Cognitive Dissonance: "the feeling of uncomfortable tension which comes from holding two conflicting thoughts in the mind at the same time."
I Need My Paycheck, And You Don't
. . . you know what? I've got a nice house and a kid in college, and I'll tell you we cannot handle it. Giving our paycheck away when you still worked and earned it? That's just not going to fly.
~
Rep. Lee Terry, R-Nebraska
I'm working. Anybody else who is in my office is being paid if they're working.
~
Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa
I need my paycheck. That's the bottom line. I understand that there may be some other members who are deferring their paychecks, and I think that's admirable. I'm not in that position.
~
Representative Renee Ellmers R-North Carolina after helping to shut down the American Government and putting 800,000 workers on unpaid furlough
Update
Update 2:45 p.m.: In response to the firestorm surrounding her controversial paycheck comments, Rep. Renee Ellmers
has just released a statement saying she has asked that her paycheck be withheld for the duration of the shutdown.
In her letter to the House Chief Administrative Officer, Ellmers insists she was unaware that Congress was still getting paid during the shutdown — a claim that clearly contradicts her earlier remarks.
~
Via Gawker
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Respect on a Ritz Cracker, or Something
From an MSNBC Interview with RNC Chairman Reince Priebus
Reince Priebus: The President won't negotiate with any Republican in office. I mean, he has redefined what being the "party of no" is all about.
Thomas Roberts: Reince, with all due respect - and if you're looking at the long game here -
Reince Priebus: All due respect, I like this. Keep it coming, Thomas.
Thomas Roberts: . . . Do you support the Tea Party tactics of what they're doing in the House right now? And do you fear that's going to have consequences come 2014?
Reince Priebus: It's not Tea Party tactics. This is what the American People want. They don't want Obamacare. They want a government that's open. And they have a President that refuses to lead.
. . .
Thomas Roberts: But does the Constitution really allow the Republican Party to take the government hostage and to shut it down?
Reince Priebus: (laughing) Does the Constitution allow for a bill to become a law? Is that what you're asking?
Thomas Roberts: No - the tactic - and we don't need a civics lesson here because I can give you a civics lesson, Reince -
Reince Priebus: I remember Saturday morning cartoons, how a bill becomes a law. Maybe you should watch it.
Thomas Roberts: Thank you so much, Reince. With all due respect.
Reince Priebus: All due respect, right.
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We're not going to be disrespected. We have to get something out of this. And I don't know what that even is.
~ Rep. Marlin Stutzman R-Indiana
Think about that. You have already gotten the opportunity to serve the American people. There's no higher honor than that. So the American people aren't in the mood to give you a goodie bag to go with it.
~
President Obama, referring to Marlin Stutzman's statement
Yesterday, I carelessly misrepresented the ongoing budget debate and Speaker (John) Boehner’s work on behalf of the American people. Despite my remarks, it’s clear that the American people want both parties to come to the table to reopen the government, tackle this nation’s debt crisis, and stop Obamacare’s pain.
~
Rep. Stutzman Rebutting his own Statement
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Be Ashamed of the Shutdown that I Caused
President Obama is so fixated on forcing Obamacare on the American people that he's even willing to deny World War II veterans the right to access the memorial they have earned through their heroic service.
This scenario encapsulates the bigger problem in Washington. President Obama is so set on imposing his destructive, far-left ideology that his government is literally barricading World War II veterans out of their memorial and blocking funding to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
~
Senator Ted Cruz
First This:
This is about the happiest I've seen members in a long time, because we see we are starting to win this dialogue on a national level.
~
Michele Bachmann on Fox News, thrilled with the House Shutdown
Then That:
They're not gonna lock you up, brother. They're going to have to get through me first.
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Rep. Michele Bachmann R-Minnesota to WWII Veterans waiting to view the War Memorial, which was closed due to the House Government Shutdown
Some idiot in the government sent goons out there to set up barricades so they couldn't see the monument. People had to spend hours setting up barricades where there are never barricades, to prevent people from seeing the World War II monument, because they're trying to play a charade.
~
Senator Rand Paul to Sean Hannity on Fox News
There is no reason for this to be closed, this was done to create pain for those who saved our country. The Lincoln Memorial wasn't even closed in '95, people intentionally did this. Next thing you know they're going to put drapes on Mount Rushmore
~
Rep. Louie Gohmert R-Texas
The Obama administration has decided they want to make the government shutdown as painful as possible, even taking the unnecessary step of keeping the Greatest Generation away from a monument built in their honor. That’s not right, and it’s not fair. So the RNC has put aside enough money to hire five security personnel to keep this memorial open to veterans and visitors. Ideally, I’d hope to hire furloughed employees for this job.
~
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus
They must believe P.T. Barnum ~ 'there's a sucker born every minute.' . . . How can you lose to such political lightweights as this guy (Reince Priebus)? ... These Puppetoons.
~
Chris Matthews of MSNBC on Hardball
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Let's Shout at Innocent Public Servants
NBC Washington ~ Congressman Randy Randy Neugebauer R-TX vs. DC Park Ranger
"How do you look at them and... deny them access?" said Neugebauer. He, with most House Republicans, had voted early Sunday morning to pass a funding measure that would delay the Affordable Care Act, a vote that set up a showdown with the Senate and President Barack Obama. With the parties unable to agree on how to fund the federal government, non-essential government functions shut down Tuesday.
"It's difficult," responded the Park Service employee.
"Well, it should be difficult," replied the congressman, who was carrying a small American flag in his breast pocket.
"It is difficult," responded the Park Service employee. "I'm sorry, sir."
"The Park Service should be ashamed of themselves," the congressman said.
"I'm not ashamed," replied the ranger.
At that point, a crowd of onlookers got involved. "Ask those questions of the people who aren't passing the budget," shouted a voice from the crowd. "That's who you need to ask these questions to."
"This woman is doing her job, just like me," shouted another. "I'm a 30-year federal veteran -- I'm out of work."
The man, wearing a bicycle helmet, at this point was face to face with the congressman.
"Well, the reason you are is because Mr. Reid decided to shut down the government," responded Neugebauer, referring to the top Senate Democrat.
"No, it's because the government won't do its job and pass a budget," the bicyclist responded.
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Just saw the video of you badgering the park ranger at the mall for not letting vets in to see the memorial. I guess they're right when they say everything's bigger in Texas because you sir a one giant douchebag. She was doing her job because congress can't do its job.
~
Brian R. on Rep. Neugebauer's Facebook Page
I do not understand how you can berate a Park Ranger who was forced to turn WWII vets away as a result of the government shut-down, and then do a total about-face and proclaim in an interview that you will keep the shut down going for "as long as it takes."
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Sylvia W. on Rep. Neugebauer's Facebook Page
They WERE letting the veterans in! As well they should have. Then %*&^$! shows up and harasses the ranger? What in the world is happening here?????
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Charlie G. on Rep. Neugebauer's Facebook Page
Shame on you. The park ranger you badgered stood there taking your abuse for just doing her job, but you ran like a coward when confronted by the furloughed employee who called you out for not doing yours. Michelle Bachman announces her delight at shutting down the government, then bemoans the WWII memorial shutdown. Tea party Republicans are a disgrace.
~
Jackie S. on Rep. Neugebauer's Facebook Page
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