The World Blames The Republicans For US Government Shutdown And Subsequent Global Issues

TOKYO -?The Tea Party-led shutdown of the US government has made its effects felt far beyond Washington and even American borders with voices around the world wondering how so few people can do so much damage.

In a round table meeting in Tokyo on Friday evening, a group of 14 foreign residents of Japan gathered to discuss the US shutdown and its global repercussions.? People from such far-flung countries as India, Malaysia, mainland China, Japan, Singapore, Australia, England and France were unified in their disbelief that America has closed for business and laid the blame squarely at the feet of the Republicans. ?As they sounded off their opinions, not one person was able to muster support for the act of shutting down the government as a way to defund the Affordable Healthcare Act.

After giving the group a rundown on the situation and its causes, Vijay Parmujam, a native of Mumbai, India and 6 year resident of Japan spoke first.?The electrical engineer said:

?What I don’t understand is why this could even happen in the first place.? From what we have read, President Obama wanted to give the American people equal access to good health care ? and it was something the American people wanted.? Yet the opposition [Republicans] shut down the government because they don’t like the law?? There is a complete abdication of logic here, honestly.?

Junichi Matsuyama, a 37-year old electrician from Tokyo, echoed comments made by Japan’s Finance Minister Taro Aso earlier the same day when he said:

?This budget problem may be a US problem, but the government shutdown is a global problem.? If a solution is not found soon, those 80 Representatives alone will be responsible for dragging the world’s economy.? People around the world may lose their livelihoods because of a selfish few.? How can they even sleep at night with that on their conscience??

The overwhelming question at the meeting was when the shutdown will be resolved.? Nobody wants to see the standoff between President Obama and the Republicans in Congress drag on, but everyone was in agreement that it was the Republicans who had to cede ground and give up the fight.

Marc Edmonds, a student from London, England in Japan for a year on a scholarship, said:

?Your US Republican party are squarely to blame for this.? Think about this.? They stopped the government because they didn’t like a law.? A law that was passed by the very body they represent and a law that was subsequently passed by your Supreme Court. ?The issue is settled, is it not?? Your Republicans are the single most petty minded bunch of people in modern times.?

Australian Nancy Willis, a teacher working in a Japanese high school, interjected:

?Indeed.? What I heard is that they are doing this in the name of freedom, too.? They don’t want the health care package because of what they see as government interference in free choice.? But the US has, what, 50 million people uninsured.? So, government needs to step in and help out somehow.? How can any educated, conscientious American even pull the lever for one of your Republican candidates?? It’s beyond me.?

The participants also had some sharp words for Republican leaders, reminding them that the shutdown was having effects around the world.

Daniel Tung, an IT specialist from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, noted with resentment the attitudes of the Tea Party Republicans. He said:

?Who do these guys think they are and what gives them the right to hold my family hostage?? My family runs an import export business that does a lot of business with the USA and Canada and I’m wondering what will happen if this [shutdown] starts to pull down the economy.? This Mr. Boehner fellow can solve the shutdown simply by bringing a vote to the House.? What is stopping that?? Pride?? This man’s ego is far stronger than his brain.?

Jerome Carvet of France, in Japan for 6 months as an intern, agreed with Mr. Tung’s assessment. He said:

“This Tea Party, it is a poison. ?Opposition is necessary in a democracy, but look closely. ?They are killing the very institution of government itself. ?This is not sustainable. ?If America were a small country, maybe it would not matter, but, as is often said, as goes America, so goes the world. ?This could make for a very scary situation globally if [the shutdown] is not solved soon.”

While uniformly wanting the US government shutdown to end as soon as possible, the participants did have some interesting ideas about what to do if it continued.? Noting that the US is fundamentally without a functioning government, Mr. Edmonds, the student from London, quipped:

?If you ask nicely, maybe the Queen will take you back.? Then you Americans will be under our National Health Service.? That fits nicely, and ties up quite a few historical loose ends between England and the US, don’t you think??

Edited/Published by: SB