October 2nd, 2013
04:38 AM ET

The shutdown: What we know and don't know

We're only two days into this government shutdown, but it already seems like we've been here before.

And in a way, we have.

The Republicans and Democrats got in each other's faces over the U.S. debt ceiling in 2011. The GOP demanded significant budget cuts before agreeing to give Uncle Sam more borrowing power. That amounted to $2 trillion in cuts over 10 years.

But Congress never could agree on where to make the cuts, so they were implemented across-the-board.

The package averted a shutdown then, but didn't sooth the hard feelings created by the standoff.

With that history in mind, here's what we know and what we don't know about the shutdown.

FULL STORY
Post by:
Filed under: Politics • U.S.
soundoff (70 Responses)
  1. bobcat (in a hat)©

    Good morning saywhat

    What used to be the Grand Old Party is now known as the Grand No Party. If the original republican party hope to make any inroads for the elections, it would be highly advisable that they take a united stand against this disrupting force. They are the majority of that party, yet they are afraid to stand up for what's right.

    October 2, 2013 at 12:05 pm | Report abuse |
    • banasy©

      If they threaten the full faith and credit of the U.S. with the debt ceiling, they will rue the day that the GOP took the TP into their folds. If they get primaried for taking a stand, so what? Congress was *never* supposed to be a career in the first place. Set some term limits, here. Raise the House term to 4 years, lower the Senate to 4 years, and have a 3 term limit. HoR are more concerned with getting reelected than they are passing any meaningful legislation.

      October 2, 2013 at 12:15 pm | Report abuse |
    • bobcat (in a hat)©

      I couldn't agree with you more banasy. Things have gotten totally out of hand up there on the hill. There has always been differences of opinion within the parties, but since the teaparty came into the GOP ranks,, it has gone to a new low level. The last time the TP tried to hild the budget hostage, it resulted in the US credit rating to be lowered. That is a real precedent to set for the people they say need to get control of their finances. I guess this only pertains to those that already have.

      October 2, 2013 at 12:43 pm | Report abuse |
    • banasy©

      And that was with just the threat of the default. These loons would actually let it happen. Fortunately, Obama can raise it on his own if he needs to; the threat to the national/world economy fall within the Constitution for such action.

      October 2, 2013 at 12:54 pm | Report abuse |
  2. saywhat

    I urge all thinking Americans to voice their concern over where we stand and where we are headed by joining in efforts being made by orgs like Move On.org, Just Foreign Policy, Credo Action, JVP and others to get our voices heard all the way upto Washington.

    October 2, 2013 at 12:06 pm | Report abuse |
  3. saywhat

    Thanks@bobcat.

    October 2, 2013 at 12:08 pm | Report abuse |
  4. bobcat (in a hat)©

    And I'm beginning to wonder too if Netanyahu is a member of the teaparty !? He's acting the same way, throwing a tantrum because he can't get his way over Iran. Out of all the world leaders, he is the only one against giving diplomacy a chance. It seems to me Israel would do well to get rid of that nut job.

    October 2, 2013 at 12:14 pm | Report abuse |
    • banasy©

      If Netyahu wants war, he can start it instead of always asking the U.S. to fire the first shot. Bibi is getting tedious.

      October 2, 2013 at 12:18 pm | Report abuse |
    • bobcat (in a hat)©

      Again, I totally agree banasy. He is all the time calling for someone to handle Iran before he does it himself. Well, like Rocky Balboa told Clubber Lang, " Go for it ". But he won't, because he doesn't want to look like the bad guy.

      October 2, 2013 at 12:58 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Camorison@sbcglobal.net

    This just in on radio in St. Louis, Tea Party radio sounded like Blaze radio, says that Boehner and Reid are both in on the conspiracy to defund the government and make the american people take on the brunt of the taxes to pay for Obamacare. He says that the tea party must get rid of Boehner and moderate republicans. This whole shutdown is to make the American people believe that the Dems will give in on the device tax, make it seem like they are giving in to Republicans, a concession to keep their seats and look like they give, and republicans will be able to keep their seats, like Boehner, whom the dems believe are moderate, leaving the public to foot the bill solely on their shoulders. Tea Party now making the move to take over seats, saviors of the American public, and of course this is not a shutdown because of them, but because they had to do it.

    October 2, 2013 at 12:19 pm | Report abuse |
    • banasy©

      I wonder if the TP ever get dizzy from all the spinning they do?

      October 2, 2013 at 12:33 pm | Report abuse |
  6. banasy©

    Incorrect. The penalty will be deducted from any future tax refund. If your tax refund is deposited directly into your bank account by the process in which YOU set up (the US doesn't do direct deposit w/o your permission) the amount will be minus the fine. Alex Jones is as usual, wrong.

    October 2, 2013 at 12:47 pm | Report abuse |
  7. bobcat (in a hat)©

    Hamsta you really need to research before you post blatant misinformation. You are going to get called out every time, and it sure makes you look foolish.

    October 2, 2013 at 1:03 pm | Report abuse |
  8. The Hamsta

    Politician's lie, and if you don't pull your head out of the sand and realize that this beyond socialism, it's communism you and all the other ObaMe worshippers will be directly responsible for America's destruction.

    October 2, 2013 at 1:08 pm | Report abuse |
    • banasy©

      No facts, just more name calling and misuse of two words you have absolutely no idea the meaning of.

      October 2, 2013 at 1:29 pm | Report abuse |
    • The Hamsta

      So when the government controls your finances that's not socialism? When government takes possession of your property that's not communism? Banasy is in denial.

      October 2, 2013 at 2:04 pm | Report abuse |
    • bobcat (in a hat)©

      How exactly is the government controlling your finances ? It is now as it has "always" been. If you owe the government, they have always been able to get it from your bank account. This has been going on since before a lot of us were born. And for some of us, that's a pretty good while.

      October 2, 2013 at 2:22 pm | Report abuse |
    • banasy©

      ncorrect. The penalty will be deducted from any future tax refund. If your tax refund is deposited directly into your bank account by the process in which YOU set up (the US doesn’t do direct deposit w/o your permission) the amount will be minus the fine.
      Pay what you owe. Period.
      Stop your name calling; it's juvenile.

      October 2, 2013 at 3:38 pm | Report abuse |
    • banasy©

      If you have control of your finances and pay what you're supposed to, the government won't do anything. Pay your bills. Period.
      Congress needs to learn this lesson before defaulting on what they owe instead of holding the economy hostage over political points.

      October 2, 2013 at 3:49 pm | Report abuse |
  9. Scary October

    There will be a 3% penalty added to the PPACA tax you do not pay. So for as many years you do not pay a penalty is added.
    Congress is being blamed 53% of the polls say it is congresses fault. 31% say it is Dems and 10% say both.

    October 2, 2013 at 1:16 pm | Report abuse |
    • banasy©

      It's 95 dollars or 1% of your income the first year.
      Added penalties are similar to the fines you receive for not paying what you owe in income taxes. parking ticket. Either buy the insurance or pay the penalty. Don't want to pay the penalty? Actions have consequences. If you already have insurance, the whole thing is moot.

      October 2, 2013 at 1:25 pm | Report abuse |
  10. Scary October

    You are correct.

    October 2, 2013 at 1:30 pm | Report abuse |
  11. Scary October

    Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart- republican congressman from Florida- Just skirted the question from Wolf- Will you give up your check, since 800,000 government workers have to? Chirp. Will you vote for a clean bill. chirp. Will not say he will. Mums the word.

    October 2, 2013 at 1:36 pm | Report abuse |
    • banasy©

      I just read that 35 GOP lawmakers and 38 Democrat lawmakers are refusing their pay, instead donating it to charity. This is something I can agree with. The list is growing; at least these folks have some empathy.

      October 2, 2013 at 3:53 pm | Report abuse |
  12. banasy©

    Why isn't the TP trying to hold the economy hostage by demanding a repeal of The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA)? Answer: because Ronald Reagan enacted it. This could be termed socialism, but the crickets are curiously quiet.

    October 2, 2013 at 1:49 pm | Report abuse |
  13. The Hamsta

    Yep Gasoline dropped from $3.39 to $2.97 in New Orleans between 12:00 P.M. Oct 1st 2013 and 6:00 A.M. October 2nd 2013. Only Katrina has made such a radical difference in price in such a short time. Does anyone remember these words ?: " Energy prices will necessarilly skyrocket." Any guesses as to who said that?

    October 2, 2013 at 7:23 pm | Report abuse |
    • Scottish Mama

      Our Price is has dropped to $2.99 9/10.

      October 2, 2013 at 7:37 pm | Report abuse |
  14. Scottish Mama

    Can anyone answer this question? I keep hearing that Boehner is not taking the vote to the full house. That only 50 congressmen and women are driving the shutdown. How can 50 drive this shutdown without the votes of the rest of the house? I heard Rep (New York) King say something about this also. How can this come about? If you bring it to the floor, doesn't the whole house have to vote to take down Obamacare? confused!

    October 2, 2013 at 7:35 pm | Report abuse |
    • The Hamsta

      And you Obama worshippers will stay confused as long as you are sucking down MSM's propoganda like Kool-Aid. Politician's lie, espescially liberal jackboot Nazi politician's that want to force socialism and communism on their serfs.

      October 2, 2013 at 7:40 pm | Report abuse |
    • Scottish Mama

      And you are have been wrong all day. Who is misinformed and whom is mislead? Tea party people always name call but rarely print fact. They never have inquiring minds or a mind.

      October 2, 2013 at 7:52 pm | Report abuse |
    • banasy©

      Mama: the Speaker has a clean CR on his desk that has been passed by the Senate. The Speaker won't put it to a vote because he knows that it will pass with bi-partisan support, and thus loses face to the TP faction.

      October 2, 2013 at 7:58 pm | Report abuse |
    • Scottish Mama

      @banasy- So if there is not a full vote, how can Boehner force a shutdown. How can the few be allowed to make the case for the many? Stupidity, I hope Boehner, Cantor and the lot are replaced with Dems.

      October 3, 2013 at 7:46 am | Report abuse |
  15. banasy©

    Grover Norquist on Ted Cruz: "He pushed House Republicans into traffic and wandered away."
    Grover and Cruz at each other. Quick, come see. Spider fight.

    October 2, 2013 at 8:56 pm | Report abuse |
    • Scottish Mama

      When "the Grover" cannot stand his own party, what does that say?lol

      October 3, 2013 at 7:48 am | Report abuse |
1 2 3
« Back to main