Writing at Fiscal Times, Eric Pianin and Josh Boak present three different ways the shutdown might end. They are
- Pass a stopgap measure that’s tied to budget talks.
- The President bends on the PPACA.
- Implement the Portman plan, a sort of “grand bargain” including a one-year continuing resolution, substantial entitlement cuts, tightening qualifications for subsidies under the PPACA, and tax code reform.
To me only the first of these sounds anything but far-fetched. This despite my impression that the best thing that could happen to the PPACA might be a brief delay. Any of these ways of ending the shutdown presumes that the two sides are actually interested in arriving at an agreement.
In a world in which everyone has their own facts and each side may believe that it’s winning that really doesn’t appear to be the case.
It’ll be option 1. Boehner and Cantor just put it out there in a press conference.
The Obamacare condition has been dropped, because as I’ve been pointing out from the beginning, this was never about Obamacare. This was never about anything but expressions of rage and hate from the lunatic base of the GOP. “Must stop Obamacare!” has now been quietly allowed to be replaced by “Must get something, we don’t know what, otherwise we’ll look like idiots!”
These imbeciles are now scampering about trying to find a way to escape the box they put themselves in. They’re reduced to hoping Obama will take pity on them and throw them some sort of face-saving bone.
“These imbeciles are now scampering about trying to find a way to escape the box they put themselves in. They’re reduced to hoping Obama will take pity on them and throw them some sort of face-saving bone.”
Keep telling yourself that, Michael. However, the real picture is much larger, more diverse and complicated than you might wish it to be.
Sure it is, Jan. How’s that Obamacare repeal going? Remember when that was the whole point? Way back, like, a week ago?
Now be sure to let us all know the latest Fox News talking points. You know, the ones where they start to forget how to say Obamacare and instead talk a lot about “getting our fiscal house in order,” and about how that was the point all along. I’m sure Ailes et al are at work on that right now.
Michael, repeal was attempted in the beginning of these most recent CR debates, and then dropped, evolving into making reasonable changes to the PPACA reflecting equitity to all parties. But, to rationalize your argument, you act like it’s Groundhog Day, and nothing has transpired since the opening round of House negotiations. So, move on, Michael, because even though, over half the people hate the PPACA, and only 7% approve of it’s roll-out, Obamacare remains solidly in place.
Jan:
Oceania has always been at war with Eastasia. Just wipe your little internal hard drive clean, re-boot and you’ll discover that the GOP never even intended to shut down Obamacare. In fact. . . Obamacare? What is this word? It means nothing.
Dave:
See? Jan, our local Tea Party representative, has already given up on Obamacare. It was totally going to destroy all of humanity!!! But on second thought, meh.
It’s almost as though this whole thing was not about policy at all.
Speaking of imbeciles…..
Presented, as zerohedge likes to say, “without comment.”
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/nyt-editor-krugmans-column-our-biggest-nightmare_762373.html?nopager=1
Michael,
You are incorrigible in how you tend to turn other people’s comments around to dovetail into your own. I’m a former long term dem who only recently re-registeted as an Indy. However, I do support the teas small government tenets, as I am not a stepford wife type of female – go along to get along with the popular trends of the day. As for the GOP stepping back from pursuing Obamacare – I commend them for being the big boys in what has been a small, vindictive game of chicken employed by the majority party in power. The R’s seem to be putting the well being of the country before the high-fives of winning the immediate argument.
Jan:
There are many people you can bullshit like that. I’m not one.
Like I said Michael, you are incorrigible in turning other people’s comments around to suit your own take on things and people. However, digressing from politics ….I’ve been meaning to comment on your new pic — it’s attractive.
Thanks. The author Sonya Sones took that picture at an event in Naperville. A rare gathering of 29 YA authors, which is to say 25 practicing and 4 recovering drunks.