Why should Democrats negotiate with GOP?

Reading another letter complaining about Obamacare, I had to respond. Let's start with the recent government shutdown. Republicans were on TV constantly telling anyone with a microphone how unreasonable Democrats were because they wouldn't negotiate on Obamacare.

To clarify things, we need to go back to the beginning. When Obamacare was finally approved (with GOP votes), the final deal was Republicans got tax breaks for rich people and subsidies for very profitable corporations as well as taking out some of the best parts of Obamacare.

Lastly, they got the rest of the best parts delayed until after 2012.

They demanded this so they could demonize Obamacare with boldface lying, sure this would win them the presidency, after which they would have ended Obamacare before the best parts could be implemented, avoiding having their lies exposed. That plan failing is why they're panicked now. They know once it's fully operational citizens will love it like Social Security, after which they will have no chance of ending it.

So, after negotiating in bad faith on the original deal, after getting what they wanted immediately and delaying the best benefits into well into the future, they then shut down the government because the president and Democrats won't give them more concessions on the deal they agreed to. When you go back on a deal, you're breaking your word, so why should Democrats negotiate with Republicans when their word is no good?

Shirley A. Morris

Cedar Rapids