By Laurie Baron
SAN DIEGO — If Will Rogers were alive today, he’d say, “I’m not a citizen of any organized country; I’m an American.”
One week ago John Boehner tried to assure Wall Street that he would rely on Democratic votes to raise the debt ceiling. Now he is threatening to link the vote on the debt ceiling to the current budget stalemate. Thus, there is no doubt that if there’s a federal default, it will be his fault.
During one of the GOP presidential primary debates, Rick Perry pledged to shut down the Departments of Commerce, Education, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Although his presidential campaign failed and he could only remember the names of two of the three agencies slated for closure, he has temporarily fulfilled his promises.
Rumor has it that the Department of Homeland Security is developing drones that could enter the Capitol and take out out the terrorists who are currently holding the federal government hostage.
The government shutdown has created strange political bedfellows. The Department of Interior has been unable to prevent oil companies from fracking on federal lands. The EPA and FDA lack funding to stop the methane gas that is being leaked from being used to “carbonate” soft drinks for human consumption or fuel motor vehicles. Either usage will reduce the emission of green house gases.
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Baron is professor emeritus of history at San Diego State University. He may be contacted at lawrence.baron@sdjewishworld.com