Did you know that the shut down of the federal government is a "calamity"? Really? That is how the AP describes the possibility. Just imagine a week or two with the national parks closed, the federal courts shut for the most part, and all those "critical" government agencies shuttered. Is that a calamity?
Remember, just because there is no continuing resolution, it does not mean that the government actually shuts down. Indeed, there is law that governs what happens. Simply put, government activities that are not considered "essential" are the ones that shut down. And it is the president who makes the decision what is "essential". So president Obama gets to decide what shuts and what stays open. How much do you want to bet that the Obamacare exchanges will open as expected on Tuesday? They must be essential; America could not have existed without them for two centuries. Oh wait! We did fine without them, but they will no doubt be considered essential by Obama. And don't forget entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare. Those won't be affected either for current recipients since their funds are not part of the current dispute. If the Senate accepts a measure passed unanimously by the House, America's armed forces will also be unaffected, since the House passed a separate measure to pay for all defense costs.
So this is far from a calamity. We may have a week without a few programs, but life will go on. Indeed, it is probably a good thing that Americans learn that not everything the feds do is essential. Indeed, getting rid of some of it would be a benefit, not a calamity.
Remember, just because there is no continuing resolution, it does not mean that the government actually shuts down. Indeed, there is law that governs what happens. Simply put, government activities that are not considered "essential" are the ones that shut down. And it is the president who makes the decision what is "essential". So president Obama gets to decide what shuts and what stays open. How much do you want to bet that the Obamacare exchanges will open as expected on Tuesday? They must be essential; America could not have existed without them for two centuries. Oh wait! We did fine without them, but they will no doubt be considered essential by Obama. And don't forget entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare. Those won't be affected either for current recipients since their funds are not part of the current dispute. If the Senate accepts a measure passed unanimously by the House, America's armed forces will also be unaffected, since the House passed a separate measure to pay for all defense costs.
So this is far from a calamity. We may have a week without a few programs, but life will go on. Indeed, it is probably a good thing that Americans learn that not everything the feds do is essential. Indeed, getting rid of some of it would be a benefit, not a calamity.
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