Try the high road
Government shutdown is grandstanding foolishness
Reams are being written about the government shutdown.
We'll keep it short here.
First, call it off. And that means that the Republican majority in the House needs to call it off. The government shutdown's real effect, right down to kitchen tables in Anchorage and the rest of Alaska and America, is that people are out of work. That's not good for any of us.
Second, don't make the debt ceiling an issue later this month. Raise it as needed; the United States must honor debts already incurred. Keep working on intelligent cuts in spending, but don't jeopardize the full faith and credit of the United States over opposition to Obamacare.
Recognize reality. The Affordable Care Act was approved by Congress, its key provisions upheld by the Supreme Court, its champion re-elected president of the United States in 2012. It's the law. We're a nation of laws. The individual mandate is under way, insurance exchanges open -- with glitches.
To hold a functioning government hostage, to threaten the nation's creditworthiness isn't responsible governing. Obamacare foes should counter with better ideas, not with monkey-wrenching that hurts Americans.
President Obama has said he'll listen to proposals for amendments and changes, that he's open to better ideas. If Republican foes have those ideas, step up and hold the president to his word. As Obamacare plays out, its flaws will become apparent, and the nation can debate amendments. Obamacare foes can take their case to the people in the 2014 Congressional elections.
That's how a functioning representative democracy works.
BOTTOM LINE: Stop the nonsense of government shutdown.
Anchorage