07 Oct House Poxes

The saying, “a pox on both your houses,” believe it or not, comes from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet way back in 1592. The feuding Montague and Capulet families frustrated Mercutio, who said as he was dying, “A plague o’ both your houses!” Having survived chicken pox as a child, I’m guessing a plague would be way worse an experience, so I suppose over the years we’ve softened this a bit.

Many are using that phrase, especially independent types, who are incredibly upset about the US Government shutdown and looming debt ceiling discussions with no signs of either “house” blinking to resolve it. Approval ratings for both the President and Congress are at incredible lows. More than half of Americans disapprove of the President’s performance. Not his all time low, but still. And 70% say Congress is doing a poor job.

Says the Prez: it’s unfair to tie Obamacare changes to the shutdown or even the debt discussion. It’s the law of the land upheld by the Supreme Court. We can negotiate about the budget, after the government reopens. Says the right: He should be able to compromise a little, at least delay implementation, given many Americans’ concerns about the the new regime. Or at least make a binding promise to sit down to have serious budget discussions. The polarization is unusual for sure. Let’s hope the parties can come to the table and find common ground. Very soon there will start to be real impact on our economy, stock market and financial system.