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That family trip to the Grand Canyon could be in jeopardy if Congress and the White House fail to reach a budget agreement.
April 7th, 2011
07:48 PM ET
10 things that could ruin your day if the government shuts down
The list of collateral effects of a potential government shutdown keeps growing and people are none too pleased about it. Here are just a few of the negative impacts that could arise if Congress and the White House fail to reach an agreement on the budget (click here to view in chart form):
- The lawmakers who hold the cards will still get paid. Their staffers might be furloughed, though. That has prompted a few lawmakers to announce they'll refuse shutdown pay,but even that has elicited critiques of political posturing.
- Roughly 800,000 federal workers won't get paid because they're considered nonessential and therefore, the first to be furloughed. That includes people who work in national parks because they'll be closed, ruining countless long family road trips. And it's not just the loss of income that hurts - for many, it's being labeled dispensable when they know their jobs are anything but nonessential.
- What happened to all that talk of helping small businesses? Many government contractors are just that. We're talking about IT firms and software companies, to name a few, who may be sent home as well.
- If the government shuts down for an extended period of time, the Department of Defense says troops, including those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, may not be paid on time. Troops are guaranteed back-pay but the pinch will be more immediate for military families at home, who may be forced to choose between food and rent if they don't know when to expect a check in the mail.
- In the District, trash pickup will be suspended in the event of a government shutdown. In response, some enterprising Facebookers have proposed a solution: "If Boehner shuts down the government I am taking my trash to his house." In addition to trash pickup, the nation's capitol stands to miss out on another cherished tradition: this weekend's Cherry Blossom Festival.
- As the shutdown looms, some political leaders are taking the opportunity to fundraise and rally their supporters. The executive director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee sent out an appeal asking for a minimum $5 donation saying the organization wants to raise $100,000 in the next 36 hours.
- Numerous services administered by the federal government will come to a halt. That means no new approvals of loans by the Federal Housing Administration or the Small Business Administration; no IRS processing of paper tax returns or refunds; no issuing of regular passports or visas (emergency visas and passports will be processed). In fact, anything that requires permits probably will not be processed.
- You'll still get your Social Security checks but don't expect anyone to be around to answer your questions about benefits. The people who take questions on Social Security and Medicare questions will not be at work and most government websites will shut down or have limited functionality.
- Various agencies with the Department of Health and Human Services will operate in a patchwork fashion. The National Institutes of Health will not accept new patients or start new clinical trials. The Food and Drug Administration won't operate at full capacity but will have some inspectors on staff. As a result, all FDA inspections of food processing facilities and drug manufacturing plants will be prioritized by risk.
- Word is getting around that a government shutdown doesn't actually save taxpayers money. For one, it will cost the government money to ensure a smooth transition to a shutdown. Then there's the lost revenue from a variety of sources, from government services to gift shops in government-run attractions such as Yosemite National Park and DC's National Gallery of Art.
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RT @Declaracion: A major #earthquake measuring at least 7.7 on the Richter scale has occurred in South Asia. 1. Remain calm. 2. Follow the…
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The US will deploy Patriot missile defense systems to Ukraine faster than originally planned, defense officials say
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Dang, I bet this is what it sounds like when they are trying to make a decision. Everybody arguing & giving their opinions w/no real solution. And just for the record, since I have no solution I won't put my two cents in!
Last time I checked if while in active military your home can not be foreclosed upon. So, in the case of a gov't shutdown, while your family may not have electricity, gas or water, they will have a place to sleep before they starve to death. 🙁
last year Hu jintao was ranked the most powerful man in the world. i bet half the people here dosent even know who that is. just in case you dont know it the president of china. US got the second place. china is supposed to surpass US as an economic supper power much sooner than expected as well. but dont think all this is just because of the government. it is partly US arrogance that got it to this place. Im not saying others are great. i dont like chinese. not a big fan of indians. europeans are ok sometime, still not a fan. i like US. (for the record im not american). but wake up guys. it wont be long before you loose your position in the world if you keep it up with your arrogance and the belief that US is so great and that you can continue to ignore your mistakes.
The U.S. must remain the premier Supper Power!! Dinner table decisions are too important to leave to anyone else!!
I'm a military member, so ill be blunt and say that the idea of not getting paid for a "volunteer" duty really sucks, but that's all I'm gonna say on that. My main question is this: we're hearing alot of news talking about how govt jobs will be furlough and how only certain people will be required to stay on for national security. Did anyone hear about how many congressional members will not be getting paid? I've heard maybe a handful mention in passing that they won't accept a check if we shutdown, but considering that most of them make about 174,000-195,000 annually and mainly sit in DC doing what they're doing now, why are they still getting paid? Are they part of they national security, law enforcement, or prison system? Everytime one of them gets elected don't they say they are proud to serve us, the public? I say, time to dish up some pro bono law making until we get this straightened out, it wouldn't hurt to have the CiC take a payout either...or better yet, put those congressmen on the next plane to Iraq/afghanistan, give them a rifle and serve that way...as just another troop...make 'em earn that pay like I do every month.
ROGER THAT CHRIS.......
I say we should call this impending shutdown what it really is, besides being a national disgrace. The shutdown is NOT about budget or deficits. It's about ideological demands – Republicans are more concerned about de-funding abortion, killing national health care, tax breaks than they are about creating jobs. And they're more than willing to punish the middle class and poor to make a point. I never expected to see the complete absence of common sense, compromise and working for the common good as I currently see in our government. Those that prefer to shut down the government care nothing about this country.
Jay, you hit that nail on the head. Weird that so many don't see that!!
You all sound like a bunch of pansies, quit crying about everything and get over it, if you can't control it why cry about it. We aren't going to die, so who cares!
Its Time to Panic and don't stay calm!! People Get your guns because you are going to need them. I can't wait till its total chaos and people are desperate for food. I will be sitting on my roof with a sniper rifle waiting for mother F**ckers to steal my food! I got my 2012 kit ready!!! do you!
Well I found the problem. People like you actuall are ALLOWED to vote.
@Travis, thanks for the laugh....that was not only funny put on target! 🙂
You do know the federal government shut down before right? And the world still turned and the sun still came up.
For the first time, I agree that America is going in the wrong direction. Not it's people, but Republicans, especially Tea Party representatives, who have been stating their glee and willingness for a Federal government shutdown long before this week. I am appalled that any member of Congress would not protect America's military. Our soldier's are already underpaid, overworked and badly treated. As a nation we should be ashamed and very angry that our elected members of Congress have placed the American military in a position where they are not going to be paid!! Do you have any idea the stress and anguish you are placing on America's military and their families. Remember these soldiers are part of the middle class and in many cases they live at the proverty level. These are the men and women who are placing their lives of the line so that the rest of America can argue over whether or not the Federal Government is going to shutdown.
Congress, step up to the plate and do what is right! While our military are wondering where their next check is coming from, this country's Congress members and the wealthest Americans are planning where their family is flying to for Easter!!!
Come on Congress - wake up!!
The military is underpaid but badly treated? Um I served in the army and I'm 24 and the best treatment I got was in the army...also- most kids between 18-24 don't get paid the way soldiers get. Please don't forget the free housing, medical care, free food, etc...please done try and use the military to win your political arguement when u know nothing about the military.
It makes me very very sad to I live in a country with people as unintelligent as the MR nobody! (first comment) His lack of grammar and having anything of any use whatsoever to say has made me feel like there should be a filter of some kind on here that has a code to punch in that says you passed the second grade. "Let's make a bill for congress to pass"...oh man...I would just like somebody who has a 3rd grade reading level and actual ability to think to comment...
Being stationed in europe is another good topic. Inthe states you pay high prices for gas, try getting 5to600 usd every two weeks then paying all of your bills in euro and getting a small amount of gas cuopons tha dont last amonth sowhen your tank is empty you pay in euro per liter. but again my service in war and dedication tomy country and family is all ineed to get by with, please enjoy my wages for your pensions
it's amazing how many stupid people are posting on here,i usually laugh at how dumb the comments are but this one called for a comment. Does anyone read the news? keep current on what's going on in the world? apparently not...those blaming bush...you obviously have only read what YOU think is important because there were many many problems before he even ran for president therefore blaming him is just an excuse because you are a sheep and only follow what you're told to believe...for example the interview that was done during the election that had people agreeing how wonderful a vp Palin would make to Obama, who's making the mistake now? vote because it's not Bush or a republican although you have no idea anything about the candidate, no wonder the country is so messed up...those only blaming Obama...he's just another politician who does whatever he is told, although i am not a supporter,he is only one person and can only do so much...it is not the president who can't decide on these things,it's the governement itself that takes whatever time it wants and violates any laws it wants because they can,they can go on vacation for most of the year and still collect their ridiculous paychecks with no consequences while the rest of us work hard to pay for their incompetence....this is not a defense to Obama because like many said (although i'm sure they weren't defending this statement) he is the leader therefore should lead... either way...you get what you put in...and most people vote because of what they're told without knowing much about who they voted or what they voted for.. this goes from president to school budgets and everything else. So before just posting comments blaming anyone, point to yourself in the mirror first,chances are you are the one to blame...think of the last thing you voted for and how much you knew about EVERYTHING that would be affected and controlled by your vote. If you knew what you were doing and voting for, than this doesn't apply to you and i thank you for not being an ignorant, naive person.. but if you just voted for "change" or because it wasn't Obama...than thank you for being an idiot.
It must be lonely having all those answers while being so utterly inarticulate! Is English your second language? Go get a refresher, dude!
To Conoclast you want to act like your in High School then go somewhere else. This site is to post our opinions if you don't like it then tough.
Did you even read the post conoclast? I think this guy is actually one of the first people to make some valid points. I regret to say that I actually know a few people like the ones he is describing. People that only vote party lines because they don't know any better. It is those people that are destroying our country.
YES, I would be angry at the politicians who FAILED to do their job LAST FALL when they were SUPPOSED TO! Interesting to watch Harry Reid & his ilk point fingers at Repubs ... But we are NOT stupid...
I love the USA but we are on a downhill slide... Every politician should have a salary cap of 50,000. They should be there because they want to help America and the people. Instead its a money and power battle. I'm Democrat all the way, The republicans are going to suck america dry. A democracy can be good for the people, but the people don't always know what is best... The people will always vote for what is best now... they will never vote to make sacrafises so their childrens future will be better...
I'm a server. So if ppl are loosing more jobs weather it be temp por perm. Less ppl will eat out or leave a good tip. Less ppl spending money out makes even big biz go under too.there's a lot of proof of that..... the less money service comp.... make. The less they can spend too......
Of all the things California has done wrong, we did get one thing right. Not only does our legislature no longer get paid on days when there is no budget, they don't get back pay once they figure it out five months late. That is putting an end to irresponsible government spending, now if only we could figure out a way to eliminate the rest of it.
I look at these blogs and all I see is an opinion brought up and heard by who? This is not a way to make changes, there is a ew website that is geared for issues like this. The site does not make its opinion made it let the people speak, debate, solve http://www.helpmemrpresident.com is the site. We finally have a vehicle to get our voice heard and make changes we want.