Back From The Brink. Again.

The government shutdown that took 16 days, cost billions of dollars, put thousands of employees not considered 'essential' out of work, and threatened to turn the country into the world's biggest deadbeat is finally over.  Both houses of Congress passed bills to fund the government and raise the debt ceiling limit, averting a default.  For now.

So what did all the hollering and grandstanding that took place over the last few weeks really accomplish, as a frustrated and angry nation looked on?  Not a whole lot.  The Tea Party proved themselves to be the uncompromising jerks we always thought they were.  House Speaker John Boehner couldn't lead his way out of a paper bag, watching his fellow Republicans sink into chaos.  President Barack Obama and the Democrats weren't in much of a compromising mood either, holding the line on what they wanted until the GOP said uncle.

On the one issue that caused this unnecessary crisis--defunding the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare--the Republicans failed miserably.  Not only did the ACA remain intact, it has also somehow survived a rocky start as glitches abounded here and there.

Around the world, as people stared in disbelief while Washington played with the possibility of economic havoc, the country is reduced to a laughingstock.  It will be a long time before anyone trusts the U.S. government to get its house in order and stimulate the world economy.

Guess what, folks?  We get to do this all over again in a few months.  The government funding only lasts until January of 2014, and the debt ceiling has to be raised again the following month.  What's going to be the excuse this time?

If there's one thing Congress is particularly good at, it's kicking the can down the proverbial road.  What's going to happen when there's no more can to kick?  You really want to know?