Was it About the Government Shut Down or Even Obama Care (Not Functioning) or was it Really About the Debt Ceiling – Obama Miffed over shutdown –wants rise in Debt Ceiling – A New Age of Politics.

The States were Senators Are Facing Elections in 2014 - the Red and The Blue of it -or perhaps a shade of purple may invade - image polidata.org.

We’ve heard it all before – the sky is falling, the sky is falling – and the horrors one would see when those darn Republican’s did not cave in to the King of the Senate (i.e. Harry Reid) and just go along to get along and agree to anything he suggested as far as a continuing resolution (i.e. temporary spending measure, a gap if one will, to cover programs that are deemed non-essential – really.) – Darn that Ted Cruz, for upsetting Harry and those brown-nosing Republican’s who’d rather be in Harry’s good graces than the American People – so they moaned and groaned and then –that CR went back to the House, where there is currenlty an impasse – so the government shut down and no-one really cares – except for the politicians and the media.

But, the people, not those in power, were unaware, for the most part, that this whole dust up had less to do with Ted Cruz, or Obamacare, or John Mccain, and how far up the media’s but he could get – it was not about Obama either, it was about how much money they needed to fund all the extra’s – and how they needed to rise the debt ceiling – afterall it’s hard ot study blueberries in Maine without the darn funds. According to NBC Obama is ”exasperated” over this shutdown and warns we are in trouble” He’s concerned that people are still uninsured (no fault of the group –Obama care funded or not, has many glitches and a whole lot of disinterest that no one wants to signup anyhow. And so, he’s worried about more programs, and unfortunately for him, so are the people.

The thinking people, the worst sort of people for a Progressive to have to deal with than say – your average voter who they deem stupid – they use the word “uninformed” – but that’s not the case really – it is the same for both sides those voters who hold onto their Democrat or Republican label for dear life –while Washington Burns to the ground – and Harry Reid Fiddles.

It is, in a word, the most absurd time in the History of the nation, from the perspective of one how has seen a lot of absurdity in the past 40 years, or more like 50, but this takes the cake. It’s as if the late great Dr. Timothy Leary dropped a batch of something psychedelic on the whole lot of DC as some kind of experiment –yes, it is that bad. Carter was atrocious – we got that - nice man, but not ready for prime time, and after 4 years, and a press that used to be for the people, not the party, he was out, Reagan followed and the screams from the left were drowned out by the people cheering, from all sides, there were the disasters, term here, term that, Clinton, he was the manager, between him and Newt Gingrich the nation moved forward – including a shutdown – and there was reform and posterity. Bush has the unmitigated gall to be caught in his first year of his first term in a major terrorist attack that cost ht e nation both lives and economically – and the left had gown, to include the universities, and the press, so there was little god that was known about Bush – until Obama came into office – then Bush was missed, especially in Martha vineyard.

Now, we have rampant inflation, few full time jobs, everybody’s brother and aunt receiving some sort of government dole, and a dwindling tax base to support it all – add to that a program that was poorly designed and eats through a second budget, one can see that this takes the cake from an historical perspective.

Although an easy fix, no one in Washington wasn’t to fix it – except for one or two radical libertarian minded individuals who actually will talk to both sides –so we wait while the big boys, (or those acting like spoiled brats) figure out no-one but the press is listening. The Republicans who are so concerned with their image in the press, will have time aplenty in 2014, and 2016 to make good with their friends in the media – most of them might even get a spot here and there on the prime time news – same goes for those Democrats up for election in those periods. Normally this blogger is looking at the candidates for 2016- really here’s my best guess, Hillary Clinton, although she looks like she’s running and would love to run understands that the Jr. Senator from the State of Massachusetts, one Elizabeth Warren (only a tad less experienced that Obama was in 08), will be the choice of the national Democrats. On the Republican Side, normally the last man standing in the prior election goes –so, there are choices, all of them bad choices, Newt, (although a great debater), Rick Santorum, but wait, there’s also Ted Cruz (who’s better suited for the Majority Leadership Role), and Paul Rand and Mike Lee, if he ‘s so inclined – those two are worthy for several reasons, and the ones that can take out the machine that will be Lizzie Borden Warren. We need sense not slogans, but so far, that’s how it looks – What is more important is the battle brewing over the senate and the congress.

With fairly good sources, there will be more money going to individuals who are not necessarily Republicans, but challenging them not necessarily Democrat Progressives, but challenging them and so, we would have ourselves some serious horserace’s and some major shifts in public policy - This is going to be the most exciting time to be – a political junkie

So the sky will not fall, and the nation might not have neigh cash to cover its debts, and Boehner and Cantor (Republican’s light and lighter) will make some kinds of McCain in a deal behind closed doors and put the screws to the public, but Obama will be happy. But it’s short time and of no consequence considering the path has been set.

Imagine new speakers, new leadership – that regardless of who sits I the oval office, will rule al the people’s pleasure, not K street, or some ill conceived Progressive plan, or equally ridiculous Republican plan. Yes, idyllic – true, but completely feasible.

Yes, it is past time for multiple political parties, or more to the point, political thought, so that all voices get share in the Republic – so that Washington is not the Richest city and suburbs in American where they have no industry except collecting taxes, and where the nation can be proud again, and trust again, their leaders in the Congresses. The White House will always be – what it is – the personality rather than the person, good and bad.

What if there was A Government Shutdown and No-one really noticed? – A Lack of Discretionary Funding Does not Shut Down the Entire Government. – The rise of the Jeffersonian Republican (i.e. Libertarian)

From the website: Whitehouse.gov - courtesy of Harry Reid - don't forget to send thank you note!

If one were to ask the rank and file people on the street how they have been affected by the “government shutdown” – one might get the query – “What government shutdown”? – Or the statement - “They should shut it down”. The media and certain members of both major political parties have their proverbial panties in a bunch – and they are screaming from the rooftops that rascally Ted Cruz, Senator from Texas is the root of all evil and the problem that caused this “horrible government shutdown.” Obamacare – now being called the Affordable Health Care Act (its actual name) opened as scheduled, with massive inefficiency – which is the one thing the general public has come to understand is how the Federal Government operates.

The GOP (or better known as the Elephant in the Washington Room), is more concerned with how the media perceives their political strategy than the people that had voted them into office. That goes for the Democrats as well, to a lesser degree, as the media generally doesn’t mention the Democrats with the exception of platitudes so noxious; one wonders if it is a new perfume on the market.

There is this new (or recent more to the point) bandwagon on the schism in the Republican Party – oh my, those Libertarian leaning Republicans are really muddying up the water as they wish to play by the Constitution – rather than to kiss the feet of the Republican leadership, the media and the opposition party. Of course, memories are short, in the present age – if something did not occur last week, its history so deep that it is not worth noting – recall the 2008 Democrat Convention – where the Progressive wing of the Democrat Party – supermajoritied one Barack Obama to the nomination while the individual who received the majority of the popular votes – one Hillary Clinton, was kicked to the proverbial curb – thus the organization –PUMA – Party Unity My Ass – developed. The brouhaha did settle down, some of those PUMA’s did vote for the party choice, while others…not so much – they became unenrolled, or independents, or green party and yes, even Tea Party. But...there was little news, and the history of the hiccup in the perfect lives of Democrats according to the media – simply went away

Yet, now with Peter King, the Republican Congressman from New York is screaming to the Media that the “conservatives” are trying trying to hijack the GOP!!! - Ted Cruz Conservatives, grab your pitchforks!! (Seattle Post Intelligencer) He’s been complaining all along, anytime a conservative criticizes the way the rest of the GOP is operating - of course, King could do the decent thing and switch parties - which he may have to come 2014. That may also be the case with those erstwhile GOP lifers - who, nameless (McCain, etc.) in a Politico article on their ambush of Cruz and the many downright nasty statements made, including the fact that Cruz did not have a strategy –are also a little upset with the fact that they are being targeted by Conservative groups! – 19 of the 45 Republican Senators, the article notes, were on the side of Cruz – that leaves 26 open seats in the upcoming election.

If those Senators and Congressmen on both sides of the aisle believe that Cruz is the problem, they had better grab a mirror and take a long hard look at their districts and states and, especially, who they are going to face in their next primary – that person will most likely be Conservative (or on the flip side – Progressive) and will be heavily armed with cash from those who want to shake up D.C.

Perhaps they should stop listening to local news broadcasts about how angry individual are over the government shutdown, where the local anchor finds one or two people to say it’s just horrible!! – Or perhaps they should understand that in marketing terms Affordable Health Care doesn’t sound as bad as ObamaCare – so ObamaCare has been stricken from the Media Lexicon – yet –people still call it Obama Care.

Speaking of which, as the President’s numbers are tanking – (as is the nature of Presidents in their second term as the nation begins to grow weary should the economy not be going screamingly well) – those congressmen and Senators might be best served by hoping he stays away when they are home on the stump. (See Bush 2008).
One Senator whom the President should hang on to like a life preserver is Harry Reid, the real power in Washington, one might hope that there are challenges to the King of the Senate, from both the Progressive side and the Conservative side – of course, he will along with the rest of those who have, played to Washington rather than the 99% - in 2016. In the meantime, should the Congress (both branches) find themselves faced with a bunch of new senators and congressmen in 2016 that just seem a bit too much like Cruz, Lee and Paul, then the writing will be on the wall – and Reid will be left to sit and yammer with self-importance in the chamber – heck he may even filibuster a time or two.

There is an awakening in the nation – if one cannot feel it, then one is living in a bubble, those are the people, regardless of race, ethnicity, or social stature who have had enough – on both sides, and as is the case with history, there is the shift in fortunes that will take place – not overnight- but over time and at those who are fighting for the people, with sincerity rather than the usual platitudes and BS, will prevail, and those that are not - well, they may go back to whence they came.

Therefore, as the powers that be continue to make life inconvenient for the people (see shutting down the memorial so that the WWII vets could not visit - that came from the White House, as that memorial is part of discretionary spending), over the ridiculous Obama-Affordable Health Care Act – then perhaps, with common sense, they should listen to the people, fix the darn thing, and debut it when it is going to go off without more than a few glitches, not legions of glitches (especially on live television). The art of compromise, or the call for Compromise is now seen as extreme – what a sad day for the American Public – when the rulers of D.C are so power hungry-blind that they cannot grasp what is taking place outside of the beltway – so beholding to Party Power and Special Interests that they are no longer recognizable. Then there are those darn libertarian minded few, who are actually (literally) shouting form the rooftops – these few are showing the rest of the nation, what functioning senators and congressional representatives are supposed to do – whether one agrees with them or not, one must be a tad jealous that their Democrat or GOP Congressional Rep or Senator is doing – nothing but crying about somebody who is doing something.

Of course, that’ not about the shutdown that no one seems to care about – it’s about that Affordable Health Care Obama Act – or the Drones that could have been used on the American People, or the fact that the Government wants to spend even more money and go further into debt – again, instead of finding way to relieve the tax burden on those who are employed and the employers who would like to employ a whole lot more people.

This is the math – the more people that are working the more people pay taxes, and the Federal and State Governments have more money to spend. One would think that reducing tax burdens across the board, to allow more hiring, would be the smart way to go – John Kennedy thought so, Ronald Reagan thought so, George Bush thought so, yet, Jimmy Carter didn’t think so and neither did Barack Obama – who is now on track to be a great president in the ilk of James Carter. What the nation needs is a Kenney-Reagan-Bush – or heck a Libertarian - conservative – that’s the ticket.

Cruz Receives Praise from Media – Opines Ted Cruz Wins – Amid First Open Day Fumbles, and Falling Poll numbers for Obamacare (or Affordable Health Care Act) – Perhaps a Third Party has formed.

Of all the unlikely places to find positive mentions of the Senator from Texas, Ted Cruz, it would be – the mainstream media, in opinion or fact-based articles laden with the authors opinion (otherwise known as straight news these days), one might be surprised to find the following: From the Allen Call (Pennsylvania): “Shutdown or no shutdown, Ted Cruz wins”, speaks to the meteoric rise and respect of the new Senator, another from USA Today via the Green Bay Press Gazette Five Reasons Ted Cruz Deserves our Respect.”

Although many believe him to be some sort of right-wing mudslinger – he is, more concerned with his constituents than what his peers or the media think of him – which is a rarity in Washington? The Affordable Health Care Act or Obamacare, opened to endless glitches, and the Public, regardless of what it is named, is not buying - Businesweek cites the Quinnipiac poll suggesting 47 to 45% of American’s do not like the Act. which, on the face of things may seem like a 50/50 split, but – that’s the 50/50 norm for the nation.

It is not the only reason that a third party may be in order – as the old guard of the Republican Party (McCain & Co) tend to be more DNC than RNC, and there is a growing Libertarian wing of the Party – and when convenient the media call this the “Tea Party Wing” which, if you scratch the surface of the Tea Party, yes there are Libertarians involved, as well as former Republicans and former Democrats, etc. Read:¸Is the U.S. looking at a Third Party – article from the Idaho State Journal – It brings up a few startling points.

Suffice it to say on the Government Shutdown some apparently responsible media are now using the term partial shutdown- or something that has occurred consistently over the history of the Federal Government.

Yes, Ted Cruz wins, either way – he has brought awareness of the shift in Washington DC from a government working for the people to a government that uses the people to gain power – He’s got everyone talking, pro or con and that is something novel indeed.

The Government Shutdown – Why It Matters – In a Nutshell – Why it doesn’t matter at all

The House and the Senate have failed to agree of a CR or Continuing Resolution to Fund Discretionary programs – the word discretionary as defined by means: Available to be used when and how you decide.

Therefore, this was not the standard budget but monies for operations that were sort of up in the air, this does not include entitlement programs, it does include park services, (Federal), as well as others, but non-essential services. The Social Security Payments will continue. The problem arises that the nation wishes to borrow more money and without this CR’s passage, that won’t take place – and that means, there will be little credit left for spending.

At the crux of the matter is the political divide over the way the Affordable Health Care Act has been structured. Some believe it needs to be readjusted as certain parts are clearly not working – other feel it must be passed, along with provisions to protect the Senate and Congress and their staffs, – especially when it comes to the affordable health care law. Some believe that for moral and religious reasons, the contraceptives and abortion coverage written in the bill should stay; others believe it needs to remain (Democrats). Neither side is willing to move, one side is more bent of being in charge (Democrats) while the other side is concerned about the effect of the law on the people, and on the economy. That would be some of the Republican’s – not all of them.

What one needs to know about Washington is that there is a political ruling class and then the rest of us. If they would learn the art of compromise as suggested by Senator Cruz, Senator Paul and Senator Lee, among others, then that would make government work for the people. As of now government is more concerned with its own egos, and looking out for their own class – never mind the masses (otherwise, most of the 3rd, 4th and 5th estates).

The question is Howe does this affect one individually – much at all? – That is how the “rest of the nation outside of the political class will view this latest circus. One can cry wolf so many times that it begins to mean – nothing at all. – Next week or the week after, the House and the Congress, with pressure brought to bear by the media (never mind the American Public, they listen to few of them), and each other, they’ll figure out a way to increase our taxes, and live happily ever after until the next big “Crisis” –

Simple things to do with Obama Care that would fix it today:

No individual mandate and fees from working class Americans

Mandates for employers to offer coverage to employees part time and full time

This- would be up the employee to take advantage of the employer plan.

State run health exchanges – to replace Medicaid, where one would be offered insurance based on income

There would be no borders when it came to insurance carriers, all carries would be allowed to sell insurance in all 50 states – which – would do the following:

Spread the risk of insurance so broadly that it would drop the cost of the premiums – also competition would drive premiums down – this would leave the exchanges in the state basically Medicaid only. Finally, the child on medical plan to age 26 stays, along with pre-existing conditions

The IRS would not be involved in the nation’s health care plan.

Employers would begin to hire over part time work – under the current law, they can exempt employees under full time, and avoid penalties imposed under the current law.

This is what should have been written.

A simple one page legible, readable, understandable bill for the people to navigate easily. – Everyone would be Happy.

In 2014, make the choice a personal choice, of which individual – not party – you wish to elect – and let your voice be heard –if you like the way government is running now – keep your Senator or Congressional Representative, if not, then shop around – even if it means crossing party lines one way or another – or voting for a non-major party candidate.

For more on the nonsense taking place in the capital – excellent article on the Hill Blog at thehill.com/homenews/senate/325647 senate quickly rejects house latest funding measure

2016 Polling - Democrats Shopping – Republicans Trend Constitutionalist

Most likely not to be reelected or elected according to current polling Clinton, McCain, Reid - Image from AP photo's

Of course it’s too early to start awarding any single “contestant” for the 2016 Presidential Race, but early speculation always fuels the news, and polling suggests trends in the rank and file of political parties as to which way the winds might be blowing – which, of course, are always subject to change. As of this past week two polls emerged – one Republican and one Democrat and Republican. One the Republican Side Public Policy Polling came out of the gate with the newest, high profile “potential” candidates, and the results were: Ted Cruz at 20%, Rand Paul at 17%, Chris Christie at 13%, “11% for Jeb Bush, 10% each for Marco Rubio and Paul Ryan, 4% for Bobby Jindal, and 3% each for Rick Santorum and Scott Walker.” – The pollster noted that Ted Cruz had gained 8% over a previous poll, additionally, on questions of trust, he was the most trusted of the politicians, including Senator Mitch McConnell, and, of course, John McCain was obviously not trusted at all. This particular poll, offered a 734 pool of likely Republican Voters, the majority, 39%, of whom considered themselves “very conservative’, with the next largest group 37% considering themselves as “somewhat conservative” – suggesting that the polling was in sync with any political parties makeup (the balance of those polled, were moderate, liberal or somewhat liberal).

Looking at the poll the trend is obviously toward “new faces” – not so much those who ran in 2012 – or were considered “potentially to run” in 2012. Specifically of interest was the poor showing of Rick Santorum. The reasoning is generally that the GOP has a history of picking the individual who did not make it in the prior election cycle, and boosting that person over other newer entrants. Examples: John McCain, who’s only rival in the run for President multiple times, was Congressman Ron Paul – however, McCain was given the nod over much better candidates in 2008, while Mitt Romney (perhaps a decent man but a horrible candidate for the GOP) was given the nod in 2012. The conventional wisdom of those in GOP think tanks has been and continues to be that any candidate they propose will eventually bring round the base – as well as those independents and a few democrats. This strategy did not work very well in 2008, nor in 2012. It was also, true, that there was not a strong contender in the bunch in both political seasons.

What this poll initially tells the political junkie and those that hope to keep their jobs in DC is simple – the fiscal conservative, Libertarians, tend to do better with the base now, rather than a political heavyweight that has lived and breath D.C.

Interestingly enough, a new poll from the The Des Moines Register Poll, on Political Ideology suggests the same results as that of Public Policy Polling on the GOP side – that Fiscal Conservatives and Libertarians will be the major players in 2016,

On the other side of the aisle – the Democrat polling found similar results Alhtough Hillary Clinton leads by 41%, the numbers are split on the type of figure they would like to see as a constant – 49 percent suggest someone not of Washington, while 48% would choose “Washington Experience

Therefore, to a lesser degree, but at least to an extent, the GOP rank and file and the DNC rank and file are both trending anti-Washington Experience, the Republican’s to a great degree.

As times marches forward, towards 2014 and 2015, the polls may change slightly, the faces certainly will change, but the underlying trends, pending a reversal of positions on both sides on listening to Constituents, the strong candidates will be – new faces. One might even go so far as to suggest more Libertarian minded positions – or at least those who would compromise – the key.

Although the media is beating their breasts over Ted Cruz, and maligning him to the umpth degree, what is making Cruz so popular with the base is his lack of regard for DC and his desire to help the people, he also is known to praise both Democrats and Republicans (with the exception of those in the McCain mold), similar to his Democrat Counterpart - Tom Udall, of New Mexico, who stood with Rand Paul, on common ground with ideology on the use of Drones on US Citizens.

This is what the nation is seeking – those who might not tow the party line, rather step of from under the shadow of Harry Reid and Company – As Majority Leader in the Senate, Reid, and his counterpart Boehner are truly the most powerful individuals in the nation. Reid more so as the House can pass all the bills it desires, and Reid has the power to move them forwarder in the Senate, or not. He uses that power without a thought to compromise, and has done so consistently throughout his tenure.

One might think that Cruz is perfect for Presidential contests, however, there is another position to which he may be better suited – Majority Leader of the Senate – one is under the impression the august body of the Senate would return to debate rather than the stalemate that has existed since the Daschle regime was ousted and the Reid Regime took control.

Regardless of who sits in the Oval office, all of that person’s power rests in the hands of the two aforementioned positions in the Congresses. Therefore, the real races will be those for reelection of the Senate and the Congress – and those will be the races worth watching. It will determine who fares well in the 2016 presidential race, should the old guard be ousted for new constitutionally, and progressive faces, then one should not be surprised.