Plus, the dreaded "uncertainty" that is causing the "job creators" to not create jobs has been extended to the end of the year, for "super congress" to deal with.

The thing is, and I am well aware I am a little lost in the field of economics, but haven't most western economists been suggesting that severe spending cuts at this stage may retard recovery?

The IMF has argued that the cuts over in Britain may be too great and may be rolling out too fast, and are advising our government to keep a close eye on the situation in case the cuts damage recovery.

Uncertainty? What a fucking canard. So subjective, so omnipresent, so nebulous. There will always be uncertainty, yet, somehow, we manage to have an economy. The real borrowing cost has been functionally zero for over two years, yet the growth hasn't resulted from the that certainty. And if uncertainty is bad for business, and if the pols have the best interest of business growth in mind, how then can they justify CREATING THE VERY CONDITION OF UNCERTAINTY THEY CLAIM IS THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE TO MORE GROWTH AND MORE JOBS?

Of course they can't. They can't. Facts and logic don't fucking matter anymore. I can't compete, I can't function in a make it up as you go along world like this.

yeah? so?

Good point.

Permit Keith Olbermann to restate my thoughts:



I need a transcript of this. I want to print it up, like a Desiderata of furious disgust at the actions of our elected officials. Public servants? PTUI! Turn the volume UP.

Hear hear

I saw that this morning as well. First time I think I ever agreed with him about anything.


@glatt - Looks like Obama is gonna take care of the FAA situation himself.

If it were up to me, all the FAA employees would be OFF the job until this was resolved. When air travel grinds to a halt, congress will get it's ass back to Washington to resolve it, guaranteed.

well, stormie, what makes you think the air traffic controllers would be less noble and altruistic than the safety inspectors? They seem to have put dedication to principle above loyalty to tribe by performing their jobs without pay. That is noble dedication.

I think controllers are still getting paid.

Aren't they the ones that aren't allowed to strike?

controllers are still getting paid, they're considered essential workers. my question was more along the line of "if all were furloughed, why wouldn't the controllers be as dedicated to their jobs as the safety inspectors who are still doing their work, but without pay.

There's a fine line between noble dedication and being a doormat.

If the inspectors (and anyone else caught in political maneuverings who aren't getting paid) refuse to work without a paycheck, then maybe it would matter enough to Congress to actually make an effort to find a solution instead of bolting off on vacation.

This has nothing to do with a strike, it's Congress refusing to agree on a budget or allowing a funding extension for the FAA. And our government is losing millions, maybe even billions, in tax revenues due to the shutdown. How hypocritical to claim austerity needs and bray about spending cuts when their own actions are costing our country a shit ton of money.

As long as people let politicians walk all over them, then they're gonna get walked all over.

Washington Post article

They'll be complaining about the spike in unemployment that they cause, too.