Interesting thread.
Anyone here familiar with the English Civil War of the 17th century? It started after King Charles I suspended Parliament, because he could, and the Parliament later, under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell attempted to take over, and eventually the king was executed.

The king was wanting more and more taxes from the working poor, for "Ships Money" and the Parliament said no, so he basically furloughed them all. Well, then they (the Parliament) went home to their respective shires, and since they didn't have to answer to him anymore, they didn't collect the taxes. After a while he realized he couldn't do it alone, so he called them back in a limited session (Short Parliament).

That was when the SHTF for England. London was swarming with beggars, criminals, and displaced country folk. There were highwaymen robbing travellers, people living "off the grid" and killing and stealing from both the rich and the poor. People were starving to death, and no work could be found (the rich had largely enclosed what had once been common areas for grazing and growing things and timber, etc.) nor could they provide for their families.

That was when mass emigration to the "New World" really took off. That was when many of my maternal ancestors - on her father's side - came here in the first place.

But back to England's history: That was when Puritans (religious fanatics) started riots and it was a mess. It was a Civil War. It changed England forever. FOR EVER.

It is good to remember where we've all come from - how we got here - and not to dismiss the lessons of history.

DISCLAIMER: Other ancestors of mine came from other parts of the world - mostly northern Europe, some Irish potato famine victims, and some Scots. All of whom were run out their native lands by TPTW or forced to emigrate due to insufferable poverty and hardship.

Its just a theory. ( This is a conspiracy theory site, so I try to read between lines and get to the reason for things not just what is happening at face value. )

Here is my reasoning:

1. Democrats chose not to pass a budget when they easily could have. (They had the same number of votes as they had to pass Obamacare, so there is no excuse) Have to ask yourself why? Why not do what you were voted in office to do when it is easy to do it - pass a budget.

2. Democrats waited until the last minute to even attempt to negotiate on some CRs etc. - Again why ? Just for show in my opinion, to say they tried.

3. Democrats know President Clinton came out smelling like a rose when they let the government shutdown last time. Even when Clinton himself vetoed it. They need it to work for Obama for 2012.

These things together makes me think they knew they would take a beating in 2010 and needed to have a plan for 2012.

Its a win-win for them - If it shuts down they can blame the tea party folks, if it doesn't they can take credit for stopping the shutdown. They care very little about anybody actually missing a paycheck, its all about staying in power.

Thanks for replies.

Originally posted by EssenceOfSilence


Here is my reasoning:

1. Democrats chose not to pass a budget when they easily could have. (They had the same number of votes as they had to pass Obamacare, so there is no excuse) Have to ask yourself why? Why not do what you were voted in office to do when it is easy to do it - pass a budget.

1. Democrats did not have the same number of votes that they had to pass Obamacare. At that time both the House and the Senate had Democratic majorities, whereas now the House is under Republican control.

2. Democrats could not "easily" pass the budget proposed by the House Republicans. It would decimate Medicare and savage Medicaid, education, public housing, public broadcasting, student loans, environmental protection, and a whole host of other crucial programs in this country, while giving billions more to the richest 2% of the population. It is not "easy" to give up the priorities that your party stands for.

The Republicans could just as easily accept the generous compromise the Democrats have offered. The Democrats have agreed to meet them halfway, but they won't be satisfied unless they get EVERYTHING they want, the whole enchilada. If they don't get everything they want then they will have a hissy fit and close the entire government down. They are acting like spoiled children who will throw a tantrum unless they get their way.

Dems have gone halfway. We are waiting for the Repubs to do the same.