Moving closer to a train wreck: Republicans ignorant of consequences of shutting down government

[ProSense]

INCHING EVER CLOSER TO A SHUTDOWN....

The current funding for the federal government will expire on March 4, leaving three possible outcomes over the next 15 days: (1) Congress and the White House agree to a spending bill for the rest of the fiscal year; (2) they agree to a temporary spending measure while negotiations continue; or (3) the government shuts down.

<...>

In related news, Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) said the other day that a shutdown wouldn't be too big a deal: "The government is not going to shut down, it's not going to stop. People aren't going to lose their Social Security checks and they're not going to lose their access to Medicare and Medicaid."

The problem with this, of course, is that Mike Kelly has no idea what he's talking about. When the government shuts down, Social Security checks are not mailed, and Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements do not happen.

It raises an important point: Republicans aren't just moving closer to a train wreck, they're doing so based on little more than their own ignorance, making threats without a grown-up understanding of the consequences. This is what happens when confused, unprepared children are elected to run a legislative body.

[annabanana]

1. This is what happens when you hire the childish and petulant. . n/t

[BobbyBoring]

21. So true!

The state of the republican party is a joke. The newly elected know nothings, elected by know nothings have absolutely no clue how things actually work. They're too busy enjoying their new status and proving that in America, anyone can make it to the top. The sad thing is, they still have the support of the yo yos that voted for them.

Even the losers are still praised. The DE tea party types are still ga ga over Christine O Donnell who is simply not qualified to hold office. While i agree that many of the "Establishment" rethugs aren't fit for office, there are certain qualifications for holding office. One of them is at least some grasp on how government works and none of these people get it.

I just hope we learned our lesson~

[jaxx]

2. This is so true....

"This is what happens when confused, unprepared children are elected to run a legislative body."

The pubs have a bunch of mad hatters in office demanding things they know nothing about. They will cut anything with a dollar sign, never mind who it hurts. But when it hurts the people in their areas and they have to face the music, it will be too late.

This is why staying home, or voting for a 3rd party isn't an option. You get what you didn't vote for!!

[Bake]

3. They should ask Newt Gingrich how that worked out last time.

Not too well (for the GOPers) as I recall.

Bake

[roguevalley]

4. this is going to happen and god help everyone affected but its going

to show this country there are consequences to elections. You KNOW they will go on TV and talk about how too bad it is that people are suffering but MONEY MATTERS MORE. Let them hang themselves.

[Bake]

6. They cause one missed Social Security check ...

and the GOP can kiss their sorry asses goodbye. And the teabaggers right along with them.

If not, then God help this country.

Bake

[sad sally]

13. If I recall correctly, the first Gingrich shutdown, furloughed all non-essential

employees from Nov. 14-19, 1995. He and President Clinton agreed on a continuing resolution for a month, but Gingrich got his feelings hurt when he didn't get a good seat on Air Force One, and shut down the government a second time from December 16-January 6, 1996. All employees ended up getting paid; cost the government over $400 million to pay employees not to work. The GOP looked very bad...

[james0tucson]

5. So shut it down.

If you have a federal job that is actually *important*, meaning people will die if you don't do your job, and you won't do it because you might get paid late, well, you're a traitor.

Other than that, who gives a crap? Shut down the federal government. Notice that society will continue with it shut down. Leave it off.

Drop that federal budget to Zero, cut everything, to Zero. Require a specific Act of Congress for every penny of federal money that is to be spent.

[jaxx]

7. Who gives a crap?

How about the people who live on SS and SSI to start with. How about those who are sick and disabled? How about the neighbor who has kids to feed?

Rather callous to think the budget will drop to zero and society will continue.

The pubs think they can run the country on no money...pretty damned stupid of them.

[geek tragedy]

9. I think you're on the wrong forum. This isnot Teapartyunderground. nt

[thucythucy]

11. Just curious

but do you include supplies to the military among those presumably important items that workers and contractors ought to supply for free once federal money is cut off? For instance, rations don't get delivered to troops in the field (or on bases in the US, for that matter) by magic. The federal government purchases the food, and pays (generally private contractors) to move it where needed. From the looks of your post, you expect merchants to supply rations, and contractors to move them where needed, for nothing? And for how long, exactly? A week? A month? Six months? Or are you willing to see troops in the field go without rations? And for how long, exactly, while the GOP in Congress diddles and postures?

"Require a specific Act of Congress for every penny of federal money to be spent." That already happens. It's called "the budget."

[Raine1967]

12. My Mother, Father and Grandmother give a crap.

they rely on Social Security.

Therefore, I give a crap.

[cliffordu]

14. Lulz

[JoePhilly]

17. Cut all federal spending in states with 2 GOP Senators or a GOP Govoner.

But keep the rest running.

Problem solved.

[CreekDog]

19. sorry buddy, you got the wrong website

:hi:

[CreekDog]

20. I know feds who tried to work during the last shutdown and they weren't allowed into the building

your tea party version of the shutdown and the federal government is helpful however --at revealing your total ignorance on the subject you're spouting off about.

[sofa king]

8. One of the consequences is an angry black man running the government. Alone.

I think I'd like to see that.

[Bluenorthwest]

10. So all that bi-partisan wanking got us nothing.

All the times Obama went on about what great ideas the Republicans have, how they were honest brokers needed at our table, this is what it lead to?
Do you think they are honest brokers, Pro?

[dionysus]

18. yes, it's yet again all that evil, evil obama's fault.

:cry::cry:

[high density]

15. Republicans ran up a huge tab with wars and tax cuts

and now they blame the budget problems on Social Security, Medicare, and a lot of other programs that people need and like that have nothing to do with our deficits.

I will never understand why a rather large slice of the population keeps voting for people in a political party that doesn't want any government but a huge war machine. If you don't want government then you shouldn't be running it.

[lunatica]

16. The train wreck is in progress as we speak

It's past the time of no return. We're careening out of control into the future right now. There probably isn't a single thing anyone can do to reverse course now. Records are being broken all over the country on unemployment, under-employment, jobs being outsourced, homelessness, you name it.

[opihimoimoi]

22. The current pol system has holes in them FILTERS to prevent amateurism

We never let amateurs in 747s to pilot

Nor do we let Army Generals be Generals without merit....

Cept for Hitler...Private in WW1...but WW2 ...he was the "Leader" of all them Nazi Generals


only 65 million dead and many urban cities lost....much energy lost which we will never get back...