I've been trumpeting Obama was a corporatist since late January 2009 based purely on the return of the Robert Rubin crowd and the dumping of the team that ran the 2008 campaign so beautifully. But that's water under the bridge. I was right and you were wrong for continuing to make excuses, playing patsie to the GOP and buying into every single fascist idea the Right could come up with. But in the interest of fair play, I'm willing to coddle you wimps on more time.
Even though you're all scared shitless of the threat of a gov't shutdown and are ready to be sodomized by the Tea Party one more time, I'd like to outline a few talking points which brave Dems should be using to respond to all of the assholes who blather that shutting down the Federal Government for a while might be a good thing.
Now, don't expect a econometric analysis, or a projection on the impact of different ways to close it all down as so many would like to do. Stop crying about how the elderly and the poor would be harmed and start thinking about the ways we can have the aristocrats hurt most from the threat of the shutdown.
This is in no way a complete or prioritized list. It's a start on scaring the shit out of the GOP.
First, remember, the President spends the money allocated in the budget not the Congress. Second, and most importantly, if there is no budget in the next few weeks, then the Executive can use his power of Executive Orders to order certain aspects of the government to cease operations until new budgets can be authorized.
So, in no particular order here's my thoughts on the opportunity.
1. Lay-off all air traffic controllers and TSA personnel. Allow no private corporate jets clearance to utillize US airspace.
2. To prevent any possible terrorist activity from utilizing the shutdown to their advantage, close all ports to incoming foreign traffic. Direct the USN to fire upon any ship attempting to enter port and sieze the ship and crew.
3. Close all Federal courthouses immediately.
4. Cease all payments to all government contractors and accept no further invoices.
Now, I'm just getting started, but you get the idea. Not a single one of those actions would require any action on the part of Congress, excerpt that they would immediately trigger a hissy fit, and flood Congress with calls from outraged Banksters and CEOs whose heads are about to explode.
Now none of this needs to take place, if the GOP decides to see reality and cut out their fantasy bullshit. All it would take would be a few Dems with the courage usually displayed by the talking heads on the other side. And of course the savings from these cuts would be re-allocated toward continuing Medicaid and SS pyments.
Look, all I'm asking is that a few of you just tell your reps to grow a pair and quit be wimpys victims.
Otherwise, 20 years from now this place could look like France in the 1790's.