The U.S. Government(Partial) Shut-Down and Its Domino Effect
Eversince yesterday, both branches of the U.S. government(executive and legislative) known simply as the U.S. Congress had finally did the inevitable—shut down( though partially) the U.S. government and its programs to prove a point,depending on which political party one belongs.
On the Republican side with prodding from its sidekick,the Tea Party, the desire to cut off Obamacare (the new U.S. health care law established by US President Obama and which had already been passed into law as well as acknowledged by the US Supreme Court) and using it as contingent with the legislation of continuing funding for US government services. At the 11th hour, they would then propose to have Obamacare delayed for 1 year so as to give the public time to study it over.
On the Democratic side,President Obama understandably doesn’t want his health care law removed since his legacy will be compromised. He had to put up with a lot of political bickering to get it passed and surely was elated when the US Supreme Court acknowledged the new law in spite of Republican challenges to have it removed. Even if he allowed the delay of 1 year for Obamacare to go through, it probably is very unappetizing for him to think about it. He knows that such a delay will only open more political bickering and nil implementation. In a way, it undermines his authority and he feels insulted and disrespected.
As this partial shutdown is going through , all US govt services like the national parks,museums,NIH,FDA,just to name a few, are now experiencing funding difficulties to keep their respective agencies running.
.Furloughs of govt employees had already begun and 1 nasty domino effect had already started. Many folks don’t get paid and it also affects their respective families. The rest of the citizenry have already started experiencing some degree of hardship in light of this shutdown.
The rest of the world also gets affected in a way as evidenced by their respective stock exchanges.
What infuriates me is the fact that these politicians go about their pettiness and they get to keep their salaries as stated in their outdated US Constitution,because they’re considered essential employees–Essential,my eye!). Too bad the US govt isn’t a monarchy. Such a crappy provision should be revised. It reminds me of Emperor Nero fiddling while Rome is burning.
Which is why I’m glad that the US WWII veterans were able to barge through Washington DC to visit the WWII memorial. They served their country and deserve to be respected by allowing them to visit such sacred grounds. They survived WWII and will not be dissuaded by a furlough.They’re mostly now in their 80’s & 90’s and don’t have the luxury of time to avail themselves of a raincheck visit. I just didn’t like those pandering politicians greeting them in that memorial.
To paraphrase the late US President Ronald Reagan’s words, ” Congress,turn down those walls of the shutdown”.
To all politicians, if all of you still want to do petty bickering,go ahead but don’t keep your salary during the shutdown. Give it to charity or to the furloughed govt employees.
Also,grow up! It makes us think that you all care only about preserving your reelection hopes and not your constituents. Very disgraceful!
If there was a king and queen ruling the U.S., I bet the words…”Off with their heads” seem appropriate in this case.
Josie
josiesvoice 