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In broad daylight, after having won a landslide victory last November, congressional Republicans are engineering the most embarrassing surrender since Napoleon at Waterloo. And the greatest outrage of it is that such a debacle need not ever take place. To this day, the GOP remains in a prime position to devastate its Democrat opposition and strike a fatal blow to the liberal juggernaut that threatens financial ruin for this country. But, having accepted the standard media diatribe that engaging in such a contest might be politically costly, Republican leaders are instead opting to backtrack and capitulate.
The issue at stake is the ongoing budget battle, which Democrats dropped on the GOP in anticipation of the massive turnover of seats to the right in the November 2010 mid-term elections. Rather than passing a budget of their own, which would have made their outrageous spending spree a front-page campaign topic on the eve of the election, they punted, and thereby left the nation’s treasury in ruins, while forcing the Republicans to pick up the pieces.
Ironically, incoming House Speaker John Boehner (R.-OH) could conceivably have accomplished just that, being in a prime position to make real cuts in the bloated and wasteful spending of the Democrats, while positioning himself and his party for even bigger gains in 2012. Yet the Democrats expected that he would not rise to this occasion, but would instead acquiesce in hopes of circumventing a “government shutdown” and avoiding the inevitable media attacks that would surely follow. At this point it appears that the Democrats’ gamble may well pay off.
Beltway Republicans live in acute fear of a government shutdown, and have bought into the deception that is relentlessly repeated regarding the infamous budget impasse that occurred in the fall of 1995. Shrouded in myth and misrepresentation, it is regularly wielded like a mace to bludgeon those cowering GOP Senators and Representatives. As a result, they have become paralyzed by the dread of any recurrence, even to the point of total capitulation on budgetary issues. It is an appalling situation indeed, and only proves the old axiom that a big lie, if repeated often enough, will eventually be believed.
In the first place, the 1995 government shutdown was not initiated by congressional Republicans, then under the leadership of Newt Gingrich in the House, and Bob Dole in the Senate. Rather, it was Bill Clinton’s veto of the budget they passed in both houses, and submitted to him, that brought Washington to its much trumpeted and hysterically overplayed “standstill.” The initial stalemate lasted a mere five days, from November 14 to November 19, 1995, before the Congress passed another continuing resolution budgetary band-aid.
With Clinton completely unwilling to rein in social spending, the situation came to a head again in December lasting this time for nearly three weeks. In early January of 1996, Bob Dole waved the white flag, offering his infamous “Enough is enough!” capitulation.
Since that time, we have been told that the entire budget battle was, from the beginning, a public-relations fiasco for the Republicans, contributing to their losses in the 1996 elections and nullifying any momentum they had previously acquired. Consequently, Republicans have not only been unwilling to seriously confront budget problems, they have even gone so far as to engage in their own indefensible spending binges. But theirs has been an unnecessary political and philosophical collapse.
Prior to Dole’s total capitulation, Bill Clinton’s popularity was plummeting. In fact, according to then Representative Joe Scarborough of Florida, Clinton’s job approval had reached its absolute lowest point at the precise time of the GOP surrender. Subsequent to that however, his image rebounded while that of Dole and Gingrich hit the skids. In short, it was not the stoppage of government that cost the Republicans, but their willingness to restart it on terms dictated by Clinton and the Democrats.
Likewise, the inconsequential Republican congressional losses in the following year’s elections were in no way a reflection of lingering public anger over the brief pause of government “services” during the previous year. A much more plausible explanation would be simply that the 1996 Republican presidential candidate was none other than Bob Dole, who was also the chief architect of his party’s budgetary defeat. Losing to Clinton by a significant margin, the negative effect of his political “coat tails” took its toll on a handful of close races for members of his party in the House.
It is ludicrous to suggest that the situation represented a major “win” for Clinton. He did indeed remain in office, but accomplished this with less than fifty percent of one of the lowest voter turnouts in decades. In other words, while he and his leftist agenda were hardly popular with the American people, Bob Dole’s weakness and willingness to abandon principle found even less favor on Mainstreet.
It is a lesson that Speaker Boehner and the other Beltway Republicans would do well to learn. The nation’s finances are in a meltdown, with deficits in the hundreds of billions accumulating with each passing month. No greater opportunity has existed in nearly two decades for true conservatives to contrast themselves against this criminal abuse of taxpayer dollars. Yet they opt to make deals with the Democrats, while loudly trumpeting their meager spending “cuts” as the salvation of America.
“We the people” are ready to take on those in Washington who squander the nation’s prosperity in service to special interests that feed at the public trough. The results of last fall’s elections cannot be interpreted in any other way. And if the current crop of “Republicans” chooses to ignore the message, they can likewise be replaced in the next cycle.
Christopher G. Adamo is a resident of southeastern Wyoming. He has been involved in politics at the local and state level for many years. His contact information and article archives can be found at www.chrisadamo.com
March 24, 2011 @ 8:52 am
if the republicans screw this up and back down this country is going to be stuck with obummass maybe for another 2+4 years…what the hell do they think we elected them to do? bonehead bohner must smartin up quick …i for one will not support any republican who wont stand up to the dems and obummer now or in 2012…IMPEACHMENT NOW PLEASE….
March 24, 2011 @ 9:12 am
Great article.
FYI – local Tea Parties are gathering this evening at Boehner’s office in West Chester, OH to let him know we are not happy with his preformace to date.
March 24, 2011 @ 9:16 am
performance
March 24, 2011 @ 11:19 am
The days of capitulation to and enablement of, the status quo, are long behind us. We need politicians of the Warrior Class, that have the courage to take one for the team in the short term so we can acquire the ultimate victory. When the going gets tough, the tough get going,,,,,,timid limp wristed Politicians need not apply. Either lead, follow, or get out of the way.
Obama/Pelosi/Reid declared social and economic war on the American People, their economy and their Constitution. Boehner better realize we are in a war for the soul of this country and dress for battle gear. The days of negotiation are over, because they just enable the Liberals and the status quo. It’s time we had leaders willing to go to the political trenches and take the casualties necessary to redress the previous assaults on our Constitutional rights and privilages.
March 24, 2011 @ 2:22 pm
When the going gets tough, the tough get going,,,,,,timid limp wristed Politicians need not apply. Either lead, follow, or get out of the way.
I agree completely! If the oldtimers don’t have the FIRE IN THEIR BELLIES to stand up for what is right, then they should step aside and let the newcomers take over! I want ACTION – and I want it NOW!
March 24, 2011 @ 9:46 am
We sent these Repubs to DC to save the country – not their election statistics! The Dems are noticeably better politicians. If you guys don’t pay attention to why you were sent there, we will be having another election soon and you will be toast. There is no reason to kiss Obama ***. We gave you the power to fix the problems. Do it !
March 24, 2011 @ 9:51 am
Boehner does not seem to know the difference between a true conservative and a boot licking apologist RINO. I sincerely hope that the good citizens of Ohio will have the good sense and the will to teach him a lesson at the polls when (or if) next he runs. Perhaps he will take a page out of the Democrat playbook and decide not to stand for election again. I am so sick of all these “old guard” RINOs.
March 24, 2011 @ 10:10 am
Republicans just don’t get it! I hate cliches, but this truly is a case of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. How can they be so obtuse? They are dead set on compromise. Good negotiation means you have to have something to give up in order to get the other side to move in your direction. They should be starting with a very high number, say $1.9 trillion with the objective of not letting it fall below $1.64 trillion. Also, it can’t be over a number of years. That is this years shortfall. The battle may have to be fought again to prevent next years shortfall. Republicans are in the drivers seat, but they’re letting the back seat driver choose the direction they take. C’mon, Boehner and company. Grow up! You have work to do. Do it! You were given a free ride by the teaparties. We can just as easily let you out at the next corner.
March 24, 2011 @ 10:11 am
TERM LIMITS look more appealing with each passing day!
202-224-3121 Call the Congressional switchboard and tell your members and the Speaker to measure up to our expectations! We spoke loudly and clearly in November yet far too many of them failed to LISTEN and continue to tiptoe around like pussycats!
Get Paul Ryan’s budget on the floor for passage at the earliest possible date – and send it over to the Senate! GET THE BALL ROLLING for heaven’s sake! I am sooooooooo sick and tired of the lack of intestinal fortitude in the Republican Party! It’s PAST time for the oldtimers to step aside and let these new CONSERVATIVE Republicans with FIRE IN THEIR BELLIES take over!
AMERICA NEEDS STRONG LEADERSHIP NOW!
March 24, 2011 @ 10:11 am
What a clear definition of the way of the GOP by CGA!
But this is just another, perhaps even less important , illustation of how much DC is a moral void which is now an imminet and present danger to the rule of law. I mean the protests about an open, flagrant assauilt on constitutional law by the brutal attack on Libya by O, HRC and the czars are already falling silent in DC.
I imagine it is all about money. Money that flows into the parties for campaigns that can buy silence or throw the fear of losing party support if anyone in any party protests too much. If anyone tries to buck the establisment too much. The establishment being both parties and the owners of the fed res system. Maybe even the muslim brotherhood is a big time dues paying member of the “establishment’? After all there are trillions of dollars of petro dollars, not floating around out there, but controlled by secretive Islamic countries.
Sort of like our govt now with O and the 40 czars operate our executive branch. Just think, They sprung this war with Libya right out of no where. And O, like numerous occasions before, had someone else announce the event while he went into hiding in SA! How long will the press protect him and them.
March 24, 2011 @ 10:28 am
I guess this why there is a Tea Party? Before it came into being there was 1.1 party, with 2 branches. The liberals and the not quite as liberal, formally known as the GOP. GOP stands for Gone Over Patsies doesn’t it? Maybe Get Out Phonies?
O and HRC are hippocrits, aka white washed tombs, since they have alrady changd the reason for their war, It was to protect civilians, now it is to get rid of G. Neither of these is likely the real reason. The real reason has to do with helping the muslim brotherhood establish a 1 world govt? Wno wants 1 govt? China, Russia, Peru? No, they seem satisfied to be a soverign nation. It is islam that wants to take over the world. Not to bring justice or redistribution of wealth, but to bring sharia law.
March 24, 2011 @ 10:41 am
Even though whatever House presented budget may still get stymied by the Senate and Obama, it is the job of those in the House to put a reasonable budget on the table and to shut down the government if Democrats just will not cooperate. That is what the taxpayers want to see happen. The American public is getting more educated as time goes along about the financial crisis we are having and understands what is at stake, and if the Republicans do not take on the Dems and at least attempt to force the issue, they are going to get replaced in 2012 with other Republicans that will.
There is just too much at stake this time (as compared to 1995) to be timid or sucked into the “Siren of the East” cajol from Reid or anyone else who is in denial of the level of problem on the table. It is time to put up or shut up and get out of the way and let some real leaders get in there and do something to fix this country.
March 24, 2011 @ 11:40 am
How about this,,,,we pass a law requiring the government to shut down (Militaary Excluded) until such time the tax receipts equal the amount spent, then and only then do we open it back up for business. And make no mistake, Our Government has become a big business with the ability to print money, which makes it a potentially very dangerous entity. If our Congressmen and government workers were given forced 1-3 month periods of non-paid unemployment just see how fast the budget gets balanced.
Believe it or not there are actual people in this country that can totally exist without ANY government handouts.
March 24, 2011 @ 2:46 pm
Good theory inluminatuo. Trouble is, that leaves an opening for increasing taxes. The only way to deal with the problem is to cut spending. Some departments need to be scuttled altogether, but those that remain (with the exception of defense) need to be given a concrete percentage cut and tasked to find a way to live with it. Forty percent wouldn’t be too large a cut.
March 24, 2011 @ 3:51 pm
Perhaps all departments should have a sunset provision and when the sunset comes they have to justify their budgets and existence periodically. Part of their justification should be their abiltiy to cut costs and live within their budget
March 24, 2011 @ 10:45 am
It is doubtful the Republicans will follow thru with the mandate given them by the voters. There is little chance they will change anything because of the lifetime RINOs in charge.. Voters did all they could, to put Republicans in the best position they have had and gave them some winning leverage. Looks like this effort was wasted.
It all goes back to this: IF YOU WANT ANYTHING DONE RIGHT, YOU HAVE TO DO IT YOURSELF…
THE PEOPLE will have to speak louder
March 24, 2011 @ 11:06 am
And that WE THE PEOPLE will do!
There are Tea Party gatherings planned all across the country next month! Taxed Enough Already folks are preparing their signs and will be ready to SPEAK OUT once again!
I wonder if the president and Nancy Pelosi will be able to see/hear us this year! They had better realize that ‘Astro-turf’ is NOT – and NEVER WAS a fitting description!
Most importantly, don’t forget to give your members of Congress (AND the SPEAKER) a call! 202-224-3121. They need to hear our voices!
March 24, 2011 @ 11:11 am
WRONG, WRONG, WRONG! All the Republican’s have to do is submit the budget that THEY WANT to the Senate. When the SENATE rejects it, it is THEIR rejection that will shut down the Government, NOT the House! And IF the Senate DEMOCRATS find the gonads to actually pass the House budget, then the rejection of it, and consequent shut down falls squarely on Obama.
What about this don’t they get?
STICK TO WHAT YOU WERE ELECTED TO DO!
March 24, 2011 @ 12:10 pm
This is a good move to begin with and should be taken by Boehner and crew for the points you make. And, maybe they will do this if they cannot get anywhere with the Dems in Congress.
Then, the Tea Party activists have to stay in the mix through the 2012 elections and help replace both Dems and Repubs that are just not getting it. And, of course, Obama has to go as well.
This has to be a multi-step process which began in the election last November.
The voters supporting this must be patient because it is going to take some time and actions to turn around this mess we have at the federal level.
March 24, 2011 @ 2:28 pm
The voters supporting this must be patient because it is going to take some time and actions to turn around this mess we have at the federal level.
A very good point – however – what happens if our patience goes unrewarded because those with the intent to completely destroy our government succeed!
We MUST keep the pressure on them…even when it appears (as it does in this state) that it is useless…we must still let them know our concerns!
March 24, 2011 @ 2:51 pm
JDZ, patience is good, but if we are patient too long, the nation will be bankrupt. Action must be taken sooner rather than later.
March 24, 2011 @ 11:24 am
I email Boehner about once a week reminding him who he is obligated to listen to…which is, We the People. I am so sick and tired of the wimpy Republicans who continue to wimp out. I am for shutting down the government. Boehner is an aisle crosser and it was a mistake to elect him as House Speaker. I cringed when he took the gavel. I am ready to toss him and the rest of the good old boys right out the door in 2012. I want to see someone with guts like Allen West that is not afraid to stand up and tell the truth and to do what he was elected to do not wimp out and hand the liberal left everything they want. Our country is being destroyed from within and most do not have a clue.
March 24, 2011 @ 5:53 pm
I totally agree that we need to stand our ground on the budget and force Washington to live within the means we, the Taxpayers, give them. The Neo’s seem to have heard this message and are for the most part, voting accordingly. The problem is with the old-timers like the Speaker that are afraid to rock the boat lest they loose their meal ticket. We need to stress to these folks that if they don’t rock the boat and grow a pair, we will pull their meal ticket.
Does anyone know Boehner’s email address? I don’t live in his state but because of his influence, feel like I have a right to ask/demand that he represent me and my views as well as his normal constituency. Someone, what’s his address, either at the House or his offices?
March 24, 2011 @ 6:14 pm
go to speaker.gov and there is a Contact tab. You can email him from a form on that page. Also you can sign up for Speaker Alert emails on the same page.
March 24, 2011 @ 12:14 pm
Hey Republicans. The Democrats government run healthcare bill is dead.
It’s been ruled un-Constitutional for the Federal Government to require citizens to purchase a product. The bill has no line item clause, meaning the un-Constitutional portion of the bill can not be stricken, this bill cannot be repaired, this bill dead.
A new bill, complete with House and Senate passage is required. Stop gaming us!
Voters, Republicans who do not understand this are too dumb to weild the power of elected office. Replace them ASAP! And Republicans gaming us to preserve their ‘Politics as usual’ agenda can never, ever, be trusted! Fire them! ASAP!
In the case of the healthcare bill, the omission of a line item clause was not accidental.
It was deviously left out of the bill expressly to safe guard a hundred billion dollar slush fund hidden in the bill that would have been struck down in a line item review. Do you remember the Democrats threat to repeal proof their locked door creation?
The Democrats ruse back fired, they out-devioused themselves. Without line item the bill is dead. DEAD! Speak no more of it. Reset healthcare to previous norms.
Stop the spending now! Stop the spending first! Then start over by re-writting and passing a new healthcare bill without liberty stealing government controls. Take your time and do it right the first time. Let the next President sign it.
The Democratic Party will never fully recover from this corrupt administration.
Opportunity knocks at the Republican door. Provided… they can learn to serve the government of the people! So, belly in, chest out, and grow a pair Republicans.
But know this, the people are watching the government of the people now.
March 24, 2011 @ 2:59 pm
Until the Administration can be compelled to comply with court decisions, both in the arena of Obamacare and oil drilling, nothing is dead simply because a court ruled it so. These people neither comply with the Constitution or the rule of law. It is important to fight them all the way until such time as they are removed from office. It should happen today, but it probably won’t happen until January 2013. The RINO’s simply haven’t got the fortitude to do anything about it.
March 24, 2011 @ 12:25 pm
Hey Republicans. The Democrats government run healthcare bill is dead.
It’s been ruled un-Constitutional for the Federal Government to require citizens to purchase a product. The bill has no line item clause, meaning the un-Constitutional portion of the bill can not be stricken, this bill cannot be repaired, this bill dead.
A new bill, complete with House and Senate passage is required. Stop gaming us!
Voters, Republicans who do not understand this are too dumb to weild the power of elected office. Replace them ASAP! And Republicans gaming us to preserve their ‘Politics as usual’ agenda can never, ever, be trusted! Fire them! ASAP!
In the case of the healthcare bill, the omission of a line item clause was not accidental.
It was deviously left out of the bill expressly to safe guard a hundred billion dollar slush fund hidden in the bill that would have been struck down in a line item review. Do you remember the Democrats threat to repeal proof their locked door creation?
The Democrats ruse back fired, they out-devioused themselves. Without line item the bill is dead. DEAD! Speak no more of it. Reset healthcare to previous norms.
Stop the spending now! Stop the spending first! Then start over by re-writting and passing a new healthcare bill without liberty stealing government controls. Take your time and do it right the first time. Let the next President sign it.
The Democratic Party will never fully recover from this corrupt administration.
Opportunity knocks at the Republican door. Provided… they can learn to serve the government of the people! So, belly in, chest out, and grow a pair Republicans.
But know this, the people are watching the government of the people now.
March 24, 2011 @ 1:29 pm
This is one of the many reasons we as Republicans FAIL. We elect people who are happier to lick boot to keep getting elected than to stick to their “morals”. Of course if and when the government shuts down, much like in ’95 people will look at the party of “NO” and place the blame on us and it will be rightly placed.
We’re spending too much time trying to fight over small issues like Planned Parenthood that we have NO chance of winning and wasting time on Obamacare which will pass the supreme court challange to see the bigget issues… but thats washington DC for you.
The TEA Party is just as worthless as the main line Republicans as their fire goes out just as fast and they sell out just as fast.
March 24, 2011 @ 2:32 pm
NOT the tea partiers I know! I believe you are a bit confused!
March 24, 2011 @ 1:55 pm
When I read about Congresswoman Martha Roby (R-Ala.) sponsoring HR 205, The Geometric Simplification Act that declares the mathematical constant of pi to be precisely 3 instead of 3.14159, it seems there are real problems in the Republican party in managing the power they now hold. Although she’s only a freshman in Congress, she sits on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education. Is she looking for a way to embarrass her party by making it the laughing stock of anyone who has ever finished high school.
March 24, 2011 @ 2:39 pm
I believe there just might be a few more pressing matters to address than to REVISE issues that should not/cannot be revised! What next, change the minutes in an hour to 56? Days in the year to 360? What a genius! And…she’s on Education committees – whoa! Someone needs to check her assignment qualifications!
I guess ‘new math’ wasn’t good enough for this woman! Just more of the ‘we must change everything’ crowd. With many in the educational field who delight in such revisionism, we need not wonder why today’s American schoolchildren are lacking the 3 R’s skills!
March 24, 2011 @ 3:31 pm
Martha Roby should be drawn and quartered. She is a disgrace to the Republican Party.
Pingback: Truth And Lies of a Government ‘Shutdown’ | Western Journalism.com
March 24, 2011 @ 4:41 pm
Just one more glaring example of a 2 party system acting as one for the good of only the Federal corporation. I am simply astounded at how many people are out there still rallying behind an elephant or a donkey, as if there was a difference.
What this really means is that no matter what the people say the Federal government is going to do what its international banking masters tell it to. There no longer is a ‘democracy’, if there ever was one. We know there hasn’t been a republic since Lincoln’s assassination. The constitution has been rendered moot by 10s of millions of federal laws and a populace all too ready to capitulate to anything that will take the liability for their own lives out of their own hands.
But still, I hear the bleating of ‘wait til November’ again and again. Every time there has been a promise of change, over 50 election cycles, all that has happened is the same leeches sucking the blood from what was once considered a great nation.
It’s over people. It is too late for repentance, and not just for America. Every nation that has plugged itself irreversibly into the tech monster that is western society will suffer complete destruction, sooner rather than later. If you have 2 brain cells left to rub together, get yourself, your family, and your neighbors on board to do some major self-surviving when there are no grocery stores, no gas stations, no hospitals, no Oprah. Those that cannot break away from what is not God will suffer and die. Those that can once again rely on God and take full liability for themselves will have a chance. You make the call…
March 24, 2011 @ 6:59 pm
Let’s see now. Before the fed res came into being we had no nattional debt, Now, after almost 100 years of the fed we have a national debt of what, $14 trillion?
So what has happened? Have our liberal pols distributed the wealth, like justice says they are supposed to do?
Nope, the bankers have the wealth, cash, capital. And what they have distributed is the debt. And they have distributed it to none other than we the people, the taxpayers!
In the interest of charity I will give our elected officials the benefit of being brainwashed, perhaps even dumb, and not really underdstanding what kind of financial enslavement environment we live it. Ron Paul wants to “audit” the fed? What will that do? Balance the budget? Reduce the ND by a couple of trillion?
Maybe I am wrong and CONgress does not deserve charity since they already get way more than they deserve/earn? Perhaps they just like all the pwoer and benefits, and want to keep them , like Ghadaffi? In this case they need to be held accounbale for their own actions and spending habits and replaced. Many should resign, starting at the top for starting a private war. Who does he think he is? A sheriff so he formed a posse to go get the bad guy!
March 24, 2011 @ 9:22 pm
What is this “justice” you speak of “Have our liberal pols distributed the wealth, like justice says they are supposed to do?”? As far as I know, when it comes to money, the person that EARNS the money through their own labor or intelligence is entitled to keep or dispose of that money as they see fit. It certainly would not be “justice” for them to have to give that money to others without those others having done anything to earn it. The only valid “redistribution of wealth” is that which occurs when it is a valid and equitable trade of wealth for goods or services.
As to holding Congress accountable, that is what I want Boehner and the other Repubs to do in forcing through a balanced budget and retiring the national debt over our lifetime rather than passing it on to the next generations.
March 24, 2011 @ 10:53 pm
Just shut the money spending, Democrats down.
If the elected republicans can’t do it, then they need to be replaced with someone that has got a back bone .