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September 27th, 2013
11:32 PM ET

No game plan to avoid a shutdown

Dana Bash, David Gergen and Candy Crowley discuss the congressional clashes over the looming government shutdown.

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Filed under: Candy Crowley • Congress • Dana Bash • David Gergen • Raw Politics • Wolf Blitzer
soundoff (7 Responses)
  1. Charlie

    The real question no one is asking is by what authority does the President have to unilaterally amend an existing law, specifically, The Affordable Care Act. Congress passed the law, the Supreme Court up held it, but only Congress can amend it, not the President. Yet his administration,and I am sure with his approval, has delayed, waived or granted 19 different exemptions. Over time, I believe the courts will find this unconstitutional because of the separations of the three branches of government.

    October 2, 2013 at 8:24 am |
  2. Elizabeth Armstrong

    Mr Gergen, I greatly appreciate your honest remarks tonight regarding the announcement of the government shutdown. This is not just another shutdown. I agree completely with your analysis of the desperate state of anarchy we're now in as a Country. We, as citizens of the United States of America MUST take responsibility for our 'so called' officials – from BOTH PARTIES! Their proven lack of ability to govern, have consistent morals or even make reasonable decisions together ..... requires the American people to DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! We cannot ignore the situation and hope it gets better! I'm over 60 and do not say this lightly. Everyone must work to restore the principles our country was founded on and that does not include letting these petty, maneuvering people stay in office. - It's OUR Country and it's TIME TO SPEAK UP and do so LOUDLY! -

    October 1, 2013 at 1:28 am |
  3. Ashlee

    I dont pretend to know all of the ins and outs of congressional politics and procedures, which at times requires fierce or counterintuitive political maneuvers in order to bring on change, however, it is about time that leadership at all levels (not just from the top), recognize they cannot-by failing to act appropriately- risk our global reputation based on (radical) self-interest. We cannot profess as a nation to be a shining example of democracy and governance when our elected officials continue to use government shutdown as a bargaining chip. Shutdown is not a strategy. It is a consequence of failure. A government that shuts down/defaults or gives the appearance that doing so (and risking our credit rating and economic health as a result) is an acceptable outcome, isnt a kind of government that any emerging or transitional nation should want to emulate. So please–lets be honet with ourselves, and figure out how to work together, so that we can end this embarrassment and prove to the world that we are in fact the very great nation that we claim to be. In short:

    Dear Congress–actions speak lounder than words. Didn't your grandmother ever teach you that?

    September 30, 2013 at 3:30 pm |
  4. Kelley

    When the government shuts down tonight does that mean that Congress doesn't get paid, they have no medical benefits or account expenditures? No job perks? If this doesn't effect them no wonder they don't have to resolve their difference. There is no consequence ..

    September 30, 2013 at 12:56 pm |
  5. Carol Evans

    Will congressional members be paid during the time they have shut down the government? They should not be.

    September 30, 2013 at 12:01 pm |
  6. CJ Green

    I have a friend whom is a federal government employee, working at significant medical facility in Europe. Americans, like my friend, do more than work for the government, they serve the United States Department of Defense as a civilian employee overseas in direct support of the Armed Forces in guiding healthcare for the only military medical center in Europe serving Wounded Warriors, Soldiers and their families within all of Europe and those from Africa and the Middle East. Because our elected officials are more concerned about their votes, he will not be paid, will be furloughed and told not to come to work. His facility has lost 10 of 35 clinical pharmacists in one month because they left federal service due to of this type of treatment. I cannot overstate the effect this type of action has on those whom we serve in an overseas theater.

    It is time for Congress to stop acting like immature children and to STOP EMBARRASSING AMERICA. It's time we take back our country.

    Every member of Congress should have their compensation reduced by 75 percent and the only way to regain it is by the merit system managed by American citizens, including all the military civilian workers overseas, whom are our ambassadors to the world.

    I am embarrassed to be an American, and this has to STOP!

    September 28, 2013 at 2:07 pm |
  7. Andrew

    Republicans wish to get rid of Obamacare because of their campaign funding from the big insurance companys which do not support it. Who is running the country, big business is. Wake up America.

    September 28, 2013 at 12:15 pm |

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