Republicans may have won, even with a partial fold

[hardnox604008]

13 months until the midterm and given the enormous districting advantages they hold all they have to do is hold down the losses.

Meanwhile, I'm guessing that the last month has cut a good 1% off of GDP growth and that's in the context of an already slowing global economy and a stock market that feels very tired. Once this is all behind it will be interesting to see the tug of war between the Yellen put and the declining effects of non-existent wage perssure and low interest rates on corporate profits.

It wasn't a lot longer period wherein GHWB went from 91% approval to losing the election based on the constant MSM droning over the poor economy. 

So plenty of time for the GOP to regroup and start the drumbeat through their now very influential media outlets. And they will claim no ownership whatsoever.

[Samnospam]

You'd have to show a significant fall in government borrowing to effect a %1 drop in GDP, as real organic private sector growth has been flat for years.

[bruce MN]

Dropped out, actually.  The one who the Keynesians were convinced would be too austerian.......

http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/227717681.html

[BA Deere]

Truth be told this shutdown will have little effect on next years midterm, oh maybe a Republican picnic basket kiosk operator at Jellystone park might be upset enough to change his vote. Non essential govt workers are getting paid and don't have to even show up, how gooda deal is that? They're already in the democrat bag anyway. This will just polarize that country further. Whatever deal is stuck at the last minute will be spun as Obama the victor. The next day GTO will be here with a "har har har" story form Alternet on how the GOPers were snookered.... Can't wait

[hardnox604008]

I think it is more a private sector phenomenon both on the part of the consumer and the "job creators" who aren't going to make expansion or capex expenditures and the feedback loop between the two.

As I've ruminated over before, it is possible that the confidence fairy would be a bit spunkier if Romney was president and there was a GOP majority in both houses.

Deficit would be equal or a bit higher but it would be primarily coming from the revenue side and the fact that it is well nigh impossible to find enough discretionary spending to cut- totally eliminating both sides of the Farm Bill, UEI and other heinous acts of government generosity doesn't even begin to dent the modest recent increases in income taxes.

Markets do like (not so grand) bargains on long term entitlements even though they don't impact the current budget, so there might be some happiness there.

We'd certainly be spending more on the military as Netanyahoo surely had a reason for more openly backing a presidential candidate than any other US election in history.

Health insurance premiums would have risen strongly with the immediate repeal of Obamacare and absence of any meaningful policy to replace it.

About net zero, I'd say. other than probably fewer guns and less ammo would have been sold.

[Red Steele]

Health Insurance premiums would have risen with the repeal of Obamacare?

Are you drunk?

Obamacare does nothing to reduce costs and you have evidentally not even read anything about how it works. It does serve to try to get insurance coverage for more folks, at the expense of those currently served paying more for , granted, better coverage in some areas.

You really should educate yourself on what this "affordable care" bill is all about or not even comment on it.

Maybe stick to comments about how Bush blew up the twin towers.

My family policy, with a $6000 deductible goes up from $10,000 per year, to over $12,000 on January 1, (thanks Barry)Do I need to post the letter from the insurance company on how the increase is due to the affordable health care law costs?

[Samnospam]

More like a consumer caught between the vice of wage deflation and cost of living inflation.   

[kraft-t]

Private insurance companies never raise premiums before Obama care. Now that Obama took over there raising rates all the time.

[Red Steele]

Barry stated time and time again that the average family would see a decrease of....$2500....per year.

Are you calling him a liar?

[schnurrbart]

You obviously make more than 4 times the poverty level for a family of 4 or you would get some help with that policy IF you got it from the exchange. Ever thought about getting into one of the large groups that are forming under the ACA? Premiums are cheaper in a group than an individual policy.