Is Anyone Actually Surprised?

Well, Ted Cruz announced his vie for Presidency today.

Folks, I hate to break it to you, but he is currently a viable candidate. He appears to be clever, he has the "pulled up by my own bootstrap" narrative, and he's damn near as flashy as Governor GoodHair. Yes, we are still over a year out and Cruz has plenty of time to make a pratfall, but don't count on it.

He announced his run at Liberty University, yes, that Liberty University that offers a minor in Creationism.

He is a Dominionist. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, it refers to a group of Evangelical Christians who believe that the United States was founded on solely Christian principles and that the religious laws in the Bible should be made secular (read state/federal) law.

He has also recently tried to interfere with the passing of some laws in the city of D.C. I mean, seriously. Why is it my employer's goddamned business what contraceptives I might or might not be using? Or if I've had an abortion?! (The answer in case you were wondering? Is "None")

Back to my main point. The political climate of the US right now is such that rallying behind an apparent preacher, someone who can provide the appearance of purpose. We American's are suckers for that type of charisma and emotional manipulation.

So please, please don't laugh Cruz off as an impossible candidate. He's all too possible. And yes, while the US can survive 8 years of a Cruz presidency, I don't want to have to.

Remember all this when it's time to vote in the primaries and don't ignore them. Vote. Please. Vote.

Government Shutdown

Ok, so we're one week into the US Government "Shutdown."

• The CDC is closed, which is disconcerting when you realize that they just got done tracking the epicenter of a measles outbreak in Texas.
• The FDA is severely reduced, listing only 3 current activities. 
• The USDA is completely closed. Which also runs SNAP (food stamps), and WIC, a low income women with children food voucher program.

And that just scratches the tip of it.

Furloughed government employees aren't getting paid, although the House did pass a bill that would allow for retroactive payment of furloughed employees.

Here is a US News article detailing some more of the ripple effects that aren't obvious.
Here is a Wall Street Journal article listing that many defense contractors will be furloughing employees come Monday.

This whole situation is one-half of the House of Representatives deciding they don't like one law, the ACA "Obamacare", and that damaging the country to make a point is more important than admitting they lost that battle. The ACA was signed into law on March 23, 2010, which means a form of it made it through the House, through the Senate, and to the President. A challenge to Congresses ability to pass this law was brought before the Supreme court as National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius. The Supreme Court upheld Congresses ability to write the ACA, and thus it's Constitutionality and legality on June 28, 2012.

Thus, this behaviour is pure posturing and is frankly disgraceful coming from a governing body.

Congress, as a constituent, I'm requesting that you get your shit together and reopen the government. kthxbai