Baker on ‘First Coast Connect’: Proposed government reopening a temporary fix

The anticipated reopening this week of the partially shuttered United States government would be a source of relief for the American public, but would only be a temporary fix, JU Public Policy Institute Prof. Dr. Stephen Baker said Tuesday, Oct. 15, WJCT-FM 89.9 radio interview.

“It’s a fairly limited deal. It’s only a postponement of dealing with the issues,” most notably the need to adopt a new federal budget rather than continuing the current spending plan, Baker said on Melissa Ross’ public affairs show, “First Coast Connect.”

Baker says that he thinks that the bipartisan agreement that appears to be in the making is largely motivated by politicians wanting to avoid being blamed for being responsible for the nation’s first debt default.

“What’s driving the parties is the fear that the other party will be seen as the winner …” he said. “We’re certainly providing the world with a very good example for moving away from the dollar as the significant (world) monetary unit.”

In addition to jeopardizing the United States’ economic standing, Baker said that the shutdown and its associated outcomes likely will have adverse political consequences, particularly for Republicans.

Click here to read a report on the WJCT interview of Baker and government contract consultant Barbara English, and to listen to the “First Coast Connect” segment.