On the recordSeptember 30, 2013
We are told that if we want the government to stay open for just another 45 or 75 days, we should torpedo the Affordable Care Act. Then what happens in November or December? Are we told that to keep the government open any further we have to strip-mine Yellowstone, we have to abolish Medicare? The fact is it is wrong to take hostages. It is wrong to say that the government will shut down if that is the only way that you can achieve your legislative objectives. What would the country think of us if we said we are going to shut down the government unless we get gay rights, gun control, cap-and- trade, immigration reform? Or what would the country think of us if we said gay rights, but only for 1 year; keep the government open for 1 year, get gay rights for 1 year. Taking hostages is wrong. Holding hostage the greatest country in the world is wrong.
