US Shutdown Day 11, OK Maybe We Won't Default

The White House and House Republicans have committed to talking about ways to avoid a default on U.S. debt, the first concrete sign of a potential compromise since the government shut down 11 days ago.  Boehner and the House Republicans are blamed by 70% of Americans for putting their ideological positions ahead of the good of the nation and they're squirming in the spotlight.

There are still debt crisis "deniers" in the House and Senate announcing that there is enough money to pay the interest on bonds, so what's the big deal.  They will fade into the woodwork once they realize they're prioritizing the Chinese (they hold about $1.2 trillion in government debt) ahead of things like Social Security recipients, Veterans' benefits,  disabled Americans, Prison Guards, Corporate Welfare, etc.  Their big money handlers via legions of lobbyists will soon set the idiots straight.  Maybe even Rand Paul will listen to them, but in his case I wouldn't make any bets, reality doesn't intrude on his ideology.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers, both bastions of Republican support, sent letters to Congress on Tuesday urging action on the debt ceiling.

“Our nation has never defaulted in the past, and failing to raise the debt limit in a timely fashion will seriously disrupt our fragile economy and have a ripple effect throughout the world,” wrote Jay Timmons, the president of the manufacturers’ group.

But we digress, the government is still shut down and while that may be like comparing the Bubonic Plague to global thermonuclear war, the plague is still serious business.  I listed a few of the effects already, and those aren't going away any time soon.  Maybe the Federal Prison guards will just open up the cells and go home if they aren't paid.

So far despite all the hopeful press, there is no deal and Day 11 may just be another day of business as usual in Washington, but fear and anxiety for everyone else.