GOP Rep: ‘It’s About Time’ We Had Another Government Shut Down

[octoberlib]

Appearing on CBS’ Face the Nation this morning, Rep. Matt Salmon (R-AZ) enthusiastically called for a government shut down:
SALMON: I was here during the government shutdown in 1995. It was a divided government. we had a Democrat [sic] President of the United States. We had a Republican Congress. And I believe that that government shutdown actually gave us the impetus, as we went forward, to push toward some real serious compromise. I think it drove Bill Clinton in a different direction, a very bipartisan direction. In fact, we passed welfare reform for the first time ever, and we cut the welfare ranks in the last decade and a half by over 50%. These are good things. We also balanced the budget for the first time in 40 years in 1997, 1998, 1999. And when I left we had an over $230 billion surplus. This was with a Democrat [sic] president, A Republican —
HOST: You think that’s a good idea?
SALMON: Yes, I do. I really do. I think it’s about time!
Salmon’s theory, that the government shutdown somehow led to balanced budgets during President Clinton’s second term, was floated by Newt Gingrich in 2011, and it was no more true then than it is now.
Gingrich claimed that the shutdown led to the misleadingly named Balanced Budget Act of 1997, but the law was so laden down with conservative pet projects that it actually increased the budget deficit. In reality, the principal policy driver of the Clinton era surpluses was something that every single Republican in Congress voted against — the Clinton tax hikes on the rich. These surpluses, of course, were wiped out almost immediately after President George W. Bush took office, thanks to Bush’s tax cuts that largely benefited the very wealthy.

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/01/06/1403541/gop-rep-its-about-time-we-had-another-government-shut-down/

[CurtEastPoint]

1. Look whom he lies with...

In April 2011, Salmon announced he would seek his old congressional seat, which was now numbered as the 5th District. His successor in Congress, Jeff Flake, was giving up the seat to run for the United States Senate.[21] He has been endorsed by the Club for Growth,[22] Governor Jan Brewer,[23] Senator John Thune, [24] Congressman David Schweikert, [25] Congressman Trent Franks, [26] and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.

[lpbk2713]

2. It's good to see he was endorsed by Jeb Bush.

THAT's a kiss of death if there ever was one.

[zbdent]

3. Rush ironically made the case against Republican-led congress ...

When the Repugs shut it down under Clinton, Rush pointed out that the economy did better when "congress did nothing".

He forgot to tell the people that keeping a REPUBLICAN congress from doing anything was good for the economy. When the Dems are in charge and the Rethugs shut it down ... then the economy stagnated and sputtered.

Notice, the dow had recovered nearly all its loss before November 2010, and gas prices were in the low $2.xx's. And then, the Repugs took "back" the House ... and the upward trend of the dow became a flatline, and gas never saw the other side of $3 for more than a couple of days.

[thecrow]

4. They hardly work a full year as it is;

maybe they should not get paid for days not worked.
And if the government shuts down, they all have to be re-elected, reinstated, and start their health care all over again.

If my workplace shuts down, that's what would happen to me... except the re-election would probably be easier, like a vote by the majority of partners to have me work again.

I would lose my health care and then be subject to a "waiting period" wherein I wouldn't be insured. 3-6 months is common... Let them have to deal what the rest of us already deal with.

It's no wonder why so many run for office... the perks are amazing. Especially the contributions by lobbyists, which is basically bribes to vote a certain way.

Why should they be paid for 365 days when they only work maybe 30% of that time?
And get all their benefits? Ptooie. No wonder they're eo eager.

[SharonAnn]

5. Yes, that worked out so well for the Republicans last time.

[newfie11]

6. That's what I was thinking nt

[librechik]

7. doesn't something have to be up and running before you shut it down?

It's all just a wicked game to these millionaire Reps. He sounds like he's planning a picnic!

Public financing of elections and repeal of Citizen's United is what we need. Then jerks like Salmon would actually have to work--or not be in Congress at all.