Republicans vs Democrats

There has been a lot of controversy between the republicans and democrats lately, largely over the looming debt ceiling and funding of Obama Care. With the government set to shut down shortly after midnight tonight unless a spending bill is agreed on by both sides there is not much time left for the debate. The republicans are willing to compromise on raising the debt ceiling, in return they are asking that the start of obamacare is delayed. I am concerned about what is going to happen to it, as a government shut down would likely put more tension between the two parties and there is already plenty of that. I think that the republicans are doing all they can by the threat of shutting down the government, are in a way using it as a scare tactic. Who knows if they will be willing to shut down or if they are using this as their only leverage in opposing Obamacare. One thing I would like to be able to do is to be a fly on the wall for these discussions to see what really goes on with our federal government in a high pressure time.

Obama's Phone call with the president of Iran

After a much anticipated handshake between Hassan Rouhani and Barack Obama did not occur at the United Nations in New York the two shared something else. A fifteen minute phone call between the two happend in replacement of the handshake, and was perhaps more significant than the handshake could have dreamed of being. Many Iranian people were pleased with the phone call however some protested upon Rouhani's return to the country. In my opinion this phone call is good for both countries. There has been a tension between the U.S. and Iran for a long time now and this appears to be a step in the right direction. I am curious to see what this leads to in the coming months.