Government shutdown thread

[Denny Crane]

It's been like 3 days as I write this. Obama and his employees are making a lot of noise about symbolic effects of the shutdown by putting barricades around open air public parks or memorials. Republicans are willing to pass the minimal amount of spending to allow those parks and memorials to remain open. Democrats are hurling around unbelievably moronic hyperbole using phrases like jihad, negotiating with terrorists, and worse.

While I find this all amusing, I notice no ill effects of the government being shut down. Not a single one.

It seems all the "non-essential" employees have been furloughed. If they're "non-essential," why exactly are we paying them?

Anyhow, I would like to see if or when anyone can point to some life altering experience due to the government being shut down.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

 

[DaLincolnJones]

I am of the opinion they may have shut down the wrong half of the government..which part sends obama home?

 

[DaLincolnJones]

oh my favorite was when he shut down the grand canyon..

 

[MarAzul]

It's been like 3 days as I write this. Obama and his employees are making a lot of noise about symbolic effects of the shutdown by putting barricades around open air public parks or memorials. Republicans are willing to pass the minimal amount of spending to allow those parks and memorials to remain open. Democrats are hurling around unbelievably moronic hyperbole using phrases like jihad, negotiating with terrorists, and worse.

While I find this all amusing, I notice no ill effects of the government being shut down. Not a single one.

It seems all the "non-essential" employees have been furloughed. If they're "non-essential," why exactly are we paying them?

Anyhow, I would like to see if or when anyone can point to some life altering experience due to the government being shut down.

I was told today that they (VA) can't schedule me for eye surgery until the shut down is over. I said that is fine, I can wait until next year if necessary.
I am not sure how they are able to answer the phone but do no work.

 

[MarAzul]

I am of the opinion they may have shut down the wrong half of the government..which part sends obama home?

Yeah, Now that's the part that really needs defunding. Cut no Obama pay checks until approved by Sir Harry Reid.

 

[DaLincolnJones]

Yeah, Now that's the part that really needs defunding. Cut no Obama pay checks until approved by Sir Harry Reid.

how about till he passes a budget?

 

[speeds]

Top Conservative Cat ‏@TeaPartyCat 56m
That awkward moment when Southern Congressmen force a government shutdown and then Tropical Storm Karen heads towards their constituents.

 

[TradeNurkicNow]

All praise the wisdom of the Republicans

 

[barfo]

I notice no ill effects of the government being shut down. Not a single one.

Of course you don't, Denny, you think any reduction in government services is great as a matter of dogma.

If 90% of the people in the country somehow died as a result of this, you'd still be saying "I don't see the problem".

barfo

 

[MarAzul]

Of course you don't, Denny, you think any reduction in government services is great as a matter of dogma.

If 90% of the people in the country somehow died as a result of this, you'd still be saying "I don't see the problem".

barfo

Holy Cow! If anyone dies from this then they were going anyway. 90% is the result of a bizarre imagination.

 

[barfo]

Holy Cow! If anyone dies from this then they were going anyway. 90% is the result of a bizarre imagination.

It was a hypothetical. I don't think a whole lot of people are going to die unless this goes on much, much longer than anyone expects. If the government actually collapses rather than just takes a holiday, then there could be bloodshed. 90% only happens if we get our hands on the nukes and start bombing each other back to the stone age.

barfo

 

[Denny Crane]

Of course you don't, Denny, you think any reduction in government services is great as a matter of dogma.

If 90% of the people in the country somehow died as a result of this, you'd still be saying "I don't see the problem".

barfo

Not true barfo.

In any case, if 90% of the people don't die, what does that tell you?

 

[Mediocre Man]

All praise the wisdom of the Republicans

Thank you.

 

[Eastoff]

I was told today that they (VA) can't schedule me for eye surgery until the shut down is over. I said that is fine, I can wait until next year if necessary.
I am not sure how they are able to answer the phone but do no work.

they probably don't know when they'll re-open, and thus push back all of their patients that far.

 

[Eastoff]

WIC has currently no federal funding, and it's only there if states are willing to front the bill. Also meals on wheels. So I can see why Denny has no problem at all.

 

[Denny Crane]

WIC has currently no federal funding, and it's only there if states are willing to front the bill. Also meals on wheels. So I can see why Denny has no problem at all.

Let the states pay for it.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

It was a hypothetical. I don't think a whole lot of people are going to die unless this goes on much, much longer than anyone expects. If the government actually collapses rather than just takes a holiday, then there could be bloodshed. 90% only happens if we get our hands on the nukes and start bombing each other back to the stone age.

barfo

Nuke the post not the poster!

 

[BrianFromWA]

Two unrelated questions:

1) Even though the government (technically) is spending only "essential" money right now, everyone else's paychecks are still being docked for federal income tax, right? So this should be (again, technically) a way for government to reduce debt? How are we "losing hundreds of millions per day"? Is the GDP loss they're using due to federal worker furlough really a number that the people should care about?

2) I'm required to be here (literally, under a maximum penalty of death for Unauthorized Absence during wartime) while the government is "shut down". And my pay has been somehow guaranteed for Oct. 15. But that was even caveatted by "...if there's money in the Treasury". Which there may be on Oct. 15, but not on Nov. 1. Here's my question: what do you call being forced under penalty of imprisonment or death to continue working without being paid?

 

[bluefrog]

My daughter's SS card and passport is in limbo. We'd like to travel this winter and this may bring those plans to a halt.

My neighbor works at the NRO. He has been furloughed.

Many of my friends are government contractors. Most of the them are burning up their PTO waiting for the shutdown to end.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Not true barfo.

In any case, if 90% of the people don't die, what does that tell you?

That 35 million people died?

 

[Denny Crane]

Two unrelated questions:

1) Even though the government (technically) is spending only "essential" money right now, everyone else's paychecks are still being docked for federal income tax, right? So this should be (again, technically) a way for government to reduce debt? How are we "losing hundreds of millions per day"? Is the GDP loss they're using due to federal worker furlough really a number that the people should care about?

2) I'm required to be here (literally, under a maximum penalty of death for Unauthorized Absence during wartime) while the government is "shut down". And my pay has been somehow guaranteed for Oct. 15. But that was even caveatted by "...if there's money in the Treasury". Which there may be on Oct. 15, but not on Nov. 1. Here's my question: what do you call being forced under penalty of imprisonment or death to continue working without being paid?

1. PR
2. Slavery

 

[Denny Crane]

That 35 million people died?

Or none?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Two unrelated questions:

1) Even though the government (technically) is spending only "essential" money right now, everyone else's paychecks are still being docked for federal income tax, right? So this should be (again, technically) a way for government to reduce debt? How are we "losing hundreds of millions per day"? Is the GDP loss they're using due to federal worker furlough really a number that the people should care about?

2) I'm required to be here (literally, under a maximum penalty of death for Unauthorized Absence during wartime) while the government is "shut down". And my pay has been somehow guaranteed for Oct. 15. But that was even caveatted by "...if there's money in the Treasury". Which there may be on Oct. 15, but not on Nov. 1. Here's my question: what do you call being forced under penalty of imprisonment or death to continue working without being paid?

North Korean style communism?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Or none?

That would be 100%, not 90%. And that would its own sci-fi story; nobody dies during the shutdown... But as the country slowly crumbles the congress is faced with a decision: immortal anarchy or mortal peace?

 

[Eastoff]

2) I'm required to be here (literally, under a maximum penalty of death for Unauthorized Absence during wartime) while the government is "shut down". And my pay has been somehow guaranteed for Oct. 15. But that was even caveatted by "...if there's money in the Treasury". Which there may be on Oct. 15, but not on Nov. 1. Here's my question: what do you call being forced under penalty of imprisonment or death to continue working without being paid?

I think Denny already answered your question:
"While I find this all amusing, I notice no ill effects of the government being shut down. Not a single one."

 

[Denny Crane]

That would be 100%, not 90%. And that would its own sci-fi story; nobody dies during the shutdown... But as the country slowly crumbles the congress is faced with a decision: immortal anarchy or mortal peace?

The police are still working.

 

[Denny Crane]

I think Denny already answered your question:
"While I find this all amusing, I notice no ill effects of the government being shut down. Not a single one."

Where's the ill effect?

If government were open, he could be put in harm's way or kicked out due to downsizing, etc.

Not suggesting those thing should happen.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

The police are still working.

So not 100% then.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Where's the ill effect?

If government were open, he could be put in harm's way or kicked out due to downsizing, etc.

Not suggesting those thing should happen.

I think the possibility of working without receiving a paycheck thing might be what he's talking about. Though that sort of thing happens in private industry all the time.