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[Aqizzar]

There's also a number of the new Republican members who, to their credit, really do have one issue that they more or less understand and genuinely stand behind: drawing down America's military commitments.  Not many of the Tea Partiers voted for this at all, but a number did.  There's a fair number of old and new Republicans who know lingering military problems will always be tied to the Republican brand regardless of specific facts, and see the ridiculous expenditures on useless vaporware for what it is.  Almost none of them besides Rand Paul will ever actually say it out loud for fear of being the "Soft on Defense" guy in their primary, but as long as they don't mention it, it usually doesn't come up.

Besides, they're going to blame every cut dollar and lost contractor job on Obama anyway, so it really doesn't matter who agreed to what.

[nenjin]

It all depends on circumstances. If war with another recognized nation were to happen, all budgetary restrictions would go out the window in favor of emergency appropriations. In my jaded view, Republicans are going "soft on defense" because they're not behind any of our current wars anymore. Libya and all that jazz, they were never in favor of. But now that its politically safe to call for withdraw from Afghanistan, they're once again fiscal conservatives. I just feel that if Republicans take the presidency and, for example, Iran decides to start opening its mouth or acting aggressively, whether its posturing or a real threat, the defense budget will soar again. Only when we can have 5 solid years of peace do I think we stand a chance of seriously changing our overall commitment and attitude toward defense spending.

[Aqizzar]

By the way, after such a incredibly taxing argument (ironically) over the future of the country, John Boehner has announced that the House of Representatives will go on vacation recess until September 6th.  No really.  In the meantime, absolutely everything that got pushed to the side during this month of debt-ceiling nonsense will continue to linger for another month, including the Federal Aviation Administration hemorrhaging cash and employees because the House never got around to even discussing a continuing authorization bill.

But c'mon, they're tired and it's summer.  Time to drop everything and go home for five weeks, like the rest of America's working families.

[Vector]

I am... extremely pissed.

[nenjin]

They're probably going home to explain what happened to constituents in their own terms, and to start writing op-ed pieces and frame the outcome.

[Tilla]

I'm sorry but why is there never a fuss that these guys are getting paid a gigantic salary but taking upwards of 4 months of vacation a year. Surely that can't be good for the US budget.

[nenjin]

Because that 4 months of vacation is ostensibly to return to their districts, confer with constituents, reconnect with the base and take personal time, yadda yadda.

[Heron TSG]

BOOOOEEEEEEEEENEEEERRRR!!!!

I don't think this is the right time for a break, seriously. I wouldn't mind them taking some time off after this is settled, but COME ON.

[Nadaka]

They need that 5 weeks because every minute they keep doing this shit they loose approval. They only got 15% left. They must figure that doing nothing can only improve their chances, and they are probably right.

[Africa]

I sure hope the obstructionists get chewed out (and hopefully egged) whenever they try to explain their bullshit to constituents. Maybe even the people who were dumb enough to vote for them will realize what a terrible idea that was.

[KaelGotDwarves]

... I partially agree with David Frum?

Let's put it this way, one of George W. Bush's closest advisers is now too moderate for today's Republican party.

[mainiac]

I'll just leave this here.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/behind-the-numbers/post/budget-talks-in-a-word-ridiculous-disgusting-and-stupid-top-poll/2011/07/12/gIQABdOrnI_blog.html?fb_ref=NetworkNews

Spoiler: The list of responses (click to show/hide)

Ridiculous                                    66       
Disgust/disgusting/disgusted                  42     
Stupid/stupidity                              36     
Frustrating/frustrated                        26     
Poor/poorly                                   25     
Terrible                                      25     
Disappointing/disappointment/disappointed     24     
Childish                                      23
Joke                                          22
Mess/messy                                    22     
Pathetic                                      17     
Confusing                                     16     
Crazy                                         14
Bad                                           13
Idiot/idiotic                                 12     
Disaster/disastrous                           11
Suck/sucks                                    11
Sad                                           10
Bull/bull***                                   9     
Chaos/chaotic                                  9     
Disgrace/disgraceful                           9
Lousy                                          8           
Outrageous/outrage                             7
Pitiful                                        7
Politics/political                             7     
Scary                                          7
Stink/stinks                                   7
Compromise                                     6
Difficult                                      5
Fair                                           5     
Horrible                                       5     
Juvenile                                       5
Ludicrous                                      5
Selfish                                        5
Stalemate                                      5
Complicated                                    5
Incapable/incompetent                          5
Screwed/screwed up                             5
Asinine                                        4
Awful                                          4
Concerned                                      4
Futile                                         4
Greed                                          4
Obama                                          4
Sorry                                          4
Stubborn                                       4
Unfair                                         4 

[nenjin]

Obama                                          4

Yes. The president's name is now an adjective!

[Nadaka]

I wish they had called me, I would have a few words for them.

[RedKing]

I believe Colbert nailed when it he said that Tea Partiers have been screaming that the government is broken, and once they got in office, they've done their damndest to make that true.

I'm raged out on this. It's done -- at least until the fight between now and the end of 2012 to implement that 2nd round of cuts. Maybe they're hoping the Mayan Apocalypse will pre-empt the vote.