Friday, April 8, 2011

Shutdown showdown...

Just so you know (I used to have a boss that said that all the time, so I enjoy saying it...), if you work with or near federal government employees - talk about the possible "shutdown" has replaced work that would be "shut down." 

Just like any normal company, its people's jobs.  Its a break from reality.  Some of the rumors are incredible.  There will be negative consequences, if certain people are not allowed to perform their work.  But it is mostly a political show - and the consequences are political too. 

"The majority of federal employees - about three out of four feds - would NOT be subject to a furlough during a shutdown." Post Office - not effected. The Social Security Administration will still send out benefits, as well as take applications.
 
The Government has money, in their accounts (and in some desk drawers if you have been around a while :)
 
Other things NOT effected:

  • Jobs that provide for the national security, including the conduct of foreign relations essential to the national security or the safety of life and property.
  • Jobs that provide for benefit payments and the performance of contract obligations under no-year or multi-year or other funds remaining available for those purposes.
  • Conduct essential activities to the extent that they protect life and property, including:
    • Medical care of inpatients and emergency outpatient care;
    • Activities essential to ensure continued public health and safety, including safe use of food and drugs and safe use of hazardous material;
    • The continuance of air traffic control and other transportation safety functions and the protection of transport property;
    • Border and coastal protection and surveillance;
    • Protection of federal lands, buildings, waterways, equipment and other property owned by the United States;
    • Care of prisoners and other persons in the custody of the United States;
    • Law enforcement and criminal investigations;
    • Emergency and disaster assistance;
    • Activities essential to the preservation of the essential elements of the money and banking system of the United States, including borrowing and tax collection activities of the Treasury;
    • Activities that ensure production of power and maintenance of the power distribution system; and
    • Activities necessary to maintain protection of research property.
So....SHUT IT DOWN! Come everybody, together....

However (I know, I get excited), there is a balance here - the Republicans need to take a stand - and get the public to understand their goals.  They ALSO, need to keep Paul Ryan's 2012 budget and 2012 election in mind...

1 comment:

LL said...

I was hoping for a COMPLETE shut down a few hours so that I could go out and buy high-flow shower heads, full-flush toilets, non-carb compliant jerry cans to keep fuel in and other similarly banned items without fear of enforcement...

The government makes itself look stupid so often and in so many ways that I don't think that the impending shut-down bothers the man on the street. The politicians are all making hay over it, but it won't impact the price of tea in China. As you pointed out, life will go on, taxes will be collected, and the Green Police will still monitor the isles of Home Depot for water-wasting shower heads that actually give you a good old fashioned wetting.