Why Obama and the Democrats Shouldn't Negotiate With Extortionists

[meow2u3]

As a child I was bullied by bigger boys who threatened to beat me up if I didn't give them what they wanted. But every time I gave in to their demands their subsequent demands grew larger. First they wanted the change in my pocket. Next it was the dessert in my lunchbox. Then my new Davy Crockett cap. Then the softball and bat I got for my birthday.

Finally I stopped giving in. When the bullies began roughing me up on the playground some older boys came to my rescue and threatened my tormenters with black eyes if they ever touched me again. That ended their extortion racket.

What's happening in Washington these days may seem far removed from my boyhood memories, but Washington is really just another childhood playground. Its current bullies are rightwing Republicans, now threatening that if they don't get their way they'll close down the government and cause the nation to default on its debts.

"The American people don't want a government shutdown, and they don't want Obamacare," House Republican leaders said in astatement over the weekend. "We will do our job and send this bill over, and then it's up to the Senate to pass it and stop a government showdown."

Really? The American people don't want Obamacare as much as I didn't want my softball and bat.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-reich/republican-budget-demands_b_4016556.html?utm_hp_ref=politics

[Nay]

1. Maybe I'm ignorant, but can't Pres. Obama invoke the 14th Amendment

and just bypass these assholes?

[Cleita]

2. Exactly, which is why we are here today.

The Democratic Congress members and the White House have given in so much to their demands, even when they were the minority, that their demands have increased exponentially and here we are.