The truth about government shutdowns
There is an old political saying that … what one side points to with pride the other side views with alarm. The hyperbole of political narratives is amplified and sensationalized by the media as a matter of professional practice. The facts are even more distorted when the media operates with an underlying political bias.
Nowhere is that reality more evident than in the coverage of government shutdowns.
The prospect of a government shutdown is elevated to the level of existential crisis to the Republic … a threat to national security … a blow to the economy … a domestic disaster of epic proportions … those who wish to continue reckless spending and excessive taxing – and borrowing.
Those who do not want to put a break on reckless and unsustainable spending put the propaganda machine in full gear. They say a shutdown in the coming weeks will be catastrophic — causing unprecedented irreparable harm to the nation and millions of Americas. They employ good old fashioned fearmongering to enable their … reckless and unsustainable spending.
That is what government shutdowns are all about. The threat of a government shutdown – or even an actual government shutdown – is a last ditch effort by the adults in the chamber to impose restraint on spending … upward spiraling taxes … growing deficits … massive borrowing … an increasing National Debt … and an eventual economic collapse.
Unfortunately, the fearmongering and the biased reporting works. It scares people into believing that those who are trying to reign in our out-of-control federal government — and prevent an economic disaster for our children and grandchildren — are the bad guys (and gals).
One of the reasons it works for the tax-and-spend crowd (actually that should be the spend-tax-borrow crowd) is that too much of the American public is addicted to government money – from the single mom to the professors and school unions … to the major corporations …. to the seniors … to damn near everyone.
Scottish historian Alexander Tyler warned of the problem in his 1787 book, “The Decline and Fall of the Athenian Republic.” He wrote:
“A democracy … can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidate promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.”
The same fear has been paraphrased by a number of Founders – Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jeffersson and Alexander Hamilton — as they crafted the Constitution in 1789.
French political philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville echoed that theme in 1830, when he noted that “The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public’s money.”
Even those who know that Big Brother federal spending is a dangerous addiction for the body politic, there is that addict’s desire to shoot up one more time.
That is what shutdowns are all about. AND … they are not nearly as rare or as damaging as those on the left would have us believe.
Since 1980 there have been 21 shutdowns – and many threatened. Eleven of them were very short lived – one day or less, or over a weekend. There were 10 that lasted more than a day – 1981 (3 days), 1982 (2 days), 1984 (2 days), 1986 (2 days), 1990 (4 days), November 1995 (6 days), December/January 1995-96 (22 days), 2013 (16 days) and 2018 (3 days)
Government shutdowns are neither frequent nor rare. They have, however, become part of the political process in the past 43 years as attempts to cut federal spending.
For sure, it creates a level of inconvenience and disappointment for a few folks. Like not being able to visit a National Part – possibly. The most serious impact is a possible delay in paychecks to government workers. For a small number the economic impact is more severe – but at least temporary. Social Security payments continue – as can the pay to the military if a shutdown goes long. The longest so far was 22 days – too short of a time to create serious hardship.
What we can learn from the history of shutdowns is that they are not the Draconian events they are portrayed to be by Democrats and the media – whose only interest is to continue the reckless spending that is central to their trading the public money as bribes for votes – for permanent empowerment.
Unfortunately, Tyler, de Tocqueville and the Founders are correct. Getting voters to keep electing candidates who will feed the addiction on public funds will eventually bring down the Republic in favor of an autocratic government run from top down by a permanent class of elitists – the very class who engage in reckless spending and engage in mendacious fearmongering in the face of a shutdown.
If we face another shutdown in November, the clamor will be to reopen the government AT ALL COSTS. Even if the cost is the future of the Republic, itself – and the economic welfare and security of future generations.
So, there ‘tis.
It’s always the democrats fault. Seriously!!!
Dan Tyree … Creating an all powerful federal government is in the DNA of of the left — a Democrat philosophy since the Wilson, Roosevelt, Johnson, Obama. That is a matter of record. As I have written many times in the past that Republicans have supported that by participating in the spend/tax/borrow policies that drive the growth of the central government in Washington. It is part of a Washington establishment the functions to expand their own power. You can call it the establishment, socialism, the deep state, the nanny state, Big Brother or whatever. But as a conservative, I see that evolution as the greatest threat to personal freedom and the concept of a democratic Republic in which the people rule over the government and not vice versa. It is creeping authoritarianism. I see the Democratic Party totally committed to the big central government philosophy and the GOP split on the issue. My approach is to move the GOP to a more conservative approach as the Founders intended– and defeat Democrats as the Party of big government. What I write and what I do is based first on conservative beliefs, not partisan loyalty or opposition. Critics seem to forget … maybe intentionally … my criticism of the GOP on occasion. Perhaps the critics are too locked in a partisan view. Ya think?
Yes. I think so
All powerful is a stretch. Bigger, sure. But I am not sure who wins if one really looked. You guys gut and cut a lot, but you spend more. Even when you tax less. And that’s a double boogie.
Horist continues to focus on Democrats as the tax and spend, big spenders, etc. which he knows is a lie.
“One of the reasons it works for the tax-and-spend crowd (actually that should be the spend-tax-borrow crowd)” is a lie and he knows it, he knows he will be slammed for it, and he even knows the sources that will be included.
Amazingly he runs a story about the effects of a shutdown without a single $$ or number. Try a few, and they don’t paint your story as truthful:
*https://www.goldmansachs.com/intelligence/pages/the-cost-of-a-us-government-shutdown.html*
*https://www.ey.com/en_us/strategy/macroeconomics/government-shutdown*
*https://www.crfb.org/blogs/economic-cost-shutdown*
There’s also data out there about the effects of the 2013 shutdown after the fact and cost estimates. The number 13B and a .6% drop in GDP. Remember, Trump himself was shooting for, and missed badly, 4% GDP growth, .6 is a big number for that.
Larry is off base on the effects and a liar on the Democrats on this one harkening back to the 70’s when this myth began.
BOTH sides are GUILTY . . . but the DEMOCRATS are GUILTIER. Of course, what ELSE is NEW?!?
Joey P … that is generally my view.
JoeyP: u no we will look it up; why look stupid by guessing?
Using house/senate control, it’s 12 R owners and 8 D owners.
Using control of both houses, it’s 4 Rs and two Ds.
You really have to look inside to really know, but looks like you guessed wrong.
The R’s hold the record for 72 days of closure, leaving only 14 other closure day.
BUSTED
People: think before you spew. Folks are checking facts and sources. JoeyP, you have been wighed, measured, and have come up short.
Stetson provides irrefutable evidence: Brainless is as brainless does.
Larry,
Government-sponsored theft — which overspending is tantamount to — is less a partisan issue than it is a manifestation of culture and principle. Congress, particularly, mirrors the public’s wishes. Most politicians don’t have the backbone to be truthful or offer true leadership.
The overspending that can only end in catastrophe won’t be fixed with raising the number of Republicans elected to gummint but through education of the electorate. This comes at a time when the public is becoming more ignorant by the day.
Exhibit A greets us in the form of Donald Trump, a lifelong near-woke leftist until, remarkably, he changed his posture on almost every major issue at just the right time to run for office. He stood to the left of Shrillary on virtually every issue until 2014-15 and flooded far-leftniks like Schumer, Pelosi, Durbin and Reid. He’s a lifelong amnesty shill who in 2015 claimed he’d deport the population of illegals and rode that lie to office. Yet Republicans remain oblivious of what has been painfully obvious to anyone with clear thinking.
Dougie: I now forgive you for your earlier transgressions. :>)
What difference does it make?
Both sides are guilty of this ( Reason I voted for Trump and will vote again for him )
Even when the President ( Trump ) tried to correct the situations, Govt Employees crapped on him, Dems Crapped on him, Rep Crapped on him, the Media Crapped on him, anyone with any correlation of Govt spending to personal spending Crapped on Trump.
Yes, Alexander Tyler warned of the problem in his 1787 as you pointed out and 250 years later, He is correct!
Trump took in less money but spent more than sny President. He was bad off before covid.
His plan called for 4% GDP growth. He promised even more. He failed miserably on both accounts.
He basically printed enough money to own over 25% of the debt. By himself. In four years. Gee, no wonder you thought your personal economy was grand. He did what Horist blames Democrats for on steroids. Untax but spend even more. Brilliant!
His own business is probably going to be auctioned off for his rampant business and tax cheating. That’s one of the NY cases in court as I type. Cheating isn’t in question, more the amount of the punishment. It does not lok good as he will at minimum be tossed from NYC.
He turned the US into Atlantic City and then ran from DC with all the documents and probably the white house china too. I would say he’s going bankrupt but he just sold the DC hotel for many times it’s worth, paid off duestche bank and others with millions left over. His friend Roth helped but most came from investors who know shit about hotels, have Hilton put in some cash for managing, and he’s good till 2028. Pretty slick selling for well over market until the actual big investors willing to pay way over list are revealed.
As to whining about his Presidency, he’s the great deal maker that would fix healthcare first. ObamaCare still there, bigger and brighter than ever.
Hey, he’s winning the swing states, you never know with Trump. No way he could pay off those loans, he was blackballed by major lenders. He’s got to be paying loanshark rates. But he’s still here. Amazing. .
Larry,
Your prophecy with its doom and despair should the democrat left control government is its self a fear mongering ploy. Which happens to be your theme in those essays that deride the Democrat Party. And, looking back on your opinion pieces, a straight line run through them all. It’s the Democrats who are the root of all evil facing our Democratic Republic, comes through.
Our democracy presumably is best served by a two major political party system. When those two party’s share government power in fairly equal measure and one party does not dominate policy, then democracy is working and healthy.
I would point out, autocracy is more likely with a Republican right wing ideology. Former President Trump happens to be exhibit A evidence of proof. In the years after he failed re-election, he has come out stating outlandishly autocratic suppositions. Putin would not invade Ukraine if he was president, troop pull out from Afghanistan would have been hugely better, Hamas would not have thought or needed of attacking Israel. In fact, in his words. everything Biden has done, he (Trump) would not have done and done it better.
Autocrat minds work on their belief, I have the best ideas and for every problem a solution.
Those on the political right are the primary conspiracy theory spreaders, fear mongers, and love practicing the act of gaslighting.
The political left does not have the large element that thinks, speaks, and walks in lock step following one personage, in cult like submission.
Those republicans attempting to distance themselves from Trump, the will return in a flash and vote for him. That is Republican loyalty.
Two strong Parties are essential. The right must have the left for restraint and truth. On the other hand, the left must provide a voice in government for thinkers, the intelligent, seriously educated, socially responsible minded, caretakers of those the right leave behind, and be the soul of America.
Stereotypes, political opinion commentators employ stereotyping and generalization for writing efficiency.
You see, one’s opinion formation enjoys unique freedom that serious real journalism does not have. Opinion commentators are not bound by the bother documentation proofs create, nor are true facts kept in the frame .The Information Age we live in assumes facts get twisted, stretched and misrepresented. Because, it is so, we who partake of online opinion commentary do so with care understanding it’s buyer best beware merchandise selling, not like marketing.
Why is it, marching cadence is kept in step by the leader’s commanding shout, left – left – left – left…?
Possibly, one,s nest foot forward is in step with the left.
As an independent nonpartisan and wary contemporary citizen, my opinions are not driven by every political wind the blows my way. Neither does either Party hold my loyal allegiance. Americans boost about freedom and rights. Political freedom means the right to choose with out other’s judgement which box I elect to check.
Say what others may, that’s on them.
My opinion you can disagree on. Biden has lied so many times. You obviously want examples. If you take the vaccine things will be normal. The border is secure. I do not know anything about my son’s business dealings. The greatest threat to Democracy is white supremacy. No. Climate Change. No. The MAGA and Trump supporters. The Police. Free speech. Guns. People got the vaccine. Turns out, people still got Covid. Some with the shot were worse than the ones that did not. Dr. Fauci, Biden, and others claimed they were Science. Dr. Fauci, “I know nothing about Gain of Function or the NIH funding.” Yes you do. You have been dealing and getting money from the American taxpayer since the AIDS epidemic. One mask, two masks. May never be able to shake hands again. Also, kids do not need the vaccine. They are even being forced to wear a mask in school. The shut down of the economy and schools and gyms was a disaster. Keep businesses open. Gyms are for helping your health. Schools, as I already said, kids are very low on getting the virus, much less it being serious. That is according to doctors other than Fauci. He also knew about the virus several years before anyone else. The border is not secure. According to the border security, it’s a disaster. Lost count how many millions of illegal immigrants are here. Human trafficking, kidnapping, forced labor, drugs like fentanyl at an all time high. Not to mention, American citizens being put in danger. Residents near the border have reported illegals in their yards. Defecating. Stealing their stuff. Drug cartels are more in control. The Wall did help. Some of the politicians that say it doesn’t work, have fences or walls around their residences. It doesn’t keep everyone out. Da! It helps the border agents. I remember Harris and others said the border agent was whipping an illegal immigrant. No. The BLM, Antifa, and others were attacking Police, citizens, and burning and looting. Still do today with little or no punishment. Disgusting. Biden and his son took something like 200 plus flights on Air Force Two to different countries. There is proof that like 20,000 emails and calls were shared. Hunter even had Joe next to him, on tape, telling a Ukraine to give them money. On tape, Tony Bobulinski has said that Hunter and daddy were bribed. Others have that on record. FBI had Hunters laptop with these things before the 2020 election. Intentionally hid that. If it wasn’t that big a deal, why hide? The laptop repairman was told to keep his mouth shut by an FBI agent. Biden keeps rambling about white supremacy. Please. According to statistics police in one year had like 11 encounters where race may have been used. There have been many incidents of black men attacking. Pushed a white woman onto train tracks. Believe New York. Most of that you do not hear. Big Tech did silence free speech. It’s called voicing your opinion. Whether the 2020 election was rigged. Trump and others can voice their opinion. Just like calling people racist with no facts. Or facts. CRT is nothing more than blaming race on poverty, or social standing, etc., being put down. I see blacks making billions in sports, entertainment, etc. They can get a job like everyone else. Join the military. Go to college. Be a police officer or firefighter. Teaching kids to hate American values is wrong. Work hard, save your money, treat people with respect. Say The Pledge of Allegiance. Stand for The Star Spangled Banner. Quit listening to the biased media who have been covering for Biden and the Democratic Party. CNN, MSNBC, The View, ABC, NBC, CBS, NPR, Washington Post, New York Times, and even Fox. Same narrative. Put Trump down and let Biden slide. No hard questions. Sent billions to Iran and other countries known for terrorism. Overspending on Green Energy. Overworking the electric grid. Fuel is our strength. Not when getting it from other countries. Common sense. The overspending, bad policies, Big Government, hiring 87,000 IRS agents. Then blaming Republicans for not signing these big bills. Some of the stuff in the bills have added to unnecessary spending. One item good. Ten others bad. Let’s read it together. Pelosi always said, “ Never let a crisis go to waste.” They sure create them. Pushing the woke nonsense. Quit giving our weapons and fuel to Ukraine and Israel. War does not help America. Despite what the bureaucracy says. They collect money from it. While sacrificing American lives. George Soros and others need to be kicked out of American elections. Stop taking money from corrupt, evil people. “The First and NEWSMAX. Independent news. Jesse Kelly on The First. Greg Kelly and Rob Schmitt on NEWSMAX are great. As far as Trump. January 6 Committee was a farce. They, like Hillary Clinton, or close, destroyed hard drive and like thousands of emails. Biden is most likely giving information to terrorists. We know he gives weapons and money. Quit giving taxpayers money away. We did not vote for that. Trump called out China about virus. Most on the left said that was misinformation. Sent a ship, doctors, masks, vaccinations, and supplies toNewYork while Cuomo was writing a book. Cuomo sent Covid patients into nursing homes. Classified documents. Please. He worked construction and helped build the buildings. Leticia James and Jack need to start helping people instead of pushing lies. Go get a real job. See what it’s like to sweat and feel bodily pain after working. Instead of pushing the false narrative like the rest. Work does a body good. I will leave this with. Pray in Jesus Name. Body dies. Ok. Where is your soul going. Mine and other believers to Heaven, God said it.
Ding ding ding, we have a new winner for wordy rant screed!!! Congratualtions Wes and somehow, I don’t think you are going to Disneyland.
Since you were so looooong, so many incorrect factoids, and off topic, I will just cover one now, and for anyone who keeps spewing this shit: COVID.
First Wes, I am sure you can agree that covid sucks and kills a lot of people. Not sure you will agree given your jaded, conspiracy theory laden viewpoints, but most people with a brain would look at the US numbers and conclude our response sucked against most modern countries in the world. And really sucked against a few that actually did have better outcomes. And guess what —– every one of those included lockdowns — as in real ones, not our fake ones, and masks, and distancing, and the rest. And one last fact: more Republicans died then Democrats, more Red than Blue — sorry, not claiming superiority, just numbers. LOOK IT UP.
Second, much of your facts relate to us not knowing what covid was. Or where is was going next and what it would do. Therefore we started with face coverings, moved to actual masks, then suggested even two masks because of the stupid clothe ones, and ended up with N95, KN95, and my favorite the KF94. And the blue thingee which is not that good but better than cloth. Basically we hoped cloth would work and it didn’t, especially as the infection level increased with mutations. That’s right Wes, it mutated, changed, over time AND SO DID OUR RESPONSE. Go figure.
Then on the kids —- yeah at first no get. Then the disease mutated and it did. Yada yada yada. Frankly Wes, on this one you are probably right that the shutdowns and home learning could have been better on both fronts. Shorter more targeted shutdowns, and —- OMG did you really expect remote learning to work without massive parental support? That’s like waking up one day and saying, nah, I not taking the car to work, I’m building a spaceship to do it.
The nursing homes were a debacle and in Florida, they are still unvaccinated workers and staff at too high levels. My personal takeaway from this is NOT less controls, but — hey — freaking flu kill too many in nursing homes and they should vaccinate, mask, whatever to stop that. As well as covid. But covid highlighted we have been losing tens of thousands each year that we did not have to for lack of a vaccine and a mask and some protocols during flu season. BUT —- in NJ and I am sure NY — we did not know what covid was and we fucked up on the nursing homes and by the time it was noticeable it was too late and a tragedy. In NJ, lawsuits are flying, it was that bad a response. I cannot speak for Michigan and why they fucked up so many months after NJ’s experience was known, but NJ and NY were the seed bed for change in nursing hopme protocol
To the other side, Florida and other states had more time to prepare. FL’s numbers were grand in the beginning. But all of that changed and one response that DeSantis had was to change the way they counted. Suddenly FL was turning in massive case number and literally no deaths. They stood out amongst 50 states as unique in lower deaths per case. Some stood up against the inaccuracy and were slammed. I still believe the truth will prevail but do not thing we have the true story here yet.
The bottom line Wes is that covid was new, covid was different, probably because it was man-made like the Spanish Flu in WWI, but that’s another story. People like Fauci stood up, made their best bet, tempered by assholes like you pushing back irrationally, and then OMG —- changed course sometimes due to either new evidence, or a new mutation. Give that crap talk a rest. Without Fauci, we’d be drinking clorox and shining a light up our asses to be cured by Dr. Trump.
Oh yeah, forgot one paragraph. Everyone was crystal clear that vaccines have two effects: infection and serious outcomes. And that it was possible that the vaccine would not stop infection but had a defining effect on serious outcomes like death.
Thus, people could catch it but be more likely to survive given the vaccine.
It’s pretty easy to figure out: covid mutates Wes, you do know that right? The vaccine is built to mutation. Therefore, the shot you get is based on the probable previous mutation. Thus, you might get infected. So far, the vaccines still hold up for serious outcome and death. So, yes, Wes, you can get infected but you will probably survive IF you have the vaccine. Thus the Red/Blue and Dem/Rep statistical difference in death for those who got the vaccine and those who didn’t .
*https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/political-party-affiliation-linked-excess-covid-deaths#:~:text=The%20research%20builds%20on%20previous,%2Dwing%20%22blue%22%20counties.*
But I am glad you survived. I lost a number of friends. Too many. We may be blue, but it hit here first and I am so glad for the lockdowns, vaccines, masks, distancing, and Fauci.
Frank Stetson … I bailed after the first graph, but I can say based you obsessive posts that Wes will not get to Disneyland because you already the the permanent resident of FantasyLand.and have spent too much time responding from the spinning cups.
Fyvm, with all due respect.
Frank Stetson … YAAIAAR … with all due respect. (You really make me laugh — and without undeserved due respect.)
Wes … you certainly covered the waterfront of issues. A lot said in a lot of words. I usually do not read long responses, but since you ae not a regular I gave it a go. I agree with much of it, but no all.
Another bullshit post from the all knowing Larry. Shutdowns don’t hurt anyone-of course this is the Republican view-since government employees are eventually paid. However, the truth of the matter is that there are a number of people, most at the bottom of the food chain who are not paid-those are mostly contract employees who cook and clean for the government whose companies do not get reimbursed for the mandatory time off-they lose out. Now let us go to the budget-I have stated before that there is not really much fat in the budget-Larry of course relies on the Republican talking points that there is wasteful spending in the budget that must be eliminated. The truth of the matter is that 30% of the budget is discretionary spending-that is the only spending that can be lowered without changing laws like social security/Medicare. Of that, approximately 1/2 is defense related-which republicans have been loathe to touch. So my question is-does any thinking person think there are significant cuts that would have an impact in lowering the deficit in the remaining 15%? The obvious answer is no. The correct response to the budget issue is to raise taxes somewhat on high income people-since the facts show that the tax cuts of 2017 had zero impact on the gross national product. However, idiots like Larry and the people he supports are too ignorant, I’ll-informed, naive (take your pick) to realize they have made a mistake by cutting taxes as much as they have..
Good point Mike, much of the pain is born by those who service government from the food cart guy on the corner to the 7-11 where commuters get their coffee. But also the building maintenance folks, etc.
Great point, thanks.
Mike f …. You wrote “Shutdowns don’t hurt anyone-of course this is the Republican view” Of course, I never said that. In fact, I wrote: “For a small number the economic impact is more severe”. Either you reading comprehension or short term memory is diminished … or you are just lying, as you so often do. And as usuals, the litany of person insults. According to you I am an idiot, stupid, a liar, ignorant, naive, ill-informed. Is it just your childish manner of expressing yourself intellectually or perhaps a form of Tourettes Syndrome?
Larry, The bottom line is that you never refute any of my arguments, so I am forced to think you are an idiot. You support policies that history has proven false-again proof that you are an idiot. What your party is looking for is to cut programs that benefit many, instead of fixing the budget deficit by increasing taxes on those that can afford it-that, to me is stupidity. Yes I do read your posts-and the bottom line is always democrats bad-republicans good, though there is an occasional criticism of something the republicans (or trump) have done
Mike f … first you say that I always blame Democrats although I do criticize Trump and Republicans. Do you understand how irrational and stupid that is? It is called objectivity — something you are totally unfamiliar with. But thinks for putting the lie to the claim that I always blame Democrats. I state my opinion in my commentaries. I do not respond to your “arguments” because I do find them very convincing or worthy of response. You obviously have more time to waste than I do.
Larry, Criticizing republicans and trump is not inconsistent with ‘’always blaming democrats’. I realize you have a bit of trouble with logic, the English language-but that’s to be expected given your political persuasion. Have you ever said “the dems, or joe Biden, got it right on that one?” The answer is a resounding no. You have figured out that the Republicans are the party of stupid, but still you blame the democrats for everything that you say makes them stupid (dems to blame for shutdowns, ousting McCarthy, etc). If you could possibly look at the stories you write with an objective eye, you would realize just how ridiculous you sound..(but we know objectivity is not the goal of your tomes)…
Larry-A second response is required since the first sentences of your response is a total lie. You indicated in your bullshit piece that nobody is really hurt in shutdown’s -because everyone is eventually paid. In my reaction to to your tome, I pointed out that some of the people at the bottom of the food chain were not paid-ever. You said I misread your post (which, unfortunately when I reacted earlier today I did not reread your post), but the truth of the matter is-I read what you wrote-you accused me of not being able to read. But your understanding of the matter of shutdowns is typical of republicans in general-you don’t care about the minimum wage workers-people who are essential to making our country function. Disgusting response from you-but expected….
Thank you WES, I did not, nor ever do have enough time to go into detail.
I am glad you did.
Larry, do not try to prove your position or reasons of to Frank,
as he and his opinions are not on your level and do not need rebuttal.
Frank is the Proof of the Democrat Party’s ineptness.
It does not just matter how you argue a point, but at the end of the day one has to ask themselves was it
worth arguing.
As Wes pointed out just some of the FACTS about Biden. FACTS that can NOT BE ARGUED, but there you go, some
still pushing a car up a hill with a rope! And we wonder who was dumb enough to vote for Biden?
Answer solved!