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So, in the USA...the government is threatening to shut down (once again)

Discuss:
The gov't
Why America is in this situation
How quickly Congress would do something if it was their jobs and their pay in danger
Anything that is related

Edit: The way I understand it, the government is shut down.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politi...523_story.html

And their plan to avoid it is to borrow more money. -.-
I like Obama as our president, but god. WE DON'T NEED THIS HEALTH CARE BULL CRAP.
We need a oversees tax, spending cuts, and that politicians and officials shouldn't be paid during the lock out just like every other government run buildings -.-...,.

...The smaller the government, the better.

.......Of course, having an inactive or nonexistent government would be interesting.

Okay, Obama doesn't have much power on the Obamacare thing. He could sign or veto it. He signed it, if he hadn't and Congress still wanted it passed? Enough of a majority will override the president (not that enough of them would've agreed for that to happen).

And I think if we threatened Congress with no pay and the like, something might actually get done for once. Pay for performance. I like that idea.

Me and someone were talking, the way to keep healthcare cheap is to keep government completely out of it, or them be balls deep in it pretty much.

Alpha won't get paid during the shut down, and they are basically going to lock him down and delay his AIT making him not be home for thanksgiving. Also the Chow hall closes during the shut down so they have to go buy food, not getting paid and having to pay for food...... not good.

OMG breaking news Obama just signed a bill to keep the military paid. No bad stuff for Chris right now!

I thought it was decided way before that the army and all would not be affected? That's what something said, not sure if it was the news around here or something else.

Maybe I heard wrong, but at least that news is good for you all.

No Last shut down they were prepping to shut down several major bases. I lived in a military town and Alpha was seriously told that they would be on lock down with no Drill Sergeants to keep track of them because they weren't being paid.

No I only meant for this shut down...I don't know about the one before except social security was threatened (half my family is disabled so I was freaking out a bit about that down)

I thought they were only shutting down like federal parks/museums and the like .-.

military and personal, it's shut down though they are voting to see if a thing can be passed to open it back up


also, the last time we lost it we were not in a crisis we were on the cusp of a boom @_@; scary stuff

I've made a post elsewhere on this issue to try and help people understand it better. I'ma copy and paste the book. ._.;


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A "shutdown" just means we've got no money budgets for certain agencies.

Every year beginning Oct 1st the congress has to pass bills agreeing on the budgets for federal agencies. This year and with all this debt piling up, they have failed to pass a single 1 one of the 11 we need.The deadline to pass these is tonight at midnight.

Why haven't they passed any? Because the republicans and democrats are not seeing eye to eye. Since we are so far in debt the Republicans are asking that we pause "Obamacare" for one more year so we have enough money to pay the federal budgets. The Democrats are saying, "Hey.. no. We want Obamacare to continue! We will just have to work with less money for these federal budgets!" And that is where the feud is at. Since neither can decide, we are at a stand still, and no bills are being passed.

So starting tomorrow assuming they don't come up with 11 bills, all Federal run agencies technically don't have to come to work. Without all those agencies up and running, we are basically "shutdown" until we come up with a budget solution. At the most it's usually only 1-3 days long. This "shutdown" has happened 17 time before in US history. So try not to freak out, because it's nothing new.

How will this affect you? It probably won't hurt you too much if it's only for a few days. Gas prices will rise. If you work for a federally ran agency, your payroll may be delayed shortly, all national parks and recreational places will be closed until it's over, etc etc.

If it lasts for more than 3-4 weeks, THAT'S when you should be more concerned. The economy will begin taking damaging blows, and we will essentially be throwing ourselves back into the same position we were in a few years ago.


All in all, I have confidence they will either work it out or come to agreement shortly after it happens. Afterall, if money is what they want, most of them won't be getting paid to work the mandatory unpaid overtime that they will be required to do.


Hope this helps.


EDIT #2;
A more clear picture on how long this will last is:

"Both Republicans and Democrats will be watching to see which side gets blamed for the shutdown. Whichever side is losing the battle for public opinion will eventually decide the price has gotten too high and will offer concessions."
Basically saying whichever side WE THE PEOPLE blame will give up their stance to save face.


EDIT #3;
As of 24 minutes ago the US Government is officially shutdown. The house in a last minute attempt tried to make an agreement on delaying the bill stating everyone has to have healthcare, but the Democrats voted against it. Starting 24 minutes ago we have officially shutdown for the first time in 17 years.

Another tidbit of info regarding how this affects people:
"The impasse means 800,000 federal workers will be furloughed Tuesday. National parks, monuments and museums, as well as most federal offices, will close. Tens of thousands of air-traffic controllers, prison guards and Border Patrol agents will be required to serve without pay. And many congressional hearings — including one scheduled for Tuesday on last month’s Washington Navy Yard shootings — will be postponed."

They are expecting it to last at least a week, or until one side, either Republicans or Democrats, gives in to the other.

Well, we need to start worrying before the 17th. The treasury has said that's when it will have to start defaulting on loans. That'll be great fun.

And then, imagine if the truck drivers still do that strike the 11th-13th hurting the companies they work for (delivering and pick up), the companies that take it from there, and us the people that might have shortages depending on where we live...especially if the government is still shut down at this point.

And I heard it was 13 things they had to pass...also it means the USDA or whatever won't have enough employees to fix problems and the like with food. Just think about that. That's what bothers me the most.

I wish we could've threatened Congress with no pay or cut benefites until they get along and stuff. Bet they would've had something done by midnight.

yeah like sent out the military to arrest and assault strikers, they've done it before

So its not so much as a 'shutdown' as congress is out of session for the new few days there for no more arguing can happen about it. I think the government will still exist and it will not shut down as people image it to. Local agencies I am sure will be able to find funding for things that usually required federal funding after all we still have state taxes for reasons.

Poggio if you look at some of the articles a lot of things are actually closing down. All offices that run solely off government funding are shut down, which includes Social Security buildings. The checks will still be sent out but you can not go pick up the checks from the office. National parks are all closed, and in the continental US all non essential military building are shut down to include the commissary. If you are a civilian worker for the military you are removed until further notice. ROTC stipends are suspended, Vet benefits are only guaranteed until mid-november. Veteran & Military hospitals will slowly close as they run out of funding. The IRS is suspended, though taxes will still be collected all audits are suspended.

And congress is still in session. They must pass a budget.

If they don't by the 17th, the US could start defaulting on loans.

Not to mention that NASA stopped being funded as well (except for the support team for the people currently in space.)

But seriously, officials shouldn't be allowed to be paid like the rest of government jobs. But the sad truth is that if a bill like that ever came to be it will never pass because they are the ones who are passing it.
The house are acting like children, if those people were in school it would never be acceptable the way they are acting.

Our government is full of children who can't get over the fact that someone is not touching them. -.-
So uh... How is Canada this time of year?