Will Big Business Force Boehner To Give In On The Budget?

The government has been shut down due to the Republican inability to govern and contempt for the democratic process. Lately even the Iranians are appearing more rational. The question now is what happens next. Some believe that the shutdown makes it less likely for the Republicans to refuse to raise the debt ceiling. On the other hand, if the Republicans are still not willing to act in good faith on the budget, is there really reason to believe they will suddenly become more sensible on the debt ceiling?

This crisis is purely re Republican creation. John Boehner can end this any time he chooses. Instead Boehner prefers to play political games, such as with the latest games he is playing over veterans. If Boehner wants to end the shutdown he can do so by allowing a handful of moderate Republicans to vote along with the Democratic minority to pass a clean budget which does not attempt to reverse the results of the last election, eliminate a law which has passed Congress and been upheld by the Supreme Court. Besides, if allowed to see what Obamacare really contains, a vast majority support it:

Here are figures from Kaiser’s March 2013 poll:

Tax credits for small businesses to buy insurance: 88% in favor.

Closing the Medicare drug benefit doughnut hole: 81% in favor.

Extension of dependent coverage to offspring up to age 26: 76% in favor.

Expanding Medicaid: 71% in favor.

Ban on exclusions for preexisting conditions: 66% in favor.

Employer mandate: 57% in favor.

If you agree with those provisions, congratulations: You love Obamacare. Yet when respondents are asked how they feel about “Obamacare,” they’re against it.

Maybe that is the point. Republican leaders realize they have to stop Obamacare now because Americans will love it once it is fully in effect. Plus they will no longer be able to lie about what is contained in the law.

The Tea Baggers in Congress show no likelihood of compromise or rational action. Ideological fervor combined with vast ignorance is a dangerous combination. Maybe this will end by Boehner giving in and allowing a bipartisan House majority to pass a clean budget bill. Maybe he will be forced to give in, if not by public opinion than by one of the Republicans main constituencies, big business. There is not much future left for the Republican Party if their actions cause big business to defect to the Democrats, and there are signs that this is now happening. Just as old fashioned country club Republicans never had much use for the religious right, businessmen have no use for the Tea Party if it continues to act in a manner which cripples the economy.