From Congressman Foster: Countdown to Chaos

“I got nothin’. You?”  [Image courtesy of Talking Points Memo  (NOTE: This image was not part of the congressman’s mailing.  I added it for grins.  Steve)]

Steve-

When Republicans took control of both the House and Senate last election, they promised that above all, they would show the country that they knew how to govern.

They claimed that budgets and spending bills would be passed on time, and that the threatened government defaults, brinksmanship, and shutdown threats would become a thing of the past.

So, what have they actually delivered?

In January, the Republicans failed to obtain a budget agreement, but began voting on spending bills anyway. By March, they were driving up the debt by tapping into off-budget “emergency offshore war spending” to fund the military bases and weapons programs their home states’ economies are so dependent on. In July, Speaker Boehner finally shut down all further work on spending bills due to regional disagreements within the Republican Party.

Throughout the year, the Republicans continued this reckless and short-sighted behavior, which has led us to where we are today. In just a few days, the fiscal year ends – and without action, the government will shut down for the second time in two years. You’ll recall the last time the Republicans played chicken with the U.S. economy, it cost tens of billions of dollars in lost wages and economic activity.

This behavior will continue until the Republicans are sent a strong message that they are going to pay a price with the voting public, and that they can forget their dreams of reclaiming swing districts like mine. We are facing a critical fundraising deadline on Wednesday at midnight. Can you click here to make a contribution to send them that message?

The reason for this budgetary chaos comes directly from the fundamental illogic of Republican policies:

Republicans fight to maintain massive federal subsidies, military bases, weapons programs, and safety-net spending that their rural states depend on – but at the same time they have all taken the Grover Norquist pledge never to raise taxes, have promised to balance the budget, and pledged never to vote to increase the debt limit even if it leads to a federal government default.

You do not have to be a scientist to figure out that this is a recipe for chaos. The shocking resignation of Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner was really just the inevitable result. And despite all these serious funding issues we face, Republicans are now preparing to shut down the government over Planned Parenthood.

As the last scientist in Congress, I’m continuously fighting to inject rationalism, thoughtfulness, and logic into the debate in Washington, but I need your help to keep up the fight. So far we have three declared Republican opponents, and we are facing a fundraising deadline of midnight on Wednesday. Can you click here to make a contribution to ensure the last scientist is able to return to Congress?

Time will tell what the rest of this week holds. In an interesting coincidence, both the deadline for government shutdown, and our campaign fundraising deadline, is midnight Wednesday. I’ll be sure to keep you updated.

–Bill

P.S. A contribution by our fundraising deadline at midnight on Wednesday helps ensure I am able to return to Congress.