A recent article by the Huffington Post featured a Gallup poll showing a new all time low approval rating of the Republican Party. According to the poll, just 28 percent of Americans favor the Republican party; the percentage rating was ten points higher only a month ago. It is obvious that while both parties' approval ratings have dropped since the government shutdown, the Republican party's handling of negotiations, or lack-therof, is especially to blame for the continuation of the "stalemate." So with the majority of the public opinion weighing on the Republican party to put an end to the shutdown, what is the hold up? The fact is that Republican House members are afraid of losing their seats in 2014. The battle for Obamacare has already been lost, but Republican House members are still trying to fight it in fear of losing party support, funding, and ultimately their jobs. The unfortunate reality is that House members are more interested in keeping their jobs than effectively governing. Do Americans really want a defective congressional body incapable of passing legislature?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/09/republican-party-rating_n_4072716.html?utm_hp_ref=huffpolitics-blog
I think that the Republican Party is being rightfully accused of being the main cause of the Government Shutdown. It is shameful that the extremists within the House of Representatives were willing to allow this country to partially fall due to a healthcare bill they personally believe is bad. President Obama is the president and he should be entitled to pass something without having the rest of the government punish the country. It may be time for a republican realignment to say the least, for they must rid themselves of the extremists if they hope to ever come back in full swing again.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the Republicans are only hurting their future political cause by this hiatus in government.
ReplyDeleteI also addressed this somewhat in my post, and I would agree that possible reform may be in order so that the Tea Party members, minority within the House majority, can't force a shutdown like this ever again. If the Republican party is smart, they will blame these more conservative members for the shutdown, push them away from the main part of the party, and try to save their cause to keep their seats in the next House election.
ReplyDeleteI think the answer to the constant stalemate in Congress is term limits. Too many Republicans and Democrats stay in office until they retire and it becomes more about staying in office and keeping their power than doing the right thing for the people. There is a divisive nature in the government today. Maybe we should vote all of them out, make term limits, and vote in men or women that want to work together for the good of the people.
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