The Guvmint Shutdown

[Fat Strat]

I'm pretty sure whether you go towards the fringe on the left or right, you end up in the same place.

That's exactly the way it was taught to us in college Poli Sci. More like a horseshoe than a line spectrum.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

The Democrats had control of both houses in 2007. They passed a debt ceiling extension without any negotiation or demands. Imagine if, in 2007, the Democrats had sad "Mr. President, the only debt ceiling bill we'll pass ALSO requires you to pass the strictest gun control available and sets strict limits on carbon dioxide emissions nationwide." The president vetoes that bill, and the country would be outraged that the Democrats let their pet issues stand in the way of the continued operation (and debt payment) of the entire government.

The only difference here is the lack of broad-based national outrage.

Right - its the dangerous precedent they are attempting. The GOP Congressional Caucus is saying that any Congress can alter/kill any legislation passed into law by a different Congress by refusing to fulfill their constitutional duty of approving a budget for the country until the existing law is changed to their liking. It's absurd.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

Hehe...

http://gawker.com/congress-gets-drunk-a ... 1431042025

[pioneer98]

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc ... ph/280161/

Spoilered for size:

[SHOW]

[Arthur Dent]

I'm pretty sure whether you go towards the fringe on the left or right, you end up in the same place.

That's exactly the way it was taught to us in college Poli Sci. More like a horseshoe than a line spectrum.

What exactly is the relevance of this comment to the topic other than as an attempt to inject some mindless "both sides" rhetoric into a situation that's a dramatic illustration of how damaging that thinking is?

[stlouie_lipp]

Super serious thread alert.

[Fat Strat]

I'm pretty sure whether you go towards the fringe on the left or right, you end up in the same place.

That's exactly the way it was taught to us in college Poli Sci. More like a horseshoe than a line spectrum.

What exactly is the relevance of this comment to the topic other than as an attempt to inject some mindless "both sides" rhetoric into a situation that's a dramatic illustration of how damaging that thinking is?

Seriously?

[Arthur Dent]

Seriously.

[thrill]

Apparently would-be illegal immigrants thought today's govt shutdown meant no border patrol. Between here and Tucson and back, I saw Mexicans getting arrested by border patrol agents and state police all up and down I-10.

[Fat Strat]

Seriously.

If you say so.