gbasden wrote: ↑Sat Jan 05, 2019 1:15 pm
YellowKing wrote: ↑Sat Jan 05, 2019 8:44 am
gbasden wrote:Get a majority and pass what you can over their dead bodies.
I agree, but I think the only way you get that majority is by being the adults in the room. Public perception of Congress is terrible (for both parties), so the only way to dig out of that hole is to lead by example. At some point the public (or at least enough of a majority of the public) will recognize that only one party is acting in the interest of the country and the other is acting like a psychotic toddler.
We have to break the hyper-partisan cycle, and the only way to do that is for one side to stop being hyper-partisan. As much as it will suck for them.
The problem with that is that it lets the other side take hostages. Should the Democrats cave and let Trump have his stupid wall? Arguably, the government shutdown is doing damage and we would be better off getting people paychecks again. But that lets the side with no scruples have the ultimate bargaining chip. At some point they need to enunciate their principles and stick to them rather than caving.
They should never get to a shutdown to begin with.
Everyone knew the appropriations were due Sept 30, they failed to compromise
Everyone knew the CR came due in Dec. They failed to come to an agreement.
Everyone in DC knows Trump is unreliable. They waited until the last minute anyway.
I am well aware that most of this falls on the Republicans. They held both houses. That said, the Democrats had just enough power to block anything, meaning part of this is on them too.
Now, you’re right. They give in and it sets a bad precedent. The Republicans in Congress should be considering that. They are going to be dealing with the next Democrat in the White House and every power they allow Trump to have, the next Dem will grasp with both hands and, unless the world really goes to hell, the next Dem president will be competent, unlike Trump. Power + competency is very dangerous.
As my wife is directly affected by this, it is very hard to watch the Democrats running around talking about impeachment, and passing many other bills, but putting their foot down and refusing to negotiate. I understand it intellectually, but emotionally, watching my wife suffer while she wonders how many people will die or be hurt because she can’t help...that’s hard.
And then after it closed, to watch both parties walk out Washington. To hear Pelosi is at an exclusive Hawaiian resort. That no one is bothering to talk over the holiday.
And now, they went home again. And Democrats are either loudly calling for no end to the shutdown unless Trump gives in entirely or wringing their hands (my Senators and Rep) that there’s nothing they can do. Bullshit. There’s a lot you could do. You choose not to. Just like you chose not to do anything leading up to this except “Stand Strong!”
So yeah. I’m blaming Trump. I blame McConnell and Ryan and every cowardly republican who isn’t doing anything. They are to blame and I’d gladly watch them get run over by truck. But I’ve got a little left over for Cardin, Van Hollen and Ruskin (my Sens and Rep) and a little for Pelosi and Schumer.
And whole shit ton for myself.
