No Ceiling

I have to say, I'm tired of this government shutdown, even though I can't say it has truly affected me.

Oddly, I don't blame too many of the Dems for this, and even a handful of Republicans are not at fault. NPR was funny two days ago when saying, and I'm paraphrasing, 'in the 30 years I've covered politics, it has never been the Democrats who have been focused and playing off the same playbook. And the Republicans have never been so disorganized and disjointed".

I hope that is what sinks Ted Cruz & Co.

But it is Boehner who is the weak link. He has zero control over the House, even the ones in his own party.

In the past nine days, I've heard a number of references to the 30 or so Tea Party members being the new Confederacy.   ...and we all know how that turned out.

I am not a historian, so can't tell if you if that analogy is accurate, but there are folks who are driving the government and the will of the country - and that is just out and out scary.

I did listen to Obama's press conference in its entirety two days ago, and I have to say, I was very impressed.  He was steadfast in his belief and rhetoric and wasn't afraid to call some of his opposition out on their flaws. He wasn't making nice just to make nice.  He knows to give an inch with these terrorists - and lets face it, that is what they are - would be sure death.

Of course, I don't get the shut down at all. In theory I would if it were actually saving the government any money, but it is not.  It's costing tens of millions of dollars per week - which I understand.  What I truly don't get is that when / if the furloughed workers come back on-line, they will get back pay for the time they were out.

Huh?

So we're spending tens of millions to keep the government shut down, but eventually will pay hundreds of millions for folks who have been off and have not done their jobs?  Wouldn't it have been cheaper to keep the government open if we're spending that money anyway - but having all that work done instead of just sitting there?

I don't think the GOP knows the first thing about what they flaunt - being fiscal conservatives.

Still, the shutdown running into the Debt Ceiling is another thing. I do love how polls will say the Tea Party should not to give an inch on raising the debt ceiling - as if they understand it at all, let alone the implications.

However, if you watched the first season of Newsroom, they tackled the last debt ceiling debate that was back in 2011. Granted, the show ran in 2012, but the Newsroom storylines are about a year behind actual calendar time so Aaron Sorkin can get better perspective.

Yes, some of the below clip is based in a little bias and drama, but the quotes from the Wall St. folks are real.  The rationale and desired outcomes for wanting to do the story about the debt ceiling  from their financial analyst is spot on - and expertly played by the best person on the show, Olivia Munn.

Once again, there is a reference to the Confederate, but not because of the Tea Party.  It's a mostly great two and a quarter minutes.

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Song by: Eddie Vedder