So, how are the talks on how to fund government going, half way through?

[muriel_volestrangler]

Four weeks ago, they voted to continue funding the government until January 1st. With Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays coming up, they have about another 4 weeks to go (" The House is in session 15 days between now and the end of the year" - so, they need to work overtime if they're not over half-way through the deal).

How have the talks been going? The news seems remarkably quiet on this. Considering it's half-way to another globally embarrassing clusterfuck, you'd think this would be getting more attention. There's no point in waiting until the last minute - that only plays into the hands of the nutters like Cruz and Gohmert. Government by crisis is no way to run a developed country.

Has anyone any information from their representatives on how Congress is progressing?

Ah - I found something: 'scant'. Though that says funding doesn't run out until Jan. 15.

[geek tragedy]

1. quiet means they're probably going well.

Do we want them to go well? that's a different question

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. If they don't go well, you get another government shutdown

As I said, it plays into the hands of Cruz and Tea Part Crazies. They like government shutdowns.

"quiet means they're probably going well"

You think that when Congress is working well, it keeps quiet about it? What - it's become modest about its achievements now?

[geek tragedy]

3. if you want to kill a sensitive negotiation, you publicize it

so that the media and interest/lobbying groups get into a feeding frenzy, especially on the Republican side.

Failure of negotiations will mean a continuing resolution, not a shutdown, imo.

negotiations can go really well if the two sides agree on a bunch of stuff--if going well means grand bargain with SS and Medicare cuts, probably best they not go well.

[november3rd]

4. Sanders

Sanders is on the Reconciliation Committee, and he's publishing pro-Benefits, anti-Benefits-cutting calls to arms on an almost daily basis. His latest was a really power-punch presentation.

Scroll through this:

http://www.sanders.senate.gov/budget/