Government Shutdown

by Johnnie Grant

The government shutdown has put several hundred thousand, possibly even millions, of people out of work, and has caused untold hardship nationwide.

The Urban News conducted a local survey asking people what they thought about the government shutdown. Click images to read what each had to say.

Shutdown Survey

The Urban News conducted a local survey asking people what they thought about the government shutdown. Here is how they weighed in:

Post Views: 3

Darryl C.

Darryl C.

“We didn’t get to this point overnight. Boehner has been against President Obama from the beginning, and he refuses to compromise. America was in bad shape under the previous administration: bad economy; high gas prices; record-breaking unemployment. I say, take congress’ paychecks, then see how quickly they come up with a solution!”

Derrick G.

Derrick G.

“I really think it’s wrong how they’re treating President Obama. People are forgetting that Obama inherited these governmental problems when he was first elected. This is the only president I’ve seen treated this way. When in the history of this country have we ever shut down the country over a law (ACA)?
“I’m hoping that these legislators in Congress will accept the responsibility to govern in a more diplomatic manner. If not, we’ll figure it out come election time.”

Donna K.

Donna K.

“I’m not political, but I believe our country is being run like a badly managed corporation. We have borrowed so much money from China that they now own all our National Parks. We shut down in January, March, and now October?
“I feel our legislators are just taking another vacation, and they’ll fix it when they come back. And when they do come back, it’s going to be World War III, and Russia will back China. I think the shutdown is a joke! I said this in 2000, and now finally people are agreeing with me.”

Eugene F.

Eugene F.

“This (shutdown) is really hitting home. I work where the services are for the disabled. I can’t get my paycheck because of the shutdown. I NEED to pay my bills!”

Linda S.

Linda S.

“I’m pretty unhappy about it. It is more important right now to honor our obligations and to maintain our ability to keep our public and government offices going rather than to maintain a standoff over a specific law.”

Pastor Larry A.

Pastor Larry A.

“The problem is cutting spending in needed areas. However, cuts in education, healthcare, and social programs are not the solution. Did we need to spend billions of dollars in Iraq, Desert Storm, and other foreign spending? There needs to be a major reform bill in the General Accounting Office of Washington and the IRS.”

Paul B.

Paul B.

“I think these politicians need to work together. The GOP is acting like a bunch of babies. Whether you agree with the ACA or not, it is in effect—it’s a law. Congress should work within those parameters of diplomacy. I can’t WAIT ’til I have health coverage!”

Sarah H.

Sarah H.

“We need to take into consideration that people work hard to survive and support themselves and their families. We as human beings need to come together and raise our voices to protect our freedoms.”

Tina R.

Tina R.

“I think it’s unfair for government workers to be furloughed or lose their jobs based on government legislators who can’t come to an agreement to support our president. They’re not thinking about the long-term effect on people who could lose their homes, vehicles, and can’t feed their families.”

William L.

William L.

“I think since Obama has been president the U.S. Senate and Congress have held America hostage. The shutdown is an insult to America and specifically to American people.”

Many people say they’re tired of it, and we’re sure you are too! This Congress has been among the least productive in history, and there doesn’t seem to be any accountability for the ineptitude that exists in Washington.

Speaker of the House John Boehner has said Congress “should not be judged by how many new laws we create; we ought to be judged on how many laws we repeal.” Even by that standard, they’ve failed miserably. The House has tried to repeal The Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) more than 40 times—yet it is still in effect.

Our way … or else

The current debate in Washington began when Boehner, at the urging of some congressional members, refused to fund the government unless they got their way. Congressman John Mica (R-FL) says the shutdown is because of “Obamacare” and the deficit in government spending. And, as early as last winter others in the House and Senate called for a shutdown.

It’s not uncommon that the House and the Senate cannot agree on how to fund the government; but without a budget, Congress usually passes Continuing Resolutions (the “CR” talked about on TV) that maintain funding for another year at current levels.

This year, the House attached “defund Obamacare” conditions to their CRs; the Senate passed standard, “clean” CRs with no conditions; and, unable to agree on spending for Fiscal Year 2014, which started on October 1, there is no budget—so much of the government grinds to a halt.

Then there’s the debt limit

Separate from the annual budget process, covering each fiscal year from October 1 to September 30, is the ongoing debt limit. The debt limit is not that different from the credit limit on a credit card—the amount you can run up in charges before they cut you off.

The United States will reach its debt limit sometime this month, around October 17, according to Secretary of the Treasury Jacob Lew. After that, we can’t pay our bills unless we raise the cap on the amount the nation can borrow. Wall Street fears that our lawmakers are so far apart they won’t agree to raise the nation’s borrowing limit later this month, which would also increase the risk of the U.S. defaulting on its debts for the first time in history.

What makes this worse is that some in Congress are arguing that they’re listening to their constituents—that Americans actually want a shutdown, even while 800,000 or more federal employees are subject to losing jobs. This government shutdown has far-reaching effects, and is not just within the beltway of Washington, DC.

Here in NC, the Department of Health & Human Services has put 337 workers on furlough and warned that 4,500 more furloughs may come; Veterans Administration disability claims processors have been furloughed; and grants and loans may soon be stalled for NC students who receive financial aid.

In a tourist-dependent economy like that of western NC, tens of thousands of local people profit when tourists visit our national parks and other attractions, especially during “leaf season.” With national park services shut down, fewer people stay, and shop, and dine—and fewer dollars circulate through the economy. The longer the shutdown lasts, the larger, deeper, and more devastating the effect on all of us.

This is a teachable moment for educators and parents to educate their children that actions have consequences—a good civics lesson that drives home a point about how our current democracy is—or isn’t—working.

So—Who’s to blame?

Whom do you blame for the budgetary impasse? The Republicans? The Democrats? Is it President Obama’s fault? Is the shutdown really happening, or is it just symbolic, shuttering our national parks and memorials, but leaving critical services intact?

Is our system working the way it’s supposed to? Have people seen so much partisan politics and feuding they’ve become desensitized to what’s happening? Is it “Obamacare,” or the Affordable Care Act? Many people support the Affordable Care Act (ACA), but not “Obamacare”—without realizing they’re one and the same!