Finally ready to negotiate

As I have already expressed, I find this whole government shutdown and threat to default to be quite surreal and frankly stupid. The Republicans, I think, are realizing that their position is untenable and are now scrambling to figure a way out so they can save face. I reached this conclusion because we now hear them “demanding” negotiations (for example here) having essentially dropped the idea of making any reforms to Obama Care. It’s as if simply having a conversation in the Roosevelt Room will vindicate their idiotic behavior.

But what is really crazy to me is that they are only start asking for a negotiation a week after the shutdown began. Don’t you think they could have proceeded with negotiations two months ago? It’s not as if this sprang out of nowhere.

I think the Administration and Democrats are right to refuse to negotiate under these circumstances. People have been talking about the debt limit and our budget shortfalls for many, many months. You could argue it was a centerpiece of the previous presidential election. It is not appropriate to demand a “negotiation” when the deadline has already passed.

If the Democrats do sit down for a negotiation they need to bring their own list of demands beyond “fund the government” and “pay our debts.” I’m thinking higher taxes on unearned income, creation of new 45% tax bracket on income over $1m, reduction in unnecessary oil and farm subsidies, etc. The Republicans want a negotiation, they better be prepared to give up something too. Saving the world economy from ruin because of stupid political grandstanding is not enough of a concession in my opinion.