Little-Acorn
10-01-2013, 11:03 AM
Well, there they go again, shutting down the government. Not that we'll miss it all that much.
Recall the last time they shut down the government in the mid-1990s: At least the Democrats and Republicans negotiated... or appeared to, at least.
As the deadline loomed, Republicans and Democrats were about $5 billion apart in their budget negotiations (this was back when a billion dollars was considered a lot of money).
After a week of solid "negotiations", Republicans had moved about $2.3 billion toward the Democrats' position.
And during the same period, Democrats had moved $500 million away from the Republicans' position.
The deadline came with no agreement reached, and the government shut down. WIth the help of a compliant media to bury the facts of what had gone on, people got the impression that the shutdown was "Republicans' fault".
Fast forward to 2013. This time the Democrats have dispensed with the feigned "negotiations" of the 1990s, and simply refuse to meet at all with Republicans. They simply say that Republicans must cave to all Democrat demands. Their confidence is high, knowing that the media will pretend that responsibillity for the shutdown is solely the Republicans'... again.
But history shows that Democrats have NEVER been interested in negotiating or compromising, at least since the 1980s. As they move to the left at ever-increasing speed, their agenda does not allow for any slowing, compromise, or even negotiating.
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http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/sep/30/shutdown-deadline-passes-without-deal/
Government shutdown begins as gridlocked Congress gives up
By Stephen Dinan
The Washington Times
Monday, September 30, 2013
Congress adjourned early Tuesday morning without renewing funding for the federal government and the White House issued orders beginning the grim task of shutting down “nonessential” services across the nation.
Senators gave up first, adjourning soon after midnight, while House lawmakers stuck it out past 1 a.m. But with a middle ground proving elusive and senators refusing to negotiate over changes to the health law, the House too gave up and vowed to try again later in the day.
The debate raged even as Congress careened through the deadline, with House Republicans sending repeated proposals over to Senate Democrats, though never the one plan senators demanded: a funding bill with no strings attached.
President Obama upped the pressure, releasing a video message early Tuesday morning that he recorded to American troops, in which he blamed Congress for letting the military down. “It has failed to pass a budget and, as a result, much of our government must now shut down until Congress funds it again,” he said.
A last-ditch House plan to request formal talks with Senate Democrats was met with derision by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who said there will be no negotiations with the threat of a shutdown still looming.
Recall the last time they shut down the government in the mid-1990s: At least the Democrats and Republicans negotiated... or appeared to, at least.
As the deadline loomed, Republicans and Democrats were about $5 billion apart in their budget negotiations (this was back when a billion dollars was considered a lot of money).
After a week of solid "negotiations", Republicans had moved about $2.3 billion toward the Democrats' position.
And during the same period, Democrats had moved $500 million away from the Republicans' position.
The deadline came with no agreement reached, and the government shut down. WIth the help of a compliant media to bury the facts of what had gone on, people got the impression that the shutdown was "Republicans' fault".
Fast forward to 2013. This time the Democrats have dispensed with the feigned "negotiations" of the 1990s, and simply refuse to meet at all with Republicans. They simply say that Republicans must cave to all Democrat demands. Their confidence is high, knowing that the media will pretend that responsibillity for the shutdown is solely the Republicans'... again.
But history shows that Democrats have NEVER been interested in negotiating or compromising, at least since the 1980s. As they move to the left at ever-increasing speed, their agenda does not allow for any slowing, compromise, or even negotiating.
------------------------------------------------------
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/sep/30/shutdown-deadline-passes-without-deal/
Government shutdown begins as gridlocked Congress gives up
By Stephen Dinan
The Washington Times
Monday, September 30, 2013
Congress adjourned early Tuesday morning without renewing funding for the federal government and the White House issued orders beginning the grim task of shutting down “nonessential” services across the nation.
Senators gave up first, adjourning soon after midnight, while House lawmakers stuck it out past 1 a.m. But with a middle ground proving elusive and senators refusing to negotiate over changes to the health law, the House too gave up and vowed to try again later in the day.
The debate raged even as Congress careened through the deadline, with House Republicans sending repeated proposals over to Senate Democrats, though never the one plan senators demanded: a funding bill with no strings attached.
President Obama upped the pressure, releasing a video message early Tuesday morning that he recorded to American troops, in which he blamed Congress for letting the military down. “It has failed to pass a budget and, as a result, much of our government must now shut down until Congress funds it again,” he said.
A last-ditch House plan to request formal talks with Senate Democrats was met with derision by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who said there will be no negotiations with the threat of a shutdown still looming.