*Government Shutdown

We’re wondering: do Republicans really think trying to stop the Affordable Care Act (even though open enrollment started yesterday anyway) was worth all of this (and more)?

We’re two days in to the Republican shutdown, and it appears that some Republicans are beginning to recognize that a shutdown is bad for our economy, businesses, and families.  According to a compilation from the Huffington Post, there is a growing number of Republicans who would be willing to pass a clean continuing resolution so that we can re-open the government,

With the Republican strategy of shutting down the government over the Affordable Care Act facing sharp criticism across America, here’s confirmation that their strategy doesn’t get any more popular when it comes to paying our nations bills, according to a new poll by CNN/ORC International:

“I thank the Gentleman for yielding. There is not a Member of this House who does not respect and support the veterans of this country. The Gentleman who just spoke talked about preventing pain. What we want to do is prevent pain not only to veterans, but to children, to families, to teachers, to medical professionals, to farmers, to all those who every day rely on the federal government to be in operation. Not piecemeal, not choosing between this and that, between the winners and the losers.

"[The Affordable Care Act] was hard-fought. We now see the first day in my state literally tens of thousands of people were signing up… . They were so excited about having, finally, access to affordable quality health care and have insurance.

Seems like our Republican friends, who wanted to shut down the government – and got their way – weren’t fully prepared for the consequences. Now that the Republican government shutdown has started, House Republicans are trying to give themselves cover – but unfortunately their suspension bills today just continue the shutdown. While they’re trying to fix some of the more visible impacts, what about these agencies who are still shut down?

“Good afternoon. Of course as we all know, it is not a good afternoon. It is an afternoon filled with angst, anxiety, fear, doubt, lack of confidence, and a concern all over America about whether their government can and does work. I want to thank all of you for being here. I know you share all that anxiety and fear, for your families and for yourselves. We want to thank you for the service you give to our federal government.

“[Republicans] shut down the government. They think that gives them leverage to accomplish what they couldn't accomplish in the election and it's harmful to the American people. The losers are not the silent majority in the Republican Conference. The losers are the American people. Their government is now shut down. Their government is not available to serve them as they want themselves served, as it ought to serve them. Clearly, Americans want an efficient, effective government but they don't want no government.”