|
There will be a lot available, far too much, in the coming days about the government shutdown and the potential for a disastrous default on America’s debts. There will be plenty to read and listen to, so The TerryReport doesn’t need to say much right now. Some main points to consider, however:
1. What was accomplished?
Basically, nothing. Aside from generating a mountain of publicity for Senator Ted Cruz of Texas (most of it bad) and a few other tea party inspired members of the House, there isn’t a lot of point to, unless you are making it up, imagining a victory, from the far right Republican perspective.
2. Obama stuck to his guns.
He said that there would be no negotiations in exchange for taking the government of the United States hostage. It is hard to call this a victory, but it is something.
3. The threat of “doing it all over again” in the coming months looks to be getting smaller by the moment.
The Republicans seem in serious danger of making themselves less popular than a two week old ham sandwich left out in the sun. There is no point, as others have pointed out, in threatening to push everyone off a cliff unless you are willing to actually do it.
4. Boehner gets to keep his job.
It appears to be the worst job in the western world, but for some reason he wants it. It was reported that he got a standing ovation from his Republican caucus in the House after announcing the surrender, so it looks like he’s safe for now.
Somehow, some way must be found around government by confrontation and threat. The first step is to remove the Hastert/Boehner rule that no vote can be taken on anything in the House unless a majority of Republicans support the legislation. There are serious cracks in that “rule” because Boehner violates every time he has to. Until he drops it entirely, the Congress can’t do very much at all, because there is NO WAY AVAILABLE for the Democrats to form coalitions with Republicans in the House because they would have to find a way to please, and appease, 118 Republicans to get any measure to a vote.
|
