Who’s really responsible for the mess in DC?
Keith Farrell
Who really is responsible for shutting down the government? Gawker laid the blame on ten Republicans solely. But, Democratic Senate leadership along with the White House have refused to work with House Republicans, and, in dereliction of their duty, have failed to take appropriate actions to ensure the functionality of the federal government. They have inflamed and polarized the shutdown and seem more concerned with political games like closing open air memorials and national parks, than they do with working out a solution.
Here are the ten most culpable democrats when it comes to the shutdown.
1) President Barack Obama – At the end of the day the president is ultimately responsible for this debacle. He steadfastly refused to negotiate with the House majority party to ensure a Continuing Resolution that would reopen the government and prevent possible default. He chose a hardline position when he had no leverage to do so. Instead of leading a divided Congress to a solution, Obama has allowed partisanship to bring the federal government to a halt.
Ronald Reagan once famously stated “the buck stops here with me.” It was his admission that no matter what went on in the federal government, even in other branches and covert agencies, the responsibility ultimately fell on the office of president. Obama has been less than an ineffectual leader—he has outright refused to lead. He failed to work with Congressional leaders to pass a budget, which could have prevented this whole drama. Even his flagship legislation, The Affordable Care Act, was rammed through along party lines, without any cooperation from Republicans.
“Elections have consequences,” Obama and company proclaimed at the time. It was their way of saying that they had control and Republicans had to swallow whatever they served. Now, after losing control of the House, they expect Republicans to give them a blank check with no strings. President Obama could end this today by instructing Senate Dems to work out an agreement with the GOP. Instead he has been using the threat of default to scare Americans in an attempt to win political points. The markets and the public could be reassured with very few words from the president, yet he refuses.
2) Harry Reid –NV, Senate Majority Leader—Harry Reid, as Senate Majority Leader, takes a large share of the blame. He has been an obstructionist and an eager player in the president’s game. The House of Representatives passed over 40 bills that would have prevented the shutdown. Reid not only refused to bring them to a vote, he and Senate Democrats made not a single substantive counter offer. He has also refused to bring appropriation bills to the floor for a vote; a failure which directly contributed to the government’s running out of money. Harry Reid has many responsibilities, but his failure to pass a budget or to properly appropriate funds for governmental operation shows complete disregard for the most primary functions of his office. He has refused to negotiate with the GOP.
3) Joe Biden – Vice President—As the Constitutionally mandated head of the Senate, Joe Biden shares in all the above charges for President Obama and Senator Reid. The House leadership has repeatedly demonstrated its willingness to compromise, moving from a defund Obamacare position to one which would delay or defang the worst parts of the embattled health care law. Despite the need for a solution to be mediated, Biden and the Democratic leadership refuse to make genuine attempts to work out such a solution. They have refused to take anything less than 100% of what they want. Too bad for them, the Constitution gave the House the power of the purse. They are going to have to compromise with House leadership if they want to end this shutdown.
4) Nancy Pelosi—CA 12th District—Minority Leader House of Reps– Not only did Nancy Pelosi fail, as Minority Leader of the House, to negotiate a budget with House Republicans which would pass the Senate, she has also failed to work them on Continuing Resolutions to reopen the government. Pelosi could be a pragmatist and use her position in the House to broker an agreement. She has failed to make a genuine effort in this manner. As with the budget, Democrats don’t seem to understand the need to work with the other party in a divided government. Pelosi even faced tough questions from CBS, a network usually friendly to Democrats, over the party’s refusal to negotiate.
Video: Pelosi faces hard questions from CBS
5) Debbie Wasserman-Schultz –FL 20th District, Chair DNC—As the head of the Democratic National Committee Debbie Wasserman-Schultz has been on a constant media campaign to polarize the shutdown and shift the blame from the Democrats. She has also been rather evasive over the public displeasure over the rollout of Obamacare, which has been plagued with technical problems. Wasserman-Schultz has faced heat, trying to defend the Democrats actions while simultaneously deflecting the massive failures the implementation of Affordable Care has suffered. Public discontent over insurance costs and technical issues plaguing enrollment have caused many to wonder just what the Democrats are fighting for.
6) Chuck Schumer – Senator NY—Gawker charges legislators who voted on principle for causing the shutdown. If that is fair, so is pointing out legislators that have done nothing but inflamed the situation with polarizing rhetoric. New York Senator Chuck Schumer has taken to conspiracy peddling. Schumer has been in the media charging that Republicans had planned this shutdown a year and half in advance. Forgetting it was his party that failed to pass a budget or properly appropriate funds, thus ensuring this impasse.
7) Richard Durbin –IL, Senate Majority Whip—As Majority Whip, Durbin shares responsibility for Reid’s failures. He has also dismissed the concerns of an overwhelming amount of Americans and the actions of the majority of Representatives by insisting that “moderate Republicans” do not support the tea party stance against Obamacare. In dismissing the concerns of the GOP and its constituents, he distorts the debate and obstructs progress. A recent poll found that 49% of Americans are concerned about Obamacare. That is not small minority, it is nearly half the country.
8) Patrick Leahy – VT- President Pro Tempore of the Senate—In addition to following the party line on this matter, Leahy is another Democrat who refuses to use his office and the power he holds to broker an agreement. Instead Leahy has inflamed the debate, calling House Republicans extortionists.
Politics involves factions which often disagree. Neither one man, nor one party, gets to make all the decisions. Holding out for an agreement more agreeable to your party is not extortion, it is politics 101. Leahy’s comments reflect the flippant attitude of the Democrats who don’t feel they should have to do anything more than stand in the corner with their arms crossed and pout.
9) Tom Harkin – Senator IA—The rhetoric continues to grow more and more repugnant on the left, making reconciliation over the matter less likely. Senator Harkin charged recently that the GOP was going to cause a civil war. Does Harkin really believe democratic debate and political negotiation is going to collapse the country and thrust us into the throes of a bloody war? Not likely. More likely he is just stoking the flames and using inflammatory language to try to shift public opinion.
10) Barbara Mikulski – (D) MD 3rd District Rep— Barbara Mikulski immediately went on the offensive with scare tactics about the government shutdown. She slylymislead senior citizens about what might happen to their Social Security when she tweeted: “Social Security Admin employees in MD & across country make sure seniors get their checks on time, but now 18,000 have been furloughed” Mikulski also reflected the obstructionist attitude of Democrats when she stated in clear terms that “There’s nothing to talk about.” regarding the shutdown. She’s one of the prime reasons for the shutdown dragging out so long.
The Democrats have put themselves in this situation. They refused to consider the long-game when it came to their partisan maneuvers in regards to budget negotiations and Affordable Care. Now they must negotiate with the House GOP, who would have absolutely no leverage if the Democrats had secured proper funding for government by passing a budget or appropriating funds. The GOP continues to pass CRs to reopen the government but the Democrats continue to hold out and play games. It may be fun to point at Congressman standing up for their constituents and blame them, but at the end of the day, the buck does indeed stop with the president and his party. It is enough to make one long for leaders who own responsibility instead of playing the blame game.
