B-Man Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 January 2, 2019 Government shutdown exposes redundancy in Washington by Rick Moran The partial government shutdown goes on with little hope of resolution. Democrats want to test Donald Trump's resolve on border wall funding by proposing a plan to reopen the government without any money for a wall. With Trump having gone this far, you would think he'll maintain his position despite the daily headlines of people starving in the streets, old people getting kicked out of their homes, health care being denied to babies because there's no money, and... Wait. Those headlines don't exist. Part of the reason is that 75% of government is fully funded through next September. But another reason why this shutdown isn't impacting citizens is that much of government is unnecessary and redundant. Christopher Buskirk: Maybe what we learned from the shutdown is that for all of the talk, all of the money, all of the skyrocketing debt, the federal government is mostly non-essential. The State Department? Mostly unnecessary and designed for another era. If the president wants to talk to the leader of Burkina Faso, he can send him an email. Instead of the diplomacy in service of American interests, State has become mostly a colonial office for our post Cold War policy of moral imperialism. And State is one of the original cabinet level departments which we actually need in some much more limited capacity. It gets worse from there. The myriad departments and agencies, variously referred to as 'the bureaucracy', 'the administrative state', or more malevolently 'the deep state', represent much of the swamp that President Trump promised to drain. In that regard, the partial shut-down can be seen as consistent with his larger platform. But he should make it permanent. Here are some concrete ideas for the president to win the politics of the shutdown and do some good for the country at the same time: Buskirk believes we can make the shutdown a feature, not a bug: 1. Propose the permanent shuttering of non-essential cabinet level departments. Closing the Department of Energy would save $32.5 billion, Department of Commerce, $61.8 billion, and the Department of Education, $59.9 billion. These are not new or radical ideas for Republicans. Reagan tried to close the Department of Education in 1981. And the current Secretary of Energy, Rick Perry, proposed closing his own Department when running for president. Are they really non-essential? In a word, yes. But let me put it in perspective with a few questions: The Department of Education was created in 1979. Does anyone believe that American education has improved since then? Does anyone think American commerce would cease if the department were closed? 2. Offer early retirement to non-essential federal employees who have been furloughed. This is common practice in the private sector. It would help make the federal government more efficient, thus reducing a drag on the economy, and would allow those people to pursue more productive employment while giving them the financial security to make the transition. 3. Encourage Congress to reassert its constitutional power as the primary lawmaking body of the federal government. Congress long ago ceded this authority to the deep state which is unelected, unaccountable, and makes far more law than Congress. For example, in 2016, Congress passed 214 bills which became law while the deep state made 3,853 'rules' with the force of law. 4. Return power to state and local government. Good, solid conservative ideas, all of which have been proposed at one time or another over the last few decades. But despite the partial shutdown, government continues to function with only minor interruptions. The reason for that is redundancy. Back in 1979, when Jimmy Carter proposed spending about $6 billion to fund a brand new Department of Education (F.Y. 2019 budget is $60 billion), one of the strongest selling points was that education programs were scattered in every department and agency across the government. Just think how much money we can save if we bring all those programs under the control of one, federal department! It didn't work. Today, there are still education programs in many federal agencies, and the Education Department has become a gigantic presence. I'm not sure that getting rid of all those departments would be beneficial. But cutting them down to size and limiting their scope should certainly be considered by the president. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swill Merchant Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 3 hours ago, WhitewalkerInPhilly said: To be fair, Trumps has done more than enough on his own to destroy his presidency. The sum total of scandals and corruption just so far should have been the death knell for anyone else. Here's the thing though. Though we might disagree on how to proceed, I don't think that anybody believes that there aren't necessary changes to the immigration system. Hell, even I, dubbed "NPC" by certain dubious minds, acknowledge that there has to be updates and changes to our border security. We need changes, and if we need to take some ideas from both sides of the aisle to get it done, I am ok with that. The problem is that the sticking point is on something that solves none of these problems. The Wall is a stupid, costly object that doesn't solve the problem it's supposed to solve. If you wanted to say, invest $ 5 billion into increased funding for intelligence services, homeland security, DEA and port authority, I would rubber stamp that. But it doesn't solve the problems that are already woven into our economy and communities. And sadly, Trump already walked away from a deal for FULL wall funding that also fixed the latter. We're making a record of President Trump's worst acts in office. Your participation is appreciated. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3rdnlng Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 6 minutes ago, Swill Merchant said: We're making a record of President Trump's worst acts in office. Your participation is appreciated. So, you're gonna interrupt his hijacking of your thread? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiberius Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 Quote “For white evangelicals who see the sun setting on white Christian dominance in the country, the wall is a powerful metaphor,” said Jones, who has spent many years analyzing the attitudes of religious voters, and published the book “The End of White Christian America.” Jones added that this metaphor embodies a white evangelical view of the world “as a dangerous battleground” made up of “chosen insiders and threatening outsiders,” as well as an “embattled minority trope that is rooted deep within southern culture,” such as the “Lost Cause theology following the Civil War,” and in “evangelical culture generally.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/01/02/walls-around-trump-are-crumbling-evangelicals-may-be-his-last-resort/?utm_term=.c3d99931f0be Sure has nothing to do with Christianity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiberius Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 Cracks... Quote Fox Business Network host Dagen McDowell called out President Trump on Wednesday over his claims that Mexico is already paying for the border wall, even though the government has been shut down for 11 days over the controversial campaign promise. “I want to know why in the name of Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy are you talking about Mexico is paying for it?” she asked during a segment on Fox News’ Outnumbered. “Well then why did you shut the government down? In terms of the political messaging, this makes zero sense to me.” https://www.thedailybeast.com/fox-news-host-trumps-claim-that-mexico-will-pay-for-border-wall-makes-zero-sense Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3rdnlng Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 The volume goes up early on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 4 hours ago, 3rdnlng said: The volume goes up early on. Fact. That dude has some facts wrong, but let’s even say they are all 100% correct. That clip never, and I mean never, addresses the effectiveness of a wall. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swill Merchant Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 6 hours ago, plenzmd1 said: Fact. That dude has some facts wrong, but let’s even say they are all 100% correct. That clip never, and I mean never, addresses the effectiveness of a wall. Isn't it self-evident that a border is easier to secure when there is a barrier? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiberius Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 7 minutes ago, Swill Merchant said: Isn't it self-evident that a border is easier to secure when there is a barrier? No, that's just not true. Did the Maginot Line prevent the Nazis from taking over France? ----- And Mitch won't allow a vote on his own bills, lol! Quote “We will bring to the floor legislation which will open up government. It will be based on actions taken by the Republican Senate,” Pelosi, the incoming House speaker, said. “Bills that have passed on the floor of the Senate by over 90 votes and, or, in committee unanimously, led by Senator Mitch McConnell.” She added, “It will also present, in a separate bill, the bill that Mr. McConnell did for the Continuing Resolution for the Homeland Security bill until February 8, using his exact date. We have given the Republicans a chance to take ‘yes’ for an answer.” She reiterated, “We have taken their proposals unamended by any House bipartisan amendments, but just staying true to what the Senate has already done.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/01/03/pelosis-speakership-begins-again/?utm_term=.ca78229db155 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swill Merchant Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 2 minutes ago, Tiberius said: No, that's just not true. Did the Maginot Line prevent the Nazis from taking over France? Neither did the French army. By your logic armies don't work and there's no reason to have one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3rdnlng Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 1 minute ago, Swill Merchant said: Isn't it self-evident that a border is easier to secure when there is a barrier? Not for some people. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiberius Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Just now, Swill Merchant said: Neither did the French army. By your logic armies don't work and there's no reason to have one. Good come back, but it doesn't change the fact that the Stupid Wall is a waste of money and nothing more than a political stunt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swill Merchant Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 1 minute ago, Tiberius said: Good come back, but it doesn't change the fact that the Stupid Wall is a waste of money and nothing more than a political stunt. The political stunt is shutting down the government to block an expenditure that accounts for roughly 0.1% of the Federal budget. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiberius Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Just now, Swill Merchant said: The political stunt is shutting down the government to block an expenditure that accounts for roughly 0.1% of the Federal budget. True, Trump should stop demanding this that and the other thing and sign the Bill the Senate republicans came up with. Pelosi's House is ready to pass it. And remember, Mexico will pay for it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outsidethebox Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 6 minutes ago, Tiberius said: True, Trump should stop demanding this that and the other thing and sign the Bill the Senate republicans came up with. Pelosi's House is ready to pass it. And remember, Mexico will pay for it!! Will the illegal immigrants be allowed to keep their own doctor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiberius Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Just now, westside said: Will the illegal immigrants be allowed to keep their own doctor? Oh look, Third Things Lady in Waiting is quoting me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swill Merchant Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 All the Senate Dems have to do is allow a vote on the bill the House already passed. They're forcing a shutdown solely for the purpose of preventing a political victory for Donald Trump. There is absolutely nothing principled about what they're doing. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outsidethebox Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 46 minutes ago, Tiberius said: Oh look, Third Things Lady in Waiting is quoting me... The only girl here is you. F'n crybaby. Boo hoo Trump bad Boo hoo Hillary lost. I love watching you melt down snowflake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njbuff Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Is it true that Chuck and Nancy interrupted the Secretary 6 seconds into her speaking about what is going on at the border? Are these two serious? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deranged Rhino Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Just now, njbuff said: Is it true that Chuck and Nancy interrupted the Secretary 6 seconds into her speaking about what is going on at the border? Are these two serious? Every time the secretary tried to bring up numbers, they interrupted. Because it's not about the numbers, or keeping the country safe for Chuck and Nancy. It's purely about denying Trump (another) political victory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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