Government Shutdown

If Democrats and Republicans don't reach a spending deal by midnight Monday, a government shutdown will take effect. The 2013 fiscal year ends at midnight Sept. 30. Many federal programs and activities will stop beginning Tuesday and won't restart until a new deal is in place.

Many Republicans are taking the stand that they will not make a deal unless the Affordable Care Act is delayed or terminated.

Over 2 years ago the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was voted into law by Congress. It passed because it offers a good plan for providing fixes to the American health care system.  Some of us think we should give it a chance. 

A right wing minority has dominated the actions of the Republican party to where they have, over 20 times, had Congress vote to repeal the ACA. They lost in every one of these votes. What is it about the ACA that so puts fear into the hearts of the far right minority? If the Affordable Care Act doesn't pan out and Americans don't like it, this can always be corrected - we can just elect the representatives who will change the law.

I think the right wing minority are actually afraid that the Affordable Care Act might work well - it will help most Americans and most of us will embrace it.  And then with this, it will become virtually irreversible - like social security, like medicare, like civil rights laws, like laws and regulations against child labor, laws that provide safe working conditions in factories, and laws that prevent corporations from cheating consumers via price fixing and similar. These are all good laws. They are a big part of what makes America one of the best places in the world.  Clearly, sadly, there are those who think otherwise - and who would, if they could, reverse them all.  

A refreshing address from the President: