October 2023
I write short fiction, flash fiction, essays and novels. This month’s Tease is from an essay in progress. In addition, this is (for the first time) an extension of the two previous Teases.
In August I spoke about the idea of simply paying other countries not to attack us. In September I used the Tease to address the Republicans’ complete idiocy in not passing a budget.
Now, these two issues have collided in a way that effects the entire world. Until late Wednesday, we had no Speaker of the House, which meant Congress couldn’t approve any funding, which in turn meant any promises of aid made by our President to the numerous peoples in crisis around the globe (Israel, Ukraine, Gaza, Taiwan) rang hollow.
The complete lack of leadership shown by Republicans in the House is affecting our nation’s ability to lead the world in defense of democracy. Ironically, every minute they squandered fighting amongst themselves over control of their only slice of the federal government actually increased the chance that they will lose that slice in next year’s elections. Incompetence is a poor argument for reelection.
House Republicans only have two weeks before the next government shutdown crisis (entirely of their own making) emerges. They must come together with blinding speed to avoid a fiscal catastrophe. This time, along with the U.S. electorate, the entire world will be watching.
Edited by Mjollnir 