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Community => Politics and Government => Topic started by: SimSim on September 18, 2013, 07:09:40 pm

Title: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: SimSim on September 18, 2013, 07:09:40 pm
That's what the Republicans are threatening to do.

House Republican leaders announced Wednesday morning that they would take a risky double-barreled attack on President Obama’s health-care law, making it the cornerstone fight over government funding due to expire Sept. 30 and the effort to lift the Treasury’s borrowing authority.

Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio), flanked by his leadership team, told reporters that the stopgap government funding bill that they will advance Friday would yield to conservative demands of including a rider to block funding for the law commonly known as Obamacare.

In addition, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) laid out his party’s legislative grab bag of requests that will be attached to a bill that would lift the debt ceiling, including a delay of the health law, an overhaul of the tax code and approval of an energy pipeline running from Canada to the gulf coast.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/house-republicans-plan-friday-vote-on-defunding-obamacare/2013/09/18/bbcc9d66-206e-11e3-b7d1-7153ad47b549_story.html?tid=pm_politics_pop (http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/house-republicans-plan-friday-vote-on-defunding-obamacare/2013/09/18/bbcc9d66-206e-11e3-b7d1-7153ad47b549_story.html?tid=pm_politics_pop)

Great job, Republicans. Holding the country's credit and government hostage in order to prevent more people from getting health care. Just when you think they couldn't sink any lower.

I would say that I hope the Republicans go through with their threat because the last time they caused a government shut down it bit them in the ass. But given how misunderstood and disliked the ACA is the majority of the public might think it's repeal is better than a government shutdown.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: MadCatTLX on September 18, 2013, 07:25:06 pm
Well, they stop funding paying the government, except for congress, naturally. Also, am I the only one struck by how the only way to keep the country running is to keep raising our debt limit with no actual stop in sight? What would actually happen if they stalemated long enough for the government to actually lose funding for a period of time.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: m52nickerson on September 18, 2013, 07:28:18 pm
Well, they stop funding paying the government, except for congress, naturally. Also, am I the only one struck by how the only way to keep the country running is to keep raising our debt limit with no actual stop in sight? What would actually happen if they stalemated long enough for the government to actually lose funding for a period of time.

The US economy may collapse, and drag the rest of the world with it. 
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: MadCatTLX on September 18, 2013, 07:29:39 pm
Well, they stop funding paying the government, except for congress, naturally. Also, am I the only one struck by how the only way to keep the country running is to keep raising our debt limit with no actual stop in sight? What would actually happen if they stalemated long enough for the government to actually lose funding for a period of time.

The US economy may collapse, and drag the rest of the world with it.

Are there sharp rocks at the bottom?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: ironbite on September 18, 2013, 07:30:04 pm
Very sharp rocks.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: KZN02 on September 18, 2013, 07:33:43 pm
I keep forgetting, when was the last time Obama caved in to the Republicans?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: MadCatTLX on September 18, 2013, 07:34:35 pm
Bring it on.

I was thinking it would mean a loss of any government service until the issue was resolved, meaning no cops, meaning total anarchy.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: ironbite on September 18, 2013, 07:47:24 pm
Actually, Obama is pretty much set on fighting this.  So he's not gonna back down on this.  He's actually calling their bluff.

Ironbite-and it's a bluff they don't want called.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: MadCatTLX on September 18, 2013, 07:49:21 pm
I love it when politicians play chicken with the national economy.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on September 18, 2013, 08:17:16 pm
Let 'em try it. Fuck 'em. The governments' been shut down before easily four times since I've been an adult. Nobody starved, no rioting, nothing but a waste of time. It's just a filibuster grown into a huge fart-filled balloon. Let 'em light it up and it goes, "boom"...then everything's back to where it was to start with. They did this same shit to Clinton when he came up with a balanced budget plan...and it worked, once they were done with their little Katie Kaboom meltdown tantrum.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Id82 on September 18, 2013, 08:55:22 pm
So in anyones quick opinion what is the number one reason why house republicans hate the ACA so much?
Is it because Obama came up with it?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: ironbite on September 18, 2013, 08:58:30 pm
Yes.

Ironbite-that's it.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: lord gibbon on September 18, 2013, 08:59:06 pm
With this Republican party, that is a big influence, but I personally think that it's more the fact that health and insurance companies can't gouge their customers as much.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Her3tiK on September 18, 2013, 09:19:40 pm
So in anyones quick opinion what is the number one reason why house republicans hate the ACA so much?
Is it because Obama came up with it?
I'd say it's a tie between that and the fact it helps poor people, and especially poor minorities.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: RavynousHunter on September 18, 2013, 09:20:24 pm
Soooo...either defund the ACA, or they'll get an extra couple of nap times into their already sleep-laden schedules?  Let 'em sleep.  Maybe we'll get lucky and botflies will lay eggs that burrow into and eat their brains.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Crystal-King on September 18, 2013, 09:37:48 pm
Soooo...either defund the ACA, or they'll get an extra couple of nap times into their already sleep-laden schedules?  Let 'em sleep.  Maybe we'll get lucky and botflies will lay eggs that burrow into and eat their brains.

You darn well know those poor botflies would starve if that happened.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Stormwarden on September 18, 2013, 10:18:00 pm
You sure they don't have any brains? Maybe Medical Mechanica got to them and smoothed out all the wrinkles on them. That would explain the Teabaggers at any rate.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Ghoti on September 18, 2013, 11:20:51 pm
Did anyone else see this coming ten repeals ago?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: The Illusive Man on September 19, 2013, 12:42:43 am
Did anyone else see this coming ten repeals ago?
Ten? Try 40!
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: ironbite on September 19, 2013, 01:11:09 am
They've been threatening this since...middle of the summer.

Ironbite-yeah we all knew this was coming.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on September 19, 2013, 01:19:03 am
Whatever the many "real" behind the scenes reasons for all the bitching against the ACA, perhaps it is the bitching itself, in that they have committed so much energy and time to publicly de-educating their voter base, that they just cannot afford to let it go, much less admit that the ACA is actually tenable is the reason for the showdown. A conservative pol today is utterly incapable of admitting error, of being big enough to apologize, or of just quietly correcting a faux pas. Unless they are Gov. Christie and a few others.

Here's a new look at how the state health insurance exchanges are actually performing so far;
(hint - affordable, nyah!)
http://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2013/05/24/unexpected-health-insurance-rate-shock-california-obamacare-insurance-exchange-announces-premium-rates/ (http://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2013/05/24/unexpected-health-insurance-rate-shock-california-obamacare-insurance-exchange-announces-premium-rates/)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: gyeonghwa on September 20, 2013, 04:08:39 pm
The House just passed the bill. So now the Senate has to kill it.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: ironbite on September 20, 2013, 05:35:24 pm
Which the Senate has said it'll do just that.

Ironbite-or at least strip it of the ACA defunding stuff.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Vypernight on September 21, 2013, 05:15:43 am
What bothers me is, even if the act was complete and total crap, they've wasted all our money to tell us the act will waste our money (with their only reasoning usually being, "it's unconstitutional"), without offering any alternative ideas, and all the while receiving health care for FREE.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: SimSim on September 21, 2013, 09:31:25 am
No. Members of Congress don't receive free healthcare. Their employer being the federal government part of their health insurance is tax payer funded. But like everyone else they make individual contributions to their health insurance.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on September 21, 2013, 12:14:27 pm
ACA was originally designed by repubs and a few dems. But OBAMA! He touched it and talked it up! It's TAINTED with OBAMA cooties, so kill it kill it kill it. sigh.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Dr. Weird on September 21, 2013, 07:48:23 pm
ACA was originally designed by repubs and a few dems. But OBAMA! He touched it and talked it up! It's TAINTED with OBAMA cooties, so kill it kill it kill it. sigh.

That's what really amazes anyone who knows what's really going on.

The basic outline of the ACA was originally created by the Heritage Foundation, now run by Jim DeMint, one of the bugfuck crazy assholes trying to kill it.

It was proposed to Congress by Bob Dole, the Republican leader in the Senate, as an alternative to the health care reforms the Clinton Administration was developing.

It was actually passed in Massachusetts and signed by Mitt Rmoney.  The guy who the Republicans nominated for President in 2012.

But it became radical socialism the minute the scary black Muslin Kenyan Nazi Communist N****r endorsed it.

But you know what I think a lot of Republcans are afraid of?

That it'll work.

Their entire scam over the last thirty years has been "Government doesn't work!!!"   A government program that has a chance of actually working, of actually making things better for people who aren't rich and white, undercuts the entire message they sell to their base of knuckledragging bigots to keep them voting.

I mean, decades ago, the conservatives were against Medicare and Medicaid.  They called it "Communist" and pretty much everything they now use against the ACA.  How did that work?  Oh yeah, Teabaggers were protesting the ACA with their "Keip ur dam gubmint handz off mi medicaer" signs.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: SimSim on September 21, 2013, 07:56:38 pm
Tea Party has been and always will be the "fuck you, I got mine" party. And I can totally remember Newt Gingrich being for the ACA when the Republicans were pushing it in the 90s. The irony wasn't lost on me when I saw him in 2011 calling it socialism.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: KZN02 on September 21, 2013, 08:19:35 pm
On the other hand, if it fails, because of its origins from conservative groups, it may discredit all their ideas.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Dakota Bob on September 21, 2013, 08:21:17 pm
Didn't they try this once already?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: SimSim on September 21, 2013, 08:25:07 pm
On the other hand, if it fails, because of its origins from conservative groups, it may discredit all their ideas.
I highly doubt that. Most people don't realize the origins of the ACA.

Didn't they try this once already?
Republicans have tried several times to repeal/defund ACA and haven't been successful. This is the first time they've used the debt ceiling as a bargaining chip.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: chad sexington on September 21, 2013, 08:30:41 pm
Their entire scam over the last thirty years has been "Government doesn't work!!!"   A government program that has a chance of actually working, of actually making things better for people who aren't rich and white, undercuts the entire message they sell to their base of knuckledragging bigots to keep them voting.

Yup.  That's why they fucked with the USPS so much over the last few years.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on September 21, 2013, 11:12:28 pm
Their entire scam over the last thirty years has been "Government doesn't work!!!"   A government program that has a chance of actually working, of actually making things better for people who aren't rich and white, undercuts the entire message they sell to their base of knuckledragging bigots to keep them voting.

Yup.  That's why they fucked with the USPS so much over the last few years.

OMG the rape of USPS via a 75 year pre-need pension funding claw back. Let's watch the GOP destroy what was once a profit making semi privatized postal system to rake back a few billion dollars...to waste on what? Pet home state pork barrel projects? The Never Ending War on Terrorism? W/E. Gad I hate them so.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: chad sexington on September 22, 2013, 07:27:35 am
Not even that.  It was all to prove that a public corporation can't run successfully.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on September 22, 2013, 01:26:31 pm
Snidely Whiplash is twirling his mustache ends with pride.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Cataclysm on September 23, 2013, 02:17:53 pm
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/09/22/cruz-announces-plan-b-for-defunding-obamacare-shut-down-the-military/

Quote
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) on Sunday warned Senate Republicans that refusing to filibuster a bill that defunds President Barack Obama’s health care reform law “is a vote for Obamacare,” and he also advised House Republicans to “shut down the military” if they had to.

Quote
“If Harry Reid kills the bill in the Senate, the House should hold its ground, and should begin passing smaller continuing resolutions, one department at a time,” Cruz explained. “It should start with a continuing resolution focused on the military.”

“Send it over, see if Harry Reid is willing to shut down the military,” he quipped.

...
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: ironbite on September 23, 2013, 03:09:54 pm
Hee...hehehehehehehe....AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Ironbite-no please...try this.  I really want you to see how much backlash you get from this.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on September 23, 2013, 04:07:08 pm
O that is so tasty to contemplate! The Base; "Hurrr?!?! 'Murica layed off our hee-roes in yoon'form?!?! Gawd dammit frikkin' RINOs. Whars mah shotty? Is thar gas inna truck, hunny? Gotta go an' guard the fuckin' Mex'can border!"
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mythbuster43 on September 23, 2013, 06:19:15 pm
It looks like some House Republicans are turning against Ted Cruz for saying the obvious...the Senate is not going to let any bill that defunds ObamaCare pass. The House GOP isn't happy with Cruz now.

http://freethoughtblogs.com/dispatches/2013/09/22/ted-cruz-voice-of-reason/ (http://freethoughtblogs.com/dispatches/2013/09/22/ted-cruz-voice-of-reason/)

My favorite part is where someone claims that Ted Cruz is part of a secret cabal of leftists that are seeking control of the conservative movement.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Witchyjoshy on September 23, 2013, 07:19:37 pm
It looks like some House Republicans are turning against Ted Cruz for saying the obvious...the Senate is not going to let any bill that defunds ObamaCare pass. The House GOP isn't happy with Cruz now.

http://freethoughtblogs.com/dispatches/2013/09/22/ted-cruz-voice-of-reason/ (http://freethoughtblogs.com/dispatches/2013/09/22/ted-cruz-voice-of-reason/)

My favorite part is where someone claims that Ted Cruz is part of a secret cabal of leftists that are seeking control of the conservative movement.

This is why "You're either with us or against us" mentality has no basis in reality.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: dpareja on September 23, 2013, 11:03:39 pm
Neil MacDonald has an interesting article about the whole affair. (http://www.cbc.ca/news/the-tea-party-s-take-no-prisoners-gut-obamacare-budget-showdown-neil-macdonald-1.1862514)

Quote
It's been asked before, but it's worth asking again: If Democrats and Republicans share the blame for Congress's stupendous incompetence, which is a widespread and rather facile presumption here, then what is the Democratic Party's equivalent of the Tea Party caucus?

Is there, for example, anywhere in Barack Obama's party a bloc whose anti-gay and pro-gun views are so extreme that one of its leading members compares enacting any restrictions on gun ownership to allowing gay marriage and bestiality? (Louie Gohmert, Republican, Texas)

Or, whose members would travel to Egypt shortly after its generals arrested a democratically elected president, and then killed at least 1,000 of his protesting supporters, to declare on television that "We're here as members of Congress to say 'We're with you. And we encourage you.'" (Michele Bachmann, Republican, Minnesota).

Or, who would proclaim that 99 per cent of illegal migrants in America spend their time hauling marijuana around, that immigrants should be chosen the way you choose a good dog, and that the border fence with Mexico should be electrified, because "we do that with livestock all the time." (Steve King, Republican, Iowa).
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: gyeonghwa on September 24, 2013, 12:53:31 am
It's hilarious how the Rhinos are now trying to distance themselves from Ted Cruz. And because of this fallout with the shut down, Sarah Palin has decided that Fox News isn't conservative enough. (http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2013/09/gop-vs-sen-ted-cruz.html)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Barbarella on September 24, 2013, 02:33:48 am
I LOVE reading about the big Tealiban implosion! Pure ambrosia!

Ah....Now THIS is how I interpret Revelation 18!

All that jazz about the Rapture is a bunch of hooey but I always felt that Revelation was an allegorical illustration of the rise & fall of corrupt regimes in general.

Bye bye, Babylon! Your days are numbered!
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Vypernight on September 24, 2013, 04:04:59 am
No. Members of Congress don't receive free healthcare. Their employer being the federal government part of their health insurance is tax payer funded. But like everyone else they make individual contributions to their health insurance.

But if ACA is defunded, do they lose theirs as well?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on September 24, 2013, 11:11:10 am
And now for a message brought to you by ....the Koch Brothers, from their usual one degree of separation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7cRsfW0Jv8

Quote
Unfortunately for one self-described "free-thinking" group, it's created nightmare-inducing commercials that aim to persuade young people to skip signing up for health-care coverage via Obamacare.

While the staff of the group, Generation Opportunity, mostly appears to be in their 20s, it's bankrolled by brothers David and Charles Koch, who are both in their 70s and known for their ultra-conservative views.

In one spot, a leering Uncle Sam pops up between the legs of a young woman seeking an gynecological exam, while in a second ad a young man is accosted by the same Uncle Sam figure, this time snapping on a latex glove to give him a rectal exam.

The tagline is "Don't let government play doctor." But the commercials are so bad that they may backfire, causing young viewers to shrug them off as the worst kind of fear-mongering.
http://money.msn.com/now/post--do-creepy-anti-obamacare-ads-defile-an-icon (http://money.msn.com/now/post--do-creepy-anti-obamacare-ads-defile-an-icon)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: SimSim on September 24, 2013, 04:53:39 pm
No. Members of Congress don't receive free healthcare. Their employer being the federal government part of their health insurance is tax payer funded. But like everyone else they make individual contributions to their health insurance.

But if ACA is defunded, do they lose theirs as well?
Nope, it won't change for them, or any employees of the federal government regardless if ACA is or isn't defunded.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: KZN02 on September 24, 2013, 09:36:21 pm
And here begins the "filibuster".
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Meshakhad on September 25, 2013, 02:49:00 am
I wonder what the results would be if you asked conservatives if they would rather see America obliterated than for the ACA to go into effect.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Random Gal on September 25, 2013, 02:19:52 pm
This reminds me of children who say "If I can't have that toy I'll stop breathing and die!" etc.

A right-winger's response to said scenario would be "beat the child repeatedly."

I wonder if that would work on Congress.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: gyeonghwa on September 25, 2013, 03:11:53 pm
Oh my f God, senator Ted Cruz spent 22 hours blathering nonsense and ended in prayer in order filibuster the Bill to kill A C A.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on September 25, 2013, 03:24:28 pm
If he was in a back brace and pink sneakers, I might care ever so slightly.....less.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: SimSim on September 25, 2013, 04:30:46 pm
GRAH! Fucking New York Times edited an article I read earlier that had a choice quote in it that Cruz made during his filibuster. It quoted him as saying that journalistic fact checking was a "pernicious form of yellow journalism." I guess you'll have to take me on my word on that, but I wish I could make up with something as crazy as that.

Yes, how dare journalists do their jobs properly. That was almost as rich as Chuck Todd last week saying it's not a journalists' job to fact check.

Some other choice quotes.
At other times, he compared his fight to efforts by leaders who stood against the Nazis, ended the cold war or started the American Revolution.

“Everyone in America knows Obamacare is destroying the economy,” said Mr. Cruz, who began speaking at 2:41 p.m. on Tuesday. “Where is the urgency?
New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/26/us/politics/senate-budget-battle.html?pagewanted=2&_r=0)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Sigmaleph on September 25, 2013, 05:06:23 pm
GRAH! Fucking New York Times edited an article I read earlier that had a choice quote in it that Cruz made during his filibuster. It quoted him as saying that journalistic fact checking was a "pernicious form of yellow journalism." I guess you'll have to take me on my word on that, but I wish I could make up with something as crazy as that.

Yes, how dare journalists do their jobs properly. That was almost as rich as Chuck Todd last week saying it's not a journalists' job to fact check.

Some other choice quotes.
At other times, he compared his fight to efforts by leaders who stood against the Nazis, ended the cold war or started the American Revolution.

“Everyone in America knows Obamacare is destroying the economy,” said Mr. Cruz, who began speaking at 2:41 p.m. on Tuesday. “Where is the urgency?
New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/26/us/politics/senate-budget-battle.html?pagewanted=2&_r=0)

This one?

Quote
“We may talk long enough that I may talk a little bit about fact checkers, because that’s a particularly pernicious bit of yellow journalism that has cropped up that lets journalists be editorial writers and pretend they’re talking about objective facts and basically conclude as a factual matter, not as a matter of opinion, that anyone who disagrees with them is objectively lying,”

(from here: http://dailycaller.com/2013/09/24/cruz-washington-posts-fact-checking-column-is-yellow-journalism/)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: SimSim on September 25, 2013, 05:24:14 pm
That would be it.

It totally misses the point of political fact checking in general, and fact checking columns. No one denies that some things are a matter of opinion. But that's not what fact checking exists for. It exists to make sure that people are actually getting accurate information. "Death Panels" are a perfect example of that. Something that was passed off as fact that was wildly misconstrued. Journalists have an obligation to point that kind of issue.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: gyeonghwa on September 25, 2013, 06:12:45 pm
I am a bit confused. I am guessing his filibuster "worked" since they went over the allotted time right?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: SimSim on September 25, 2013, 06:26:14 pm
All it really did was give the Senate less time to debate. So in the end it probably did fuck all. Maybe helped the Democrats some, since there will be less time to debate.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Stormwarden on September 26, 2013, 03:08:23 am
I feel bad for C-Span if they had to listen to all 22 hours of that drivel. So how exactly did it end? Did the Senate vote to end it, or did he just finally run out of gas?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: MadCatTLX on September 26, 2013, 08:19:13 am
Further proving that were we able to get a large enough balloon envelope we could fly the capital building...
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: kefkaownsall on September 26, 2013, 10:45:19 am
it wasn't actually a filibuster since it was not blocking a piece of legislation just a speech by a windbag
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: SimSim on September 26, 2013, 04:33:06 pm
I feel bad for C-Span if they had to listen to all 22 hours of that drivel. So how exactly did it end? Did the Senate vote to end it, or did he just finally run out of gas?
There was a vote to end it, 100-0. At least the whole Senate can agree on one thing.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: MadCatTLX on September 26, 2013, 05:59:48 pm
I feel bad for C-Span if they had to listen to all 22 hours of that drivel. So how exactly did it end? Did the Senate vote to end it, or did he just finally run out of gas?
There was a vote to end it, 100-0. At least the whole Senate can agree on one thing.

Damn, dude. You got the entire senate to agree to tell you to shut the fuck up. That's pretty impressive.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: dpareja on September 26, 2013, 06:04:58 pm
I feel bad for C-Span if they had to listen to all 22 hours of that drivel. So how exactly did it end? Did the Senate vote to end it, or did he just finally run out of gas?
There was a vote to end it, 100-0. At least the whole Senate can agree on one thing.

Damn, dude. You got the entire senate to agree to tell you to shut the fuck up. That's pretty impressive.

Actually, Cruz's speech was not a filibuster. There was a scheduled vote and he was forced to end his speech at that point. The vote in question was on ending debate on the bill in general, not on ending Cruz's speech in particular.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/26/us/politics/senate-budget-battle.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: SimSim on September 26, 2013, 06:07:26 pm
Bah. I misread the article. But still impressive that the entire Senate agreed on something.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: KZN02 on September 26, 2013, 07:39:28 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxRo1H3Gszk
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Dr. Weird on September 27, 2013, 03:30:31 pm
I feel bad for C-Span if they had to listen to all 22 hours of that drivel. So how exactly did it end? Did the Senate vote to end it, or did he just finally run out of gas?
There was a vote to end it, 100-0. At least the whole Senate can agree on one thing.

You know what the funniest part might be?  With a vote of 100-0, that means that even Calgary Cruz voted for it.

Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: clockworkgirl21 on September 28, 2013, 07:18:18 am
http://www.politicususa.com/2013/09/27/obama-single-house-republicans-demanding.html

Obama says no.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: ironbite on September 28, 2013, 05:07:50 pm
YAY SHUT DOWN TIME!  WHOOOO!
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: nickiknack on September 28, 2013, 05:41:06 pm
Cruz is a jackass, now do I have problems with it, yes, especially when it abused by companies to use it as a reason to dump coverage for their part time employees, but defunding it, isn't going to solve the problem, it just makes the problem worse. But Republicans don't give a shit, and it's especially funny when it's their fucking plan from the get go.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Cerim Treascair on September 28, 2013, 08:14:51 pm
http://www.politicususa.com/2013/09/27/obama-single-house-republicans-demanding.html

Obama says no.

Sadly, having spoken to dear friends of mine (several of whom are in the military, so directly affected by this mess), they've stated that the article is a biased train wreck.  Basically the left-wing answer to Fox.  I was told to take it with a small mound of salt.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: clockworkgirl21 on September 28, 2013, 09:24:08 pm
Should have known Obama didn't have balls that big.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Shane for Wax on September 28, 2013, 09:25:33 pm
My brother speaks truly. Obama has as many balls as a eunuch right now.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: KZN02 on September 28, 2013, 10:38:56 pm
I sure wished he had them in his last presidency.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on September 28, 2013, 11:03:58 pm
Oh what, they didn't even try the "Defund ObamaCare or We'll Shoot the Bunny" tactic first?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Lt. Fred on September 29, 2013, 03:21:14 am
At least Obama has finally made it clear that refunding the government is not conditional.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: gyeonghwa on September 29, 2013, 01:12:05 pm
Well this,
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ng8cPT4DmtQ/UkYJZDosMBI/AAAAAAAClWE/sgHCKSaZdvI/s400/Defund1.jpg)

Then this,
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VUtjDJ1O0Jk/Ukgg3vrTYzI/AAAAAAAClaA/HexY5EA2-t8/s400/House2.jpg)

And the odious cycle of grandstanding continues.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: MadCatTLX on September 29, 2013, 01:28:38 pm
Meanwhile, in congress...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf5KUvpOgdo
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: dpareja on September 30, 2013, 03:17:17 am
I can't help but see this as a big pissing match.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/looming-u-s-government-shutdown-deadline-sparks-blame-game-1.1872873

Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)

Quote
You're going to shut down the government if you can't prevent millions of Americans from getting affordable care.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)

Quote
The House has twice now voted to keep the government open. And if we have a shutdown, it will only be because when the Senate comes back, Harry Reid says, "I refuse even to talk."

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)

Quote
The House will get back together in enough time, send another provision not to shut the government down, but to fund it, and it will have a few other options in there for the Senate to look at again.

Rep. Raul Labrador (R-ID)

Quote
I think there's enough people in the Republican Party who are willing to [vote for a funding bill with no ACA-related stipulations]. And I think that's what you're going to see.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)

Quote
I disagree with the strategy of linking Obamacare with the continuing functioning of government — a strategy that cannot possibly work.

House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH)

Quote
If the Senate stalls until Monday afternoon instead of working [Sunday], it would be an act of breathtaking arrogance by the Senate Democratic leadership. They will be deliberately bringing the nation to the brink of a government shutdown.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Vypernight on September 30, 2013, 06:34:36 am
I can't help but see this as a big pissing match.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/looming-u-s-government-shutdown-deadline-sparks-blame-game-1.1872873

Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)

Quote
You're going to shut down the government if you can't prevent millions of Americans from getting affordable care.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)

Quote
The House has twice now voted to keep the government open. And if we have a shutdown, it will only be because when the Senate comes back, Harry Reid says, "I refuse even to talk."

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)

Quote
The House will get back together in enough time, send another provision not to shut the government down, but to fund it, and it will have a few other options in there for the Senate to look at again.

Rep. Raul Labrador (R-ID)

Quote
I think there's enough people in the Republican Party who are willing to [vote for a funding bill with no ACA-related stipulations]. And I think that's what you're going to see.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)

Quote
I disagree with the strategy of linking Obamacare with the continuing functioning of government — a strategy that cannot possibly work.

House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH)

Quote
If the Senate stalls until Monday afternoon instead of working [Sunday], it would be an act of breathtaking arrogance by the Senate Democratic leadership. They will be deliberately bringing the nation to the brink of a government shutdown.

"It's THEIR fault that we're acting like children!"

I've already seen several Facebook posts where they say Obama is the one who refuses to compromise.  So where is this alternative to the ACA if the GOP has such a problem with it?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mythbuster43 on September 30, 2013, 10:47:24 am
John Boehner is firing up the Psychological Projector, I see.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: gomer21xx on September 30, 2013, 11:53:47 am
I'm just going to post what I did when I shared that link on Facebook:

Quote
I think we need to make every one of these politicians kiss and make up. Then write about 100,000 pieces of slash fiction.

Guys, gals... you GOP types? Shut the fuck up, get back to work, and stop trying to fuck over the lower and middle class just so your corporate masters can line your pockets with your ill-gotten cash! I mean, for fuck's sake, taking the government to the brink of a SHUTDOWN (that conveniently doesn't affect your pay, I might add) over a bill that could, you know, ACTUALLY HELP PEOPLE WHO NEED IT?!

Ladies and gentlemen, the people have elected a bunch of children. Children who are only interested in getting their way and fuck anyone else who disagrees. Hell, the ACA is a REPUBLICAN idea, wasn't it? And yet, as soon as the President (a Democrat) says he likes it, they immediately turn on the ACA like those sharks in Finding Nemo as soon as they smell blood.

How about you, I don't know, COOPERATE for once! Obama's not perfect. Hell, far from it. But at least, in this particular arena, he's been TRYING! And all you GOP fuckers can do is metaphorically spit in his face, just because he's not on your side and bending to your will or the will of your corporate masters.

And yes, I know the GOP isn't the ONLY types pulling this, but they're the more prominent right now. So, fuck 'em!
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Random Gal on September 30, 2013, 07:01:28 pm
Dear Republicans:

President Obama has bent way over backwards to accommodate you people for the last 4.5 years. Now its time you did something for a change.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: KZN02 on September 30, 2013, 10:22:49 pm
Dear Republicans:

President Obama has bent way over backwards to accommodate you people for the last 4.5 years. Now its time you did something for a change.
I remember reading a comment on LiberalViewer's last video about Obama's caving in from the last presidency made the GOP unprepared when he finally showed backbone.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: dpareja on October 01, 2013, 12:27:01 am
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/u-s-government-shuts-down-after-political-deadlock-1.1874247

Oh hey look, a shut down!

Quote
Congress has missed the deadline for averting the first partial U.S. government shutdown in 17 years.

As the clock struck midnight Monday, House Republicans were demanding that the Senate negotiate their demand for a one-year delay in making millions of people buy health insurance under President Barack Obama's 2010 health care law. Minutes before midnight, the White House ordered a shutdown.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 01, 2013, 12:37:33 am
So... now what?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: JohnE on October 01, 2013, 12:51:07 am
I was pretty young durring the last shut down, but I don't remember it being all that big a deal.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Askold on October 01, 2013, 12:57:17 am
Just split the country in two. It'll be less painful.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Osama bin Bambi on October 01, 2013, 01:01:13 am
So... now what?

ANARCHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

(http://25.media.tumblr.com/c460404f7a3430cf13701bd0e818030c/tumblr_mtz1ek8LAS1qzknbfo1_500.png)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: kefkaownsall on October 01, 2013, 01:16:05 am
No science today because its raining.  The rapeublians are gonna come off bad.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Askold on October 01, 2013, 01:22:23 am
Seriously, this is like a kid throwing a temper tantrum upscaled into massive proportions.

And will still bet that in the end the Rebublicans will come out of this stronger whule Obama gets the blame and history will rememner him as a weak president...
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Random Gal on October 01, 2013, 01:27:26 am
Seriously, this is like a kid throwing a temper tantrum upscaled into massive proportions.

And will still bet that in the end the Rebublicans will come out of this stronger whule Obama gets the blame and history will rememner him as a weak president...

I don't know about that. Bill Clinton's popularity wasn't affected too much last time while the Republicans came off as douchebags.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: kefkaownsall on October 01, 2013, 01:34:27 am
Here's the changes
(click to show/hide)
Although Obama did ensure soldiers get paid so yeah.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: SpaceProg on October 01, 2013, 01:58:31 am
I was 16 or so when the last shutdown happened.  I don't remember country going to hell in a handbasket then. 

I have to admit I did get a twinge of worry at the NIH, CDC, and OSHA getting shut down. 
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: chitoryu12 on October 01, 2013, 02:17:04 am
I was a kid, but I certainly didn't grow up in a lawless, post-apocalyptic USSR pastiche where my mother had to wait in a bread line after working a 14 hour shift at the factory.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: TheUnknown on October 01, 2013, 02:25:53 am
Out of curiosity, does anyone know what the majority opinion for the healthcare reform is?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: ironbite on October 01, 2013, 02:59:43 am
Seriously, this is like a kid throwing a temper tantrum upscaled into massive proportions.

And will still bet that in the end the Rebublicans will come out of this stronger whule Obama gets the blame and history will rememner him as a weak president...

Last time they shut down the government before an election cycle, it took Bill Clinton getting Monica Lewinksy to fuck him in the Oval Office with her mouth to get them back in power.  Don't expect Obama to do that.

Out of curiosity, does anyone know what the majority opinion for the healthcare reform is?

80% of the country wants the damn program.  Its the Tea party thinking they can get their way because of....things.

Ironbite-I'm giggling though my sister and her husband are not getting paid right now.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Askold on October 01, 2013, 04:15:42 am
Seriously, this is like a kid throwing a temper tantrum upscaled into massive proportions.

And will still bet that in the end the Rebublicans will come out of this stronger whule Obama gets the blame and history will rememner him as a weak president...

Last time they shut down the government before an election cycle, it took Bill Clinton getting Monica Lewinksy to fuck him in the Oval Office with her mouth to get them back in power.  Don't expect Obama to do that.

The Tea party didn't exist the last time. For many of the libertards this is their wet dream, downgrading the goverment to military (and some other essentials.) Isn't that what many libertards want? The fact that this will cause huge damage to USA might mean that some of the realize how utopistic their fantasy was but I'm not certain of that.

I suppose this might be the killing blow to the Rebublican party but they've been able to blame Obama of all the other bad stuff before so I wouldn't be suprised if the same happens now. (In fact I've seen some polls where more people were blaming Democrats/Obama than Rebublicans. It was just an internet poll on a conservative website but still...)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Itachirumon on October 01, 2013, 04:22:10 am
Seriously, this is like a kid throwing a temper tantrum upscaled into massive proportions.

And will still bet that in the end the Rebublicans will come out of this stronger whule Obama gets the blame and history will rememner him as a weak president...

Last time they shut down the government before an election cycle, it took Bill Clinton getting Monica Lewinksy to fuck him in the Oval Office with her mouth to get them back in power.  Don't expect Obama to do that.

The Tea party didn't exist the last time. For many of the libertards this is their wet dream, downgrading the goverment to military (and some other essentials.) Isn't that what many libertards want? The fact that this will cause huge damage to USA might mean that some of the realize how utopistic their fantasy was but I'm not certain of that.

I suppose this might be the killing blow to the Rebublican party but they've been able to blame Obama of all the other bad stuff before so I wouldn't be suprised if the same happens now. (In fact I've seen some polls where more people were blaming Democrats/Obama than Rebublicans. It was just an internet poll on a conservative website but still...)

Fixed that for you.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Askold on October 01, 2013, 04:35:30 am
My point is that even if the average person knows who caused this the Conservatards might still blame it all on Obama.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: chitoryu12 on October 01, 2013, 04:42:59 am
My point is that even if the average person knows who caused this the Conservatards might still blame it all on Obama.

Conservatards will ALWAYS blame it on Obama. By their very nature, idiotic people with a severe political bias will blame the opposing party for whatever they can even if it's their own party's fault and all evidence indicates it. All they have to do is say that "Obama gave them no choice because of his horrible socialism" to justify being a bunch of assholes who are hurting everyone but themselves in a temper tantrum.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: TheUnknown on October 01, 2013, 04:49:49 am
Someone today was upset when they were trying to blame Obama, wondering how they could do it.  Later, someone else said that it wasn't just the Republicans that didn't want Obamacare, "the people" (there's that phrase again) didn't want it either, at least not in this form.  That's why I asked what the actual percentage of support was for the country.

So yeah, there's one way they can try to pin this on Obama (by claiming nobody wants this so he shouldn't have forced it).
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Vypernight on October 01, 2013, 07:18:18 am
Well, apparently, even some republicans, like Dent, are disagreeing with their own party's decisions.  Good, maybe we can stop with this, "if you're not with us, you're against us," bullshit!
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: dpareja on October 01, 2013, 07:30:04 am
Well, apparently, even some republicans, like Dent, are disagreeing with their own party's decisions.  Good, maybe we can stop with this, "if you're not with us, you're against us," bullshit!

Bets on whether Dent wins his primary for 2014?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Askold on October 01, 2013, 07:48:06 am
So, we got some die hard Rebublicans who will vote for their GOP no matter what and we have the Tea party libertards who are driving them on to this path of madness. Neither of those have a problem with what is going on now. What about the moderates? If stunts like this alienate them THAT might be what finally stops the Rebublicans.

And I can't believe that this is happening but in Finland people are actually cheering for this shutdown...
Some are really anti-EU and feel that this trainwreck in USA is the natural result of a federation and they fear that the same will happen to EU (Some in fact hope it would happen.)
Some are morons who simply do not understand what a goverment is supposed to do and believe that something like this will obviously result in money being saved and improving the country.
And then there are those who just feel that USA going down the drain is good because, fuck USA (also, devaluation of dollar is good for business or something.)
And something something mind control! (Don't ask, Finnish conspiracy theories aren't any better or more sensible than the ones in USA.)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: gyeonghwa on October 01, 2013, 09:32:50 am
The polls I've been reading say it's harming the GOP more than the Dems. Wouldn't this be great if it split the GOP into two?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: chitoryu12 on October 01, 2013, 02:34:13 pm
The polls I've been reading say it's harming the GOP more than the Dems. Wouldn't this be great if it split the GOP into two?

I take it you mean a literal division of the party into two separate parties. Because the GOP has basically already become frayed and there are effectively two sides to Republicans: crazy extremists and normal conservatives.

I know you can say "Well, there's always extremists and normal people in any political party except like, the Nazis or something." But the GOP is the only one in which a definitive split is visible and affecting the party.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: SimSim on October 01, 2013, 04:30:18 pm
Out of curiosity, does anyone know what the majority opinion for the healthcare reform is?
That's a difficult question to answer. When described what the ACA will do a majority of people like those things. However the majority doesn't like the insurance mandate. Which sadly is the most well known portion of the law. Now to make things even more complex is what happens when people are asked their opinion on the ACA. Approval rates for it currently are about 38%. Approval rates go in to the 40s if the words Obamacare aren't used.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 01, 2013, 04:33:43 pm
The polls I've been reading say it's harming the GOP more than the Dems. Wouldn't this be great if it split the GOP into two?

I take it you mean a literal division of the party into two separate parties. Because the GOP has basically already become frayed and there are effectively two sides to Republicans: crazy extremists and normal conservatives.

I know you can say "Well, there's always extremists and normal people in any political party except like, the Nazis or something." But the GOP is the only one in which a definitive split is visible and affecting the party.

Actually you can't really even say that for the Nazis.  Or for this example, the neo-nazis.

Even though the idealogy is inherently extremist, there are extremists and "normals" in it, too.

...Basically, a normal neo-Nazi vs. Joy of Satan Ministries.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: MadCatTLX on October 01, 2013, 04:58:16 pm
What's the longest the government has been shut down for before?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on October 01, 2013, 05:17:46 pm
What's the longest the government has been shut down for before?

In '95/'96, a short one and a long one, for a cumulative 28 days.  I said earlier I remembered at least four shutdowns during my lifetime. Boy, was I ever muddy in my memory. It has happened eighteen times in my lifetime, almost all of it while I was old enough to vote! Really, these are no big deal, except if they last long enough that medical patients don't get their NIH treatments or vulnerable people don't get their flu shots.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_shutdown_in_the_US (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_shutdown_in_the_US)

Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Shane for Wax on October 01, 2013, 05:20:39 pm
I would not consider it not a big deal:

800,000 federal employees have to go home. There’s no money to pay them, and coming to work on a volunteer basis gets into some tricky legal areas. While in the past they have successfully lobbied for back pay, there’s no guarantee of it with a divided congress.
Air-traffic controllers will remain on duty. ATCs are government employees, but they are members of the 2-million odd employees that are marked as “essential”. They likely will not receive paychecks, however, until the shutdown ends.
Airport delays. While the FAA’s security screeners are essential employees, many of the people who work to support them logistically are not.
Visa applications and fees will continue to be processed, and foreign embassies and consulates remain open. So if you’re waiting on a visa application, don’t worry, it’s still in the works - though again, it’ll almost certainly be a slower process. Homeland Security and green card operations are included here, though DHS’ e-verify program - the thing that checks on the immigration status of job applicants - will no longer operate.
NASA will furlough most of its employees. Essential mission control operations and employees will continue, but the vast majority of NASA employees are going home - and I do mean home, because NASA’s on-site housing for employees is being shut down.
The military stops receiving paychecks. While the million and a half members of the US Armed Services stay on duty, they won’t get paid until after the shutdown.
The postal service continues as normal.
The federal court system stops. According to The Guardian, the federal courts would operate as normal for about 10 days before they have to start sending people home.
The NIH screeches to a halt. That includes accepting new patients for clinical research, as well as answering medical questions on their hotline.
The CDC will stop its seasonal flu program. According to the Washington Post, it will also have “a significantly reduced capacity to respond to outbreak investigations.”
HUD will no longer be able to provide local housing authorities with vouchers. So if you live in government-subsidized housing, your status is very much up in the air.
Parks and museums will close. Yosemite, Alcatraz, Yellowstone, the Smithsonian, the Library of Congress, the Statue of Liberty, and about 400 other locations will close - though interestingly, the Southern Rim of the Grand Canyon will remain open, because the state of Arizona is picking up the bill.
The EPA will shut down. The only thing that stays open at the EPA during a government shutdown is its operations around Superfund sites.
OSHA will shut down.
Social Security will be partially defunded. Social Security, as an entitlement, will remain open enough to keep the checks going out, but will lose enough staff that they won’t be able to schedule new hearings.
VA Benefits will be cut. VA hospitals remain open, but that’s about it - and if the shutdown lasts longer than a few weeks, the Department of Veterans Affairs has said that it might not have enough money to pay disability claims and pensions.

But yes if you absolutely are not affected by any of that, then it isn't a big deal. To you, anyways.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on October 01, 2013, 05:29:42 pm
Wow, booker. What I meant is that we are not going to see rioting in the streets and people starving from it. Look at the wiki history, and by far these shut downs last a few days for the most part. I am not a callous person.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: chitoryu12 on October 01, 2013, 05:31:00 pm
The polls I've been reading say it's harming the GOP more than the Dems. Wouldn't this be great if it split the GOP into two?

I take it you mean a literal division of the party into two separate parties. Because the GOP has basically already become frayed and there are effectively two sides to Republicans: crazy extremists and normal conservatives.

I know you can say "Well, there's always extremists and normal people in any political party except like, the Nazis or something." But the GOP is the only one in which a definitive split is visible and affecting the party.

Actually you can't really even say that for the Nazis.  Or for this example, the neo-nazis.

Even though the idealogy is inherently extremist, there are extremists and "normals" in it, too.

...Basically, a normal neo-Nazi vs. Joy of Satan Ministries.

Well, the Nazi party starts at the extremist end. It struggles to get farther; even the craziest are basically just the same thing with more depravity, rather than starting somewhat sensible and reasonable and going all the way to nutbag.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Shane for Wax on October 01, 2013, 05:43:40 pm
Wow, booker. What I meant is that we are not going to see rioting in the streets and people starving from it. Look at the wiki history, and by far these shut downs last a few days for the most part. I am not a callous person.

No but it's a bit more serious than people seem to be grasping. Riots aren't the only sign of a problem.

Backpay is not guaranteed which means that the effects of the shutdown will be felt even further than the actual shutdown. That is what I'm trying to impart.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on October 01, 2013, 06:09:29 pm
If they deny lost pay, it will break precedent. So far, all furloughed government workers have been reimbursed for wages/salary lost during all the previous shutdowns. And yeah, I would not put that past this particular Congress, but it would put a rotten cherry on top of this pile of debacle they have mounded up lately.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: RavynousHunter on October 01, 2013, 06:20:33 pm
If they deny lost pay, it will break precedent. So far, all furloughed government workers have been reimbursed for wages/salary lost during all the previous shutdowns. And yeah, I would not put that past this particular Congress, but it would put a rotten cherry on top of this pile of debacle they have mounded up lately.

Not to mention it'd even further fuck their reputations, meaning their chances of getting elected will be diminished.  Those who have power typically want to keep it for as long as they can without violating their personal principles and/or the law of the land; I highly doubt they'd do something that would harm their chances for reelection.  After all, if they don't get reelected, they don't get near as much money.  What reason could there possibly be to buy out a politician if they haven't got any power?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Shane for Wax on October 01, 2013, 06:22:55 pm
At this point I wouldn't put it past congress for anything. I expect nothing and I'm still surprised, as the saying goes.

I will, however, apologize for my tone. The furlough happens to affect my family a lot harder than it might other families because everyone in my immediate and not so immediate family are paid by the government and considered 'non essential' thus no one except for me (because of my disability social security fund) is really getting any money.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Damen on October 01, 2013, 06:23:56 pm
Not to mention it'd even further fuck their reputations, meaning their chances of getting elected will be diminished.  Those who have power typically want to keep it for as long as they can without violating their personal principles and/or the law of the land; I highly doubt they'd do something that would harm their chances for reelection.  After all, if they don't get reelected, they don't get near as much money.  What reason could there possibly be to buy out a politician if they haven't got any power?

It amuses me that you think elected officials have personal principles. ;D
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on October 01, 2013, 09:41:10 pm
Well, we all here already know this, but it is still appalling but funny to see why the GOP and teahadis keep their screaming and whining up. Voters are fucking idiots here.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/539715 (http://www.hulu.com/watch/539715)

(Jimmy Kimmel man-in-the-street interview asking people which they prefer; Obama Care, or The Affordable Care Act)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Patches on October 01, 2013, 10:12:04 pm
The Republican attitude towards this is unnervingly similar to an entitled rapist.

It's like... they can't comprehend that once they've lost, once they've been told "no", then that's that.  Instead, they seem to feel like they're obligated to have their way, and every vote they've lost, every court decision against them, is just some annoying speed bump to them getting what they deserve.  So now they've resorted to attempting to gain it by forceful coercion.

And all the people blaming the Democrats are essentially saying, "Well, it wouldn't be rape if she'd just said 'yes'."
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: RavynousHunter on October 01, 2013, 10:20:46 pm
Not to mention it'd even further fuck their reputations, meaning their chances of getting elected will be diminished.  Those who have power typically want to keep it for as long as they can without violating their personal principles and/or the law of the land; I highly doubt they'd do something that would harm their chances for reelection.  After all, if they don't get reelected, they don't get near as much money.  What reason could there possibly be to buy out a politician if they haven't got any power?

It amuses me that you think elected officials have personal principles. ;D

You know what I mean, boy.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: SpaceProg on October 01, 2013, 10:53:50 pm
I just hope things start back up soon so my folks and I can get our flu jabs. 
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: dpareja on October 01, 2013, 10:56:02 pm
Well, we all here already know this, but it is still appalling but funny to see why the GOP and teahadis keep their screaming and whining up. Voters are fucking idiots here.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/539715 (http://www.hulu.com/watch/539715)

(Jimmy Kimmel man-in-the-street interview asking people which they prefer; Obama Care, or The Affordable Care Act)

For those for whom Hulu won't work:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx2scvIFGjE&feature=player_embedded
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Alehksunos on October 01, 2013, 11:03:54 pm
Those poor people. Don't they know that the Affordable Care Act and "Obamacare" are the same exact thing?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: dpareja on October 01, 2013, 11:06:24 pm
Those poor people. Don't they know that the Affordable Care Act and "Obamacare" are the same exact thing?

No they aren't one is affordable and the other is Obama!!!!1!1!11!!1!
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Meshakhad on October 01, 2013, 11:54:57 pm
Even Bill O'Reilly isn't happy with the shutdown. His main section of the program was basically summarizing the situation and going over the poll data - you know, the polls showing that most Americans blame the GOP for this. Then he got into a shouting match with Ted Cruz.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: gyeonghwa on October 02, 2013, 12:40:35 am
So I claimed that more people would be more upset at the GOP than the Dems for the shut down, but I finally got a more neutral source for that claim.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/30/us-usa-fiscal-poll-idUSBRE98T0J720130930

But it says more people blame the Dems rather than Obama, so yeah. But at least they know where the blame is and it isn't with POTUS. On the other hand, given that people apparently don't know that ACA and Obama are the same thing. . .
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Her3tiK on October 02, 2013, 01:49:18 am
So I claimed that more people would be more upset at the GOP than the Dems for the shut down, but I finally got a more neutral source for that claim.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/30/us-usa-fiscal-poll-idUSBRE98T0J720130930

But it says more people blame the Dems rather than Obama, so yeah. But at least they know where the blame is and it isn't with POTUS. On the other hand, given that people apparently don't know that ACA and Obama are the same thing. . .
Is that really surprising, given what's said about the ACA in the first place? I don't think half the country even knows what it does.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on October 02, 2013, 02:01:38 am
Hell, most of my neighbors are too old to worry about it, since they all are already on Medicare, but they still say, "Treatment rationing! Death panels! Socialism!" like it's a single payer system...which is what Canada essentially has...and is arguably the best health care system on the fucking planet. The insurance companies are resigned to the horrible fact that they will actually come out of this with more customers and more money. It's not like all the people who sign up and qualify for subsidized policies are gonna go play Russian roulette or run out into traffic the next day. This just shows how true it is that if you yell lies loudly and for long enough, people believe them.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: gyeonghwa on October 02, 2013, 02:32:19 am
So I claimed that more people would be more upset at the GOP than the Dems for the shut down, but I finally got a more neutral source for that claim.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/30/us-usa-fiscal-poll-idUSBRE98T0J720130930

But it says more people blame the Dems rather than Obama, so yeah. But at least they know where the blame is and it isn't with POTUS. On the other hand, given that people apparently don't know that ACA and Obama are the same thing. . .
Is that really surprising, given what's said about the ACA in the first place? I don't think half the country even knows what it does.
Crap, um. It's suppose to read that more people blame the GOP. Shitty proof reading on my part.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: ironbite on October 02, 2013, 09:58:33 am
And now the stupid just...keeps going

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/01/politics/gov...down/index.html (http://"http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/01/politics/government-shutdown/index.html")

Quote
Washington (CNN) -- While up to 800,000 federal workers faced life without a paycheck as Day One of the government shutdown kicked in, Democrats and Republicans persisted in talking past each other without actually talking to each other to end the nation's latest fiscal crisis.

The Republican-led House offered its latest gambit on Tuesday night but failed in separate votes to approve piecemeal funding for three specific programs -- the District of Columbia, veterans affairs and national parks.

The votes required a two-thirds majority for passage, which would have required hefty Democratic support. That did not materialize, though House leadership aides say the plan is to bring up the same measures again Wednesday in a way that would require only a simple majority to pass.

Aside from conservative political calculations that calling these votes would put their ideological foes in a tough spot, it appears they'll have little practical impact since the Democratic-led Senate wasn't about to acquiesce and the White House promised a veto.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid derided the strategy as "just another wacky idea by tea party Republicans," a clear example of the rhetorical firefights that have marked the latest pitched battle over spending. This one has been fueled by GOP efforts to condition any continued funding of the government with the elimination -- or at least the delay -- of Obamacare.

President Barack Obama weighed in Tuesday, the start of the fiscal year, by lambasting the Republicans for being "reckless" in their apparent willingness to take down the government in order to take down the law overhauling major aspects of health care coverage. He championed the law, signed it in 2010, then saw it upheld by the Supreme Court last year.

Saying the shutdown's goal is to hinder government efforts to provide health insurance to 15% of the U.S. population that doesn't have coverage, the president said it was "strange that one party would make keeping people uninsured the centerpiece of their agenda."
"Republicans in the House of Representatives refused to fund the government unless we defunded or dismantled the Affordable Care Act," he said, flanked by people who the White House said had benefited from the health care reform.

Reid, for one, indicated he's open to working with the House on budgetary matters -- "but not with the government closed" and not by making it all about the legislation widely known as Obamacare.
Until then, he and other Democrats pushed for the House to pass a "clean" spending plan to fund the government for a few months before negotiating over parts of the health care law.

There's more but I just wanna highlight one very important quote from one Rep. Rokita (IN)

Quote
Obamacare isn't directly tied to funding the government. But it's so unpopular among the Republican tea party conservatives that they want it undercut, if not outright repealed. For instance, this week Republican Rep. Todd Rokita of Indiana called it "the most insidious law known to man."

Let's just see that for a second there.  Yeah, this law is right up there with Apartheid, prima nocte, the Indian Removal Act, the Fugitive Slave Act, The Enabling Act, and Alien and Sedition Acts.  Yeah, granting free health care to your citizens is right up there with all of those laws up there.

Ironbite-what reality are they in again?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Flying Mint Bunny! on October 02, 2013, 10:41:19 am
I don't understand how they can just shut down the government. Isn't it their job to keep it running?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Askold on October 02, 2013, 10:48:45 am
I don't understand how they can just shut down the government. Isn't it their job to keep it running?
If I may, the Rebublican justification goes something like...

This:
(http://facepalm.naurunappula.com/org/5b/e7/5be71d98f20de6ee/0/975397.gif)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: dpareja on October 02, 2013, 11:30:07 am
I don't understand how they can just shut down the government. Isn't it their job to keep it running?

As I recall, keeping the government running is the role of the executive branch, but they can't do that without money from the public purse, and Congress controls that. Congress is not necessarily obligated to provide the executive with money.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: chitoryu12 on October 02, 2013, 03:21:26 pm
I don't understand how they can just shut down the government. Isn't it their job to keep it running?

They don't care. What they're basically doing is being the child throwing a tantrum in Walmart so they can get a candy bar. The ACA got passed, but they don't want it to be passed. So they just refuse to do anything until they can have it their way, and legally they're not actually doing anything wrong so they can't just be fired for their stupidity.

They can talk all the want about being reasonable and wanting to work with the Democrats to improve society and the economy for everyone. But as soon as they don't get their way, they intentionally fuck everyone over and wait for the other guys to give in just to stop them from ruining everything.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on October 02, 2013, 04:50:57 pm
Consider that the only major corporate entities directly affected by the ACA/Obama Care are insurance companies, and that those companies know they are going to make more money under the law, the only "reason" behind all the shit flinging is that it is the biggest, floppiest, dirtiest straw man the conservatives have to rally their base around. They have years of effort sunk into this strawman, and it has paid off nicely in luring more and more voters to go into their tent revival meeting.

Clearly, most people don't fully - or at all - understand the health care reform law for what it actually is. They clearly have brains made mostly of Teflon, where only years of bombardment will make anything stick to influence their votes. They believe that Obama Care is free insurance for slobs and thugs, being clawed out of their hard earned money. They have no idea that most of the uninsured 15% of the country will in fact be paying a monthly premium that is a real challenge to budget for. But these anti-ACA people are mostly suits who work in cubicles, whose company sponsored group health plan appears to be paid for them (actually, their premium share is adjusted out, and their base salary is lower than it would otherwise be). Hourly workers see their insurance payroll deduction. Now, more hourly workers will see that chunk of their gross earnings evaporate from their monthly budget income. Part timers will go to the exchanges, and get help for up to 2/3rds or so of their insurance premiums, or will qualify for Medicaid, or will opt for dirt cheap catastrophic insurance if they are young enough, or will just pay a non-insured penalty out of their income tax refund each year. Only a few percent of people currently uninsured will pay no premium. They will be enrolled in Medicaid, because they are so extremely poor they can barely survive as it is. The subsidies for low income workers' insurance premium payments are from the income tax funds provided by all of us who make enough that we don't get refunds, and from the lower income workers, their pay check federal tax withholdings are used during the fiscal year as cash flow to fund the government, too. It might work out to a few dollars per tax payer, per year, if you parse out exactly what the subsidies will cost.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Bezron on October 02, 2013, 04:59:00 pm
Don't you dare bring facts into this!
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: MadCatTLX on October 02, 2013, 05:01:39 pm
The problem is many companies claim to be affected and use it as an excuse to cut worker pay. Walmart is doing it of course, though they almost never hire full time workers anyway.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: kefkaownsall on October 02, 2013, 05:08:05 pm
Of course if the dems were to introduce a rider forbidding that reason for hour cuts then the republicans would block it
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: dpareja on October 02, 2013, 05:10:12 pm
Of course if the dems were to introduce a rider forbidding that reason for hour cuts then the republicans would block it

They wouldn't have to, the provision would be nigh-unenforceable.

(They would anyway, of course.)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: ironbite on October 02, 2013, 05:23:53 pm
The problem is many companies claim to be affected and use it as an excuse to cut worker pay. Walmart is doing it of course, though they almost never hire full time workers anyway.

I wouldn't be so quick to say that (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-09-23/wal-mart-elevates-70-000-workers-amid-stocking-complaints.html)

Quote
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) is hiring 55,000 seasonal workers and adding another 70,000 part-time and full-time workers as it gears up for the holiday season and reverses workforce reductions that have made it hard to keep store shelves stocked.

The company is moving 35,000 part-time workers to full-time status and is elevating another 35,000 to part-time from temporary, the Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer said today in a statement. The 70,000 workers will be elevated in the next few months and will keep their new posts after the holiday season ends, said Kory Lundberg, a Wal-Mart spokesman.

Wal-Mart usually hires temporary workers to get ready for the holiday shopping season. The company is adding more permanent people to improve customer service after failing to keep shelves stocked and handle other store-level operations, said David Galper, head of retail and apparel investment banking for KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc.

“They’re competing more and more for consumers’ dollars,” he said in a telephone interview. “They want to have sufficient employees to get the right product to the right shelf at the right time.”

While the move will add “an incremental cost” on labor, it could help the company “capture additional sales,” he said.

Wal-Mart rose 0.8 percent to $76.42 at the close in New York. The shares have advanced 12 percent this year, compared with a 19 percent gain for the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.

So the practice of hiring a fuck ton of seasonal and temporary workers have pretty much came back and bit the big blue in the ass.  So yeah, don't be saying things like they're cutting workers till you know.

Now on-topic, anyone feel like smacking the republicans really hard?

Ironbite-right in the mouth?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Yla on October 02, 2013, 05:50:30 pm
Well, the Nazi party starts at the extremist end. It struggles to get farther; even the craziest are basically just the same thing with more depravity, rather than starting somewhat sensible and reasonable and going all the way to nutbag.
Which Nazi party are you familiar with exactly?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: chitoryu12 on October 02, 2013, 09:51:39 pm
Well, the Nazi party starts at the extremist end. It struggles to get farther; even the craziest are basically just the same thing with more depravity, rather than starting somewhat sensible and reasonable and going all the way to nutbag.
Which Nazi party are you familiar with exactly?

.....the Nazi kind?

This seems like a rather odd question.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on October 02, 2013, 11:47:07 pm
Maybe he missed the context of comparing the Nazis - extreme, to unspeakably extremist nutbags - to the GOP starting at conservative to unspeakably teahadi? By itself, your sentence could be misconstrued to state that there was a "somewhat sensible and reasonable" faction within the Nazi party (when you meant that for GOP).
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: gyeonghwa on October 03, 2013, 12:14:59 am
Well, at least some companies aren't cutting people off: http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/10/02/disney-world-part-timers-obamacare/

Quote
Papa Johns, SeaWorld, and UPS are just some of the few companies, among others, that have cut worker’s hours to avoid Obamacare requirements that part-time employees are provided health insurance by their employer. Rather than comply with Obamacare, these businesses hurt employees out of sheer greed or hatred of President Obama’s signature law. But not Disney World.

Disney World is taking a different approach to employee care.
Instead of being cruel to their part-time workers by cutting their hours, the Florida theme park has been inspired by Obamacare to offer them full-time employment so that they can get full health care coverage.

Go go Disney World.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: chitoryu12 on October 03, 2013, 12:54:57 am
Maybe he missed the context of comparing the Nazis - extreme, to unspeakably extremist nutbags - to the GOP starting at conservative to unspeakably teahadi? By itself, your sentence could be misconstrued to state that there was a "somewhat sensible and reasonable" faction within the Nazi party (when you meant that for GOP).

Not really hard to understand. I'm just hoping he's not about to try and talk about the Nazis ever being reasonable and/or sensible.

Quote
Go go Disney World.

I live in Orlando. That place is my second home.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: KZN02 on October 03, 2013, 01:30:51 am
I was talking to my mom about the government shutdown and she knows how tourism is going to be hit hard, especially from China, since around this time is Chinese Independence Day or something, where lots of Chinese go to America for vacation.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: TheUnknown on October 03, 2013, 01:50:41 am
Well, at least some companies aren't cutting people off: http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/10/02/disney-world-part-timers-obamacare/

Quote
Papa Johns, SeaWorld, and UPS are just some of the few companies, among others, that have cut worker’s hours to avoid Obamacare requirements that part-time employees are provided health insurance by their employer. Rather than comply with Obamacare, these businesses hurt employees out of sheer greed or hatred of President Obama’s signature law. But not Disney World.

Disney World is taking a different approach to employee care.
Instead of being cruel to their part-time workers by cutting their hours, the Florida theme park has been inspired by Obamacare to offer them full-time employment so that they can get full health care coverage.

Go go Disney World.

You know, it's shit like this (not Disney, the other ones) that makes me think it's hilarious whenever conservatives bitch about about the left's "entitlement issues."  So it's horrible and greedy and selfish when poor people without steady jobs want to not starve and not live on the street and not get denied treatment, but it's not horrible and greedy and selfish when companies hurt employees so they can get out of following the rules because they feel they're entitled to do anything it takes to maximize their own profits?  And rather than point the finger at corporations and overhaul these practices and fix this toxic attitude of society, their solution is to blame Obamacare for "costing these people their jobs?"  Oh wait. they'd probably say something like, "it's not entitlement because those people have jobs and they earned it!"  The people who believe regulations and not businesses should be blamed for unethical and damaging business behavior are probably the same ones who believe that it's impossible for any entity other than government to be coercive.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Alehksunos on October 03, 2013, 02:03:06 am
I would tell my family to boycott Papa Johns and to skip this "family outing" to Seaworld of San Antonio if it weren't for the fact that it's because the assholes who run those businesses are firing their employees and blaming it on the Affordable Healthcare Act aka "Obamacare" and their opposition towards it because of the shit they've been told about it. Of course, I remember when I've asked them to boycott Chick-fil-a because of Dan Cathy's disgusting views on homosexuals and his donations to anti-LGBT organizations (much of them listed as "Hate-groups" by the Southern Povery Law Center). Same with Hobby Lobby and the CEO denying birth-control coverage.

I almost want to point fingers at them honestly and call them out as "Social-Darwinists." They actually see healthcare reform as an excuse for people to have unhealthy lifestyles instead of not get fucked over and most people who really need it have insufficient funds for coverage. I can't even convince them that most of the things they know about the Affordable Care Act are wrong and to cut it out with their toxic views on people with these various benefits, all because most of our society refuses to have fucking anything to do with them.

Also, Chitoryu, I really hate to say this, but I envy you.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Askold on October 03, 2013, 02:24:09 am
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/10/01/rachel-maddow-republican-shutdown-evil-planned-video/

This is interesting. Maddow makes a good point about how the Rebublicans Republicans lost their chances at undoing the ACA in constitutional ways and the only thing left for them is for the president to repeal it. And since they lost the presidential election...

All they have left is blackmailing USA with the shutdown. They are really desperate.

Maddow also does a good job at listing all the things Obama and the goverment accomplished when the Democrats were running the show and comparing it with what has happened after Republicans got control of half the goverment.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: clockworkgirl21 on October 03, 2013, 04:26:46 am
Quote
Even Bill O'Reilly isn't happy with the shutdown. His main section of the program was basically summarizing the situation and going over the poll data - you know, the polls showing that most Americans blame the GOP for this. Then he got into a shouting match with Ted Cruz.

I certainly don't like Bill O'Reilly, but he surprises me sometimes by being sensible. Heck, I can count on more than one hand how many different times I've agreed with him, and for a conservative, that's pretty good.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Vypernight on October 03, 2013, 04:59:06 am
Quote
Now, more hourly workers will see that chunk of their gross earnings evaporate from their monthly budget income.

Does this mean those of us already with health care plans will get more or less $ taken from our checks each week?  I'm asking because I just got my health care packet, and I see my deductions only increasing.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Askold on October 03, 2013, 07:11:29 am
Here is an appropriate quote:
Quote
What is our present condition? We have just carried an election on principles fairly stated to the people. Now we are told in advance, the government shall be broken up, unless we surrender to those we have beaten, before we take the offices. In this they are either attempting to play upon us, or they are in dead earnest. Either way, if we surrender, it is the end of us, and of the government. They will repeat the experiment upon us ad libitum


That was Abraham Lincoln talking about the situation right before the previous civil war in USA.

And from Daily KOs.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/10/01/1243199/-For-America-to-Survive-the-Republican-Party-must-Die

They quote heavily on another article ( http://dish.andrewsullivan.com/2013/10/01/the-nullification-party/ ) The main point is that the only way for USA to rise from this is for the Republican party to either collapse or divide.

Quote
And so, they have shut down the government and have told the President and the American people that it will not reopen again unless they get to repeal the Affordable Care Act, unless they get to personally deny health care and health insurance to over 40 million of Americans.   And if we don't surrender, in Lincoln's words, then they will allow the U.S. to default, which will break apart this country, and lead us eventually, after financial ruin and renewed economic collapse, to a new Civil War. 

To put it plainly, this Republican Party must be destroyed.   Completely.  And not figuratively.  And no, I do not mean the blood of Republicans must run in the streets.  I am not calling for a rounding up and shooting of Republicans.  No, I want their party as it currently exists destroyed as a functioning entity. How does that happen?

...

One way or the other, the current Republican Party as we know it is about to be destroyed.  If Boehner continues to allow Ted Cruz and his Teabaggers in the House to control the decision making and not back down, then what will happen is continued government shutdown going on months and a default on our debt, which will lead to Depression and collapse, all of which they will be directly and solely responsible for.   The other path is the one Booman describes, where Boehner gives up, and either he or some other sane Republican newly elected as speaker by a national coalition of sane Republicans and all the Democrats passes a clean CR and raises the debt ceiling, and then resolves a host of other issues.

USA or Republican party? Neither can live while the other survives.

I was too young to notice or understand the importance of the collapse of Soviet union, I wonder if I shall see USA go into another civil war in my time. Depending on who blinks first it just might happen. (And don't try to tell me there aren't people looking forward to it.)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on October 03, 2013, 12:52:06 pm
Quote
Now, more hourly workers will see that chunk of their gross earnings evaporate from their monthly budget income.

Does this mean those of us already with health care plans will get more or less $ taken from our checks each week?  I'm asking because I just got my health care packet, and I see my deductions only increasing.

I was showing that hourly workers who have never bought insurance are going to be challenged by that deduction, if they are added to a group policy for the first time. Most of them should shop the exchanges, first.

Now, for your situation, your group insurance rate has been increased for other reasons by that insurance company, and not by any direct result of the code under the ACA.  For example, a place I worked for 9 years had a near zero turnover rate - as we all aged, our group rate went up, even though there were very few claims (we were all mostly in our 40's, not doddering and frail elders). Age increases are only allowed on the more extreme end, now under ACA. If, at your job place, a smoker or two were recently hired and added to the plan, or the total number of people on the group plan has dropped under a certain threshold, an increase could occur. Otherwise, that insurance company is fucking around, which they are mostly all in the habit of doing. They will tweak clauses and any riders within the policy to nickel-and-dime the premiums upwards over time. They will substitute coverage schedules with hinky explanations of "improved" or "upgraded" or "extended" in the descriptions....which are just actuarial scenarios made up to increase premiums, not really improve coverage. In some cases, bullshit exclusions were outlawed by ACA, because they rendered the coverage so nit picky as to be impractical and unclaimable for insureds. Those read like a Rube Goldberg device to qualify for a claim. So, now that they can't play that shit anymore, they jack up the premium to cover their "added risk" of successful claims under that section. The ACA does tax "Cadillac" plans, to encourage insureds to shop elsewhere or to encourage policy holders to pressure the insurance company to drop bullshit policy overcharges. ACA also has corporate penalty taxes against the insurance companies that sell crappy, expensive, mediocre policies, which they will happily pass on the cost of to you, in more carefully worded clause addendums and premium increases. Assholes. Parasites. And thank gawd there are a few decent insurance companies left, so shop around.

If your boss is annoyed by it, since his premium will be up as well, have him call the agent to argue it back down, with a threat to change companies.

You have a good option on the exchanges to find a better policy with a subsidized premium unless you make a lot of money. Go check it out! Since Rick Scott blocked having a FL exchange, you go to the US exchange to shop around, and there are small business options for your boss to look at, too. He might be way better off changing your insurance carrier to one on the exchange.

https://www.healthcare.gov/families/ (https://www.healthcare.gov/families/)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: chitoryu12 on October 03, 2013, 01:01:41 pm
Quote
I wonder if I shall see USA go into another civil war in my time. Depending on who blinks first it just might happen. (And don't try to tell me there aren't people looking forward to it.)

It's doubtful. The states in the 19th century were much more fiercely independent, and the majority of the population rarely traveled out of state (a lot of them, unless they were specifically emigrating, stuck to a single region of their state) thanks to travel being slow and anything long-distance being expensive unless you just decided to walk it (and even then, you would need enough money for months worth of food). Nowadays, people regularly travel all over the world, to say nothing of easily and relatively cheaply driving across the country. The country is much more of a cohesive whole, and many states are dependent on one another's industries, as well as our ability as a nation to import and export.

Secession is pretty much unthinkable to everyone outside of a small minority, and the desire to see a civil war is even smaller. Even a limited understanding of economics and politics tells you that a lot of states couldn't easily survive independently. The National Guard is part of the United States military and still answers to the federal government, so if Texas were to break off they wouldn't exactly maintain "their" military, at least not in its current state. Even if everyone in the Texas National Guard were to stand by the government's theoretical decision to break away into the Republic of Stupidity, the United States Army alone (not including National Guard or Reserve) is over 28 times as large; they'd never be able to defend themselves in any kind of conflict without the rest of the nation.

Also, I should emphasize that I'm not suggesting that Mexico is going to invade and conquer Texas should they become independent. Reconquista is a fringe element anyway, and they're not exactly in any state to go around conquering anybody (even though they ARE stronger than this theoretical Texan Army).

More on point, while this may be a dangerous way of thinking, it may be in our best interests to not give the Republicans what they want. Everyone knows the psychology of people like this: you give them an inch, let them know that this tactic works, and they'll go and do it again. If the crazies who control the Republican party see that all they need to do to get any policy reversed is to do the equivalent of throwing a temper tantrum and threatening to break shit until they get what they want, they'll do it as much as they can.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: nickiknack on October 04, 2013, 01:02:50 am
I'm calling it now, this whole gov't shutdown will probably be over in a week.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 04, 2013, 01:36:27 am
I'm calling it now, this whole gov't shutdown will probably be over in a week.

I hope you're right.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: kefkaownsall on October 04, 2013, 01:38:26 am
If not I'm off to canada there will not be any job in muerica in 2 weeks if this shut down continues.  basically debt ceiling debate comes up so we dont raise it and then our credit rating tanks.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Igor on October 04, 2013, 01:39:13 am
I'm calling it now, this whole gov't shutdown will probably be over in a week.

I hope you're right.
Is it bad that all I can think of right now is "it'll be over by Christmas"? Probably...
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: chitoryu12 on October 04, 2013, 01:40:26 am
I heard a good analogy about this.

The office wants to install a soda machine. So they take a poll and find that the majority of the employees want to have one installed. They purchase the machine and drinks to stock it.

But Bill in Accounting doesn't want the machine, as he's against carbonated beverages. So after he raises a fuss, they hold more discussions and polls where they bring up his argument against having a soda machine. Bill is the minority, and the machine is going to get installed.

In retaliation, Bill decides that he's going to stop working. Not only is he not going to work, but because he's in Accounting, he's going to withhold every single payment. He got the passwords for everyone's accounts and is going to keep them from getting into their computers to do any work. He's going to hold the entire office hostage until they do things his way. Does he care about people not getting paid? Nope. He just wants his way.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Alehksunos on October 04, 2013, 02:03:08 am
I was too young to notice or understand the importance of the collapse of Soviet union, I wonder if I shall see USA go into another civil war in my time. Depending on who blinks first it just might happen. (And don't try to tell me there aren't people looking forward to it.)

(http://media.tumblr.com/b048c3e15b7262d0c3ad73332de8a405/tumblr_inline_mmrrbs7DEl1qz4rgp.jpg)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: KZN02 on October 04, 2013, 02:56:29 am
I was talking to my environmental studies professor on the government shutdown in regards to the impending Hurricane Karen. We're hoping things will pick up back to normal before then.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Yla on October 04, 2013, 06:41:45 am
Well, the Nazi party starts at the extremist end. It struggles to get farther; even the craziest are basically just the same thing with more depravity, rather than starting somewhat sensible and reasonable and going all the way to nutbag.
Which Nazi party are you familiar with exactly?

.....the Nazi kind?

This seems like a rather odd question.
I meant whether you were talking about the original NSDAP, or the modern NPD, or the ANP, or what.

But the discussion has moved on, let's drop this matter.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Canadian Mojo on October 04, 2013, 11:40:19 am
Quote
I wonder if I shall see USA go into another civil war in my time. Depending on who blinks first it just might happen. (And don't try to tell me there aren't people looking forward to it.)

It's doubtful. The states in the 19th century were much more fiercely independent, and the majority of the population rarely traveled out of state (a lot of them, unless they were specifically emigrating, stuck to a single region of their state) thanks to travel being slow and anything long-distance being expensive unless you just decided to walk it (and even then, you would need enough money for months worth of food). Nowadays, people regularly travel all over the world, to say nothing of easily and relatively cheaply driving across the country. The country is much more of a cohesive whole, and many states are dependent on one another's industries, as well as our ability as a nation to import and export.

Secession is pretty much unthinkable to everyone outside of a small minority, and the desire to see a civil war is even smaller. Even a limited understanding of economics and politics tells you that a lot of states couldn't easily survive independently. The National Guard is part of the United States military and still answers to the federal government, so if Texas were to break off they wouldn't exactly maintain "their" military, at least not in its current state. Even if everyone in the Texas National Guard were to stand by the government's theoretical decision to break away into the Republic of Stupidity, the United States Army alone (not including National Guard or Reserve) is over 28 times as large; they'd never be able to defend themselves in any kind of conflict without the rest of the nation.

Also, I should emphasize that I'm not suggesting that Mexico is going to invade and conquer Texas should they become independent. Reconquista is a fringe element anyway, and they're not exactly in any state to go around conquering anybody (even though they ARE stronger than this theoretical Texan Army).

More on point, while this may be a dangerous way of thinking, it may be in our best interests to not give the Republicans what they want. Everyone knows the psychology of people like this: you give them an inch, let them know that this tactic works, and they'll go and do it again. If the crazies who control the Republican party see that all they need to do to get any policy reversed is to do the equivalent of throwing a temper tantrum and threatening to break shit until they get what they want, they'll do it as much as they can.

If the US collapsed like the Soviet Union did, I suspect that it would evolve along similar lines except instead of one major player surrounded by smaller satellite states there would be a few regional congregations of power and influence surrounded by the smaller players. Out of necessity it would be peaceful in the beginning because everybody would be too busy and expending too many resources trying to get their new country off the ground to go start even a minor war with their neighbour. After the dust settled, power coalesced, and international legitimacy was gained, then you might see some fighting, but given the differences in the histories of US vs. USSR I find it unlikely. If the US split into two a north vs. south rematch would be too big and costly for no real gain by either side. If the US split into several smaller countries (much more likely I think) the existing state boundaries are very well established and accepted so there is very little reason for conflict. Ideology, while also a reason for going to war, really isn't far enough apart in the US to convince people to fight since the "Yay, we're finally free of them!" mentality is going to rule for years.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Sixth Monarchist on October 04, 2013, 12:52:06 pm
The shutdown's employment implications, from The Economist. Kinda weird that the entire armed forces have to keep working; we can't keep 10% or so by the phone? I mean, is China really going to invade now, realistically?

Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: chitoryu12 on October 04, 2013, 01:05:02 pm
Quote
I wonder if I shall see USA go into another civil war in my time. Depending on who blinks first it just might happen. (And don't try to tell me there aren't people looking forward to it.)

It's doubtful. The states in the 19th century were much more fiercely independent, and the majority of the population rarely traveled out of state (a lot of them, unless they were specifically emigrating, stuck to a single region of their state) thanks to travel being slow and anything long-distance being expensive unless you just decided to walk it (and even then, you would need enough money for months worth of food). Nowadays, people regularly travel all over the world, to say nothing of easily and relatively cheaply driving across the country. The country is much more of a cohesive whole, and many states are dependent on one another's industries, as well as our ability as a nation to import and export.

Secession is pretty much unthinkable to everyone outside of a small minority, and the desire to see a civil war is even smaller. Even a limited understanding of economics and politics tells you that a lot of states couldn't easily survive independently. The National Guard is part of the United States military and still answers to the federal government, so if Texas were to break off they wouldn't exactly maintain "their" military, at least not in its current state. Even if everyone in the Texas National Guard were to stand by the government's theoretical decision to break away into the Republic of Stupidity, the United States Army alone (not including National Guard or Reserve) is over 28 times as large; they'd never be able to defend themselves in any kind of conflict without the rest of the nation.

Also, I should emphasize that I'm not suggesting that Mexico is going to invade and conquer Texas should they become independent. Reconquista is a fringe element anyway, and they're not exactly in any state to go around conquering anybody (even though they ARE stronger than this theoretical Texan Army).

More on point, while this may be a dangerous way of thinking, it may be in our best interests to not give the Republicans what they want. Everyone knows the psychology of people like this: you give them an inch, let them know that this tactic works, and they'll go and do it again. If the crazies who control the Republican party see that all they need to do to get any policy reversed is to do the equivalent of throwing a temper tantrum and threatening to break shit until they get what they want, they'll do it as much as they can.

If the US collapsed like the Soviet Union did, I suspect that it would evolve along similar lines except instead of one major player surrounded by smaller satellite states there would be a few regional congregations of power and influence surrounded by the smaller players. Out of necessity it would be peaceful in the beginning because everybody would be too busy and expending too many resources trying to get their new country off the ground to go start even a minor war with their neighbour. After the dust settled, power coalesced, and international legitimacy was gained, then you might see some fighting, but given the differences in the histories of US vs. USSR I find it unlikely. If the US split into two a north vs. south rematch would be too big and costly for no real gain by either side. If the US split into several smaller countries (much more likely I think) the existing state boundaries are very well established and accepted so there is very little reason for conflict. Ideology, while also a reason for going to war, really isn't far enough apart in the US to convince people to fight since the "Yay, we're finally free of them!" mentality is going to rule for years.

Sure, but how are the individual bits and pieces supposed to survive without each other's support?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Canadian Mojo on October 04, 2013, 03:26:18 pm
Sure, but how are the individual bits and pieces supposed to survive without each other's support?

How does Europe or Africa manage it?

There are more ways to survive than grouping together and being a country, you just have to be smart about it. Some states would have a decided advantage over others due to size and natural resources but that is not the be-all and end-all of the equation. If a place like Belgium can survive for centuries in Europe tucked in between the powerhouses of France, Germany, and Great Britain then pretty well any state can survive on its own.

The catch of course is that you have to be smart about it and intelligence is not something I see too much of in a lot of the Republican/Tea Party strongholds. Those states have failure or radical re-evaluation of their priorities written all over them. The more liberal minded states which tend to function in reality and compromise rather than ideology and pigheadedness would come out of the mess just fine mostly because they know how to adapt and are willing to invest in the community.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: TheUnknown on October 04, 2013, 03:33:43 pm
So, I was just watching a program that featured a preview of a new anti-Boehner political ad which is basically just close up footage of a crying toddler, and of course the Tea Partier that's being interviewed starts whining about how Obama refuses to negotiate.  Also, the Tea Partier constantly referred to Obama as Mr. Obama, not President Obama.  My grandma said the interviewer talked to several Tea Partiers and Republicans, and not one of them would give the guy a straight answer to his questions.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Shane for Wax on October 04, 2013, 03:37:29 pm
“Just yesterday one House Republican said ‘We’re not going to be disrespected, we have to get something out of this", and I don’t even know what that is. That was a quote! (…) You have already gotten the opportunity to serve the American people. There’s no higher honor than that. (…) So the American people aren’t in the mood to give you a goodie bag to go with it. What you get is our intelligence professionals being back on the job. What you get is our medical researchers back on the job. What you get are little kids back in Headstart. What you get are our national parks and monuments open again. What you get is the economy not stalling but continuing to grow. What you get are workers continuing to be hired. That’s what you get. That’s what you should be asking for. Take a vote, stop this farce, and end this shut down right now. If you’re being disrespected, it’s because of that attitude you got! That you deserve to get something for doing your job!”

-Barack Obama http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6_0wPGFGFU
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Dr. Weird on October 04, 2013, 03:38:11 pm
I heard a good analogy about this.

The office wants to install a soda machine. So they take a poll and find that the majority of the employees want to have one installed. They purchase the machine and drinks to stock it.

But Bill in Accounting doesn't want the machine, as he's against carbonated beverages. So after he raises a fuss, they hold more discussions and polls where they bring up his argument against having a soda machine. Bill is the minority, and the machine is going to get installed.

In retaliation, Bill decides that he's going to stop working. Not only is he not going to work, but because he's in Accounting, he's going to withhold every single payment. He got the passwords for everyone's accounts and is going to keep them from getting into their computers to do any work. He's going to hold the entire office hostage until they do things his way. Does he care about people not getting paid? Nope. He just wants his way.

Personally, I like this one even better:

(http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff34/deepbluehawaii/no_zps908c9b44.jpg)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: The Illusive Man on October 04, 2013, 05:21:12 pm
Sure, but how are the individual bits and pieces supposed to survive without each other's support?

How does Europe or Africa manage it?
lol "manage" especially pertaining to Africa.

There are more ways to survive than grouping together and being a country, you just have to be smart about it. Some states would have a decided advantage over others due to size and natural resources but that is not the be-all and end-all of the equation.
Fucking interstate matters and national infrastructure, how do they work?

If a place like Belgium can survive for centuries in Europe tucked in between the powerhouses of France, Germany, and Great Britain then pretty well any state can survive on its own.
Really? You failed to recognize the textbook example of a Buffer State?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Radiation on October 04, 2013, 06:06:12 pm
“Just yesterday one House Republican said ‘We’re not going to be disrespected, we have to get something out of this", and I don’t even know what that is. That was a quote! (…) You have already gotten the opportunity to serve the American people. There’s no higher honor than that. (…) So the American people aren’t in the mood to give you a goodie bag to go with it. What you get is our intelligence professionals being back on the job. What you get is our medical researchers back on the job. What you get are little kids back in Headstart. What you get are our national parks and monuments open again. What you get is the economy not stalling but continuing to grow. What you get are workers continuing to be hired. That’s what you get. That’s what you should be asking for. Take a vote, stop this farce, and end this shut down right now. If you’re being disrespected, it’s because of that attitude you got! That you deserve to get something for doing your job!”

-Barack Obama http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6_0wPGFGFU

Booker, this video is marked as private, I can't see it.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Shane for Wax on October 04, 2013, 06:39:36 pm
Sorry, not my video. It was available earlier.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Canadian Mojo on October 04, 2013, 06:47:13 pm
Sure, but how are the individual bits and pieces supposed to survive without each other's support?

How does Europe or Africa manage it?
lol "manage" especially pertaining to Africa.


Yeah, because all of the African continent is a festering shithole.

Quote
There are more ways to survive than grouping together and being a country, you just have to be smart about it. Some states would have a decided advantage over others due to size and natural resources but that is not the be-all and end-all of the equation.
Fucking interstate matters and national infrastructure, how do they work?

Pretty much the same way international matters and regional (international) infrastructure works.

Quote
If a place like Belgium can survive for centuries in Europe tucked in between the powerhouses of France, Germany, and Great Britain then pretty well any state can survive on its own.
Really? You failed to recognize the textbook example of a Buffer State?

Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Luxembourg, Portugal, Greece, Malta. Is that enough or would you like me to list a few more?

What the heck, one more: the Netherlands. An actual rival to the major European powers historically and still around today with a world class standard of living.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: KZN02 on October 04, 2013, 08:29:49 pm
About the burning analogy ... (http://gawker.com/man-reportedly-sets-self-on-fire-at-d-c-s-national-mal-1441326299)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: MadCatTLX on October 04, 2013, 10:11:11 pm
About the burning analogy ... (http://gawker.com/man-reportedly-sets-self-on-fire-at-d-c-s-national-mal-1441326299)

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/38/Th%C3%ADch_Qu%E1%BA%A3ng_%C4%90%E1%BB%A9c_self-immolation.jpg)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: TheUnknown on October 05, 2013, 01:07:15 am
Today I was watching a debate on the shutdown, and the Republican lady got the biggest vapid smile on her face right as it finished (it was kind of creepy).  For some reason, that alone pissed me off to the point where I actually yelled at the TV "What the hell are you smiling for?"  What made her so damn giddy during a serious debate?  Do these people honestly believe that they're winning over people not already in their demographic?  Do they really believe that they're succeeding in convincing people that the shut down is really Obama's fault?

I know it's such a stupid thing to get worked up over, and I'm sure Democrats do it to, but just seeing that shit-eating grin on the face of the party that called for the shut down and acting like they're doing everything right and that they know what's best for the country after they shut down the country is just infuriating.

Oh, and the regurgitated points she (and another Republican) kept spouting?  "Obama refuses to negotiate."  "Obama never showed up (to meetings, I presume)."  "Obamacare isn't fiscally responsible."  "Look at all this money that'll get sunk into it."
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Stormwarden on October 05, 2013, 01:39:12 am
It reminds me of this Best Buy ad, where this guy made a death ray, and, when trying to hold the world hostage, forgot that if he did carry out his threat, he'd be screwed with the rest of us. Somehow, I suspect the Teabaggers have forgotten this truth in the process of holding American financials hostage. Unlike the man in the Best Buy ad, however, they have yet to realize this truth. Hope they do soon, or failing that, have the lesson reinforced at the ballot box.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: chitoryu12 on October 05, 2013, 03:37:26 am
Sure, but how are the individual bits and pieces supposed to survive without each other's support?

How does Europe or Africa manage it?

There are more ways to survive than grouping together and being a country, you just have to be smart about it. Some states would have a decided advantage over others due to size and natural resources but that is not the be-all and end-all of the equation. If a place like Belgium can survive for centuries in Europe tucked in between the powerhouses of France, Germany, and Great Britain then pretty well any state can survive on its own.

The catch of course is that you have to be smart about it and intelligence is not something I see too much of in a lot of the Republican/Tea Party strongholds. Those states have failure or radical re-evaluation of their priorities written all over them. The more liberal minded states which tend to function in reality and compromise rather than ideology and pigheadedness would come out of the mess just fine mostly because they know how to adapt and are willing to invest in the community.

TIM is already going on about the other stuff, but I should point out that the European Union is a union of multiple existing nations, specifically the descendants of some of the oldest civilizations known to man. The states of the United States are NOT individual nations, nor are they really capable of supporting themselves without the federal government and other states' help. If the European Union is a group of people, the United States is a single obese person with all of the states being parts of the whole.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on October 05, 2013, 01:00:05 pm
I'm gonna throw in my prediction about when the shutdown ends.

Most corporations and a lot of individuals file for 6 month extension to pay their income taxes every April tax day. That deadline this year is Wednesday, October the 15th.

If the IRS is still offline for processing returns, (as it mostly is right now), a HUGE amount of government tax income is going to be on hold.

I have a feeling even the maddest tea party hare will be voting on a budget solution before then.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Vypernight on October 05, 2013, 03:55:42 pm
My friend and his sister both got told by their insurance company that once ACA becomes effective, both of their plans go WAY up (He's going to lose his because he'd be required to pay $200 a month).  Both work part time and support themselves (their mother passed away years ago and their father is in a home) paycheck to paycheck.  My friend tried to get Medicaid, but they denied him for some reason, and he said he doesn't qualify for anything within his price range.

I hope this is not going on throughout the nation or people Will have a reason to hate Obamacare.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 05, 2013, 04:16:02 pm
So basically, insurance companies extort people, and Obamacare gets the blame.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: SimSim on October 05, 2013, 04:40:50 pm
My friend and his sister both got told by their insurance company that once ACA becomes effective, both of their plans go WAY up (He's going to lose his because he'd be required to pay $200 a month).  Both work part time and support themselves (their mother passed away years ago and their father is in a home) paycheck to paycheck.  My friend tried to get Medicaid, but they denied him for some reason, and he said he doesn't qualify for anything within his price range.

I hope this is not going on throughout the nation or people Will have a reason to hate Obamacare.
Of course insurance rates are going to go up. They almost always go up regardless, what did people expect?

The ACA gives insurance to lots of people who were previously uninsured. The government in order to pay for the newly insured is hitting insurance companies with new taxes. Do you expect the insurance companies to take the hit to their profit margins? They aren't, this shouldn't surprise anyone. So they pass the cost on to the rest of us. It's one of the main problems of for profit health care. Capitalism is all about making as much money as possible, which is at odds with paying (at least partially) for people's health care. It's going to come down to opinion in the end, but I'm fine with paying more in order to get more people insured. Even if it's indirectly.

As for your friends, the affordable part of the ACA is important. There are now standards for affordability in health insurance. If they're paying more than 9% of their income for health care that is considered unaffordable. Which means they're eligible for the health care market place and possibly government subsidies. Of course I have no idea how much of their income pay for health care, so I have no idea if they'll qualify.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on October 05, 2013, 06:15:51 pm
My friend and his sister both got told by their insurance company that once ACA becomes effective, both of their plans go WAY up (He's going to lose his because he'd be required to pay $200 a month).  Both work part time and support themselves (their mother passed away years ago and their father is in a home) paycheck to paycheck.  My friend tried to get Medicaid, but they denied him for some reason, and he said he doesn't qualify for anything within his price range.

I hope this is not going on throughout the nation or people Will have a reason to hate Obamacare.

got told by their insurance company = Lied to by their insurance company, at least as to it being caused by ACA itself. The whole point of ACA is affordability, and accountability. Adding 40 million insureds to their premium income rolls, with lots of help kicked in by the government, is a Win-Win situation for the insurance companies. They are going to make more money. Their corporate income will go up, and their corporate income tax payments will go up in step with that additional income. They only get taxed extra if they are selling bullshit "Cadillac" policies and they get fined for lying, double-crossing against legit claims, etc. Existing group policy insureds are not directly affected by the ACA. If your group policy insurance company is doing their job properly, there will be no appreciable premium changes. If they DO start edging up rates without due cause, shop elsewhere.  If your friends insurance AGENT is the one saying this, they are in trouble with the law. If your friends insurance COMPANY is saying that, they are fucking around with the law, too, and your friends need to shop on the exchanges, after they register a complaint with the federal government *. They will get better insurance with a better insurance company for less money if they do. Scare tactics by politicians have been the bane of our existence about Obama Care. Those scare tactics and all the confusion caused by them are used by unscrupulous business people to rake money out of people's pockets, and/or, to turn them against the ACA and the Dems, in some cases (some insurance company CEO's are very active GOP/Randroid/Tea Party/Koch Bros Wannabe types).

Even the current media frenzy meme, "What ACA Exchanges? Nobody has bought a policy there yet! It's all a fraud!!1111!!" bullshit is just that. The exchange websites that are not completely swamped and crashed by traffic (are neocon groups performing a DDoS Hacktions, a la Anonymous? Remember the ORCA rumor/scandal in re voting machines last election?), some of the state exchanges, are functioning, as are the insurance companies selling policies on them, even though they are swamped, too. This is actually proof that the public wants and needs ACA. Hopefully Xerox will get their shit together soon. They are the company running the hosting and IT for the Federal ACA health care insurance exchange....which is overwhelmed as we speak.


* http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/insurance-fraud (http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/insurance-fraud)
(bold = my emphasis/commentary)
Quote
Insurance Fraud

A Basic Overview

The insurance industry consists of more than 7,000 companies that collect over $1 trillion in premiums each year. The massive size of the industry contributes significantly to the cost of insurance fraud by providing more opportunities and bigger incentives for committing illegal activities.

Costs of Fraud

The total cost of insurance fraud (non-health insurance) is estimated to be more than $40 billion per year. That means Insurance Fraud costs the average U.S. family between $400 and $700 per year in the form of increased premiums.

Common Schemes

Premium Diversion
◾ Premium diversion is the embezzlement of insurance premiums.{Partial diversion is more common. Sudden premium price increases are suspect.}
◾It is the most common type of insurance fraud.
◾Generally, an insurance agent fails to send premiums to the underwriter and instead keeps the money for personal use.
◾Another common premium diversion scheme involves selling insurance without a license, collecting premiums and then not paying claims.

Fee Churning
◾ In fee churning, a series of intermediaries take commissions through reinsurance agreements.
◾ The initial premium is reduced by repeated commissions until there is no longer money to pay claims.
◾The company left to pay the claims is often a business the conspirators have set up to fail.
◾When viewed alone, each transaction appears to be legitimate—only after the cumulative effect is considered does fraud emerge.

Asset Diversion
◾Asset diversion is the theft of insurance company assets.
◾It occurs almost exclusively in the context of an acquisition or merger of an existing insurance company.
◾Asset diversion often involves acquiring control of an insurance company with borrowed funds. After making the purchase, the subject uses the assets of the acquired company to pay off the debt. The remaining assets can then be diverted to the subject.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Shane for Wax on October 05, 2013, 06:54:53 pm
I think if it's possible there should be a lawyer involved.

This seems fishy that the insurance company would say these things. They're obviously lies. But insurance companies have never been afraid to lie to people who don't know any better. (Not trying to be insulting, by the way. Sometimes people really don't know better and there's nothing wrong with that. It's only wrong if a company or person takes advantage of that fact)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on October 05, 2013, 07:26:06 pm
Normally, what Vyper told about would warrant a serious call to the state Insurance Commissioner. Think about it. Insurance companies are so notorious for their bullshit over the years, that every state in the union have a state insurance law and anti fraud division headed by an elected Insurance Commissioner - a state level "Sherriff" to police these corporate fuckers, not just to enforce the law against insurance claimant fraudsters.

But, since Vyper and his friends and I live in Florida, know that our illustrious billionaire white collar crime lord Governor, Rick Scott, has of course gutted that office and made sure the Insurance Commissioner does jack shit, just like he does, when it comes to protecting consumers. So, frankly, it would save time by just filing complaints with HHS and FBI that the insurance company or agent actually cited and blamed the ACA in an attempt to jack up the insureds' premium payments on an extant group health policy.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: MadCatTLX on October 05, 2013, 07:55:28 pm
I could of sworn we had a discussion not long ago about Florida legally requiring insurance companies to lie about this.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Stormwarden on October 05, 2013, 10:41:52 pm
We did, Madcat, we did. I recall the topic being there (don't recall being part of that convo). And I'm pretty sure Florida is breaking some sort of federal law in doing that.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Askold on October 06, 2013, 02:17:21 am
Apparently the GOP have already made the only compromise they are willing to do over the ACA...

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/cruz-gop-already-compromised-by-demanding-to-defund-not-repeal-obamacare

Specifically they are willing to accept it being a law (note that for them accepting reality is a compromise and something they are only willing to do if they get a favour for it.) but they demand that as a compromise it must be defunded.

It's like "Yeah, you can have that medicine you bought BUT as a compromise you are not allowed to take the pills. Just keep it in the cabinet and every now and then you can take a look at it and imagine how it would cure that disease you have. But don't you dare try to open the jar!"
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on October 06, 2013, 02:47:52 am
I could of sworn we had a discussion not long ago about Florida legally requiring insurance companies to lie about this.
We did, Madcat, we did. I recall the topic being there (don't recall being part of that convo). And I'm pretty sure Florida is breaking some sort of federal law in doing that.

The law forbids any state, county or local government personnel from giving out information on how to access the ACA federal exchange. They are to say to any citizen asking that Florida is not participating in Obama Care, which is only true in that the state has refused to set up a subsidized insurance market exchange. They are forbidden to clarify that Florida citizens can simply go online and use the Federal exchange. It is lying through omission and implying thereby that it is not possible for Floridians to get health care under the ACA exchange. It's a huge piece of slap dash smirking lawyerly legislation.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Vypernight on October 06, 2013, 05:02:57 am
Normally, what Vyper told about would warrant a serious call to the state Insurance Commissioner. Think about it. Insurance companies are so notorious for their bullshit over the years, that every state in the union have a state insurance law and anti fraud division headed by an elected Insurance Commissioner - a state level "Sherriff" to police these corporate fuckers, not just to enforce the law against insurance claimant fraudsters.

But, since Vyper and his friends and I live in Florida, know that our illustrious billionaire white collar crime lord Governor, Rick Scott, has of course gutted that office and made sure the Insurance Commissioner does jack shit, just like he does, when it comes to protecting consumers. So, frankly, it would save time by just filing complaints with HHS and FBI that the insurance company or agent actually cited and blamed the ACA in an attempt to jack up the insureds' premium payments on an extant group health policy.

I'll let him know today.  The fact that he's finally working after being unemployed for over 2 years means he's barely getting by to being with.  He said he was paying $200 every 4 months but now it'd be every month, which is more than I pay, and I work full time and make more $ than he does (though mine is through my company).

 I thought one of the selling points of the ACA is that insurance companies weren't aloud to screw you over?  That's right, Scott.  For the record, we both voted for Sink.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: nickiknack on October 06, 2013, 10:12:12 am
Is there any state public plans for those who have  incomes that make a bit too much for Medicaid?? My state (NY) has a couple of them, I'm actually going to apply for one, because my job is dumping all of the part timers(in other words, most of the employees), and all I have to pay are co pays.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on October 06, 2013, 02:20:46 pm
https://www.healthcare.gov/marketplace/individual/#state=new-york (https://www.healthcare.gov/marketplace/individual/#state=new-york)

The exchanges are precisely for people who make too much for Medicare.

Scroll down from this national start page for a drop down menu, click your state, and go from there. For New York, it is called the New York State of Health (cute, like that old state of mind song lyric). I tried that link, but the site is jammed. Maybe try it late night, or just wait until things calm down a bit, a couple weeks or so.

Also, if you are under 26, in good health and are not reckless or a daredevil in general, the Catastrophic plans are an option. They don't start insurance payouts until you have used up a fairly large deductible; they do cover all the serious hit, like auto accident injuries and cancer, so they will save your life and you are not going to be in debt or your folks selling a house to pay your medical bills - way the hell better than no insurance, and very affordable rates. As with all ACA era plans, they cover wellness screenings, flu shots and stuff like that for free.

Also - some state health care exchanges have just a few insurance companies participating at this time. EVERYONE any where can shop the Federal exchange and should, to see what is available.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: RavynousHunter on October 06, 2013, 06:35:06 pm
Ya know, I might look this up once I get some jack rolling in.  I'm still on my mum's insurance for another two years, but I'd like to have something in my name, just in case some dickhead somewhere tries to pull a fast one on me when I'm in a hospital in VA, and my insurance is thru UAMS, which is in AR.  Not that I think someone would stoop that low, but don't wanna take that chance, ya know?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: SimSim on October 06, 2013, 07:00:28 pm
Wait until the two years is up on your Mother's insurance. Since you're eligible to be covered by her insurance you wouldn't be eligible to get any sort of discount on the health market places, and would be required to pay for the full cost of the plan. That's no longer true once you're too old to be on your Mother's insurance.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: RavynousHunter on October 06, 2013, 07:01:28 pm
Hrm...not a bad idear, I spose.  It'll give me two years to get other shit in order, lol.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Feral Dog on October 06, 2013, 07:59:22 pm
@Ravynous- Believe me, they will at the soonest opportunity.

Here's my family's experiences with insurance.

-My sister had Legg-Calve-Perthes disease as a second-grader. Our insurance dropped her, and mom had to spend a long time trying to find an insurance company that would both cover her despite the pre-existing condition and actually cover treatment for it, which is the whole point of getting insurance anyway. The delay in treatment, caused entirely by us not being able to afford it, was so bad she still wears half a size smaller shoe on the affected leg and will most likely need a hip replacement in her 40's. And that was just for the FIRST surgery she needed to treat it (she's had 3 total).

-My mom's a medical wreck, in part due to insurance shenanigans. She was assaulted, and all four rotator cuff muscles were literally ripped apart. Why wasn't it treated in a timely manner? Because the hospital was incompetent. She also had other injuries that went untreated for a long time because nobody thought to give her any kind of an imaging scan until after she'd been discharged (she had to go back a week later, when she ran out of pain meds), and so the insurance company claimed that it couldn't have been from the assault because 'there was no evidence'. Mom couldn't work, so we ended up on welfare for a few months, because the hospital she worked at (not the same one she was treated at) fired her because she'd taken too much sick leave. The kicker? It happened just when the insurance finally said they'd cover some of the cost of surgery (but none of the physical therapy, because her not getting surgery showed poor self-care, although she was eventually able to get that covered too). And now that that's over with, she's got rheumatoid arthritis, and they're continuing to fight every single treatment. We never know when they will cover all, some, or none of her prescriptions until we actually go to pick them up. Will we pay $60? $300? $850? It's all up in the air!

-We're still fighting bills from the insurance, hospitals, and VA for my deceased uncle's care last year (schizophrenia medications, dialysis, and hospice care) because they are trying to back out of their end of the mountain of paperwork we had to fill out. We paid our share already. In fact, took out loans to do so.

Long story short, ACA has its flaws but is monumentally better than that mess above. ^
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: The Illusive Man on October 06, 2013, 09:51:51 pm
(http://www.slate.com/content/dam/slate/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2013/10/131004_JURIS_IssaFastFurious.jpg.CROP.original-original.jpg)

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) wanted to dig up Fast and Furious again. The government shutdown caused by the Republican Party immobilized federal courts. (http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/10/05/federal-judge-slaps-down-darrell-issa-over-request-for-shutdown-exception/) Why it’s almost as if the shutdown was a bad idea! And remember folk, the legislators are essential the courts are not because DERP.

Fun fact, to handle this case furloughed DOJ lawyers would have to work without pay. Now for U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson response:

“There are no exigent circumstances in this case that would justify an order of the Court forcing furloughed attorneys to return to their desks. Moreover, while the vast majority of litigants who now must endure a delay in the progress of their matters do so due to circumstances beyond their control, that cannot be said of the House of Representatives, which has played a role in the shutdown that prompted the stay motion.”
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on October 06, 2013, 10:54:01 pm
<snip - picture of puke inducing douchebag>

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) wanted to dig up Fast and Furious again. The government shutdown caused by the Republican Party immobilized federal courts. (http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/10/05/federal-judge-slaps-down-darrell-issa-over-request-for-shutdown-exception/) Why it’s almost as if the shutdown was a bad idea! And remember folk, the legislators are essential the courts are not because DERP.

Fun fact, to handle this case furloughed DOJ lawyers would have to work without pay. Now for U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson response:

“There are no exigent circumstances in this case that would justify an order of the Court forcing furloughed attorneys to return to their desks. Moreover, while the vast majority of litigants who now must endure a delay in the progress of their matters do so due to circumstances beyond their control, that cannot be said of the House of Representatives, which has played a role in the shutdown that prompted the stay motion.”

A good example of why I think the worst person on Capitol hill is Issa, not Boehner, or any of the idiot tea baggers. Issa is the type of man to come along and poke a sleeping dog right in the eye with a knife.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Lt. Fred on October 07, 2013, 12:21:36 am
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) wanted to dig up Fast and Furious again. The government shutdown caused by the Republican Party immobilized federal courts. (http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/10/05/federal-judge-slaps-down-darrell-issa-over-request-for-shutdown-exception/) Why it’s almost as if the shutdown was a bad idea! And remember folk, the legislators are essential the courts are not because DERP.

If they laid off legislators, wouldn't that cause a permanent government shut-down?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: kefkaownsall on October 07, 2013, 12:31:59 am
It kind of did in Belgium.  The issue with America is our services are linked to the budget etc.  In any other country even if they can't form a government this would not happen
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Lt. Fred on October 07, 2013, 12:46:36 am
It kind of did in Belgium.  The issue with America is our services are linked to the budget etc.  In any other country even if they can't form a government this would not happen

Imagine if the Democrats had threatened not to increase the debt limit in 2007, except if the Iraq war were defunded. That's why this ridiculous procedure continues to exist.

Also, Obama should threaten to arrest a member of Ted Cruz's family every day the debt limit does not increase. They'll be declared a terrorist, waterboarded and returned when a clean CR is signed. Because "compromise": you get your family back, I get a working government and no financial chaos. Exactly the same as Republican "compromise".
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 07, 2013, 01:26:34 am
Fred, is that a serious suggestion?

I can't tell.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: MadCatTLX on October 07, 2013, 01:28:59 am
A day ago of so I saw a picture of a whiteboard in an office that read:

Government shutdown day 3: I no longer feel obligated to pronounce "Boehner" correctly.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Lt. Fred on October 07, 2013, 01:48:46 am
Fred, is that a serious suggestion?

I can't tell.

Flippant.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 07, 2013, 02:46:58 am
Fred, is that a serious suggestion?

I can't tell.

Flippant.

Alright.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: JohnE on October 07, 2013, 02:36:06 pm
I say cut out the middle-man. Detain Cruz and Boner as enemy combattants for intentionally sabotaging the government and economy. Ship them off to Gitmo without trial. Maybe in 5 years or so, we'll let them talk to a lawyer.

Then we can get shit done and maybe, just maybe, some of the rabid Republican base will finally understand why the rest of us have been so opposed to the practice this whole time.

(Joking... mostly)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Shane for Wax on October 07, 2013, 03:30:36 pm
Oh hey... Since it was brought up earlier...

Despite what you might have heard, there have only been two serious government shutdowns in recent history, and both were the result of Republican ultimatums (http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2013/10/2nd-government-shutdown-recent-history)

 Contrary to Republican claims, the deficit is not increasing—it peaked in 2009 and has been dropping ever since, declining by $200 billion last year with another $450 billion drop projected this year.

Annnd which has been my fear this whole fucking goddamn time thank you very much: A long government shutdown is likely to seriously hurt economic growth, with a monthlong shutdown projected to slash GDP in the fourth quarter by 1 percentage point and reduce employment by over a million jobs.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mythbuster43 on October 07, 2013, 03:56:53 pm
Exactly. If we hit the debt ceiling, it could cause another fiscal crisis. If there's another recession, there will be less tax revenue and more spending to create jobs. There's absolutely nothing even remotely fiscally responsible about this shutdown.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on October 07, 2013, 04:52:22 pm
http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/10/07/20856722-obama-to-boehner-hold-a-vote-call-a-vote-right-now-lets-see-what-happens?lite (http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/10/07/20856722-obama-to-boehner-hold-a-vote-call-a-vote-right-now-lets-see-what-happens?lite)

Quote
Obama to Boehner: 'Hold a vote. Call a vote right now. Let's see what happens'

(http://i.imgur.com/u2n7gJz.jpg)

Point being, they won't call a vote because they don't Have the vote they want. Sigh.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: ironbite on October 07, 2013, 05:29:23 pm
And everyone knows it too.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Shane for Wax on October 07, 2013, 07:04:41 pm
http://www.livescience.com/40075-how-shutdown-will-impact-science.html

I'm so mad you guys.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: ironbite on October 07, 2013, 07:07:39 pm
Good thing you're not a people according to the Tea Party and therefore can't vote or anything.  Oh wait...

So some truckers have a good idea to end the shutdown.  What is it you say?

Arrest members of congress and shut down the beltway if the cops try to stop them. (http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/10/07/truckers-for-the-constitution-plan-to-slow-dc-beltway-arrest-congressmen)

Quote
Tractor-trailer drivers will intentionally clog the inner loop of the Washington, D.C., beltway beginning on the morning of Oct. 11, according to a coordinator of the upcoming "Truckers Ride for the Constitution" rally.

Organizers of the three-day ride want to call attention to a litany of trucker frustrations and express their disapproval of national political leaders.

Earl Conlon, a Georgia trucker who is handling logistics for the protest, told U.S. News tractor-trailer drivers will circle the beltway "three lanes deep" as he rides with other participants to Congress to seek the arrest of congressmen for allegedly disregarding the Constitution.

The truckers circling I-495 will keep the left lane open for emergency vehicles, Conlon said, but "everybody that doesn't have a supporter sticker on their window, good luck: Nobody in, nobody out." The trucks will be going the 55 mile-per-hour speed limit.

D.C. commuters who wish to be allowed past the convoy must have "T2SDA" – an acronym for the event's original name, "Truckers to Shut Down America" – written on their vehicle, he said.

"It's going to be real fun for anyone who is not a supporter," Conlon said, "[and] if cops decide to give us a hard time, we're going to lock the brakes up, we're going to stop right there, we're going to be a three lane roadblock."

Zeeda Andrews, a former country music singer helping promote the protest, said last week participants would present demands to congressmen – including the impeachment of President Barack Obama – and give the congressmen an opportunity to agree to the demands in exchange for canceling the ride.

But Conlon says that's not quite right.

"We are not going to ask for impeachment," Conlon said. "We are coming whether they like it or not. We're not asking for impeachment, we're asking for the arrest of everyone in government who has violated their oath of office."

Oh yeah buddy, that's gonna work out reaaaaaaaaaaal well for you I'm betting.

Ironbite-enjoy the lawsuits headed your way.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 07, 2013, 07:11:46 pm
So they're basically going to hold the road hostage and their demand is that the president gets impeached because Fox News told them that it's his fault.

Yeah.  Good luck with that.  What was it someone once said?  "We don't negotiate with terrorists"?

Well you ain't exactly terrorists but you're not much better, are ya?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Shane for Wax on October 07, 2013, 07:19:14 pm
Because that's totally not making things worse for the common person. oh wait.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 07, 2013, 07:21:33 pm
Because that's totally not making things worse for the common person. oh wait.

They're right wing extremists.  They don't care about the common person, they only care about right wing extremists.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: TheUnknown on October 07, 2013, 07:40:08 pm
Nice to see the comments are full of people who believe the Republicans are American white knights, with such intelligent and enlightening commentary as (spoiler'd for size):

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: MadCatTLX on October 07, 2013, 09:17:56 pm
I doubt the trucker thing will be remotely successful, but it sounds like it will be fun to watch.

In other news, the news agencies of foreign countries are having a hard time even explaining the US shutdown, because the concept is so insane to them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4_XuLWTfVs

As noted, the only other country to ever have a government shutdown? Australia. And I wouldn't be surprised if they had another with their current descent in to becoming 'Stralia.

Here's the current top comments screen capped:

(http://imageshack.us/a/img841/1300/yqus.png)

Don't think I've heard of Kleptocracy before, I'm assuming it means a government run by thieves... Yep, sounds 'bout right.

To our international members, Is it really that bad? Is this situation so insane to outsiders?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Igor on October 07, 2013, 09:32:27 pm
Well, the immediate comparison I drew when this came out was the prorogation of parliament, but when parliament is prorogued, it's not nearly as damaging. Any bill being debated is killed, iirc, and all the MPs go home, but other than that, services still run and everything, so from my point of view... yeah, this is kinda insane.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Shane for Wax on October 07, 2013, 09:35:36 pm
To be fair, Belgium went without a government for 541 days.

Ukraine has dissolved its government too many times to count.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Morgenleoht on October 07, 2013, 11:35:13 pm
As an Aussie, I think this is fucking insane.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: kefkaownsall on October 08, 2013, 12:50:40 am
Belgium couldn't pass new laws but they still could handle services which is what everyone is surprised about
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: The Illusive Man on October 08, 2013, 02:37:47 am
In other news, the news agencies of foreign countries are having a hard time even explaining the US shutdown, because the concept is so insane to them.
Meet the new face of American execptionalism, were crazier than the rest! The Republicans have taken a page from Nixon’s playbook and decided to repeat history. “Madman”, an effective description for their behavior. (http://muse.jhu.edu/login?auth=0&type=summary&url=/journals/reviews_in_american_history/v027/27.4matusow.html)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: armandtanzarian on October 08, 2013, 10:08:34 am

As noted, the only other country to ever have a government shutdown? Australia. And I wouldn't be surprised if they had another with their current descent in to becoming 'Stralia.

Except Australia had the common sense to include a clause that allowed both Houses to be dissolved in such an impasse.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_dissolution

To our international members, Is it really that bad? Is this situation so insane to outsiders?
As seen above, yes. Because parliamentary democracies (aka the majority of stable democracies in the world) often choose their prime minister from the Lower House/Commons, and the Senate/Upper House is unelected and/or has little budgetary power, the PM is often in agreement with his parliament and the budget is rubberstamped. Where a disagreement can happen, most parliaments are allowed to be dissolved anytime within a maximum time frame, normally 5 years (as opposed to the US which mandates the day of election, no exceptions). Even in cases like Australia in 1977, there are triggers which can be used to mitigate gridlock (usually by dissolving the government or implementing a caretaker government).

The schadenfraude displayed by the international media is a response to the size of the US, the purported stability of the democracy, and the fact you guys don't really have a good track record of leaving people alone. People expect gridlock to happen to places like Greece, not the USA.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 08, 2013, 03:44:06 pm
Gosh, now I feel embarrassed on behalf of the USA.

And I really don't like being in this place to begin with.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Ghoti on October 08, 2013, 05:35:04 pm
I'm planning to spend my next paycheck on things like dried beans, peanut butter, decent bread, baby formula, and the like. Then I'm going to make a huge sign that says "As long as the govmt shutdown is in effect, please take what you need" and hand stuff out to people who can't get food from food stamps/WIC/etc. My parents support the shutdown but keep bugging me to volunteer somewhere, so that oughta shut their pieholes.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Shane for Wax on October 08, 2013, 05:42:37 pm
I have a very real problem with how conservatives are always harping about the military yet guess what the military families have been hit pretty fucking badly. Because guess what? The commissary and the PX had shut down. The one near me reopened today. But guess what? It hasn't restocked. So a lot of stuff isn't available, which would include the obvious essentials. So it's open but we're still hurting.

But naaaaah it's just the icky poor people being hurt. So much for supporting the troops.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: kefkaownsall on October 08, 2013, 07:16:01 pm
Support our troops is a platitude something people say to sound good
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: MadCatTLX on October 08, 2013, 11:11:40 pm
So apparently the official congressional gym is still open despite the shutdown. As someone said on Chelsea Lately, which my mom is watching at the moment, "I guess you do need to do squats and stuff to have the proper musculature to fuck Americans in the ass."
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: gyeonghwa on October 09, 2013, 02:25:24 am
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/10/08/catholic-bishops-letter-birth-control/

You got it! A bishop ask congress for this shutdown to stop birth control!
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Askold on October 09, 2013, 02:52:55 am
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/10/08/catholic-bishops-letter-birth-control/

You got it! A bishop ask congress for this shutdown to stop birth control!
50 years ago this revelation would have killed the party. Politicians in USA taking orders from CATHOLICS?! WHO IS RUNNING THIS COUNTRY 'MURRICANS OR THE POPE!?

Even now there is resentment for catholics particularly on the bible belt so this can still have bad repercussions for them.

Oh, and those Republicans how don't particularly care for religions might also be offended at this.

EDIT:

FDA was shut down with all the other "non-essential" services and agencies but I suppose we can still trust that the food industry will continue to make sure that all the food they serve remains clean and sanitary. I mean this is in their best interest as well and it's been just one week so it's not like there could be an epidemic or outbreak of some kind of...

This just in! http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/08/salmonella-chicken-outbreak/2941783/ Salmonella has been found in food served in EIGHTEEN that is 18 different states. Over 40% of victims have been hospitalized when the average in salmonella cases is 20%

I'm starting to think that FDA is should be on the list of "essential" goverment agencies. Also, fuck the Republicans and their shutdown.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: kefkaownsall on October 09, 2013, 09:21:37 am
Every agency is essential
my family used to live in Tennessee and yeah everyone thought they worshiped mary.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on October 09, 2013, 03:22:23 pm
The Big Uncles Koch are finally showing their hand in all this, with the usual one degree of separation, and apparently either doing a subtle spin to look benevolent, or have realized their lackeys really are exceedingly dumb. Mostly, it's that the shutdown has begun to affect their corporate bottom line, which stretches across the economic horizon.

http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/10/09/20886586-kochs-to-congress-focus-on-spending-not-obamacare?lite&ocid=msnhp&pos=1 (http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/10/09/20886586-kochs-to-congress-focus-on-spending-not-obamacare?lite&ocid=msnhp&pos=1)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: The Illusive Man on October 09, 2013, 06:11:36 pm
GOP is mad that they can’t make a controversy out of healthcare.gov downtime due to all the focus the government shutdown is getting.  Why it is almost as if the shutdown was a bad idea after all!

(http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTblblRsaIvX3LXMvv10-VIXhmCLC-d2Pg5G1WLarK-35iUQtaNJQ)
Quote
"Explain to me how in a dozen questions the second biggest story of the week, the healthcare.gov debacle, doesn’t even come up" -Brendan Buck, a spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), asked Politico. (http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2013/10/no-healthcare-questions-at-obama-presser-174562.html)

Also they like John Stewartfor the time being. Any port in a storm?
You know who asked some tough questions about Obamacare? Comedy Central. -Rory Cooper (https://twitter.com/rorycooper/statuses/387659028324577280)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: chitoryu12 on October 09, 2013, 07:15:21 pm
Has anyone ever noticed how every single TIM post has the exact same format?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Ghoti on October 09, 2013, 07:48:41 pm
Has anyone ever noticed how every single TIM post has the exact same format?
Ironbite does the same thing and nobody seems to mind.

SmokingDodongo-I know I don't.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: ironbite on October 09, 2013, 07:53:04 pm
Was about to say...

Ironbite-we all have our ways of posting.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: KZN02 on October 09, 2013, 08:15:40 pm
Looks like the Koch brothers have something to say to the conservatives ... (http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/10/09/20886586-kochs-to-congress-focus-on-spending-not-obamacare?lite)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Shane for Wax on October 09, 2013, 08:22:02 pm
Dad's been having his students over so they can actually eat actual real food.

This is real fun.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: The Illusive Man on October 09, 2013, 09:27:44 pm
A fun reminder everyone, too many Republicans want the shut down, they think they can spin it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rVBg-ZVXKw

“There’s no way to default on Oct. 17. We will have enough money to make interest payments," said Representative Justin Amash, Republican of Michigan.

 “It really is irresponsible of the president to try to scare the markets,” said Senator Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky. “If you don’t raise your debt ceiling, all you’re saying is, ‘We’re going to be balancing our budget.’ So if you put it in those terms, all these scary terms of, ‘Oh my goodness, the world’s going to end’ — if we balance the budget, the world’s going to end? Why don’t we spend what comes in?”


Has anyone ever noticed how every single TIM post has the exact same format?
Pictures breakup a wall of text.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: MadCatTLX on October 10, 2013, 12:24:07 am
Now reality is more optional than ever before for some politicians.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uodouQuKLZY
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mythbuster43 on October 10, 2013, 01:17:34 pm
Now reality is more optional than ever before for some politicians.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uodouQuKLZY

Hasn't spending been going down for 2 years now. Most of the spending surge was in 2009 as part of Obama's Stimulus Package and anti-recession measures. Since the sequester we've had a fast shrinking deficit. And most of the people railing against spending have no problem with spending on the military and have no real plans on reforming health care or social security. And they also don't want to raise taxes to boost federal revenue, in fact they want even more tax cuts...

Jeez, it's almost like they have no idea how the budget or the government works.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Sixth Monarchist on October 10, 2013, 03:23:15 pm
Hasn't spending been going down for 2 years now. Most of the spending surge was in 2009 as part of Obama's Stimulus Package and anti-recession measures. Since the sequester we've had a fast shrinking deficit. And most of the people railing against spending have no problem with spending on the military and have no real plans on reforming health care or social security. And they also don't want to raise taxes to boost federal revenue, in fact they want even more tax cuts...

Jeez, it's almost like they have no idea how the budget or the government works.

The confusion between "deficit" and "debt" isn't exclusively American; it's been rife all over the comment threads of UK sites too. I can't help but wonder about the seismic impact that'll come when/if people discover in 2015 that the national debt will have gone up by around 40%.

I'd wonder about how the confusion arises in the first place, but of course, the existence of subprime mortgages, the entrenchment of the City of London in that whole fucking mess, and the sheer level of household debt nationwide in 2007 means it's not really a mystery at all.

Was about to say...

Ironbite-we all have our ways of posting.

We sure do.

CtraK- I have nothing to add, but it's going to be added anyway. MwahahahahaAAAAAAARRRRR!
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 10, 2013, 03:47:18 pm
HeY gUyS iS tHiS oKaY?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Feral Dog on October 10, 2013, 03:57:45 pm
HeY gUyS iS tHiS oKaY?

oNLY iF tHIS iS, tOO. yOU aLL aGREE, rIGHT?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Ghoti on October 10, 2013, 04:29:35 pm
IS THIS OKAY TOO? BECAUSE I REALLY LIKE POSTING IN ALL CAPS. ALSO, WHERE'S GLADOS? SHE COULD BRING A LOT TO THIS CONVERSATION.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: dpareja on October 10, 2013, 04:34:33 pm
sometimesijustwanttopostinalllowercasewithnospacespunctuationoranythinglikethatisthatalsookay
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on October 10, 2013, 04:41:32 pm
15-11-1-25   2-25   13-5!







(numeral=letter position in alphabet)






Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Random Gal on October 10, 2013, 06:55:32 pm
Oh, thank God. I thought the bizarre typing meant you were all trying to make Homestuck references there for a second.

(I never understand them and nobody ever bothers to explain what they're doing)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Radiation on October 10, 2013, 11:29:43 pm
I have nothing witty to add.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: JohnE on October 10, 2013, 11:45:35 pm
It seems the Republican party is finally starting to realize how badly this is hurting their poll numbers. A lot of them are turning against the shut-down, and it's causing a lot of dissention in their ranks.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Stormwarden on October 10, 2013, 11:59:40 pm
*gets the popcorn ready and starts munching* Hey, if the default's going to happen, it will whether we want it to or not. We may as well enjoy the show.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Ghoti on October 11, 2013, 12:12:23 am
*Plops down next to Stormwarden with a gallon bag of weed* This snafu is still a better love story than Twilight.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Stormwarden on October 11, 2013, 12:32:27 am
*pulls up a tanker truck of Mountain Dew and drinks from the hose* Dude, ANY love story is better than Twilight.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 11, 2013, 12:48:25 am
*pulls up a tanker truck of Mountain Dew and drinks from the hose* Dude, ANY love story is better than Twilight.

50 Shades of Gray
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Ghoti on October 11, 2013, 01:00:07 am
*pulls up a tanker truck of Mountain Dew and drinks from the hose* Dude, ANY love story is better than Twilight.

50 Shades of Gray
... Falls under the umbrella term "Twilight" because it's Twilight fanfic. Unless "Twilight" refers exclusively to the first book, but why would you limit your snarkbait like that?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Stormwarden on October 11, 2013, 01:03:50 am
Agreed, man. The whole damn series is snarkbait. Even the actors didn't like the parts.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: KZN02 on October 11, 2013, 01:14:53 am
Well this is interesting ... (http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/10/09/obama-hating-grandpa-gop/)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: gyeonghwa on October 11, 2013, 01:36:04 am
It seems the Republican party is finally starting to realize how badly this is hurting their poll numbers. A lot of them are turning against the shut-down, and it's causing a lot of dissention in their ranks.

T'was reading this in the LA times this morning. Apparently Paul Ryan failed at trying to bridge the two sides.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Ghoti on October 11, 2013, 01:40:59 am
Agreed, man. The whole damn series is snarkbait. Even the actors didn't like the parts.
It's especially funny/sad with the leads: Kristen Stewart can act (she's the only watchable part of Zathura, IMHO) but decided not to when she realized that Bella is a sad sack of emptiness for the reader to wear like a pair of pants. Robert Pattinson once ignored a mob of screaming Twitards to sign a fan's copy of Goblet of Fire, and has admitted to playing Edward like a manic-depressive virgin who hates himself because that's who he saw the character. Almost everyone hates Twilight, but nobody hates Twilight as much as the cast hates Twilight.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: chitoryu12 on October 11, 2013, 02:55:38 am
I'd have still taken any role in a heartbeat. You see what those motherfuckers got paid just for Breaking Dawn 1 and 2?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: ironbite on October 11, 2013, 02:57:18 am
Its amazing how letting morons in to try and govern and gain you power is now going to cost  you 17 seats.

Ironbite-it's almost as if these idiots have no clue as to how government actually works.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on October 11, 2013, 12:48:07 pm
http://money.msn.com/money-video/default.aspx?from=gallery_en-us&videoid=ba22cc5d-9b2f-42ae-a5f3-e08a709ef56d&sf=Relevancy#13 (http://money.msn.com/money-video/default.aspx?from=gallery_en-us&videoid=ba22cc5d-9b2f-42ae-a5f3-e08a709ef56d&sf=Relevancy#13)

In the video linked above, Princeton University professor Sean Wilentz talks about an 1868 Constitutional provision within the 14th Amendment that bans allowing the government to go into default, which will happen October 17th as things stand ATM.

The President can, on that date - but not prior to it - make an executive order to enforce the budget and debt ceiling issue forward, thereby safeguarding the solvency of the government. It's an old law, so look forward to typical screaming spin from the GOP/Tea Party, but the law was written exactly for the purpose of preventing a minority from kidnapping the budget and government operations for political damage' sake. It is in the Constitution, which is where the Sovereignty of the United States abides, extant. Congress can do nothing to stop the President, and the President cannot legally just decide not to act, either. If some future neocon madman president did try to ignore it in an identical scenario, the SCOTUS would then be obliged to act in enforcement of this provision.

Sovereignty=Solvency=Pass the Debt Ceiling=STFU GOP!

We have not heard much about this in specific in the news lately, so consider it a glimpse at the President's hole card.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: SimSim on October 11, 2013, 04:58:57 pm
I heard a story on NPR this week about that. The president specifically said he would not do that.

"...Or invoke the Fourteenth Amendment, he said, because those two options would leave the Treasury shrouded in legal questions.

"Ultimately, what matters is what do the people who are buying Treasury bills think," Obama said. Those two options, said Obama, would just leave uncertainty."NPR (http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/10/08/230467922/live-blog-president-obamas-press-conference)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: ironbite on October 11, 2013, 05:07:35 pm
OH the Tea Party would love for the President to pull the 14th on them.  They would honestly think it's grounds for impeachment and try to impeach him and get halfway to crowning Romney King before someone told him that they actually can't do that.

Ironbite-then the revolution comes and is put down within...14 minutes.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on October 11, 2013, 05:47:12 pm
I heard a story on NPR this week about that. The president specifically said he would not do that.

"...Or invoke the Fourteenth Amendment, he said, because those two options would leave the Treasury shrouded in legal questions.

"Ultimately, what matters is what do the people who are buying Treasury bills think," Obama said. Those two options, said Obama, would just leave uncertainty."NPR (http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/10/08/230467922/live-blog-president-obamas-press-conference)

As stated by that prof - Obama can't invoke the 14th until October 17th and a default has actually been confirmed. He's been recorded and quoted saying he won't invoke the 14th in context/answer to questions as to why doesn't he pull executive fiat to end the crisis now. If he tried to invoke the 14th now, it would most likely be ruled a legal error, and that would shroud Treasury and etc. by him having exceeded his executive authority. And the GOP could actually whip up support in Congress to impeach him for that, basically a formal reprimand, but not actual removal from office unless they indict him for treason. But, let's not waste time envisioning a tea bagger's pervy-est wet dream.

On Oct 17th, if the CR isn't passed, the government goes into default, and then the President is constitutionally obligated to invoke the 14th. The Treasury would otherwise be in default, which is more like the cloud of dust that settles after a bombing, than a shroud of uncertainty. We already lost our US Govt Bond AAAA rating back in '11 when we nearly defaulted, during a previous GOP hissy fit. If we actually do go into default, that government bond rating will plunge as low as AA-, which trashes trillions of dollars worth of bond face value, and makes the interest rates the government would then have to pay to bond holders untenable. We could never dig ourselves out of that, and it would crash markets around the world. This is why nearly all economists and market analysts call a possible US government default the "Nuclear" Disaster. We'd be a gigantic version of Greece. And I wouldn't blame the Chinese for really nuking us at that point :P. They own more US Bonds than all other entities, public and private, in the world combined.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: m52nickerson on October 11, 2013, 09:58:32 pm
Reading the 14th I don't see were the President would have the power to raise or ignore the debt ceiling.  More so when you take Section 5 into account which states, "The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article."
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: gyeonghwa on October 11, 2013, 11:33:16 pm
http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2013/10/gop-offers-temporary-debt-ceiling-deal.html

They are realizing this makes them look bad.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Radiation on October 12, 2013, 11:47:40 am
Well... just heard from my mom that food stamps have been cut for this month (possibly until January) and that Section 8 probably will be held back until January. Some letters have been given out that Section 8 payments won't be made for the next two months. I am trying to get verification of this and seeing if this is true.

Apparently, Shuronda, my sister's friend, has gone to the store and people with EBT benefits are pissed as hell as their food stamps aren't going through. They had to leave their carts and the food left in them.

I just called the EBT hotline and it says that "this service is temporarily unavailable" while obtaining how much is in my food stamps account.

ETA: I don't know if this is part of the shutdown or some other cuts that were planned.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on October 12, 2013, 12:17:22 pm
Can't find anything definite about EBT defunding/suspension, so maybe it was a glitch, hopefully.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_federal_government_shutdown_of_2013#Department_of_Agriculture (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_federal_government_shutdown_of_2013#Department_of_Agriculture)

Quote
Department of Agriculture[edit]

Meat, poultry, and grain inspectors will keep working.[78] However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will not issue any statistical or economic reports, including those on the prices and supply levels of agricultural goods. These reports are especially important to commodities markets.[79] Campgrounds and other recreational sites will be closed. The Agricultural Research Service and the Foreign Agricultural Service will shut down.[78]

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, may be greatly curtailed. The government will not contribute any new money into the program, which gives food for low-income pregnant women, mothers, and young children. Some states may be able to keep running the program with current money for about a week.[80] The larger Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also called food stamps or EBT cards, is funded by the Recovery Act and will last through 2014.[81]

But here is a recent PDF from NY OTDA that explains some income limit changes and EBT/SNAP calculation reductions on specifics like utilities allowances. These factors are part of how they determine your dollar amount in EBT benefits.

http://otda.ny.gov/programs/snap/5006.pdf (http://otda.ny.gov/programs/snap/5006.pdf)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Radiation on October 12, 2013, 12:54:16 pm
Thanks mellenORL, I just went to the store and the lady at the service desk (I had to get some money orders) thinks that the statewide EBT shutdown might be a technical problem in which I hope that's all that it is. My benefits actually went UP from $132 to $200 and I get the same message that it might actually be reduced.

I'm still going to see if there is anything in the local news about this.

ETA: Apparently it is a malfunction (http://www.woodtv.com/news/michigan/ebt-card-system-not-working-statewide) in the statewide EBT system that caused food stamp benefits to not work. It should be up and working now supposedly.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Sleepy on October 12, 2013, 06:37:37 pm
The EBT system failure today caused outages in 17 states, I think. Heads need to roll for that.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Shane for Wax on October 12, 2013, 08:17:46 pm
I haven't had any letters or calls from SSID, so I'll take that as a good sign. From what I know, there was a lot of uproar over it because of just how SSID is figured out as opposed to other things.

http://www.ssa.gov/shutdown/

So long as I don't need to change anything my checks should still be coming in. The disability.gov website however is shut down. So.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Radiation on October 12, 2013, 08:50:44 pm
I got my checks this month and already they are gone to bills and some other expenses.

According to  WZZM (http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/270608/14/Computer-upgrade-shuts-down-EBT-System) (one of my local stations) EBT is underway of restoration, apparently it was some computer glitch; some problem with the upgrade. They are saying that EBT should be restored by late tonight.

Either way, this was not good timing for a system like this to crash.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Lt. Fred on October 12, 2013, 09:52:13 pm
Reading the 14th I don't see were the President would have the power to raise or ignore the debt ceiling.  More so when you take Section 5 into account which states, "The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article."

But which power is Congress given the power to enforce? The power to ensure that: "The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned." Congress is not given the power to question the validity of the public debt, or to refuse to pay it back. Therefore, the President can just declare this and it shall be so.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: m52nickerson on October 12, 2013, 11:24:20 pm
Reading the 14th I don't see were the President would have the power to raise or ignore the debt ceiling.  More so when you take Section 5 into account which states, "The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article."

But which power is Congress given the power to enforce? The power to ensure that: "The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned." Congress is not given the power to question the validity of the public debt, or to refuse to pay it back. Therefore, the President can just declare this and it shall be so.

To me "the validity of public debts shall not be questioned" means that the congress can't simply legislate debt away.  It may not mean that congress has to pay the debt on time.

Erwin Chemerinsky has stated that there is simply no way to read this section and come to the conclusion that it gives the president the power to barrow money.

http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/2011/07/erwin-chemerinsky-on-why-obama-cant-raise-the-debt-ceiling.html (http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/2011/07/erwin-chemerinsky-on-why-obama-cant-raise-the-debt-ceiling.html)

Obama himself has said he does not have this power.  Not to mention that fact that any bonds issues under a presidential order would be questionable.  That in is self could send there interest rates soaring and cause havoc.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: RavynousHunter on October 13, 2013, 09:06:36 am
I think we need a new, specific amendment to address just this kind of bullshit:

"No person sitting on any branch of the federal government of the United States, or acting on their behalf, shall utilize the national debt to hold the welfare of the country for political ransom.  Should such an event occur, the Supreme Court shall overturn any such measures taken by the offending parties, up to and including government shutdowns, and the parties most directly responsible shall be tried for treason against the people of the United States of America and summarily deported to the most violent, war-torn 3rd world country country in the world, or to Antarctica, whichever is found to be a more suitable punishment."
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Lt. Fred on October 13, 2013, 06:06:23 pm
Reading the 14th I don't see were the President would have the power to raise or ignore the debt ceiling.  More so when you take Section 5 into account which states, "The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article."

But which power is Congress given the power to enforce? The power to ensure that: "The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned." Congress is not given the power to question the validity of the public debt, or to refuse to pay it back. Therefore, the President can just declare this and it shall be so.

To me "the validity of public debts shall not be questioned" means that the congress can't simply legislate debt away.  It may not mean that congress has to pay the debt on time.

Erwin Chemerinsky has stated that there is simply no way to read this section and come to the conclusion that it gives the president the power to barrow money.

http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/2011/07/erwin-chemerinsky-on-why-obama-cant-raise-the-debt-ceiling.html (http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/2011/07/erwin-chemerinsky-on-why-obama-cant-raise-the-debt-ceiling.html)

Obama himself has said he does not have this power.  Not to mention that fact that any bonds issues under a presidential order would be questionable.  That in is self could send there interest rates soaring and cause havoc.

Certainly that's a reasonable case (and there's no way to know without the Supreme Court weighing in).

However, note that the debt ceiling does not borrow money. The Budget borrows money. The debt ceiling just instructs the president not to follow the budget. Is that unconstitutional?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on October 13, 2013, 06:45:36 pm
Three branches of government,  each branch must act to correct errors, dereliction on duty, malfeasance, or seditious or treasonous acts by one or both other branches. Legislative, Executive, Judiciary. Congress, the President & Cabinet Secretaries, the Supreme Court. Checks and Balances, as by design, are at the very core of the Constitution.


Quote
Here’s Why the Constitution Won’t Allow Default


Oct. 9 (Bloomberg) -- Sean Wilentz, professor at Princeton University, puts the debt ceiling limit battle in historical context, explaining why it is unconstitutional for the government to not raise the debt ceiling and how it is President Barack Obama’s duty to take steps to avoid default. He speaks on Bloomberg Television’s “Bloomberg Surveillance.”

Please, click and listen to Professor Wilentz. He's much more knowledgeable than any of us here.
http://money.msn.com/money-video/default.aspx?from=gallery_en-us&videoid=ba22cc5d-9b2f-42ae-a5f3-e08a709ef56d&sf=Relevancy#13 (http://money.msn.com/money-video/default.aspx?from=gallery_en-us&videoid=ba22cc5d-9b2f-42ae-a5f3-e08a709ef56d&sf=Relevancy#13)

Invoking that clause within the 14th does not mean the President himself "borrows money"; Congress has already "borrowed" it via passing authorization of the funding in prior budgets. Every new budget includes reauthorization of long standing payout obligatons extant, intrinsically. The prior legislative funding simply must be approved and authorized; You don't decide to stop paying all your monthly bills just because you are sure one of your credit cards has erroneous charges on it. By failing to pass a new debt ceiling, Congress will in effect be refusing to pay all the bills included in the budget. Congress has never before in it's history failed to or refused to pass authorization of a new debt ceiling. Forcing the government into default through intentionally failing to perform this duty is unprecedented, and defined as seditious, malfeasance, dereliction of duty, what have you, by the 14th and its clearly defining 1868 clause.  It is a Check and Balance thing. If the President failed to correct this, SCOTUS is next in line to enforce the debt ceiling passage and see that payments due are paid.

That 1868 Post Civil War clause in the 14th is there to describe the duty of the President to ensure that the government pays it's legal monetary obligations - pays the bills, so to say - and that Congress cannot perform an act of dereliction of duty by refusing to authorize those payments.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: m52nickerson on October 13, 2013, 11:08:58 pm
Reading the 14th I don't see were the President would have the power to raise or ignore the debt ceiling.  More so when you take Section 5 into account which states, "The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article."

But which power is Congress given the power to enforce? The power to ensure that: "The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned." Congress is not given the power to question the validity of the public debt, or to refuse to pay it back. Therefore, the President can just declare this and it shall be so.

To me "the validity of public debts shall not be questioned" means that the congress can't simply legislate debt away.  It may not mean that congress has to pay the debt on time.

Erwin Chemerinsky has stated that there is simply no way to read this section and come to the conclusion that it gives the president the power to barrow money.

http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/2011/07/erwin-chemerinsky-on-why-obama-cant-raise-the-debt-ceiling.html (http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/2011/07/erwin-chemerinsky-on-why-obama-cant-raise-the-debt-ceiling.html)

Obama himself has said he does not have this power.  Not to mention that fact that any bonds issues under a presidential order would be questionable.  That in is self could send there interest rates soaring and cause havoc.

Certainly that's a reasonable case (and there's no way to know without the Supreme Court weighing in).

However, note that the debt ceiling does not borrow money. The Budget borrows money. The debt ceiling just instructs the president not to follow the budget. Is that unconstitutional?

The debt ceiling limits the amount of money the treasury can barrow to pay debts.  The treasury barrows the money, not the budget.  It is possible, however stupid, for congress the pass a budget but leave the treasury no way to pay for it.

Oct. 9 (Bloomberg) -- Sean Wilentz, professor at Princeton University, puts the debt ceiling limit battle in historical context, explaining why it is unconstitutional for the government to not raise the debt ceiling and how it is President Barack Obama’s duty to take steps to avoid default. He speaks on Bloomberg Television’s “Bloomberg Surveillance.”

Thing is legal experts are very much split on this issue.  President Obama has made the point that even if it was found that the executive had the power to just raise the debt ceiling it would come after a lengthy court case(s).  That in it self would make investors and markets nervous that the damage would already be done.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: gyeonghwa on October 13, 2013, 11:20:17 pm
Palin and Cruz organized a rally today at the White House, with confederate flags!
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WQX1_YcTWcQ/Ulr-82C4vWI/AAAAAAACmoU/GOCUPAx_tgw/s400/ConFlag1.jpg)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K4sFyDkEu7I/Ulr_mAxmtvI/AAAAAAACmoc/SFmMyqBLWqA/s400/ConFlag2.jpg)
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IXmT0kOds4k/UlsBrtoQqVI/AAAAAAACmos/_61LBH0KwtA/s400/ConFlag4.jpg)

Oh and Fox News used a crap poll (http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/10/13/campus-reform-fox-shutdown/) conducted by exactly one student in a heavily edited survey to prove people think Obama is at fault.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Lt. Fred on October 14, 2013, 08:17:04 am
Reading the 14th I don't see were the President would have the power to raise or ignore the debt ceiling.  More so when you take Section 5 into account which states, "The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article."

But which power is Congress given the power to enforce? The power to ensure that: "The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned." Congress is not given the power to question the validity of the public debt, or to refuse to pay it back. Therefore, the President can just declare this and it shall be so.

To me "the validity of public debts shall not be questioned" means that the congress can't simply legislate debt away.  It may not mean that congress has to pay the debt on time.

Erwin Chemerinsky has stated that there is simply no way to read this section and come to the conclusion that it gives the president the power to barrow money.

http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/2011/07/erwin-chemerinsky-on-why-obama-cant-raise-the-debt-ceiling.html (http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/2011/07/erwin-chemerinsky-on-why-obama-cant-raise-the-debt-ceiling.html)

Obama himself has said he does not have this power.  Not to mention that fact that any bonds issues under a presidential order would be questionable.  That in is self could send there interest rates soaring and cause havoc.

Certainly that's a reasonable case (and there's no way to know without the Supreme Court weighing in).

However, note that the debt ceiling does not borrow money. The Budget borrows money. The debt ceiling just instructs the president not to follow the budget. Is that unconstitutional?

The debt ceiling limits the amount of money the treasury can barrow to pay debts.  The treasury barrows the money, not the budget.  It is possible, however stupid, for congress the pass a budget but leave the treasury no way to pay for it.

Imagine a budget of $1, with a tax revenue of $0.

The budget says borrow $1.
The debt ceiling says do not borrow $1.

That's exactly the point. It is not possible to do this, because it is not legal to do this. Arguably.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: KZN02 on October 14, 2013, 01:03:17 pm
Something I found my friend posted on Facebook (https://www.youtube.com//watch?v=0Jd-iaYLO1A)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Dakota Bob on October 14, 2013, 01:04:03 pm
Palin and Cruz organized a rally today at the White House, with confederate flags!

Oh and Fox News used a crap poll (http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/10/13/campus-reform-fox-shutdown/) conducted by exactly one student in a heavily edited survey to prove people think Obama is at fault.

I've only known this Cruz guy for a short while, but I fucking hate him already.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: m52nickerson on October 14, 2013, 03:40:47 pm
Imagine a budget of $1, with a tax revenue of $0.

The budget says borrow $1.
The debt ceiling says do not borrow $1.

That's exactly the point. It is not possible to do this, because it is not legal to do this. Arguably.

US budgets do not specify to barrow money, they simply authorize the treasure to spend money on those items in the budget.  The debt ceiling law allows the treasury to barrow money up to a certain point.  Before the debt ceiling law congress had to approve each borrowing measure separately.

Yes, it is possible for congress to pass a spending bill, but give the treasury no way to pay for it.  The sick part is that is not illegal.  The founding fathers left the government enough rope to hang itself.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on October 14, 2013, 04:15:28 pm
Something I found my friend posted on Facebook (https://www.youtube.com//watch?v=0Jd-iaYLO1A)

This video is rage inducing. Parliamentary procedure rule change made in a committee that allows the GOP House Majority Leader or his appointed proxy Rep to block a resolution vote to reopen the government. Lawyerly scammers, scum sucking motherfuckers!

Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: chitoryu12 on October 14, 2013, 04:23:45 pm
Imagine a budget of $1, with a tax revenue of $0.

The budget says borrow $1.
The debt ceiling says do not borrow $1.

That's exactly the point. It is not possible to do this, because it is not legal to do this. Arguably.

US budgets do not specify to barrow money, they simply authorize the treasure to spend money on those items in the budget.  The debt ceiling law allows the treasury to barrow money up to a certain point.  Before the debt ceiling law congress had to approve each borrowing measure separately.

Yes, it is possible for congress to pass a spending bill, but give the treasury no way to pay for it.  The sick part is that is not illegal.  The founding fathers left the government enough rope to hang itself.

....borrow. The word is borrow.

I'm sorry, but you've misspelled it almost every single time you've posted the word here. I started to worry if it was intentional.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Sixth Monarchist on October 14, 2013, 05:13:39 pm
The EBT system failure today caused outages in 17 states, I think. Heads need to roll for that.

You... really hope somebody got fired for that blunder?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Sleepy on October 14, 2013, 05:44:01 pm
The EBT system failure today caused outages in 17 states, I think. Heads need to roll for that.

You... really hope somebody got fired for that blunder?

Um...no? The article I read before posting that said it may've been operator error (on the Xerox system's end) that caused the outages, but now most places are simply reporting "Xerox system outage."

If it was operator error, then yeah, heads should roll for denying food to millions of hungry people.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: worlder on October 14, 2013, 08:32:35 pm
Apparently the general headlines say things are ok as the Senate is about to reach a deal.

*Sigh* I seem to have a strange urge to see a pending long term disaster actually arrive and feel disappointed when it is anticlimactically averted. Of course if it is short term and life threatening then I would say "Eff you world!"
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Osama bin Bambi on October 14, 2013, 08:54:40 pm
Well, they better reach a deal, because if they don't then domestic violence and rape crisis centers will have their funding yanked. (http://www.salon.com/2013/10/04/government_shutdown_leaves_domestic_violence_victims_stranded/) But the Senate still gets their paychecks.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 14, 2013, 09:01:52 pm
I'm pretty much of the opinion that if your idiocy results in a shut down, you and everyone else who is responsible (even if they're doing it for the right reason) deserves to have their paycheck yanked.

That includes the president.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Lt. Fred on October 14, 2013, 11:50:44 pm
Imagine a budget of $1, with a tax revenue of $0.

The budget says borrow $1.
The debt ceiling says do not borrow $1.

That's exactly the point. It is not possible to do this, because it is not legal to do this. Arguably.

US budgets do not specify to barrow money, they simply authorize the treasure to spend money on those items in the budget.  The debt ceiling law allows the treasury to barrow money up to a certain point.  Before the debt ceiling law congress had to approve each borrowing measure separately.

Yes, it is possible for congress to pass a spending bill, but give the treasury no way to pay for it.  The sick part is that is not illegal.  The founding fathers left the government enough rope to hang itself.

The Congress does, however, approve revenue- in the budget, even, does it not? So you have a society where congress says- spend $2, tax $1, do not borrow.

Essentially, Congress is demanding Obama make 1,000-800=0.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: The Illusive Man on October 15, 2013, 12:14:41 am
I'm pretty much of the opinion that if your idiocy results in a shut down, you and everyone else who is responsible (even if they're doing it for the right reason) deserves to have their paycheck yanked.

That includes the president.
Make sure they cannot receive money or gifts from 3rd parties either, otherwise they will just replace their paycheck with lobbyist money.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: worlder on October 15, 2013, 01:58:26 pm
Crud looks like the outlook is back to being "hazy".
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 15, 2013, 03:03:53 pm
I'm pretty much of the opinion that if your idiocy results in a shut down, you and everyone else who is responsible (even if they're doing it for the right reason) deserves to have their paycheck yanked.

That includes the president.
Make sure they cannot receive money or gifts from 3rd parties either, otherwise they will just replace their paycheck with lobbyist money.

Agreed.

...Wait

Did I just concisely agree with TIM on something?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: chitoryu12 on October 15, 2013, 03:05:19 pm
I'm pretty much of the opinion that if your idiocy results in a shut down, you and everyone else who is responsible (even if they're doing it for the right reason) deserves to have their paycheck yanked.

That includes the president.
Make sure they cannot receive money or gifts from 3rd parties either, otherwise they will just replace their paycheck with lobbyist money.

Agreed.

...Wait

Did I just concisely agree with TIM on something?

I think you were thrown off by the lack of large pictures of politicians making silly faces and thought it was someone else.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Witchyjoshy on October 15, 2013, 03:11:59 pm
I'm pretty much of the opinion that if your idiocy results in a shut down, you and everyone else who is responsible (even if they're doing it for the right reason) deserves to have their paycheck yanked.

That includes the president.
Make sure they cannot receive money or gifts from 3rd parties either, otherwise they will just replace their paycheck with lobbyist money.

Agreed.

...Wait

Did I just concisely agree with TIM on something?

I think you were thrown off by the lack of large pictures of politicians making silly faces and thought it was someone else.

Ah, that explains it.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: SimSim on October 15, 2013, 04:47:43 pm
It's worth noting that 248(out of 535) members of Congress are refusing or donating their paychecks while the shutdowns is ongoing. So only a little more than half of them suck. Yay?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/10/01/which-lawmakers-will-refuse-their-pay-during-the-shutdown/ (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/10/01/which-lawmakers-will-refuse-their-pay-during-the-shutdown/)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Meshakhad on October 15, 2013, 04:57:22 pm
It's worth noting that 248(out of 535) members of Congress are refusing or donating their paychecks while the shutdowns is ongoing. So only a little more than half of them suck. Yay?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/10/01/which-lawmakers-will-refuse-their-pay-during-the-shutdown/ (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/10/01/which-lawmakers-will-refuse-their-pay-during-the-shutdown/)

My Congresscritter (Suzan DelBene, D-WA) is among them. Of course, Suzan doesn't need the money.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: SimSim on October 15, 2013, 05:02:37 pm
All three of my Congress members are on there. I was glad to see that.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: MadCatTLX on October 15, 2013, 05:40:29 pm
Three representatives from Oklahoma are listed as donating their money. To that, I don't know, it might well be to any of those organizations with "family" in the name. One senator is listed as still accepting pay and saying he will "spend and tithe" with it as usual. The other senator, Inhof I think, isn't listed as either, so I assume he's taking pay.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Askold on October 16, 2013, 01:08:41 pm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24557469

So... Is it over now? The story says they have reached a deal but it still needs to pass the house. Is the congress going to start to repair the damage they've done or are the Republicans going to waste this final chance and ruin themselves in a final mad attempt to... Whatever it is they believe they can achieve?

Find out in our next episode U.S. POLITICS THE TRAINWRECK OF THE AGES! (Brought to you by the Koch brothers and Biebermania)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Itachirumon on October 16, 2013, 01:15:31 pm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24557469

So... Is it over now? The story says they have reached a deal but it still needs to pass the house. Is the congress going to start to repair the damage they've done or are the Republicans going to waste this final chance and ruin themselves in a final mad attempt to... Whatever it is they believe they can achieve?

Find out in our next episode U.S. POLITICS THE TRAINWRECK OF THE AGES! (Brought to you by the Koch brothers and Biebermania)

Well, Huffpo says it's over, TP says it still has to pass the house, as you said. I haven't gotten confirmation the House will actually do the sane, not-rotting-shark-penis-in-frontal-lobe-stupid attempt to send us over the cliff.

....I think it's over, but somehow I wouldn't underestimate the sheer...[COGERROR7: synonym for stupidity not found] of the Teapublicans
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Askold on October 16, 2013, 01:44:36 pm
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/10/16/1247870/-Republicans-never-demanded-Obamacare-repeal-says-Republican-who-demanded-getting-rid-of-Obamacare

...Ok.

Quote
Rep. Labrador says it's "absolutely false" that GOP sought Obamacare repeal. " We have never asked for a full repeal of Obamacare..."

Quote
Labrador says any reporters saying GOP wanted full Obamacare repeal were "lying to the American people."

It's all clear now. The Republicans weren't the one's who caused this "Obama's shutdown" they are merely the scapegoat and the liberal media has been framing them for all the crimes and horrible acts that Obama and the Democrats have done.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: ironbite on October 16, 2013, 01:58:19 pm
The sound you hear is me cracking the earth in twain with my face.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Askold on October 16, 2013, 02:25:33 pm
The sound you hear is me cracking the earth in twain with my face.

Seriously, what do you think the voters in USA will remember during the next election?

During Obama's/Democrats' term the goverment was shutdown for a record long time and the credit rating of USA dropped (and in few days we shall see if it dropped on two separate occasions.) Obama is going to go down in history as a pretty bad president and the Republicans will rise up in the next elections to take back the country and undo all the advancements he did.

(http://www.banklawyersblog.com/.a/6a00d8341c652b53ef01348787ad7b970c-800wi)

And now I made myself sad. Still, the continued success of the Republican party does support my horrible, horrible theory.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: ironbite on October 16, 2013, 03:16:06 pm
What success?  They've been defeated in 4 of the past 5 elections.  I think you're overthinking this.

Ironbite-in today's age, trying to control the message that the other guy fucked up is impossible when you're a google search away from being exposed.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: dpareja on October 16, 2013, 03:22:01 pm
What success?  They've been defeated in 4 of the past 5 elections.  I think you're overthinking this.

Ironbite-in today's age, trying to control the message that the other guy fucked up is impossible when you're a google search away from being exposed.

You're forgetting that people are, in general, lazy.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mythbuster43 on October 16, 2013, 04:38:22 pm
The sound you hear is me cracking the earth in twain with my face.

Seriously, what do you think the voters in USA will remember during the next election?

During Obama's/Democrats' term the goverment was shutdown for a record long time and the credit rating of USA dropped (and in few days we shall see if it dropped on two separate occasions.) Obama is going to go down in history as a pretty bad president and the Republicans will rise up in the next elections to take back the country and undo all the advancements he did.

(http://www.banklawyersblog.com/.a/6a00d8341c652b53ef01348787ad7b970c-800wi)

And now I made myself sad. Still, the continued success of the Republican party does support my horrible, horrible theory.

The House GOP does have pretty low approval ratings right now, though.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Feral Dog on October 16, 2013, 04:52:07 pm
The GOP is, unfortunately, propped up by direct attacks on the human limbic system- the only part of the brain they respect in their voters. ALL of their claims, in recent years, are that we are under attack, that we are being lied to, that our president is an impostor of some kind, that our kids are utterly incompetent thanks to the liberal media and teachers' unions, and so on. I've seen first-hand some of my relatives go from mildly conservative to bordering-on-fundie simply by watching the news (and not just FOX news. The rest of the mainstream media isn't doing such a great job at reporting the cause of this shutdown, either).

They're pulling along by playing up the fears and prejudices of their constituents, and by implying anyone further left than Ronald Reagan is either stupid or in on the conspiracy to turn us into a godless socialist liberal totalitarian dictatorship headed by Muslims who are going to force abortions on women and euthanize the elderly and disabled.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Random Gal on October 16, 2013, 05:08:00 pm
Also, don't forget that the Republicans did take most of the blame for the last government shutdown while Bill Clinton came off as one of the better presidents.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on October 16, 2013, 07:55:19 pm
I watched a documentary that among other things covered the basics of the near default that happened in 2011, the one where our treasury bond rating was downgraded below AAA prime a couple days later (brinksmanship pisses off international financiers).

It was hard not to confuse every single fucking thing shown in this 2 year old documentary with what is happening today. It was almost eerie. The only major difference in 2011 was that the last minute debt ceiling bill passed in the House, and was sent on to the Senate.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on October 16, 2013, 08:19:07 pm
Well props to Obama and the Democrats for showing that they actually have a spine. This time it was the GOP that backed down (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/17/us/congress-budget-debate.html?_r=0). And Ted Cruz whines on FOX Nation (http://nation.foxnews.com/2013/10/16/cruz-blasts-senate-deal-caving-obamacare-once-again-washington-establishment-refuses).
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: RavynousHunter on October 16, 2013, 08:26:36 pm
Keep it the fuck up, Prez!  You don't have reelection to worry about anymore, its time to stop pussy-footing with these motherfuckers.  Kick them straight in the genitals when they misbehave, however you can, good sir.

...Who wants to vote for me in 2016?  I'll be several years too young, but if I'm popular enough, might could have a Demolition Man scenario come in; I'd be a damn sight better than President Schwarzenegger.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on October 16, 2013, 08:30:24 pm
...Who wants to vote for me in 2016?  I'll be several years too young, but if I'm popular enough, might could have a Demolition Man scenario come in; I'd be a damn sight better than President Schwarzenegger.
You'd have my vote if you were to explain what those three goddamn seashells are for.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: RavynousHunter on October 16, 2013, 08:32:38 pm
...Who wants to vote for me in 2016?  I'll be several years too young, but if I'm popular enough, might could have a Demolition Man scenario come in; I'd be a damn sight better than President Schwarzenegger.
You'd have my vote if you were to explain what those three goddamn seashells are for.

Ask, and ye shall receive. (http://static.fjcdn.com/pictures/3_05b92d_765495.jpg)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: chitoryu12 on October 17, 2013, 02:04:43 am
The sound you hear is me cracking the earth in twain with my face.

Seriously, what do you think the voters in USA will remember during the next election?

During Obama's/Democrats' term the goverment was shutdown for a record long time and the credit rating of USA dropped (and in few days we shall see if it dropped on two separate occasions.) Obama is going to go down in history as a pretty bad president and the Republicans will rise up in the next elections to take back the country and undo all the advancements he did.

(http://www.banklawyersblog.com/.a/6a00d8341c652b53ef01348787ad7b970c-800wi)

And now I made myself sad. Still, the continued success of the Republican party does support my horrible, horrible theory.

I think you ARE too cynical. The Republicans survived for so long after Clinton because they were coming on the heels of a sex scandal and Bush was able to drum up support after 9/11 that kept him in power for a second term, when he was so bad-to-mediocre that he would have likely fallen by the wayside without it. Bush's popularity crumbled once he lost the support of patriotic fervor and Obama had a relatively easy job during the reelection, as Romney couldn't have been more obviously and stereotypically evil if he tried.

The polls right now are even saying the same thing: most people blame the Republicans for the shutdown. Even right-wingers themselves (except for the craziest ones, who you're not going to get through to anyways) are turning against their own party for essentially trying to publicly cancel democracy.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Meshakhad on October 17, 2013, 09:04:11 am
Yeah, I don't give the Republicans much chance of posing any kind of united front before the 2016 convention. There will be a lot of nasty infighting during next year's Congressional elections, and as the candidates for 2016 emerge.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: RavynousHunter on October 17, 2013, 09:06:31 am
Yeah, I don't give the Republicans much chance of posing any kind of united front before the 2016 convention. There will be a lot of nasty infighting during next year's Congressional elections, and as the candidates for 2016 emerge.

With any luck, they'll rip themselves apart and the regular, normal, fucking RATIONAL ones are left to make a new Republican Party that doesn't fucking suck and isn't staffed almost entirely by clones of Snidely Whiplash.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Askold on October 17, 2013, 09:33:12 am
In a political system where more than two parties can have a chance of success the Republicans would have split long ago.

Now the libertards, teapartiers and moderates all know that if they split they will fail. They all join up because they know that the Democrats would not ally with them and just hope that THEY are the ones who get elected and fight for the control of the party.

Or, that's how I see it at least.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: ironbite on October 17, 2013, 10:07:39 am
You're looking at this from a European's perspective.  The Tea Party is going to try and eat the Republicans alive.  Already they're screaming at the Republicans who voted for this as RINOs becuase they voted for sanity.  These people don't understand anything just "Give me what I want and fuck you."  Come 2014, there will be a huge change coming on the American political landscape as the mess the Koch Brother's created roars right back to life to try and primary good people out of their jobs.

Ironbite-and then lose utterly to Democrats.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on October 17, 2013, 10:25:17 am
I think what we've seen develop in recent years is just how effective local conservative activism and organizing is in ultimately damaging the Federal government. Extremist GOP/TP organizers can now easily sway outcomes in all the conveniently gerrymandered Congressional district races with the overwhelmingly large funds they get from the national PACs since the Citizens United SCOTUS ruling.

It all starts out on the state level, though, from the pervasive and dominating influence that ALEC has in the state legislatures of all 50 states. Although ALEC's authoring of most bills presented in each state assembly may be a piecemeal approach, it amounts to waging a massive war of attrition. ALEC may focus on the state legislatures, but it does so in the manner of a finishing school for political hacks. The legislators on the state level now are either groomed...or doomed...depending on how ALEC rates their performance and demonstrated loyalty to ALEC political goals. Those who allow themselves to be bought and paid for by ALEC while they serve as state reps and senators soon enough run for federal house and senate seats, and get even more support from the other, allied conservative PACs.

Dividing the House of Representatives enough to make it as dysfunctional and disruptive as possible, even to the point of nearly causing a Constitutional crisis, was apparently their goal. Creating that level of frustration, confusion, and eventually, near panic is how they often get some of the more radical conservative measures passed into law, beyond the usual stuffing of shady clauses within complex, wordy bills on more mundane matters.

This is a matter of watching the Koch Bros and other conservative billionaires gradually and almost covertly transform this country into a plutocracy. Divide and conquer. They've been at it since Reagan ran for president the first time, 35 years ago.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Barbarella on October 17, 2013, 01:48:34 pm
That said, we Progressives are figuring it out.

Don't lose heart, mellenORL, WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED!
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: gyeonghwa on October 17, 2013, 05:24:16 pm
They are planning (http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/will-the-gop-learn-its-failures) to do it again. Which is great. Because the next time they decide to do it again we will be at the midterm election. Let's see how that goes for them.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Damen on October 17, 2013, 06:15:17 pm
They are planning (http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/will-the-gop-learn-its-failures) to do it again.

(http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzb9uyfa4o1qj4vs2o1_500.gif)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: ironbite on October 17, 2013, 08:31:06 pm
And in the middle of midterm year too.

Ironbite-who said they weren't the gift that kept on taking?
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: RavynousHunter on October 17, 2013, 08:36:36 pm
Republicans: We've hit China, but we keep on digging!
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on October 17, 2013, 08:38:36 pm
They are planning (http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/will-the-gop-learn-its-failures) to do it again.

(http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzb9uyfa4o1qj4vs2o1_500.gif)
Actually Penguin looks like he'd be a Republican now that I think about it...
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Dakota Bob on October 18, 2013, 06:54:59 am
They are planning (http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/will-the-gop-learn-its-failures) to do it again. Which is great. Because the next time they decide to do it again we will be at the midterm election. Let's see how that goes for them.

Dis gun be gud.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: dpareja on October 18, 2013, 11:03:13 am
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/permanent-science-gap-left-by-u-s-government-shutdown-1.2101514

So scientific research may well be irreparably harmed by the shutdown:

Quote
Thousands of experiments were put on ice during the shutdown, an innumerable amount of data was not collected as scheduled and millions of dollars were wasted, CBC science columnist Torah Kachur reports.

The monitoring of disease outbreaks by the Centers for Disease Control, climate indicators by U.S. Antarctic research stations and asteroids by NASA are among the projects that were suspended during the shutdown, Kachur said.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/u-s-shutdown-climbdown-the-triumph-of-the-republican-surrender-monkeys-1.2101877

Meanwhile, Ted Cruz and his ilk are declaring victory:

Quote
Where else but modern America could someone like Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, the Tea Party champion from Texas, accomplish what he just did?

This is a man who, having led a spectacularly pointless rebellion against his own party's leadership, declared a "remarkable victory" when the government shutdown clanked and wheezed to its inglorious end Wednesday afternoon.

Not a Pyrrhic victory, mind you. That would imply actually winning something while losing the larger war.

No, Cruz declared victory on behalf of the Tea Party insurgency after winning absolutely nothing.

...

And when it was all over, and the courtly Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell rose in the chamber to concede utter defeat on live television, Cruz marched up to the cameras in the hallway outside, effectively interrupting McConnell's speech to denounce him and the entire party establishment as gutless sellouts.

"Unfortunately," declared Cruz, just in case anyone might still be thinking of voting Republican, "once again it appears the Washington establishment is refusing to listen to the American people."
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: RavynousHunter on October 18, 2013, 11:25:08 am
Quote
"Unfortunately," declared Cruz, just in case anyone might still be thinking of voting Republican, "once again it appears the Washington establishment is refusing to listen to the American people."

Only some of them, dearie.  If you give everyone an ear, you'll go deaf.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on October 18, 2013, 01:07:55 pm
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/permanent-science-gap-left-by-u-s-government-shutdown-1.2101514

So scientific research may well be irreparably harmed by the shutdown:

Quote
Thousands of experiments were put on ice during the shutdown, an innumerable amount of data was not collected as scheduled and millions of dollars were wasted, CBC science columnist Torah Kachur reports.

The monitoring of disease outbreaks by the Centers for Disease Control, climate indicators by U.S. Antarctic research stations and asteroids by NASA are among the projects that were suspended during the shutdown, Kachur said.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/u-s-shutdown-climbdown-the-triumph-of-the-republican-surrender-monkeys-1.2101877

Meanwhile, Ted Cruz and his ilk are declaring victory:

Quote
Where else but modern America could someone like Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, the Tea Party champion from Texas, accomplish what he just did?

This is a man who, having led a spectacularly pointless rebellion against his own party's leadership, declared a "remarkable victory" when the government shutdown clanked and wheezed to its inglorious end Wednesday afternoon.

Not a Pyrrhic victory, mind you. That would imply actually winning something while losing the larger war.

No, Cruz declared victory on behalf of the Tea Party insurgency after winning absolutely nothing.

...

And when it was all over, and the courtly Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell rose in the chamber to concede utter defeat on live television, Cruz marched up to the cameras in the hallway outside, effectively interrupting McConnell's speech to denounce him and the entire party establishment as gutless sellouts.

"Unfortunately," declared Cruz, just in case anyone might still be thinking of voting Republican, "once again it appears the Washington establishment is refusing to listen to the American people."
(http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs7/i/2005/252/f/4/asshat_by_thundercake.jpg)

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U4LOF6czT7E/S7FyF0xv3XI/AAAAAAAABVI/NN_2PzymNDY/s1600/Cock+Sucker.png)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: chitoryu12 on October 18, 2013, 01:19:00 pm
Quote
"Unfortunately," declared Cruz, just in case anyone might still be thinking of voting Republican, "once again it appears the Washington establishment is refusing to listen to the American people."

I think this is exactly how out-of-touch the crazies in the GOP are. Either that, or they're desperately lying about their intentions. Washington clearly IS listening to the American people; that's why the GOP didn't get what they wanted in the first place. As soon as they couldn't get their way through the support of The American People (TM), they decided to engage in what was essentially extortion and sabotage until everyone else caved to them.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: KZN02 on October 18, 2013, 02:19:38 pm
TYT has an idea what Cruz's plan may have been.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EO9b0ESas0
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Askold on October 18, 2013, 02:57:50 pm
Oooooohh! This is going to be good! Cruz/Palin as the GOP candidates!

That will win the Teaparty vote and the diehard vote (the people who vote for THEIR party no matter what) but can they get votes from moderates? Can they get votes from people unaffiliated with the parties?

That is such a clear loss unless the Democrats somehow fuck this up utterly.

So it's going to be 50/50.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Sixth Monarchist on October 18, 2013, 04:03:20 pm
Ted Cruz = AsshatDouchecanoeAnal DrippingShiteburger.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: kefkaownsall on October 18, 2013, 06:53:14 pm
How can he run he's Canadian
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on October 18, 2013, 07:03:37 pm
Shhhhh! Don't tell them! I want a chance for the ground swell of idiotic support to get frenzied before that bomb gets dropped. :P
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: ironbite on October 18, 2013, 07:33:13 pm
His mom is American.

Ironbite-so he's just like Obama.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: kefkaownsall on October 18, 2013, 08:40:18 pm
Yes but you have to be born on US soil I think
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on October 18, 2013, 08:44:35 pm
His mom is American.

Ironbite-so he's just like Obama.
Where's the birth certificate?!
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: ironbite on October 18, 2013, 08:58:12 pm
Yes but you have to be born on US soil I think

If Romney and McCain are eligible, so is Cruzy.

Ironbite-for the lulziest victory ever.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Feral Dog on October 18, 2013, 09:57:36 pm
Yes but you have to be born on US soil I think

Off the top of my head: If you're born overseas to at least one American parent and come live in the US before you turn five, you still count as a natural-born citizen.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on October 18, 2013, 10:21:48 pm
If both of your parents are U.S. citizens when you are born in another country, you are a citizen at birth who can run for President someday. If only one parent is a U.S. citizen, and you are born outside U.S. territory, you are a citizen at birth, but cannot become President or Vice President.

Cruz has one U.S. citizen parent, and was born in Canada. He enjoys dual citizenship, qualifies to be a U.S. Senator, but by not also being born in U.S. territory, he is barred from the Presidency, and the Vice Presidency. I hate Cruz, but I think the rule is stupid and antiquated. I also don't care for da Ahnold, but he is a loyal naturalized citizen, and should be able to run for Prez, too.

However, I am oh so looking forward to the rage and derpery when Cruz' disqualification becomes known, because Guess Who is gonna be screaming louder than anyone? Every fuckwit who tried to wish away the fact that Obama was born in Hawaii and is totally a citizen enough to be President.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Feral Dog on October 18, 2013, 10:43:08 pm
^ That's some ridiculous nit-picking. Who's idea was that?   ::)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on October 18, 2013, 11:24:29 pm
Eh, a bunch of old frilly white wig wearin' metrosexuals in tights...freaking deists....intellectual elitists, too.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: kefkaownsall on October 19, 2013, 02:47:59 am
well regardless he is inelligble unless we amend the constitution
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Askold on October 19, 2013, 03:23:16 am
But if they change the law so that being a citizen is enough then Cruz is eligible but so is Schwarzenegger as well...
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: kefkaownsall on October 19, 2013, 10:51:40 am
Our constitution never changes (seriously the amount of amendments we have had are far less then other democracies
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: mellenORL on October 19, 2013, 11:21:23 am
So true. Only 27 amendments in 235 or so years. It was well thought out and fought out to begin with, and the process for ratification is lengthy and extremely difficult.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on October 19, 2013, 11:30:42 am
(http://i1.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/625/641/669.jpg)
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: gyeonghwa on October 19, 2013, 02:07:25 pm
It think Ted Cruz and his ilk are just delusional. They can't fathom they lost. They can't fathom that people don't have the same opinion. It's almost a year since both the electorate and the popular vote gave Obama his second term and they still can't get over it. They're too goddamn sure of themselves, and too good damn confidence in their (lack of) abilities.
Title: Re: Defund Affordable Care Act Or We'll Shut Down Government
Post by: chitoryu12 on October 19, 2013, 02:52:25 pm
It think Ted Cruz and his ilk are just delusional. They can't fathom they lost. They can't fathom that people don't have the same opinion. It's almost a year since both the electorate and the popular vote gave Obama his second term and they still can't get over it. They're too goddamn sure of themselves, and too good damn confidence in their (lack of) abilities.

They've never been democratic in the first place. They talk all they want about how The People Have Spoken (TM) and how democracy is failing because they're not getting what they want, but they don't give two shits about actual democracy. They just want themselves and their friends to stay in power and get what they want. They're about as democratic as the DPRK, just with less assassinations.