Where would we be without the efforts of government spending? At least $20 trillion less in debt, but that never seems to occur to the more left-leaning politicians. Meanwhile, CBS’s Madam Secretary takes the time to remind the viewers about how necessary everyone and everything employed by the government can be.
In the October 22 episode “The Essentials,” Secretary of State Elizabeth McCord (Téa Leoni) contends with the likelihood of a government shutdown. As with real life shutdowns, this one arises from a conflict between Congress and the President over budget disputes, only this one looks less likely to end.
Being the good liberal show that it is, Madam Secretary talks about how necessary the government is and how those who seek a sustainable budget are stuck-up politicians who don’t care about lives. Take this interaction between Senator Carlos MoreJon (José Zúñiga) and President Dalton (Keith Carradine) during a negotiation for example.
MoreJon: The purpose of government is to manage core issues, not to create more government. This out of control spending is imperiling our nation's future. Our CR gives the American people a signal that we understand that.
Dalton: That's the problem with this whole discussion, Senator. You're talking about signals. I'm talking about actual people's lives.
MoreJon: Yes, Mr. President, you've been moralizing at us all morning.
Russell: Well, this has all been most illuminating. Let's circle back in the morning. Thank you.
I’m always surprised at how many things leftists can turn into being about “saving lives,” including keeping a bloated, unsustainable budget. At this point, we all know it’s just for the purpose of painting political opponents like Sen. MoreJon as heartless jerks rather than deal with scaling back the federal government. They can’t adequately explain why we need to spend $300,000 for dog art or undeserved raises, so this is just the next best option.
In the end, the negotiations fall through, and the shutdown begins immediately. In this troubled time, Elizabeth gives some words of encouragement to her department employees in danger of being furloughed. Sadly, it is every bit as self-complimentary and eye-rolling as you would expect, referring to the employees as “truly heroic.”
Elizabeth: I really appreciate you all indulging me here for a few moments when I'm sure you'd rather be at home with your loved ones, figuring out what comes next. Or at the very least, at a bar with your colleagues, cursing the day you turned down that job on Wall Street to work in government. (Laughter) Well, that commitment is what I want to talk to you about tonight. Our work isn't political. Our work is representing the interests and values of the United States to the best of our ability. And let me be clear that in that effort, not one of you are nonessential. This department and this nation and the world will be poorer for your absence. As for myself, each one of you pushes me to be better every single day. And I will be counting the days until you return, especially the guy who wrote this speech. (Laughter) He-he put that line in the speech, by the way. (Elizabeth laughs) All of you, you chose to be here because you believed in something larger than yourselves. (People cheering) That sense of duty and service is, well, particularly in today's egotistical culture, in my mind, truly heroic. And so, on behalf of myself and the people of the United States, I say to each and every one of you a heartfelt thank you. Until we see each other again... Good night and good luck.
Our national debt is past $20 trillion and rising quickly with no end in sight. We’re spending at a rate that the country just cannot support. Sooner or later, we’re going to have to start making choices about spending that really makes a difference, and they might include cutting what Madam Secretary deems “essential.”
