Suggestion re:Shutdown: Add money ticker to time ticker

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Friday October 04, 2013 · 4:34 PM PDT

2013/10/04 · 16:34

Here's a suggestion that may have already been made but why not ask TV stations and web sites (including Daily Kos) to add a money ticker counting dollars spent (wasted) on this shutdown? I've seen many time tickers counting down on the corner of TV screens but I haven't noticed a money ticker.
I live in a conservative Republican neighborhood in Texas and the shutdown is not going over well here. People seem embarrassed about the Republican stunts, too. (dressing up like doctors, etc.) A money ticker might add a little fuel to the fire.
Hey, anyone see Gretchen Carlson interview the Tea Party lady? I was shocked to see her press her on "What do you want?" Could FOX be jumping ship on the Tea Party "right wing loons"? (I wonder how many times Bill O'Reilly has used the term "right wing loons" versus "left wing loons").
I tried to help someone who needs health insurance get on the Texas site and it was busy. However, we logged onto the Kaiser subsidy calculator and you can go to your state and get an estimate on health insurance costs and coverage. Great news for him and helped ease his mind until the glitches are out of the system. Link: http://kff.org/...

An Open Letter to Republicans from a Texan

PracticalPat

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Thursday October 03, 2013 · 12:51 AM PDT

2013/10/03 · 00:51

Dear Republicans,
I live in a very conservative neighborhood in Texas. My neighbors are doctors, lawyers, business owners, engineers, etc. They are successful and nearly all Republicans.
Over the last few months I've noticed a subtle change in attitude among my neighbors. It became very obvious about a month ago when I was sitting in the waiting room at my eye doctor's office. Almost everyone was older and the TV was on FOX news, which is typical in Texas. The announcer said the next story coming up was about Benghazi. To my surprise a noticeable groan went up in the room. An elderly woman who had been complaining nonstop about Obama said, "Benghazi, Benghazi, Benghazi! Can't they talk about anything else except Benghazi?"
There has also been a noticeable shift that has gone from mocking "Obamacare" to cautious interest in the Affordable Care Act. Many of my neighbors have children, grandchildren, or other family members who have either inadequate health insurance or no health insurance.
Yesterday I was talking to three neighbors and one of them said (rather defensively)
"I'm a lifelong Republican but NOT one of those crazy Teapartiers! It's embarrassing what they're doing to our party!" The others shook their heads in dismay and agreed.
Moderate Republicans--now is the time to seize the moment and take back your party! The tide is turning fast against the Tea Party.
Practical Pat

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