[BakedGewds]

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.