Political Football
The following example was taken from The Kiplinger Letter, Vol.102, No.35
” A fractured Congress will reconvene Sep.2. A possible government shutdown awaits.
Failure to pass federal funding for the new fiscal year, starting Oct. 1, would shutter many agencies. And right now, lawmakers are far from agreement.
CONGRESS: The odds of a shutdown are less than 50%…for now. That may change. Lawmakers are aware that shutdowns usually hurt both parties, but they left Washington for summer break in a sour mood, with optimism for a deal waning.
Democratic support in the Senate is needed, to keep the government open, as 60 votes are required to pass annual appropriations bills. With the GOP controlling 53 seats, Dems hold a key bargaining chip.
Dems are under pressure to play hardball, as many in their base are still furious at the party for letting Republicans dictate the funding package last spring that avoided a shutdown at the time. Democratic lawmakers feel they’re between a rock and a hard place.
Supporting a Republican funding bill written without Dem input would enrage their base. Opposing such a bill would score political points, but risks triggering a shutdown and possibly getting the blame from voters.”
NO COMMON SENSE
ANALYZE THE EXAMPLE
* Which supports and barriers were in play?
* What were the dynamics?
* Who, or what, won the Tug-of-War?
* Discuss the outcome with your friends and family.
* Use Post #4 as a reference for the dynamics and relationships between supports and barriers.
