Memo to House Republicans: Own This Shutdown!!

Jon Stewart and his now infamous sidekick

I try not to be partisan on this news blog. As you all know, and as my lovely and very liberal wife can attest, I've been harshly critical of both parties, especially when it comes to their treatment of America's veterans. But c'mon, man, this is getting ridiculous. It's time the House Republicans responsible for this government shutdown removed one of their two faces and owned this thing. They've been talking about a shutdown as a winning strategy against Obamacare for months, and they all seemed quite giddy when they pulled it off last week.

At this point, though, it doesn't appear they're going to claim it, despite the hilarious and on-the-mark plea last night from The Daily Show's Jon Stewart. "You think Obamacare's a big enough threat to this country that you need to shut down the government over it?" asked Stewart. "Fine! Own it! Don't fart and point at the dog!"

The House Republicans' new strategy is indeed to break wind and then point fingers. They're now calling this mess the "Democrats' shutdown," which is demonstrably preposterous. 

Here's the deal: The radical wing of the GOP, which hates President Obama with every fiber of its being, is still fervently debating a bill that has already become law - and the rest of the Republican members of the House don't have the stuffing to speak up. 

The party has dug in its heels on this strategy - all but a few brave dissenters, anyway. And Obama doesn't appear willing to negotiate until Republicans agree to fund the government. 

So where does that leave our veterans? Up Shit Creek without a boat, evidently.

At a news conference this morning on Capitol Hill, Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) told us what we already know: the government shutdown is really hurting veterans.

He reminded us that thousands of Department of Veterans Affairs workers have been laid off, that the national call center for veterans wanting to take advantage of college benefits under the GI Bill has been shut down, and that VA offices that do personal interviews and hearings at regional offices for veterans seeking benefits are closed.

He said this shutdown is "hurting our entire country. It is especially difficult for our veterans’ community.” What he did not do was offer up any solutions. 

Sanders, a rare and refreshing straight shooter who's always been an outspoken and effective advocate for veterans, introduced legislation the night the government was shut down last week that would assure that veterans would be paid no matter how long the government was closed. 

But he now seems to be saying that the only solution is for the House Republicans to stop the madness.

It's pretty clear now that both sides are willing to let veterans and many other Americans suffer in order to save political face.

Sanders stated today that if this disastrous scenario occurs, "over four million veterans, service-members and survivors will not get the benefits they have been promised and depend upon. Without the necessary funds, VA will not be able to pay an average of $6.25 billion in monthly compensation, pension, education, and vocational rehabilitation benefits. That is an unimaginable disaster.”

Sanders explained that if the shutdown persists, November compensation payments to more than 3.8 million veterans will stop, as will payments to more than 364,000 survivors and over 1,200 children receiving special benefits. Pension payments will stop for almost 315,000 veterans and over 202,000 surviving spouses and dependents, and educational benefits will stop for more than half a million students. 

“Our veterans are not wealthy. Many of them depend on these benefits to feed themselves and their families, to pay their rent, to make ends meet,” Sanders said. “Our veterans deserve better."

I agree, Senator. Veterans deserve much better. But if the Republicans don't come to the table, what's your plan?