U.S. Government shuts down.

[Jester]

We are split almost equally between those who want more government, and those who want less government. Half of us are angry, and the other half are cheering (mostly because they didn't blink again).

And yet, the level of comprehension of the components of the government budget are so painfully low, that nobody can actually put forward a serious platform about what to cut, and how. The only thing anyone ever seems to agree on is that there should be less foreign aid - which would be a humanitarian disaster, without saving more than a singe percent of the budget.

Try cutting social security, medicare, the military, or farm subsidies, and the "half that wants less government" howls in protest. Add in interest payments on the debt, and that's nearly 80% of US government spending that's basically untouchable - and not because Dems are intransigent, but because it has bipartisan support.

Republican voters seem happy with the generic idea of "smaller government," but unhappy with any of the plausible paths to getting there. And so, it all becomes sloganeering: "Kill Obamacare." No more "moochers." Nothing useful or tangible.

Linky! Note: When you ask Republicans about "health care," a generic category, you get 44% saying cut it, and only 16% saying increase. But ask about "Medicare," a specific program? Only 21% want to cut it, and 24% want to increase spending. Interesting, no?

-Jester