Thank you Mr. Fleisher, I got a lot out of this essay. Your point/counterpoint analysis was spot on. Just as an aside…not sure if anyone remembers those kids books back in the day where you could “choose your own story?” At different points in the book you were asked what you think would happen next, and when you chose, the book would lead you to a certain ending. Then if you went back and chose a different possibility for what would happen then the book led you to a different ending. Your essay made me smile (in spite of the tragedy of what present events are) because it reminded me of those books. I sure used them with my students when I was teaching.
Your radical clarity in explaining the arcane rules about what is and is not legal in Senate vs Executive, House vs Executive and House vs Senate bargaining is really welcome. And makes a rumble in the jungle make a whole lot more sense.Your explanation suggests to me that the cost of a shutdown may be less the interruption of service than the emotional reaction and blaming unleashed against the Democrats. This all high stakes. Theoretically a CR could leave time to reinstate health care subsidies and partially mitigate
the hardships imposed on laid off public servants. To me, the danger of a government shutdown is that while the lights are out and no one is there watching, we don't know what the OMB and it's thugs are up to. PS while the entire field command of the US military is transported and locked in a room at a Marine base...oops the furnace blew up or a rogue drone accidently. This is a B movie disaster in the making...it could be real.
One day you might explain the actual consequences to the nation of a shutdown. Apart from not getting into national parks (with some shutdowns) and a slowdown of some government functions, I don't see that it's a big deal, having lived through a whole bunch of them. Yeah, federal employees don't get paid on time, but there's always enough warning that it could happen that they should be able to save and weather the slowdown, and they always get paid eventually. Permit issuance is delayed, presumably, which would have consequences for business. Social security and other benefits are still disbursed. But I admit that, from where I sit, the real harms might not be obvious, which is why I would appreciate an analysis.
Why would it be irreversible? Do think a fired person, in a state of appealing legality of the firing, not receiving a paycheck is put into a position to find a different job though.
I guess that's how it could play out (I do not hold the current SC in high esteem), the second question would be why wouldn't he do this action at a later date anyways?
Was trying to say is I have an expectation of Trump cutting govt employees already and the shutdown would be him moving it forward. But it is possible he *only* does it as a particular response.
I appreciate your clarity and the red card analogy helped me see the background political issues. With all the disfunction, the Senators actually being senatorial should receive a lot of screen/air/print time. We all need something to hold on to. It is hot and getting hotter.
Thanks, Gabe. I’m struggling to consider what the point of Congress even is at this point. Do any of them truly care about US citizens? I’m normally more optimistic, but I’m not sure anymore.
The proposed CR extends the FY24 funding levels as modified by the partisan OBBB. So:
- If the democrats go along with the first CR, they look really stupid if they protest the next CR. By stopping this CR, even if for a few days to get a commitment to discuss the ObamaCare changes, they have put a stick in the mud that they will filibusterer CRs. Better to do it now then approve the first CR and then protest the next one.
- If FY26 is like FY25, we will end up with another year of continuing FY24 funding levels. After inflation that is reducing all aspects of the government.
It’s like watching toddlers playing in the Sand Box. Everyone for themselves no one fighting for the people they represent. When will we take our power back? Vote!
Thank you Mr. Fleisher, I got a lot out of this essay. Your point/counterpoint analysis was spot on. Just as an aside…not sure if anyone remembers those kids books back in the day where you could “choose your own story?” At different points in the book you were asked what you think would happen next, and when you chose, the book would lead you to a certain ending. Then if you went back and chose a different possibility for what would happen then the book led you to a different ending. Your essay made me smile (in spite of the tragedy of what present events are) because it reminded me of those books. I sure used them with my students when I was teaching.
I don't understand why you keep making comparisons to past outcomes when the current situation is anything but normal!
Well, he cautions that history may not count for much today.
Plus: context is always good to know.
Knowing historical context is essential! As a retired teacher I am so aware of how background knowledge is the foundation of present understanding.
Your radical clarity in explaining the arcane rules about what is and is not legal in Senate vs Executive, House vs Executive and House vs Senate bargaining is really welcome. And makes a rumble in the jungle make a whole lot more sense.Your explanation suggests to me that the cost of a shutdown may be less the interruption of service than the emotional reaction and blaming unleashed against the Democrats. This all high stakes. Theoretically a CR could leave time to reinstate health care subsidies and partially mitigate
the hardships imposed on laid off public servants. To me, the danger of a government shutdown is that while the lights are out and no one is there watching, we don't know what the OMB and it's thugs are up to. PS while the entire field command of the US military is transported and locked in a room at a Marine base...oops the furnace blew up or a rogue drone accidently. This is a B movie disaster in the making...it could be real.
One day you might explain the actual consequences to the nation of a shutdown. Apart from not getting into national parks (with some shutdowns) and a slowdown of some government functions, I don't see that it's a big deal, having lived through a whole bunch of them. Yeah, federal employees don't get paid on time, but there's always enough warning that it could happen that they should be able to save and weather the slowdown, and they always get paid eventually. Permit issuance is delayed, presumably, which would have consequences for business. Social security and other benefits are still disbursed. But I admit that, from where I sit, the real harms might not be obvious, which is why I would appreciate an analysis.
Well, I think mass irreversible firing of Federal workers just might cause actual consequences, as Trump has threatened.
Trump threatened widespread permanent firings. I don’t know another way to say it.
Why would it be irreversible? Do think a fired person, in a state of appealing legality of the firing, not receiving a paycheck is put into a position to find a different job though.
Barbara is right The Supreme Court has backed Trump 90% of the time
The chilling part is Trump will fire people to make a point He doesn't care about people at all He is a sociopath
I guess that's how it could play out (I do not hold the current SC in high esteem), the second question would be why wouldn't he do this action at a later date anyways?
Why wait Remember he is a sociopath with no scruples
Was trying to say is I have an expectation of Trump cutting govt employees already and the shutdown would be him moving it forward. But it is possible he *only* does it as a particular response.
I appreciate your clarity and the red card analogy helped me see the background political issues. With all the disfunction, the Senators actually being senatorial should receive a lot of screen/air/print time. We all need something to hold on to. It is hot and getting hotter.
Thanks, Gabe. I’m struggling to consider what the point of Congress even is at this point. Do any of them truly care about US citizens? I’m normally more optimistic, but I’m not sure anymore.
The proposed CR extends the FY24 funding levels as modified by the partisan OBBB. So:
- If the democrats go along with the first CR, they look really stupid if they protest the next CR. By stopping this CR, even if for a few days to get a commitment to discuss the ObamaCare changes, they have put a stick in the mud that they will filibusterer CRs. Better to do it now then approve the first CR and then protest the next one.
- If FY26 is like FY25, we will end up with another year of continuing FY24 funding levels. After inflation that is reducing all aspects of the government.
It’s like watching toddlers playing in the Sand Box. Everyone for themselves no one fighting for the people they represent. When will we take our power back? Vote!
Does Congress meet during shutdowns?
Off the subject - Did Pfizer make a recent campaign contribution to Trump?