Shutdown Debate Comes Down To Funding for Planned Parenthood

Yesterday I wrote that my opinion is that the government shutdown debate is all about politics.

Well, well, well...seems like I am right.

Today, it turns out the issue keeping the sides apart is abortion. Yep, abortion...or more accurately funding for Planned Parenthood. Story HERE.

As part of their budget proposal, the Rs are including a "rider" that defunds Planned Parenthood - an organization that provides a wide, wide range of family health and planning services that includes abortion counseling and services.

This rider is a direct effort by Republican leadership to pay off the support the Tea Party provided in the last election - attempt to reduce the possibility of abortion by defunding an organization that has that as part of their set of services. All red meat for the base if you will.  Reminder: abortion is legal in the U.S.

And this is the thing that Democrats are drawing the line on. Which of course I agree with because many people who cannot afford care rely on the health services from Planned Parenthood (and mostly NOT abortion), but I can also see is a political move too. After all, the Ds are the party of "choice" and if they give that up, they lose a lot of support.

So, we're all being held hostage by the abortion issue. Great.

Why am I not surprised?

I'll leave you with this to ponder when thinking about who to blame more on all this...

The last time the Federal government shut down, the circumstances were very similar. A Democrat had been elected President (1992 election) with a Democratic majority in both houses of Congress. Following a two year bash-o-thon against the President and his healthcare reform plan, the Republicans took both houses of Congress (1994 elections) and within a short period of time (1995) the Rs had forced a government shut down over funding for Medicare, education and public health. Info HERE.

Sound familiar?

All I'm saying is, look at the track record. Which party brings this upon the nation? Which party ran things when budget deficits were run up to historical levels?