The Real Football is the Military

Everyone knows that there are few things politicians like more than using our military as a giant pawn in every political decision. It doesn't matter whether it's our veterans or active duty or pencil-pushers in the Pentagon - "the military" as a collective entity is top of mind when needed, with little hesitation and even less restraint, by folks from both sides of the aisle.

And, everyone knows that government shutdowns are ridiculous, especially since all of our elected officials know when the budget is due, and know pretty much what they have to do in order to get one passed. I mean, even New York State legislators have been able to pass on-time budget, repeatedly, and that's saying quite a bit. 

The other thing politicians like to do? Blame the other guy. Everyone knows that, too. Here's just one example, from Saturday morning.

And Veep Mike Pence did his part on Sunday too, to make sure the military felt the love. Speaking to soldiers near the Syrian border, Pence had this to say:

Despite bipartisan support for a budget resolution, a minority in the Senate has decided to play politics with military pay. But you deserve better... We're not going to reopen negotiations on illegal immigration until they reopen the government and give you, our soldiers, and your families the benefits and wages you deserve. 

Because, mind you, the Republicans own the military, and only the Republicans should  be playing around with their wages and benefits and don't you forget it! And let's go to a foreign country and slam the American government! That's fun stuff! 

Oh wait -- isn't that what the Rs always said Obama did? We can't have that, can we? I thought this administration was supposed to undo everything the prior administration did?

Juxtapose that Trump-Pence rhetoric against Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) asking for unanimous approval to pay the military during the shutdown, right after Friday night's vote for the Continuing Resolution failed. 

This shouldn't take very long, but I was most disappointed tonight when the President of the United States put out a statement that tried to divide us based on party when it came to support of our military.

There is no such division; everyone in this chamber know it, and so as we have in other instances where we have had a shutdown - and I remember in 2013 we did this right off the bat - I want to make sure that tonight, we send a very clear signal, that we don't want one moment to pass with there being any uncertainty, with any soldier, anywhere in the world, that they will be paid for the valiant work they do on behalf of our national security.

McCaskill then asked, using appropriate parliamentary language, that they get off their collective fannies and approve pay - and death benefits - for the military.  The presiding officer then asked if there were any objections. Enter Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Mr. President, I am reserving the right to object. We passed similar legislation during the government shutdown back in 2013. My hope is that we can restore funding for the entire government before this becomes necessary. I'm gonna object for tonight but we'll discuss again tomorrow. Therefore I object. 

In less than two minutes, one politician offered to do the right thing, and another one shut the right thing down.

Remind me again - who's playing football with the military?