http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,139542,00.html

So apparently the Dems tried to shut down the Government.

I spent most of my high school years as a hardcore Democrat. I couldn't wait to be voting age so I could vote against, what I perceived, as the evil and heartless Republican bastards in the government.

In my senior year, I was given the other side of the story. A lot of my feelings, and the rhetoric I was hearing, just sounded like so much hate filled bile. Young and naive, I tried to compensate by throwing myself into the Republican party. That is where I was in 1992 when I was old enough for my first Prez election. I voted for Bush wholeheartedly. We all know how that election went.

Regardless, shortly after Clinton won the election, the Republicans effectively shut down the government. Now, I know Clinton did not get off on a good foot, but the response seemed overreactionary to me. Sure, Clinton was unprepared, but he was not supposed to win in the first place. He was sort of a surprise based on circumstances. I'm sure when Bush's popularity dropped, many Dems were kicking themselves for not running. But I digress...

The Republicans acted in a manner that I felt was harmful and petty. I wanted nothing more to do with them or the Dems. Aside from a brief dalliance with the Liberatarians in 1999 to 2001, I have been pretty much a hardcore independent. I understand the reasons why the Republicans did what they did, but I felt it was their duty to find a solution that would not be harmful to the country.

While I have seen the Dems do many things that were less than desirable, for some naive reason I didn't think they would try to pull a similar move. Similar to 1992, I understand their reasoning, but I think the end result is going to do more harm than good. Extending spending authority until a time when the legislature is in full swing again seems like a fine idea to me (They didn't even get that, but at least it was an extension).

I hope they realize that these sorts of actions don't strengthen their position.

What's funny is reading the same article on CNN -

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/11/25/taxreturn.disclosure.ap/index....

Makes the Dems sound like some kind of champions for the government. Sheesh.