Let's See if Obama Holds the Military Hostage

Last night, the House voted to fund the government but to delay the individual mandate of and some of the other provisions in Obamacare for a year.  The likelihood of that exact measure becoming law is extremely slim.  Most likely, the Senate will reject this plan and send the country into some sort of government shutdown.  Because of this, the House passed another bill that will fund the military even if the rest of the government remains unfunded.  The Senate will be able to pass the second bill and by doing so take away any threat of soldiers not being paid or military contracts being interrupted.  The House vote on this measure was unanimously in favor.  Most likely, that means that the Senate will also vote in favor of funding the military even if it rejects the latest House proposal regarding the Obamacare delay.

That outcome would put president Obama on the spot.  He will have a choice:  he can sign the funding for the military so as to allow our defense to continue without interruption or he can refuse to sign anything other than a bill that funds the complete government.  If Obama signs the bill, it will take away a threat that he used last time a shutdown was threatened, namely that he would withhold salaries from our troops who are fighting in Afghanistan and elsewhere.  In other words, Obama would not be able to use American troops as pawns in his battle with the House.  On the other hand, if Obama refuses to sign the bill and vetoes it, he will be shutting down defense to help his position regarding a delay of Obamacare.  I do not think many Americans are willing to forego paying salaries to the armed forces no matter what battle is being fought regarding Obamacare.  The people who fight battles with real weapons deserve our support and respect.  Those whose battles are waged mainly with hot air and blather need to keep that in mind.