If the Federal Government shuts down, who is to blame?

[IDrinkaRum]

Seems like the Federal Government is thinking of shutting again (because of lack of money/nobody cares about the Federal Government/those up on Capitol Hill have decided they don't look good on TV that day) and the Democrats in Washington, D.C. think that if that happens, it'll be the death knell of the Tea Party and the weakening of the Republican Party.

However, here is a little hint: Even if the Federal Government were to shut down, they don't really shut down.

How do I know this? Mr. Rum works for the Federal Government.

He works for the DoD (Department of Defense).

You really think the Defense Department is going to shut down completely? The department that is in charge of the country's defense?

He'll still be going to work, but he won't be paid. However, when the Federal Government re-opens, they have to pay back all the money my husband wasn't paid when the government was closed.

And don't say what about those getting social security! You'll still get the checks. You'll still get whatever else the government wants to give you.

But really ....

Would the Democrats (who are the ones pulling for it) get blamed? OR do you think the Republicans and Tea Party be blamed?

[guywithashovel]

Well, if it this does happen, it should be both of their faults because they all failed to get the budget in on time.

As for the death knell of the teabaggers and the weakening of the GOP, I'm reminded of what is going on Wisconsin and Ohio (and probably some other places, too). It's pretty obvious that there is a fair dose of buyer's remorse going on.

[Greenday]

Only certain parts shut down. It's doesn't literally mean the entire federal government. As much as I'd like a day off, a government shut down shouldn't and wouldn't affect us out here.

[joe hx]

The Democrats will blame the Republicans.

And the Republicans will blame the Democrats.

[FArchivist]

Would the Democrats (who are the ones pulling for it) get blamed? OR do you think the Republicans and Tea Party be blamed?

In 1995, you had a Democratic President and a Republican-controlled Congress. They disagreed on the budget and there was a shutdown. Previous to the shutdown, the Democrats kept indicating that they were willing to negotiate and the Republicans kept adamantly refusing to do so at all.

Result: The Republicans blamed Clinton for the shutdown, and Clinton blamed the Republicans. Public opinion favored the president; Clinton's approval rating rose to the highest it had been since his election. In fact, it got Clinton re-elected when he had been favored to lose against Bob Dole.

It didn't help that Newt Gingrich, who was Speaker at the time, did this (taken from Tom DeLay's book):

"He told a room full of reporters that he forced the shutdown because Clinton had rudely made him and Bob Dole sit at the back of Air Force One... Newt had been careless to say such a thing, and now the whole moral tone of the shutdown had been lost. What had been a noble battle for fiscal sanity began to look like the tirade of a spoiled child. The revolution, I can tell you, was never the same."

Based on this situation and various similarities to the situation today, it is my opinion that if the shutdown occurs, the Tea Party will be blamed like nobody's business. Boehner will get a pass because he's publicly said he's willing to negotiate. It makes the Tea Partiers, like Bachmann, look like hardliner assholes. Hardline will not win over the general public opinion.

[IDrinkaRum]

You're right Greenday, only parts of the fed gov't will shut down. I think it's only "non-essential employees", but please don't quote me on that.

FArchivist, you're right about what happened back in the 1990's.

I'm not sure what is going to happen. It's supposed to happen next week (if it does go on). I just wish all the politicians (republican, democrat, independent, other) would look in the mirror and know it's because of them that the gov't is closing down, not because you're Republican or Democrat or whatever you are that day.

This is just frustrating.

[smileyeagle1021]

Hmm, I wonder if the relay system is a non-essential government program... I'd like time off

I know, even if it wasn't, the company I work for would keep us working and keep racking up billable minutes to submit to the government when the "shutdown" is over.
That and if the GOP is smart they won't piss off the deaf community, they may only live to regret it.

Back on topic, in todays' political climate I think everyone in congress will get the blame. The tea partiers are the hardliners may get more blame, but right now, at least locally, the mood is that the whole lot no matter what party are incompetent morons and we're looking for just any excuse to form the lynch mob.

[drunkenwildmage]

You really can't compare today what happened in the 90's.. it's a difference political environment now, then it was back then.

It seems that people are turning on the current president because of the spending that congress has done over the last couple years, with his support. Part of the reason 'Tea party', and the GOP was elected, in part, to stop all that spending. *If* the government is shutdown, then it's possible that this could could be a plus on them, because then they would be viewed that they are controlling the spending.

[IDrinkaRum]

Well it looks like the Fed Gov't is going tone shutting down. They only thing that will stop it in an 11th hour compromise or a miracle of some sort.

The shutdown will affect those in the DC area and military families.

what ticks me off is that even if if closes down, Mr. Rum will have to still go to work. He's considered essential personnel. This means he works for free and there's nothing he can do about it.

Harumph.

[AdminAssistant]

At this point, it looks like the Republicans are the ones holding things up by adding on riders that have to do with things like Planned Parenthood. Disgusting.

[IDrinkaRum]

I've heard that President Obama will not sign a separate measure to ensure payment to military families.

I am hopping mad right now.

My husband cannot take time off for doctor appointments. Mine, his, or our daughter's. We have to pay for our dental. Our health insurance is still being covered though.

Compromise on the stupid Planned Parenthood thing. I don't care. But get a budget together that everyone can live with and sign the damn thing.

[Crazedclerkthe2nd]

At this point, it looks like the Republicans are the ones holding things up by adding on riders that have to do with things like Planned Parenthood. Disgusting.

I am pretty sure their game plan is to hold the line on this, let the government shutdown, then blame it on all on Obama and the Democrats and their refusal to compromise and keep the country running.

It's not true of course, but it makes good spin.

[AdminAssistant]

Planned Parenthood isn't a stupid thing. It's a vital service that provides health care to both women and men, STD/AIDS testing, birth control, etc. Republicans, in particular the hard-liners, are holding military pay hostage in order to strip women of their rights. Be mad about that.

[IDrinkaRum]

I'm mad at both parties. If the budget isn't agreed on, they still get paid. They will still go on vacation. They both need to shut up, sit down, act like adults, and figure this out. Contrary to popular belief, fed Gov't employees don't make huge amounts of money. Plus, the din't have collective bargaining to get their voices heard, to let those in charge know they've gone way over the line.

Compromise on Planned Parenthood and get it over with.

And it's not the Republicans holding the military pay hostage. It's the President. He could sign the separate measure that is out there. Then they can hammer out the other things.

After they come back from vacation. :roll eyes:

[FArchivist]

And no need to do anything. Boehner has compromised, a deal has been made. No shutdown will occur.