By Rachel Goldfarb, originally published on Next New Deal
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The Most Irresponsible Officials In Washington DC Are The 'Moderate' Republicans (Business Insider)
Josh Barro says that the so-called moderate Republicans are the real problem right now, because even when they claim to be willing to commit to a clean continuing resolution to end the shutdown, they've voted with the party line.
The Debt-Ceiling Crisis to End All Debt-Ceiling Crises (TAP)
Paul Waldman suggests that it's time that President Obama demanded the elimination of the debt ceiling. Other modern democracies don't require their legislative bodies to approve a budget twice, first to spend the money and then to pay the bills.
The Boehner Bunglers (NYT)
Paul Krugman worries not only about Republican extremism but also about the party's incompetence. The shutdown is only the latest example of how the GOP insists that they are doing the right thing when they ignore the 2012 election results.
Their Real Goal: To Make Us All So Cynical About Government, We Give Up (Robert Reich)
Robert Reich argues that through the shutdown, the right is attempting to teach average Americans that politics isn't worth the energy. If fewer people are paying attention and fighting for progressive values, then business interests can win.
The 13 Reasons Washington is Failing (WaPo)
Ezra Klein's list has some less obvious reasons, like the elimination of earmarks. The argument against earmarks was that they created corruption, but now congressional leadership have nothing to use as a bargaining chip for tough votes.
Texas Food Banks Feel Shutdown Squeeze (MSNBC)
Ned Resnikoff looks at how Texans are faring in the shutdown. Nearly one fifth of Texans are food insecure, and between WIC, SNAP, and food banks the lack of federal funds is becoming a serious problem.
New on Next New Deal
What are Conservative Experts Saying About Breaking Through the Debt Ceiling?
Roosevelt Institute Fellow Mike Konczal worries that the more we discuss the debt ceiling, the more partisan this issue will become. Despite that, he asked conservative think tanks for their opinion on the possible consequences, to see what the right is hearing.
McCutcheon v. FEC Could Give Rich Donors Even Greater Power Over Our Elections
Jeff Raines, Chair of the Student Board of Advisors for the Roosevelt Institute | Campus Network, argues that campaign finance cases like McCutcheon v. FEC aren't about free speech. They're about how much influence the wealthiest Americans should have over politicians.