After listening to John Boehner speaking with George Stephanopoulos this morning, it has become apparent that Republicans think they are negotiating when they are actually using extortion.
Boehner insisted that the government shutdown and any damage done by defaulting on our debts would be the President's and Harry Reid's fault because they "refuse to talk."
John Boehner |
Mr. Stephanopoulos reiterated the advice of economic experts about how economically destructive defaulting on our loans would be. He asked Boehner if he was willing to let this happen. Boehner used his often repeated comment during the interview, that "it would be the President's fault" if we did. It was clear that even if the President gave in to the Republicans extortion of America and sat down to talk with them, he would have nothing to gain and everything to lose.
Is this politics as usual or is something running amuck here?
If someone threatens you with global economic disaster unless you meet their demands, most people would think you are a terrorist. Republicans think it is just everyday negotiating. The Republican mind is a curious thing.
In the 2012 Presidential elections, Republicans campaigned on reversing all Obama-era legislation, changing medicare, revamping social security, cutting the social safety net, giving government welfare to the rich, reducing legislation on business and repealing Obamacare on the first day Romney took office. And then they lost the election. The majority of Americans do not support those policies but that does not stop Boehner from stating publicly that current Republican threats are just "doing what America wants", proving Republicans are stupid as well as stubborn.
In America there is a way to change laws. It follows democratic principles; not the terrorist handbook. Republicans have failed when using the democratic method to defund Obamacare over 40 times. So now they seem content with using tactics that threaten the economic health of America.
Americans know that our government does not negotiate with terrorists. Why should we stop when the terrorists are Republicans?