Got an issue that really bugs you? A policy that you strongly disagree with? Tired of seeing your own views not getting exactly the results you know in your heart they deserve? Fret no more! Just elect a few right thinking representatives (i.e. folks who think like you) to congress, and have them shut down the government to get your way. And if that doesn't work, destroy … [Read more...] about Hey Kids, Let’s Shut Down The Government
STILL TIME FOR GOP TO ACT AS HEROES: How?
Take 'shut down of government' unequivocally off the table. Crying wolf this time, is not like the crying wolf the other two times. Constituents are ANGRY now. They are angry at the attention to bs, rather than attention to their struggles. In any reasoned family, logic alone says if there are two large issues, deal with each effectively. Dont use one to attempt to … [Read more...] about STILL TIME FOR GOP TO ACT AS HEROES: How?
The Hostage-Takers and John Boehner
The minority of the majority of the Republican caucus in the House of Representatives is holding John Boehner and the entire nation hostage to their ideology. Unwilling to pass a budget or raise the debt ceiling to pay the bills for money they have already spent, a government shutdown and a default on U.S. debt are on the line if this group is unwilling to compromise. And it … [Read more...] about The Hostage-Takers and John Boehner
US Senate Rejects House Spending Bill That Calls for One-Year Obamacare Delay
House Republicans in a box: The US Senate votes 54-46 to reject House bill that funds government and delays Obamacare. The bill now goes back to House as a government shutdown looms. This comes as Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa., discouraged GOP leadership 'from launching another volley back over to the Senate' in funding bill debate - @CNN. Sen. Dick Durbin slammed House Speaker … [Read more...] about US Senate Rejects House Spending Bill That Calls for One-Year Obamacare Delay
Book Review: Wisdom from the Oval Office: Words from George Washington to the Present
Good news. There's FINALLY a book of quote by American Presidents that isn't the usual, extremely fat, ponderous and boiler-plate collection of quotes that seem mostly culled from old history books. There is FINALLY a complete but reasonable-length, unpadded book that is a must-own for students at all levels, journalists, political scientists, political junkies -- anyone who … [Read more...] about Book Review: Wisdom from the Oval Office: Words from George Washington to the Present
Shutdown (Guest Cartoonist Columnist Cartoon)
OF RELATED INTEREST: --More would blame Republicans for government shutdown: poll --MUST READ: John Avlon in the Daily Beast: The Suicidal Shutdown --Unfit to Govern --GOP tries to counter narrative Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation's most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as both a political and comic strip cartoonist. His favorite … [Read more...] about Shutdown (Guest Cartoonist Columnist Cartoon)
As the clock ticks toward a government shutdown, who’s driving the debate?
As the clock ticks toward a government shutdown, who's driving the debate? (+video) (via The Christian Science Monitor) Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., on "Face the Nation" Sunday. The US braced for a partial government shutdown Tuesday after the White House and congressional Democrats declared they would reject a bill approved by the Republican-led House to delay … [Read more...] about As the clock ticks toward a government shutdown, who’s driving the debate?
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) Slams House GOP on Obamacare Strategy
One prominent Republican senator is speaking out against the looming government shutdown engineered by Tea Party darling Sen. Ted Cruz. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) spoke out Sunday against House Republicans for threatening a government shutdown over defunding or delaying Obamacare. Collins, who had repeatedly voted against Obamacare in the past, issued a statement signalling … [Read more...] about Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) Slams House GOP on Obamacare Strategy
Will They? Wake Me When It’s Over
While tired Americans hide under the covers, Congress goes to work every day to haggle over going to work. Why bother? Wouldn’t the country be better off if lawmakers stayed in bed too? Capitol Hill’s Sleeping Beauty, Michele Bachmann, arises from a two-year stupor to proclaim, "This isn't load limits on turnip trucks that we're talking about. This is...a consequential … [Read more...] about Will They? Wake Me When It’s Over
Best Review of the finale of Breaking Bad
Yours truly is on the road until late Wednesday night and posting and writing will be limited due to driving and non-writing projects. I' ve been a HUGE fan of Breaking Bad and missed the finale. But I couldn't wait, so when I got into my hotel I read an hour of summaries on the internet. Here is the BEST SUMMARY of the finale (which I will watch tomorrow or Tuesday night on … [Read more...] about Best Review of the finale of Breaking Bad
GOP tied up in a knot (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on The Moderate Voice. Unauthorized reproduction without licensing from Cagle Cartoons is strictly prohibited. … [Read more...] about GOP tied up in a knot (Cartoon)
Do or die as US, Congress face government shutdown
Do or die as US, Congress face government shutdown (via AFP) Lawmakers have one final day to try to prevent the first US government shutdown in 17 years, but a deal appeared remote Monday as congressional leaders showed little intent to compromise. With Congress going into crunch sessions ahead of an 11:59 pm… … [Read more...] about Do or die as US, Congress face government shutdown
Cooper Indians
... Cooper’s Indians never notice anything. Cooper thinks they are marvelous creatures for noticing, but he was almost always in error about his Indians. There was seldom a sane one among them. ~ Mark Twain In his delightful essay "The Literary Offenses of James Fenimore Cooper," Mark Twain defines Cooper Indians, which I'll do in a moment, but first, let's watch Cooper … [Read more...] about Cooper Indians
Bye Bye Boehner: Cruz Timetable Derails Speaker
The Speaker is being treated like just another illegal by the now-ubiquitous Texan. If John Boehner can’t keep Ted Cruz’s hands off his caucus, members will be pushed across the border of sanity and Boehner will be out of a job next year. Cruz himself has a different timetable. Secure in a Senate seat for six years, he can aim his efforts at 2016, which have already borne … [Read more...] about Bye Bye Boehner: Cruz Timetable Derails Speaker
Bill Clinton on the GOP and the Government Shutdown
Former President Bill Clinton on the GOP's government shutdown: "I've never seen a time-- can you remember a time in your lifetime when a major political party was just sitting around, begging for America to fail?" Fox News, Tea Party members, and conservative new and old media pundits willinsist Americans don't see it this way but the truth is: today's Republican Party … [Read more...] about Bill Clinton on the GOP and the Government Shutdown
Lynne Cheney’s (losing) battle with Alan Simpson
In the 1980s I had a chance to briefly talk to Wyoming's Alan Simpson when he was the co author of the 1986 Simpson-Mazzoli immigration act, when I was a reporter covering immigration reform as my beat on the San Diego Union newspaper. He was crisp, content-heavy, bluntly honest -- and credible. And in my non-journalists role, I may not have always agreed with him but if he … [Read more...] about Lynne Cheney’s (losing) battle with Alan Simpson
Shutdown bad; default crazy… and catastrophic for the economy
... It would be vastly better if there was no shutdown and no default and House Republicans stopped trying to enact an agenda that lost at the polls by threatening the country. But American politics is what it is right now, and given its sorry condition, a shutdown might be the best of very bad options. ...EzraKlein/WaPo Because a shutdown will screw the economy. No one … [Read more...] about Shutdown bad; default crazy… and catastrophic for the economy
Republican House does it: get ready for a government shut down
US govt shutdown likely amid Obamacare divisions (via AFP) The government was in deadlock Sunday after the House of Representatives approved a Republican bill that attempts to delay President Barack Obama's health care law. Congress now has less than 48 hours to strike a deal that keeps the government open… … [Read more...] about Republican House does it: get ready for a government shut down
India: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh vs “Prince” Rahul Gandhi?
Rahul Gandhi, the vice-president of India's ruling Congress party, dropped a bombshell on Friday when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was set to enjoy his usual bonhomie with the US President Barack Obama in Washington DC. Rahul Gandhi's vicious attack on the government caused political tremors and confusion. His powerful mother Sonia Gandhi heads the Congress party, and was … [Read more...] about India: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh vs “Prince” Rahul Gandhi?
Quote of the Day: on the Republican debt ceiling default threat
Our political Quote of the Day comes from CNN and The Daily Beast's John Avlon, writing in Telegraphabout how Republicans are threatening to go nuclear and push the United States into a debt default if they don't get their way. He starts off with this: For decades, the key question when dealing with the murderous mullahs of the Islamic Republic was whether they were … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: on the Republican debt ceiling default threat