Tuesday, July 12, 2011

No Social Security Checks on August 3rd?

Obama says he cannot guarantee Social Security checks will go out on August 3

To put the above news article in a useful context I think the following article says it all:

Minnesota government shutdown: What could end it?

So, what is the likelihood of a Minnesota type of shutdown and the end of Social Security Checks and other governments checks for about 6 months or longer? I would say given all the present variables it is about a 50% to 70% possibility.

The reason for this is what I would call "Chess Strategy". Obama cannot allow the Republicans to hold the government hostage or the national presidential elections hostage by nickle and diming him with 3 month or 6 month band aids  for a variety of reasons  and the end result could look a lot like Minnesota at present with government not working at all except for police and military.  Unfortunately, when government doesn't function in other countries this is also a likely time for a military coup of any government much like what happened in Egypt. So, I would say that our democracy itself is in a precarious position when seniors might be homeless and without food for about the next 6 months or more because of no Social Security checks and when the only operational form of our government is the police and the military. In this type of environment human rights don't necessarily exist.

I think that Republicans underestimate Obama's resolve. Unfortunately, I think both Republicans and Democrats underestimate each others principles and resolve. I don't think this is going to end well (at least for about 6 months) the way things are presently going. 

 

Though people who are pragmatic and who are moderates of both parties could solve this problem, both the extreme left and extreme right wings of both parties likely will mess things up for everyone for about 6 months the way this is presently going.  This is my concern and if you care about our democracy continuing to exist it should be your concern as well.

 

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