are battling it out and holding the government hostage until they get what they want.
The irony of the situation, as I'm sure is not lost on any of us, is that Obamacare, the very system that the some GOP extremists were aiming to put a stop to, is still in effect and carrying on as planned despite the shutdown. I'd maybe feel just a tiny bit embarrassed if I were them. And so although I understand their positions, and the position they're in right now, I still feel that more than enough time and patience have been spent and given to Congress, and it's time for them to return to their responsibilities by reopening the government. Continuing the shutdown is, as Obama said, completely unnecessary. Obamacare IS happening, and honestly, I don't see how the Republicans can do anything about it now. The democrats and the president has already made it pretty darn clear to the opposition that no concessions will be made on the matter of Obamacare. And unfortunately, Boehner and the Republicans are still insisting that the democrats must negotiate if they want to reopen the government. Somebody's gotta give, and the sooner the better.
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