Robert Reich: The Quiet Closing of Washington

[marmar]

The Quiet Closing of Washington
Saturday, June 8, 2013


Conservative Republicans in our nation’s capital have managed to accomplish something they only dreamed of when Tea Partiers streamed into Congress at the start of 2011: They’ve basically shut Congress down. Their refusal to compromise is working just as they hoped: No jobs agenda. No budget. No grand bargain on the deficit. No background checks on guns. Nothing on climate change. No tax reform. No hike in the minimum wage. Nothing so far on immigration reform.

It’s as if an entire branch of the federal government — the branch that’s supposed to deal directly with the nation’s problems, not just execute the law or interpret the law but make the law — has gone out of business, leaving behind only a so-called “sequester” that’s cutting deeper and deeper into education, infrastructure, programs for the nation’s poor, and national defense.

The window of opportunity for the President to get anything done is closing rapidly. Even in less partisan times, new initiatives rarely occur after the first year of a second term, when a president inexorably slides toward lame duck status.

But the nation’s work doesn’t stop even if Washington does. By default, more and more of it is shifting to the states, which are far less gridlocked than Washington. Last November’s elections resulted in one-party control of both the legislatures and governor’s offices in all but 13 states — the most single-party dominance in decades. ...............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://robertreich.org/post/52488978442

[handmade34]

1. excellent

A great nation requires a great, or at least functional, national government. The Tea Partiers and other government-haters who have caused Washington to all but close because they refuse to compromise are threatening all that we aspire to be together.

[Demeter]

2. It has always been so with the GOP during my lifetime

Just because they have a wacky new name doesn't mean they have a new game plan.

And they have the full collaboration of the White House on turning to Fascism and the Corporate Big Brother State.

[cantbeserious]

3. Republicans - Do Nothing Patriots

eom

[Moostache]

5. Please don't call them "patriots" even in jest...

In my opinion. they are traitors and a seditious bunch of sociopaths. The foul names I could call them do no justice to the depths of their depravity. There is a difference between a loyal opposition and an obstructionist band of turncoats. The GOP long ago abandoned the former for the latter and are now the single biggest reason the next 10 years are going to bring incalculable difficulties that could have been mitigated with ANY actions NOW.

I have their names seared into my memory and I have no intention of allowing them to serve out their terms and then slink into private life like Nazi soldiers burning their uniforms.

Boehner.
Cantor.
McConnell.
King.
Bachmann.
Foxx.
Gohmert.
And many others, as well as sad to say, Reid.

Harry Reid's lack of forceful action to end the abuse of the filibuster is shameful and must be a part of whatever legacy he leaves. The House would be 100% accountable for this building disaster and lack of leadership if Harry Reid had acted to end the abuse of the Senate by a 45 member minority. He has been a massive disappointment even though he is preferable to the Sharon Angles of the world.

[xchrom]

4. du rec.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

6. Robert Reich is finally getting it. He is often from the Blame Obama First crowd, but I see he gets

it! Finally!!

[NYtoBush-Drop Dead]

7. Throw the bums out!

If they refuse to do their job - LANZA them... Keep your panties on DU, I already know I;m mean and inappropriate.

[asjr]

8. My wish is that Pres. Obama turn mean enough to really

beat the traitorous Republicans at their game.

[spanone]

9. treason

[BumRushDaShow]

10. Why did it take him 4 years to finally get it?

In his mind, there was only 1 branch of government - the Executive, and the head of that branch was the dictator Sir Barack Obama, and Congress either didn't exist, or was irrelevant as long as the "dictator" stomped his feet, and pounded the podium enough times.

[Laelth]

11. k&r for the truth, however depressing it may be. n/t

-Laelth