As a non-essential voter and commentator, I am somewhat perplexed by the joyful noise emanating from the treasured halls of our nation’s capitol surrounding the fact that a federal government “shutdown” was averted. I realize that it couldn’t be described as a “slowdown” because that is standard operating procedure for most government agencies. In addition, “slamdown” wouldn’t work so well because 55% of the government functions and work force is considered “essential.” Oddly, the President arbitrarily decided that the payroll for military personnel was not an essential function of the government. I understand that he is not as bright as advertised and is not a diligent Commander-in-Chief, but couldn’t someone remind him that an “all-volunteer military” does not mean that they fight and die for no pay?
When I was younger, support for my government was synonymous with patriotism. In my view, that is no longer the case. I do not trust my government (sadly, at any level), and I do not believe my government. When 55% of the government continues to operate during a “shutdown,” and military pay is not included as “essential” (Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution identifies defense of the nation as a mandatory function of the federal government), then anything goes. Any Alice through the Looking Glass character would be thrilled by the twists, turns and distortions encompassed in “government speak.” Essential is not vital. Shutdown is a mere allusion to stoppage. Cuts are really smaller increases. Critical family planning programs is new speak for killing babies at taxpayer expense. Supporting a critical unbiased presentation of news is in reality a subsidy for limousine liberals who are too cheap and money hungry to underwrite their own programming preferences. Also, PBS funding allows Bill Moyers, Charlie Rose, Ken Burns and Big Bird to live in a style much nicer than that of lesser beings (you and me).
While the President was backhanding the military and Harry Reid was defending baby killers, John Boehner was holding the keys to the treasury (almost empty treasury). Boehner and his diaper-clad henchmen fought as hard as they could against the evil spenders and bankrupters in government, and they gained a massive concession from the statists. The statists promised to spend $38.5 billion fewer dollars in the next six months than they originally planned….although some of the money was already sitting in appropriated but unspent funds and others had already been dropped from the White House request. The bottom line is that the GOP House leveraged the power of the purse into promises of $12-14 billion dollars in projected cuts, and the annual deficit for this fiscal year will be a mere $1.5 trillion – 1.7 trillion. No wonder the GOP members were so excited and ecstatic. They claim to have changed the “dialogue” on Capitol Hill to now include spending cuts.
No more sarcasm today. Obama wins, the GOP should be embarrassed and the people lose again…Big Time. No significant change in the projected deficit translates into no impact from the Republicans. The money (borrowed money) continues to be spent, the babies’ deaths are underwritten by the taxpayers, and the wine and brie class continues to enjoy its taxpayer-supported high-brow entertainment. Nothing has changed despite the fevered pronouncements that cuts are now on the table. The spending goes on, unconstitutional programs, agencies, bureaus and departments continue to be fully funded so that they can continue to harass and over regulate the people. When a government has become as large as this one is, they can overwhelm the citizens with legislation, regulations and rules. When citizens attempt to restore their rights and liberties, they discover that the battle must be waged on a multiplicity of fronts simultaneously. The task is monumental, and the odds for victory are small. The difficulty is made greater when the holders of the keys to the Treasury claim to support constitutional government but makes NO EFFORT to eliminate unconstitutional elements of the federal monolith.
The citizens, we citizens, are in this fight alone. We must work together in the spirit of Samuel Adams to reject and dismantle the tyrannical government at all levels. Shutting down 45% of the government for a few hours isn’t going to get it done. Don’t look to the Republicans for help. They are not capable. They are also culpable. I nominate Punxatawney Phil to lead the GOP. At least he is honest enough to admit that he’s afraid of his own shadow. The time has come for “we the people” to begin a government smackdown. Are you ready to rumble?
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