This fiasco is going nowhere slowly. I really don't have much to say about it that I haven't already said. The dwindling comments on these posts would tend to agree. We are beating a dead horse. Time to talk about the TPP legislation. Anybody?

Apropos to post #2. I just recieved a reply from my House Representative concerning a letter I wrote concerning the TPP. I thought I would share that letter with you.

Quote A House Representative:Thank you for taking the time to share your views on this issue. I appreciate your input.

I share your concerns about the transparency and potential impact of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Free Trade Agreement, which seeks to create a high-level free trade agreement between nations on both sides of the Pacific.

In July 2013, I joined several of my colleagues in sending a letter to President Obama, expressing my concern about the lack of adequate congressional consultation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Free Trade Agreement. In particular, I expressed my strong opposition to “Fast Track” Trade Promotion Authority or any other mechanism that would delegate Congress’ constitutional authority over trade policy.

The “Fast Track” approach of the last century is not appropriate for broad 21st Century trade agreements and it is important to restore Congress’ constitutional role in developing agreements that significantly affect domestic policy and trade.

Additionally, last year I joined more than 130 House members in urging United States Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk for more frequent congressional consultations as well as a more open and transparent process as the United States negotiates the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Rest assured that I will continue to advocate for increased transparency as well as meaningful congressional and public input into the outcome of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and other Free Trade Agreements.

All hope is not lost. Have you written your Representative and Senator yet. Today is a good day to make your opinion known.

Aliceinwonderland ~ Thanks Alice! It may not do anything; but at least, it sure will make you feel better. I know I'm happy I tried. What do you know, I did get one positive result.

PS Kerry is through with me too. No wonder why the Repubs wanted him appointed so bad. What a sell out!

FYI

"Most of the key actors in the US Congress and the Senate involved in the shutdown debate are controlled by powerful corporate lobby groups including, of course, Wall Street. The latter are those which ultimately decide on the outcome. They are not only in a position to influence the results of the Congressional process, they also have foreknowledge of the nature and timing of key decisions and they are in a position to reap multibillion dollar speculative gains in the derivative markets by speculating on policy outcomes of which they have advanced knowledge."

http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-shutdown-of-the-u-s-government-and-debt...

It is a more conspiratorial way of looking at the kabuki theatre called "the shutdown". Precedent suggests it is intra-elite squabbling that will suddenly vanish at the last moment as a deal is struck. However, I would not put it beyond the neoliberal mentality of the banksters and their lawmaker lackeys to manufacture a crisis as a harbinger of even more extreme kleptocratic policies.

Thank you for sharing that, Drob! Seems that a shutdown is now locked in? I always look to the two parties of big business working together to help the kleptocrats - that's how I interprete US democracy at the moment, i.e. that rule change is to prevent any ordinary lawmakers with an ounce of decency from trying to derail the crazy shutdown plan. Hope my conspiracy theory is wrong!