Tuesday Before the Government Shutdown

All sides are signalling there will be a government shut-down. President Obama turned down the House's offer to go with a short-term spending bill to save face. The Fox Wurlizer is running the usual GOP spokespeople trying to minimize damage to the GOP and to try and turn the tables on President Obama. Even people like Gerson think President Obama has the GOP cornered. But I'm not sure because I don't know how crazy Americans are anymore.

Charlie Cook reports from his meeting with GOP strategists that unlike the previous week where everyone was so sure the GOP would keep the House and then take the Senate in 2012. This conversation shows that the House's failure to act as mature adults puts the GOP majority in the House in danger and senior strategists believe the Senate has now become iffy.

And if you want to throw more fuel on the fire,check out the alleged comments by John Boehner to Matt Taibbi of the Rolling Stone on www.examiner.com . I find it astonishing that this is a true story but it has gone viral. First, I have a hard time believing John Boehner would agreed to be interviewed by Matt Taibbi. Second, I can't believe the Speaker of the House would actually let his hair down with such bluntness. But,it does sound like John Boehner after a few drinks. That's the problem. If the remarks are true, they present the GOP with a PR disaster of the first magnitude.

Some highlights: "Can't pay your student loan? Face it your parents were lazy and you couldn't afford college. The world needs ditch diggers and you were born into a family of them. Can't pay your mortgage? You're house was too expensive and you couldn't afford it." " I have news for you--there are plenty of jobs out there--the unemployed don't want them."

In this interview, John Boehner attacks the younger generation as "too addicted to TV, fast food, cheap credit and facebook." He also goes on to attack unions and their demands for a living wage. The phrasing and tone is just about right in capturing where the new GOP is. We'll have to wait and see if this interview if for real.

Today is Wisconsin day--elections for their Supreme Court and, as importantly,elections for the Milwaukee county supervisor, the post that Scott Walker held. The turnout for the election should be unusual for this kind of election. The Koch industries people have been pouring money into ads against the Democratic candidate. Normally, Prosser, the Republican incumbent would win, but now everyone knows that the Supreme Court will decide if Scott Walker union-busting bill is constitutional.

The Recall effort continues apace. Democrats have passed the number for two recall elections so far. Those trying to recall the Democrats have been a financial and political bust.

With all the hype by Republican governors in ending collective bargaining in Ohio, Wisconsin, Florida and elsewhere, none of our MSM types noted a recent decision by a federal judge in Illinois that states can not unilaterally abrogate collective bargaining because it violates the National Labor Relations Act of 1935. A fascinating judgment that puts all these state actions in doubt.

After we deal with the government shutdown--does this mean that all military operations must stop?--, we will next have to raise the debt ceiling. Timothy Geithner wants you to know that if not raised, we will face a fiscal crisis the likes of which we haven't seen before. I bet the House will not vote for a rise in the debt ceiling and we will have mayhem for a while.

Today, Washington Post--after nearly three years of health debate in this country--had a piece on whether Americans seeking medical care abroad will affect our healthcare system. This has been a story in the blogosphere for the last 4 years. Today, over 5 million Americans live abroad simply because they can get affordable healthcare. The number will rise even as the President's healthcare plan takes affect. At some point, I expect countries will have a backlash against more American immigration because of healthcare. Personally, it is really an option I am exploring because we are reaching a point very soon--without anything major wrong--of not being to afford healthcare in this country.

So while the social net is being torn to pieces by the teabaggers, let's hail the Green Mountain State, which addressed their deficit problem with an innovative solution. They are adopting a single-payer healthcare system and nearly 20,000 doctors have resolved to move there to implement it. If only Vermont had some shoreline.

Update: John Boehner just received a standing ovation when he told the House Republicans that the Government would shut down. Remember this guy said that a government shutdown would hurt the economy and actually cost more than if you kept it open.

Our truly amazing press corps did not ask a single question of the Republican leadership on why they are advocating the elimination of both Medicare and Medicaid. For an analysis of how wrong Ryan's plan on Medicaid is, read Matt Yglesias' analysis at Think Progress. Ryan refers to this as "welfare reform" which for those with a memory happened in the 1990s and was the worst move President Clinton ever did.

Consider this--Right now there is one Presidential candidate--Barack Obama. Now you are a Republican. Would you want to run on the platform just announced today by the House GOP leadership? You are stuck with this nonsense. Ryan's budget plan is now the national Republican platform for 2012. So even before you try to define yourself, you have to either defend abolishing Medicare and Medicaid and altering Social Security or refute what in the platform you disagree with. This is a big hanging curveball for President Obama and the Democrats. Just tie whatever Republican wins the nomination to this plan. Sink or swim, folks.

Tim Kaine has announced he will run for Senate in Virginia against George "Macaca" Allen. Kaine said this was the best decision he has ever made. Two lackluster candidates and governors.

Only Hot Tuna can save us now. Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Cassady are back with their first studio album in 20 years. Produced by Larry Campbell, it was recorded at Levon Helms' Studio in Woodstock. The album includes two Rev. Gary Davis songs the two have not recorded before. It's amazing that I have been listening to them for 40 years. Bonus--you get a Hot Tuna tatoo.