Category Archives: Political Parties

Government Shutdown : Who’s Actually Taking Poor Hostages?

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Another government shutdown is looming for Friday March 14th. Coincidentally, also the 5 year anniversary of the Covid shutdowns (if you count from Saturday, which I do). One about too much government and the other about “too little” (theoretically). Not sure if Congress will reconcile it by the time I publish this, but it got me thinking. What happened the last few times the government shut down? I talked to Chat GPT to make sure my memory was correct about the dynamics that were happening. Chat GPT indeed confirmed the main issue I had with the debate.

Legacy Media Narrative

The general narrative is that the Republican party is holding America hostage by not fully funding the government. I remember Anderson Cooper lamenting about the FDA postponing drug approval without the slightest notion that if they didn’t prohibit drugs in the first place, the shutdown wouldn’t affect people getting there medicine. I believe he interviewed a young boy’s mother stating he might not live if the government remained closed. All the people with the same illness, but months ahead of this particular individual, had already felt the impact.

However, if Republicans are willing to fund a portion of the government, why are they accused of holding anyone hostage? The Democrats say they want to fund the same portion. Isn’t it the Democrats, who won’t fund anything, really the ones holding the country hostage. They just want to fund more. The Republicans disagree with that funding.

The Real Hostage Taker

Logic dictates that Congress should first fund everything agreed upon. Not giant bills (there used to be 12, now usually just one continuing resolution). First get all the “basics”. I’m sure I disagree with the mainstream political consensus, but let political will take us where it will. Then make compromises for getting things that don’t have a consensus. Trade votes and choose the least of bad options.

When this occurs, Republicans feel political pressure to cave. They really need to get out in front of the argument. Those not voting for any funding if all the funding they want isn’t included are really the ones “holding America hostage”.

Why do states fund political party primaries?

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On this Super Tuesday, as I’m watching election returns, I’m reminded of the question I often ask during primary season: Why do states use taxpayer dollars to help political parties choose their candidates?  I think I started asking this question when California was going through their open primary battle with political parties.  Californians decided we should have “open” primaries, i.e. primaries where voters could choose any candidate regardless of their own party affiliation, and the Democrat and Republican parties decided that wasn’t fair and sued.  I believe the final determination was that voters could vote for any candidate they wanted to, but political parties were free to ignore that vote.

               As a liberation, I supported the latter part of that decision.  After all, political parties are private organizations.  But that got me thinking, if they’re private, why is the government even funding a mechanism for them to choose a candidate?  My only conclusion was that they shouldn’t be.  I’m sure given that the vast majority of those elected are from political parties that getting any elected official to call for a stop would be impossible. Maybe, at least in states that allow for public referendum, voters/citizens/taxpayers (at least those that aren’t officially part of a political party), would be willing to stand up and put a stop to this waste of taxpayer dollars.

               Prior to writing this post, I decided to ask ChatGPT the question “Why do states pay for primaries?”  The following is the response.  “Reaching” would be an understatement:

States in the United States typically bear the cost of conducting primary elections for political parties as part of the democratic process. Primary elections are a crucial step in the electoral system, serving as a means for political parties to select their candidates for various offices, such as presidential, gubernatorial, or congressional positions. Here are some reasons why states cover the expenses of primaries:

  1. Facilitating the Democratic Process: States aim to ensure a fair and accessible democratic process by organizing primary elections. By covering the costs, they contribute to creating an environment where citizens can actively participate in selecting their preferred candidates.
  2. Party Autonomy: Political parties in the United States have a considerable degree of autonomy in determining their nomination processes. States conduct primaries as a way to allow parties to select their candidates, and by covering the costs, states support the parties in carrying out this fundamental function.
  3. Inclusivity: States want to encourage broad participation in the electoral process. By organizing and funding primaries, they make it easier for voters to engage in the candidate selection process, promoting inclusivity and representation.
  4. Ensuring Fairness: The government’s involvement in primaries helps ensure that the election process is conducted fairly and transparently. States set rules and regulations to maintain the integrity of the primary elections, which may include guidelines on candidate eligibility, voting procedures, and the counting of ballots.
  5. Legal Requirements: In some states, the law mandates the government to organize and finance primary elections. This legal framework is designed to provide consistency and a standardized approach to the primary election process.
  6. Party Access to Ballot: Political parties often need to fulfill certain requirements, such as obtaining a certain percentage of votes in a primary, to gain access to the general election ballot. States may facilitate this process by organizing and covering the costs of primaries.

While states generally cover the expenses associated with primaries, political parties may also contribute funds for their internal operations during the primary season. The specific arrangements can vary from state to state, reflecting the diversity in election laws and regulations across the country.

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