Four things we learned from government shutdown

Citizens happy parks are re-opened

Link to article: CNN


This article underlined four "lessons" we've learned since the government shutdown. The first being how much we love our parks. It was evident in our public outcry depicted as well through social media sites and other places. The second lesson stated that we learned was that the Grand Old Party isn't so grand. This article recognizes and cleverly points out that the party of President Lincoln, the Republican Party, is now a house that is seemingly divided. Since the government shutdown, the GOP has reached its all time low in approval ratings. The third lesson we've learned from the government shutdown is the economic implications a government shutdown will have. It is speculated that because of the shutdown, America will lose 24 billion out of the U.S. economy. Also after what comes from a decrease in economic income for the country, less jobs will be available that many struggling American people need during this time. The last lesson that the article points out is that this won't be the end of the issue, that there will be a sequel to the problem. The government shutdown was put off until debate over budget issues until January 15 of next year, where clash between Republicans and Democrats will likely happen again.

I think it's interesting that this article states that we are "learning" these lessons from the shutdown, when in fact, we have been repeating the same mistakes as we have done before. Government shutdowns have happened six times since 1789 all the way to our present day. Not only that but the more recent government shutdowns have had been between Republicans and Democrats biting back and forth at each other.

Newspaper from 1995 government shutdown

We already know the repercussions of a government shutdown, but our government yet again got itself wrapped up in one again. This is usually started by one dissatisfied party that holds power in either the Senate, House of Representatives, or Presidency. The GOP clearly started this setback in America. Unfortunately, our government processes allow for such a setback to easily take place when one party is dissatisfied by the other party's passing legislation.

Deputy kills 13-year-old carrying fake rifle

Link to article: CNN

In northern California, a Santa Rosa County Sheriff mistakingly thought he saw a teen with an assault rifle, presumably told the boy to drop the weapon, in which the boy turned around, and fearing his safety and the safety of others the sheriff shot the boy 3 times killing the boy. The sheriff and his deputy  were given a release from duty for a couple weeks. The thirteen year old kid was carrying a plastic replica of a AK-47 that shoots plastic pellets, not an actual assault rifle.

The police have a legitimate ability to use force on an armed person when they make a potentially threatening move, and when their life and the life of others is a legitimate concern. However under the circumstances, where the sheriff yelled a warning to the kid and the kid could have wondered who was calling his name and turned around to see who it was, the sheriff should be obligated to exercise more judgement. Every circumstance isn't the same. Like with the young teenage boy walking in the streets with an alleged assault rifle. Though I was not a witness of the accident, I am confident that the sheriff could have approached this young teen successfully in several different ways than the way he did. The sheriff also fatally shot the boy three times as he turned around. Did the sheriff have to shoot three fatally wounding bullets into the kid or could he have fired minor injurious shots at the boy? The kid, as witnesses stated, looked hardly like a man, with a face that exhibited no malicious intent. The kid was walking in an active neighborhood with people out with a fake plastic assault rifle. If the sheriff observed his surroundings, thought of his approach better, this innocent kid could still be alive. Residents around the area feel concerned and unsafe around their policemen that are supposed to protect them.

This issue seems like an infringement on our right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"... specifically the life part. Air pellet guns even BB guns are still a growing popularity among youth. I have seen several young kids playing with them in my neighborhood. The likeliness of these children from being perceptive enough not to turn in the direction of police officers when being shouted at is unlikely. It is a natural reaction to do so. Hopefully every policeman's reaction isn't to put three bullets into these kids. The policeman who shot the boy in Santa Rosa however acted in the way he was trained to act. Hopefully, there can be different ways of approaching situations like this one, taught to police officers so that innocent lives aren't lost.

Government Shutdown = More Democrats in 2014

Link to article: CNN


Polls from across America, show the majority disapproval for the way the Congressional GOP handled the fight over funding the Affordable Care Act and the government shutdown. Even some vocal Republicans like John McCain, Tom Davis, and several others strongly disagreed with the way the GOP conducted itself (tending to be the moderate Republicans speaking against the Tea Party Republicans). The back and forth and lack of unity displayed a noticeable rift in the Republican Party.

We have talked about the possible and likely result from the government shutdown of Republicans losing power, and a dominant Democratic party coming in and holding its power for years to come. This article addresses draws the same analysis as we did in class stating that unless the Republicans show some unity, functionality, and pliability, it could be a long recovery for them.

Pragmatism is an appealing characteristic to me, and I believe it is a necessity in government. The Tea Party doesn't exemplify this quality well. I hope they dissipate before they harm the Republican party even more as they have already done currently. Issues should be solved by finding a common ground, where maybe not everyone isn't standing as straight as they wanted, but at least they are standing on a platform and not left on the ground with nothing. I hope that if a Democratic dominance occurs (which I believe is not an ideal healthy structure for government), that we don't have to deal with an increase in extreme Democrats, just as with the Republican Tea Party. I can handle moderate Democrats, since moderates tend to be the more pragmatic bunch of politicians. Hopefully the Republicans party can get their issues settled and our nation can refer back to a more healthier, efficient structure than it is now.

What Does RESPECT Have To Do With the Government Shutdown

Link to article: CNN


This article reports about the conservatives house of representatives saying that aren't getting enough respect from President Obama and Senate in the government shutdown debate.  The congressional stalemate pits a conservative GOP wing that wants to abolish the Affordable Care Act against Democrats trying to protect Obama's landmark health care reforms passed in 2010 and upheld by the Supreme Court last year. Because of this political gridlock over the budget bill, we hold a government shutdown.

"Republicans are now in a position where they don't want to cave in because it sets a bad precedent that the Senate would be somewhat dictating how the House runs," GOP Rep. Michael Grimm of New York said this week.

This comment by GOP Rep. Michael Grimm is ironic since the House bullied the Senate to face the option of either passing a budget bill that doesn't include Obamacare or fall into a government shutdown. It's not about one side not respecting another, the issue with the government shutdown is pride. Pride beginning initially with the Republican House of Representatives, but also with the Senate and President. Neither side can back down or compromise. Now the issue has become an attack on each of the party's pride, Republicans vs Democrats, and neither side is willing to give in, continuing the government shutdown for longer than expected, which can and does have some serious repercussions on a global scale. We've talked in class of what the government shutdown in America can do to nations around the globe. China is very anxious with the shutdown in America, and they should be, they are our biggest creditors.

To conclude, I would place most the blame on the Republican House of Representatives. They are the ones who are still hanging themselves over Obamacare (Affordable Care Act) which Obama won two presidential elections with those health care reforms under his wing. I may not be an all out fan for Obamacare, but it has already been passed. The House needs to accept it and move on, or find other ways to fix and tweak the already passed health care reform, trying to remodel it as much as they can to their likes. No one wants to take the blame for the government shutdown, but it will have to fall on the Republican party.

Obama's Critics: Media and Lawmakers Alike

Link to article: politico.com

This article, "What's wrong with President Obama", points out the shift of public opinion and even from fellow lawmakers between Obama's first term to his second. The recent battle with Syria's government backed by the Russians, left Obama less composed and "casually articulate" than usual (where most of his supporters agree is an appealing Obama characteristic is his coolly rational, comfortable and complex nuance). The media that was once his trusty ally now streams countless criticisms and talks of scandals, musing whether the president knows what he is doing.

I personally find it hard to condemn the president for certain issues that accumulate during their term of presidency. I know it is our tendency to jump on the first mistake or misfortune that occurs for our president and especially the media, who has displayed this proneness in the history of two-term presidents. The same shift in opinion happened to President George W. Bush.

In class we've talked about how the media can affect many people, especially pertaining to the "ignorant masses" that swim with the ideals and portrayals the media elicits. The media is regularly and unfailingly pressed to report on mistakes and negative aspects of issues, since almost always the media is used to trigger and emotional response from its viewer in order to persuade and influence the viewer. When we see constant news of shootings, murders, and violence, and we feel emotional pain for those affected. As a result it may influence our opinion on harsher prison sentences, gun-control, etc. Sometimes news can be overwhelmingly biased in the release of their material. As an easy, popular example in Mrs. McMurray's class, Fox News has substantial bias towards Conservatives. Because of likely and potential biases in the display of news, being educated on the issue that concerns you is crucial to making your own decision.

Just a photo of George Bush mixed with Barrack Obama...