Let's get real here... the GOP wants a shutdown for one reason only

[scheming daemons]

... to damage the economy.

- The unemployment rate has gone down over a point in the past few months.

- Weekly jobless claims are well under 400,000 now, with 450,000 being the "break even" number. The jobless rate is going to continue going down.

- The economy is growing at a steady 2-3% rate at the moment.


All of these things are on a trajectory that points to the re-election of Barack Obama.


But a government shutdown, especially if it is prolonged, puts nearly 800,000 people out of work directly... and another several millions out of work indirectly when those 800,000 stop spending.


This action by the GOP.... this fighting over 0.3% of the federal budget (yes, there is agreement on 99.7% of the budget) is all about putting government workers out of work to slam the fragile, but steady, economic recovery we're experiencing.



They are making the gamble that in the short term, people will blame the GOP for the shutdown... but in the longer term, they'll blame Obama when the economy takes a major hit because of the shutdown.


The shutdown is the opposite of a stimulus. And it has the opposite effect.


Boehner and the 'baggers are counting on it.

[joeunderdog]

1. They love Obama.

He's done nothing to get in their way.

[Skittles]

4. true but

they still want him out in 2012

[Skittles]

2. I would agree with your assessment

certainly repukes have never given any indication they do anything for the good of America

[leftstreet]

3. The economy is already pretty "damaged" for millions of people

If things are improving for Wall Street bankers, no one really gives a shit

[scheming daemons]

6. It is starting to improve for everyone now...

...and the GOP knows it.

We've had several months in a row of good employment numbers.... people ARE getting jobs again... and spending money again.



The GOP wants to snuff the recovery out in the crib.


That's what the shutdown is about.

[flamingdem]

13. +100000 They know Obama is on track for a landslide if things keep on track

[eridani]

18. It is "improving" to the same ongoing disaster that our 2 previous

--jobless recoveries got us. Why is it that comfortable people persist in thinking that a business cycle upturm will get us out of this? It won't.

[gateley]

5. I think the reason is to blame it on the Dems, although they seem to be a little

unsure now that would be the result.

[phantom power]

7. Even more to the point, they simply hate government.

Their entire M.O. has evolved into throwing monkey wrenches into government programs, and then turning around and saying "look! govt doesn't work!"

I'm sure a govt shutdown is like a wet dream for them. "Look! Govt doesn't work! It's shut down!"

[randr]

8. You are right on!

Any success by the Obama administration is to be denied at all costs. Their leader, Rush, laid it all out: "I hope Obama fails".

[truebrit71]

9. Bingo!

The Guardian had an article to that same effect a few days ago I believe...

They are doing this to hurt Obama in 2012, plain and simple..

[blondeatlast]

10. That's the biggest factor, but there's many more, too. nt

[Redford]

11. The Tea Party has them all by the short hair

Time to fight back

[upi402]

12. Mr Boner, where my jobs at?

They want to run gov't so they can break it. eom

[kysrsoze]

17. Boner doesn't care at all. He also wants to do the shutdown. None of them care about implications

They all get paid anyway.

[upi402]

19. They must get OT and bonuses for snuffing America

The asshats are using the troops again, and implying Dems are un-American ---all over again.

[Life Long Liberal]

14. You are 100% correct! No doubt about it. n/t

[w4rma]

15. I suggest that after the GOP shutdown Dems, very vocally, vote for bills to repair any problems

caused by the shutdown. Focus lots on the GOP's lemming-like suicide pact for America.

[CountAllVotes]

16. the real reason

These people are a bunch of racist SOBs IMO. It really is that simple. They are too stupid to have another "real" agenda. :puke:

:dem: