Ok I happened to see some statuses about a "government shutdown". So I decided to look it up and found this:
"Congress would force a government shutdown on April 8, 2011 if their plan to reduce the U.S. federal budget deficit is not resolved[1]. This could leave 800,000 furloughed workers without a job, out of 2 million civilian federal employees and leaving the US Military without pay until a CR is passed.[2][3] President Obama emerged from an Oval Office meeting with Congressional leaders on Wednesday night with no breakthrough on the budget stalemate, but he said the 90-minute discussion had helped to “narrow the issues” that are outstanding. This also is caused by a great debate over funding Planned Parenthood. Some have claimed that Planned parenthood performs abortions, contravening existing law which prohibits the use of federally allocated monies for abortion services. [4] Planned Parenthood also provides essential medical services, e.g. cancer screenings and testing for sexually transmitted diseases. [5] Federal agencies are already beginning preparations for potential closures."
People are given "a temporary leave of absence" from their jobs. These people are not getting paid. I can't even believe that something like this exists- all because people cannot get their acts together. People are suffering in an already tough time. So how long are we supposed to wait for people to get their act together? In the past according to the Washington Post, they have lasted anywhere from eight to seventeen full days.
Anyone who works for the government or for public health still work. Mostly without pay. Also from the Washington Post:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2011/02/government_shutdown_facts_and.html
How have shutdowns impacted the general public?
The suspension of various government service impacted Americans in several ways during the 1995 and 1996 shutdowns, according to CRS:
• Health: The National Institutes of Health couldn't accept new patients for clinical research and didn't answer hotline calls regarding diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stopped disease surveillance and toxic waste cleanup projects at 609 sites were reported stopped, causing the furlough of 2,400 Superfund workers.
• Law Enforcement and Public Safety: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms delayed the processing of alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives applications. Work on more than 3,500 bankruptcy cases reportedly was suspended. The U.S. Border Patrol canceled the recruitment and hiring of 400 new agents and various delinquent child-support cases were delayed.
• Parks, Museums, and Monuments: The National Park Service shuttered 368 sites, resulting in the loss of about 7 million visitors and revenues to local communities. The closure of national monuments and other museums resulted in the loss of about 2 million visitors.
• Visas and Passports: Up to 30,000 applications by foreigners
for visas went unprocessed each day and 200,000 applications for U.S. passports went unanswered. Both moves resulted in millions of dollars in losses for tourism-dependent industries and U.S. airlines.
• Military veterans: Health, welfare, financial and travel services for veterans were curtailed.
• Federal contracts: Of the $18 billion in contracts in the Washington region, about 20 percent -- or $3.7 billion -- was impacted.
Some people need to get their act together!!!!!
What's your opinion?
~Bridget Nicole
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