Government Shutting Down?

Sep 30

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Time is ticking away! (Daniel Kurtzman/Washington Post)

As I’m writing this, the U.S. Senate is meeting to determine whether or not to approve the latest funding bill—the one that also contains measures critical to the Affordable Care Act (otherwise known as Obamacare).

Just as a quick aside, I heard on NPR last week that something like 47% of Americans oppose Obamacare, but that only 35% or so oppose the Affordable Care Act… even though they are one and the same!

Either people just have no clue or worse, they oppose anything Obama supports. I only hope this resistance isn’t based on race, but I digress.

If our elected officials fail to agree on this bill and it does not pass by 11:59 p.m. this evening, the government will begin shutting down tomorrow.

In other words, you federal workers may want to pick up the latest installment of the video game Grand Theft Auto because (a) you may find yourself off work for quite some time (especially since Democrats and Republicans can’t seem to agree on anything any more) and (b) some gratuitous and fictional violence might help alleviate some of the stress and frustration you’ll be feeling if our government has to “pull the plug.”

With regard to the image the United States projects to the rest of the world—which we all know isn’t that great since so many terrorists want to destroy us—all this bickering and blaming in Washington makes us look like a bunch of immature assholes.

Do Republicans really need to resist everything that’s good for America simply because it comes from Democrats? Are Democrats even willing to work with Republicans any more, given all this blind resistance?

It truly is an embarrassing situation, and one that’s growing even more embarrassing with each passing day. Unfortunately, this is the “passing day” that can make all the difference, so I sincerely hope these wonderful politicians can work out their differences and get on the same page for once.

In the meantime, though, we’ll just have to wait and see what tomorrow will bring. I only hope it brings another workday for our federally employed brothers and sisters.

My fingers are crossed for you!

Posted on September 30, 2013, in Perspectives and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink. 1 Comment.

  1. Clint Williams (@clint_williams) | September 30, 2013 at 7:12 pm

    09/30/2013: According to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of likely U.S. Voters, fifty percent (50%) do not believe the government should require every American to buy or obtain health care insurance and oppose the so-called individual mandate.(Rasmussen) http://goo.gl/EUiv

    07/30/13: CBO: President Barack Obama’s decision to delay his health care reform law’s requirement that large employers offer health benefits or face financial penalties will result in about a half-million people losing out on health coverage they would have gained, according to nonpartisan congressional analysts.(Forbes) http://goo.gl/lGiuOB

    So in the world of politics (1/2 of voters oppose) and compromise (Obama wants a Continuing Resolution and the GOP a delay to AHA): Obama is allowed to do what the he wants (delays what ‘he’ wants) and not compromise (delay what the GOP wants) and blames the Republicans?

    As far as gov’t employees and contractors – if the LEADER of the free world sees that his “business” is going to shut down because he’s too stubborn to negotiate with the BANK that FUNDS his business … seems there’s plenty of frustration to be had with Obama and the Dem’s as much as the GOP.

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