Rep. Kenny Marchant (R) Calls For Widening The Government Shutdown, Shuttering The FDA And EPA

[TomCADem]

Source: Think Progress

One of the primary points of contention in the stalemated government funding fight is the GOP’s unwavering insistence on including riders on unrelated social and environmental issues in the legislation, including a ban on federal funding for Planned Parenthood, a prohibition on Washington DC using its own non-federal funds for abortion, and provisions limiting the power of the Environmental Protection Agency. These types of riders are precisely what forced a government shutdown in 1995.

If a shutdown comes to fruition now, ramifications will be felt throughout society. The effects include a 0.2 percent drop in economic growth each week the shutdown continued, furloughing 800,000 workers, and forcing troops to fight without pay. Still, numerous Republicans, such as Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), have argued that a government shutdown wouldn’t “hurt one bit.”

During yesterday’s Tea Party rally at the Capitol, ThinkProgress spoke with one Texas congressman who wants to widen the scope of the shutdown in order to exemplify the conservative argument that society could do without certain federal agencies. Rep. Kenny Marchant (R-TX) argued in favor of shuttering both the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency during a government shutdown because “both of those things could be closed and life would go on.”

Read more: http://thinkprogress.org/2011/04/07/kenny-marchant-government-shutdown-epa-fda/

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As their constituents suffer, you can picture Republicans chanting, "Burn, Baby Burn!"

[Proud Liberal Dem]

1. But..........but.......but

It's NOT Republicans whom want a shutdown.

Yeah right, I don't believe them either. :eyes:

[Bound by Honor]

2. Here's a simple solution for the budget problem.

Shutting down Fatherland Security and Department of Defense, preferably permanently.

Create a Department of Peace and use it as a concept. No more war hawks EVER.

Those a-holes belong in prison.

[Angry Dragon]

3. The ones clamouring for security and war

are never the ones in the front lines nor having to put up with invasion of civil rights

[classysassy]

7. Did you say peace?

If there is peace through out the world,how can the war profiteers make a dishonest living? All warmongers and war profiteers should be exposed and sent to jail without dinner.

[ixion]

13. Welcome to DU!

nice idea. I'd support it. :toast:

[Tx4obama]

4. This is proof that the Republicans only want to shut it down, and not find a solution. n/t

[aquart]

5. And then we're the United States of Somalia.

[AlbertCat]

6. They can shut down the dept that writes your paycheck too...

.... since you don't want to do your job.

[kestrel91316]

8. Yeah, let's shut down the USDA, too. With FDA and USDA out of commission,

slaughterhouses, meat packing houses, and food processing facilities won't have to suffer any damned inspection by those meddlesome food safety folk.

Yee haw!!!!!!

[plumbob]

9. FFS, this asshole is from the part of Texas that subsidized a billion

dollar plus stadium for a losing football team, and he has the nerve to complain about any other government spending?

Really?

[tanyev]

15. But, but, football stadiums create jobs!

Just think how much money you could make by selling beer and hot dogs. On an occasional basis. At minimum wage.

[plumbob]

16. And don't forget sweeping up after!

At minimum wage. For a few hours a week.

[jmowreader]

17. And only a few months a year!

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

10. Eliminate salaries for congressional aides and appointees

Charge for the free parking congressmen get, as well as use of a government issued cars. Eliminate the privilege for use of government aircraft. Eliminate congress's access to cheap health insurance and let them pay for it the way we do -- if they can get it. Close the senators's dining room, or charge the going rate for meals. Eliminate per diem. Same for the House. Close the fitness center or charge commercial fees. Have them pay for body guards. Charge for each free American flag they give to a constituent. Close the Capitol from 6 pm to 7 am weekdays and the entire weekends. Charge for photocopies.

I'm sure there are other savings that can be found. Remember, reducing the deficit trumps all.

[freshwest]

11. Oh no, no cuts for them. As the old saying goes: 'The shortage will be divided among the peasants.'

[Tyrs WolfDaemon]

12. Someone ought to publicly offer the Repugs ...

a Fiddle with Nero printed on a name tag.

[Ian David]

14. Let's shut-down the SEC and make it impossible for anyone to buy or sell securities. n/t

[jmowreader]

18. They'd WANT to shut down the SEC...

but as far as not allowing the securities trade--forget it. The free hand of the market will keep securities traders from doing anything immoral.