Government Shutdown
Laura (guest) 27 Feb 2011 15:23
What will happen during a government shutdown and has it happened before? Also, I read somewhere that N Korea is threatening to attack S Korea and the US.
Government Shutdown
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Could you please explain this..
Laura (guest) 27 Feb 2011 15:23
The U.S. Federal gov't shut down in 1997-8 for several weeks. At that time, no one received their Social Security checks, parks were shut down, no gov't inspections of food or ports, and no protection of borders. The only major things that happened were the Bosnia crisis and President Clinton's indescretions, which later lead to his impeachment.
What will happen now? Everyone will have some time to finish what they are doing, and then go home. However, essential people such as border guards will remain on duty without pay. However, only essential things such as protection of the U.S. will be maintained. As for the crisis in the Middle East and North Africa, there will be people classified as essential to continue working on that.
As for N.Korea, that country has been threatening to attack S. Korea, and has done so. It happened a few months ago when they fired missiles on a small island owned by S. Korea, and killed two civilians. So that is not news. N.Korea has been sabre-rattling about its nuclear bombs being used on Japan, U.S. and S.Korea for a long time now. They are having a massive food shortage, and the U.N. and other aid agencies have decided not to send food because it *does not* go to the sick, old, children, or needy. It goes to the military, which hoards it. However, again there will be people classified as essential who will monitor the situation.
Does this answer your questions? In short, most people will not be receiving gov't services such as food inspections, bank regulations etc. The Post Office will still deliver mail. The IRS will not be collecting taxes. However, the military will remain on duty, and other essential people will continue to do what they can to protect the United States from harm which includes watching N.Korea.
What is a government shut down? Why would a government stop services?
The U.S. Congress and the President fighting over the budget. Since they can't agree, the U.S. Speaker of the House has threatened to shut down the government. It is considered "the nuclear option". And yes, the government does cease to operate until it gets paid.
I live in Belgium. We have broken the record in not having an government in the world. LOL
I think that not paying the politicians for doing their job would be great. People here have been proposing not to pay taxes for the every day we did not have an government.
Snorks writes truly. I really can't add anything to that. Government shutdowns are reactions to [practically inevitable] budget shortfalls and partisan indecision, and yes, they've happened several times before.
So this government shut down isn't really a horrible thing? Or shall I say.. it won't really effect us? (so to speak.)
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