I sat today and listened as the Republican House Speaker John Boehner talked to ABC’s George Stephanopoulos about the government shutdwon, and I couldn’t help thinking that Mr. Boehner – sometimes described in other media outlets as a “reasonable man” – is one pompous, egotistical ass!
Boehner and the House Republicans followed the leadership of a freshman Senator and allowed the United States government to shut down last week Tuesday. Now, almost seven days into the shutdown, Boehner is indicating that he and his republican accomplices have no intention of re-opening the government, even if it means America defaults on its debt!
The absolute final date for America to default is October 17th. That means that these so-called Congressional leaders must come together and figure out a way to raise the nation’s debt ceiling. But Republicans have put a padlock on the nation’s government, and they are refusing to unlock and open the door until President Obama succumb to their demands and dismantle a law that is already giving millions of Americans healthcare.
Stephanopoulos asked the question on different occasions throughout the interview. What’s the end game? Would Republicans let the nation default on its debt if President Obama refuse to bow down to their demands?
Boehner answered, “That’s the path we’re on. … I don’t want the United States to default on its debt. But I’m not going to raise the debt limit without a serious conversation about dealing with problems that are driving the debt up. It would be irresponsible of me to do this.”
So Mr Ego here is telling America… telling the world for that matter… that he and his Republican cohorts are willing to allow this nation to default for the first time in our history. And of course, he’s doing this “for the American people!”
No Boehner, you are not doing this for the American people.
The American people want to live and be healthy! We want to purchase healthcare and pay our monthly policy bill so that in the unfortunate event that we are hospitalized, we would not have to sell our home or file bankruptcy to avoid paying the bill!
What we want is for the government of the greatest nation on earth to function, and to function for we the people!
What the American people want is majority rule! That’s why we have elections. We do not want a minority party that will force the majority in the government or the majority of the people to do things their way by shutting down the government, and then threaten defaulting on the nation’s debt because they think they have a made-up, imaginary mandate that must be carried out!
Like President Obama said in a CNBC interview, “I am exasperated with the idea that, unless I say that, ‘Twenty million people, you can’t have health insurance,’ these folks will not reopen the government. That is irresponsible!”
The President explained in that interview that he is ready to talk with Republicans, but only if the reopen the government using a clean continuing resolution or CR to allow the government to pay the bills that Congress already racked up.
“Until we get that done, until we make sure that Congress allows Treasury to pay for things that Congress itself already authorized, we are not going to engage in a series of negotiations.”
“It is not acceptable for one faction of one part in one chamber to say, ‘Either we get what we want or we’ll shut down the government.’ Or even worse, ‘We will not allow the U.S. Treasury to pay its bills and put the United States in default for the first time in history.’”
“If we get in the habit where a few folks, an extremist wing of one party, whether it’s Democrat or Republican, are allowed to extort concessions based on a threat of undermin[ing] the full faith and credit of the United States, then any president who comes after me, not just me, will find themselves unable to govern effectively.”
But apparently, the egos in the Republican party is more important than the full faith and credit of the United States!
