From the diaries by Erick

Tuesday’s continuing resolution vote is a snapshot of contradiction.  Despite the fears, there’s no need for a government “shutdown”. It’s truthfully unnecessary with “essential services” continuing, nonetheless.

Here’s the problem. Five months ago, a sweeping election occurred in Tennessee and across the nation that elected folks who ran on pledges of repealing or defunding Obamacare, defunding Planned Parenthood, and overall conservative leadership.  On Tuesday, there were only 54 conservative members of the US House who voted the same way they campaigned.

The facts are that a democratically controlled US House & Senate abdicated their Constitutional duty to submit a budget for the 2011 calendar year by September 2010.  That budget would have easily passed.  Because of their failure, continuing resolutions for funding now have to originate in the current U.S. House to keep funding our federal government. 

The “conservative” majority has now had the opportunity to present proposals via the continuing resolutions that would not just “cut” spending, but do so specifically in areas, like the expansive health care law, that will add to the federal and states’ deficits.  Republicans have squandered their pledge.

Bottom line:  Wisconsin Democrats only mimicked the action seen in Washington in fleeing their duties.  Republicans hold the reins of leadership but act contrary to their campaign promises.  Public distrust of elected officials only grows when actions and words are such a bundle of contradiction.   To borrow a line from Wisconsin, “Shame, Shame, Shame!”