Amidst budget crisis, more criticism than compromise coming from both sides

In the midst of a potential government budget shut down both parties seem to be more interested in bickering back and forth than actually working to reach a compromise. In the midst of a stubborn bipartisan stalemate, the only recent developments to come out of the issue seem to be petty insults finger pointing. I understand that in this tightly contested bipartisan political situation it would be crazy to expect everyone to see eye to eye. But at the same time when a debt default is rapidly approaching I would hope that some differences could be set aside for the good of the country. But sadly, this doesn’t seem to be the case. Recent reports on the issue offer no evidence that progress is being made. Instead, all of the new information on the topic seems to be top ranking officials making comments that would be more at home at a schoolyard argument. House of Representatives speaker John Boehner expressed his frustration at Obamas lack of willingness to work with congress on the budget issue. In turn, Obama agreed with a democratic senator that the republicans attempt to defund Obamas health care plan was the “dumbest idea I’ve ever heard of.”  An anonymous official from the Obama administration called Boehner and his affiliates “crazies.” Clearly this isn’t the most productive political environment to work with.

Obviously the separation of politicians is inevitable. I’m not suggesting that we would be better off without these parties or that the view of Madison and other Framers on the dangers of factions was correct. But at the same time this strict division of our political atmosphere into two distinct poles creates some obvious difficulties. This current financial situation is a perfect example of that. Because two parties currently disagree on the debt ceiling and healthcare, the entire federal budget may be put into a whirlwind. And with such an even distribution of power between both sides, without a compromise no progress can be made. I can only hope that both parties will reach a compromise and not risk the safety of our economy over a stubborn feud.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/20/us-usa-fiscal-obama-boehner-idUSBRE98J01320130920

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/20/us-usa-fiscal-obama-idUSBRE98J0C520130920