- @cnnbrk
- Followers: 64,166,395
A 6.4-magnitude earthquake has struck Afghanistan, according to the United States Geological Survey cnn.it/400yKUS
- @cnnbrk
- Followers: 64,166,395
Median US home prices fell in February, ending a record streak of 131 consecutive months of year-over-year increases cnn.it/3FENiBt
- @cnnbrk
- Followers: 64,166,395
Saudi Arabia has released US-Saudi dual national Saad Ibrahim Almadi from prison, more than a year after he was arrâ€twitter.com/i/web/status/1…Ig
- @cnnbrk
- Followers: 64,166,395
A Florida jury has convicted three men in the 2018 murder of rapper XXXTentacion. cnn.it/40qikoN
- @cnnbrk
- Followers: 64,166,395
Six people affiliated with the far-right Oath Keepers militia group were convicted of various charges related to thâ€twitter.com/i/web/status/1…S4
- @cnnbrk
- Followers: 64,166,395
President Biden issues the first veto of his presidency, rejecting a resolution to overturn an investment rule thatâ€twitter.com/i/web/status/1…Q8
- @cnnbrk
- Followers: 64,166,395
An American aid worker who was kidnapped in Niger more than six years ago and held hostage by terrorists has been râ€twitter.com/i/web/status/1…kk
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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.
On Twitter
A 6.4-magnitude earthquake has struck Afghanistan, according to the United States Geological Survey cnn.it/3yToTEi
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…
Zach Braff says his new movie, “A Good Person,” was heavily inspired by his ex-girlfriend, actress Florence Pucnn.it/3JYS9jGfj4B
Stormy got jokes. twitter.com/StormyDaniels/…
The US will deploy Patriot missile defense systems to Ukraine faster than originally planned, defense officials say
cnn.it/3JzWV5z
On Twitter
A 6.4-magnitude earthquake has struck Afghanistan, according to the United States Geological Survey cnn.it/3yToTEi
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…
Zach Braff says his new movie, “A Good Person,” was heavily inspired by his ex-girlfriend, actress Florence Pucnn.it/3JYS9jGfj4B
Stormy got jokes. twitter.com/StormyDaniels/…
The US will deploy Patriot missile defense systems to Ukraine faster than originally planned, defense officials say
cnn.it/3JzWV5z
@cnnbrk on Twitter
A 6.4-magnitude earthquake has struck Afghanistan, according to the United States Geological Survey cnn.it/400yKUS
Median US home prices fell in February, ending a record streak of 131 consecutive months of year-over-year increases
cnn.it/3FENiBt
Saudi Arabia has released US-Saudi dual national Saad Ibrahim Almadi from prison, more than a year after he was arrâ€twitter.com/i/web/status/1…Ig
A Florida jury has convicted three men in the 2018 murder of rapper XXXTentacion. cnn.it/40qikoN
Six people affiliated with the far-right Oath Keepers militia group were convicted of various charges related to thâ€twitter.com/i/web/status/1…S4
As a father and military volunteer, my thoughts are first and foremost to MY WIFE AND 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, how am I supposed to feed them and take care of them when I am the only one working? Let alone how am I supposed to do my job constantly worrying about if my family can eat or not? I know we will see a lot of military members becoming unaccounted for if we don't get paid. Of all people to not pay, you want to pay the people that defend you.
Since our elected officals (all of them) can not balance the budget for our country then this is what we are faced with. Balance the budget, uphold the laws of the land and we will never have to go thru this again! It's going to be horribly hard on every american citizen. But we elected them and now we have to right the wrong.
i been cencorsed here already just remember... whatever they can to distract you.
This is BS and I blame both parties...get off your collective azzes and reach some agreement
As awful as it is for non essential workers to be furloughed with no pay it's unconscionable that our troops will not be getting their paychecks....just what they need an additional worry about their families back home...
We could simply just, you know, pull out of Afghanistan, Iraq, and slow down our foreign assistance rate. As far as Libya goes, we will just turn it into yet another 3rd world country because we're a nation built on the foundation that war is the answer to all problems. Our teachers pay, cut. Our soldiers pay, cut. Our everyones pay, cut. At this point our government might as well start ordering for a total shut down of economical currency flow. The answer is simple. Stop spending money on stupid things.
Here, in Canada, we're in the middle of an election campaign.
Parliament rejected the government's budget last month, so the government fell. All members of Parliament are now accountable to the people for their actions.
If the people decide for the current government, then the budget will be back. If the people decide against the current budget, then the Opposition will form a government and take their chances with their version of a new budget.
So Members of Parliament can't play silly games – one way or the other, their jobs are on the line. So at least we don't have the perpetual screwing around with the budget.
Maybe it should be Canada land of the free. I'm moving to Canada because it sounds like you have more freedom than we do.
Viva la Canada!
So, if there is a disagreement in Canadian politics, you have to elect a new government? Either the Canadien or American way does not address the simple fact that people have disagreements.
Use numbers instead of bullets, stupidface.
I remember the last time this happened. The politicians acted like the world was going to come to an end, and other than the furloughed workers, the rest of us discovered we really didn't need the politicians in DC on a day to day basis. When the Congress saw that the world kept turning, they got back and passed a budget quick before people started saying, "Stay gone!"
@ICU Nurse... so true. People don't realize that being a Congressman or a Senator was never and is not meant to be a full time job. The more days we can keep Congress out of DC the better I say.
I was in the Navy and the government shut down, my wife and I spent 2 months trying to make ends meet with no pay. Yeah, we got back pay, but when you need that check each month for your bills, imagine the stress level for my wife when I'm out to sea and she's only got the money from her part time job. That was in Wild Bill's administration.... I wish we could just immediately fire every one of these jokers.
That is a very simplistic explanation of what is currently happening in Canada re: the election. The Opposition parties decided months ago that no matter what the budget held they were going to vote against it and force an election. It doesn't seem to matter to them that it will cost us, the taxpayers, $300 million for what is in essence 'a silly game' that is played all the time. The constant calls for elections – this our 4th in 5 years – IS playing "silly games" AND "perpetual screwing around with the budget"!!
If we had set election dates like the US more would get done by Parliament instead of all the behind the scenes maneuvering to see who gets to be the next PM – this should apply both to the Provincial and Federal levels.
My viewpoint as an ex-pat American who has been living in Canada for over 32 years.
In Canada we have to deal with multiple parties that fight like school girls all year round.
WOW, what a concept, politicians are actually expected to perform! That is what we need to do with our Representatives, hold them accountable, no performance, no pay, no job!
Why are we so worried about something that hasn't happened? Everyone will be paid for their work. At least you know that much. Funny we are living way beyond our means.. so much so... that we need $ now now now.
So you want us to commit treason against our government?
our nation plays as huge supporting role in afghanistan and Iraq, but as a Canadian, I can see the difference to our economy as we're not at war with any nation. The consensus of our government, as flawed as we are like other countries, is to place the citizens best interest forward, no matter what. The key lies in the basic fundamentals of a democratic society that works for Canada: common sense and a healthy sense of humor. That and we're not obsessed with guns.
tigerblood!!!
I honestly don't even care. Our country and our modern society is so broken that we're all just living on borrowed time and covering our eyes with shiny delusions to avoid looking at the likely near future. If it isn't this, it'll be something else tomorrow, or one of the three wars we're fighting, or another overblown "epidemic scare", or another recession. It's always something, and it's only ever going to get worse. Get your own house in order, hold up your friends and family, donate to your favorite charity, eliminate nonessential spending, save money, and pray to your chosen God. That's really all you can do. Let the government prove itself to be inept. National parks can't CLOSE DOWN, they will still be there, just unstaffed and without gift shops and guides. So what? Go there anyway and look around at an even more natural version of the park – sans human involvement.
None of this would even be an issue if we brought our brave troops home to their families and stopped wasting money being civil war cops overseas.
@you serious?
No we don't have an election every time there is a disagreement. An election is forced if the government loses the vote on a major piece of election: and losing the vote on the budget is at the top of the list.
Canada has a history of active 3rd parties (now 4th parties too). Too much of that can lead to gridlock: just look at the history of Italy. But under the right conditions it serves very well to keep the biggest parties honest.
you serious?
Sorry, make that if the government loses the vote on a major piece of legislation.
Look at us. us – the 6am coffee drinkers with all the answers. Enjoy your Duncan Donuts ladies and gentlemen. Our heros are overseas with their boots laced up – catching gunfire. WE should ALL be so ashamed. Please go do yourself a favor and call up a soldier today and thank them for their service... You're most likely to receive a big thank you in return. And if you have any compassion and pride in your heart...I'm willing to bet that trash predicament you've been worrying about will fade into a minor speed bump along a road filled with them. Not to mention you'll get the opportunity to have an impact within your capacity rather than wasting your caffeine high blogging your grand ideas that nobody on capitol hill cares to hear anyways.
Mr. President and Congress:
“Hypocrisy can afford to be magnificent in its promises, for never intending to go beyond promise, it costs nothing”
-Edmund Burke
Time for another change. Coming to you courtesy of the American people November 2012
*Dunkin Donuts
You're going to correct someone over the proper way to spell "Dunkin Donuts"? Wow. The message was conveyed, stop being a toolshed.
Shack
B R A V O !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TROLL.
What people don't want to think of is 800,000 people will be out of work. My own husband who works with the SSA in DC may be one of them. Our budget is already so small that we will have to choose between food and rent. Solders also have a small income and I know that familys will be hurting. I think this is a chance for Americans to come together. say you have a friend, family memeber or even a stranger hurting for money give them some food or invite them over for dinner(maybe not the stranger) but you get my point. The government is screwing us over again..what we need is to show them we can stand alone and united with out them.
War only benefits us if it is purposeful. Spending 10 billion a month in Afghanistan is a tumor on this country. Not all wars are being fought to protect anyones freedom, especially not the current ones.
I have to agree Matt.
Man nothing is more tired than the military appeal. Most of the people I know who joined or tried to join did so because they couldn't find a job elsewhere. It's a job. Sure it can be a dangerous one, but it's what you sign up for. I don't see you saluting the window-washers of the world... an equally dangerous job that gets absolutely no thanks from anyone. Civilians aren't second-class citizens. This isn't Rome.
Nice point of view. I will make sure to call, email, or somehow otherwise contact the family and/or soldiers that I know in my life and thank them today. I agree with some of the other posts that I have seen as well. Help out your neighbor or family members through this time. Kindness is eventually repaid.
I'm drinking whiskey.
JT,
Sounds like you spend your time hanging out with lowlifes and losers. Is that because you fit right in with them or because they make you feel like you've actually accomplished something with your life?
How much time did you spend in the service? None? Yeah thought so. I would say that if you want to actually form an intelligent opinion about what kind of people are in the military you should go sign up.
I will not argue with you that there are the kind of people you mentioned in the military. It's true, but then again those kinds of people can be found in just about every profession. Still, it takes something out of the ordinary to go through the process of joining and then to succeed in that line of work, and most people in this country simply can't do that. I suspect you're one of them.
The check might be late, but last night they did vote to make sure that those serving in the Military would be paid.
*Tim Hortons
and another change, and another change, and another change...and around and around we go. Change is coming people, 2012, 2016, 2020....etc.......keep the carousel moving.....
@Michael – Really the 800,000 government workers don't matter?? I happen to be one of those 800,000 workers and guess what?? I'm a VETERAN just like half of the other people that won't get to go to work or get paid. We aren't the politicians making all the decisions. Apparently you know nothing about the government, it's employees, veterans or the military so why don't you do some research before you go blabbing your big mouth!!!
@ Mike – Really?? A black president has nothing to do with our problems. So sad that people are still being racist. We are in 2011 right? Maybe you should actually pay attention to what is going on and see that it all starts in the HOUSE.
Oh and @JT – Really, we should go thank a window washer?? I don't see anyone shooting at a window washer!! Have you ever had any of your friends, spouse, family members over in one of these wars going on?? My husband was in Iraq, my cousin is in Afghanistan and I lost a friend to the Iraq war. You are the most ignorant person ever. The military isn't full of low lives. I was in the military. It is a very stressful and hard job. Something you apparently couldn't handle. WE work 24 hours/7days a week. We don't get the freedoms that all Americans get. We gave up our freedom to serve our country. Let's stick you in the middle of Iraq and see if you can handle it. People should thank our American Soldiers for what they do. Does a window washer miss the birth of their child because they are washing windows?? NO!! But a soldier sure does when he is across the world fighting a war they really don't want to be in.
its funny that all this happens around the time when someone is looking into obamas birthrights, maybe we'll shutdown before we find out more about our beloved presidents childhood.
Lol @ people still rambling about obamas birthplace. One track minded idiots.
So true, David. So true.
umm.. seriously... I'm still baffled that people think Obama is the sole person responsible for decisions in this country. We have branched of government for a reason because they share various responsibilities people! Can't place all the blame for crap on one person...
The United States Government declared Mr. Obama a citizen in 2008 during his campaign. The governor of Hawaii knew his family and was present during his birth. There were local newspaper adds announcing his birth. He has an authenticated Hawaii birth cirtificate. Mr. Obama is as American as you are (or ARE you??) Do YOU have as much evidence validating YOUR citizenship?? Funny that the ones who complain the loudest are often the ones who have the most to hide!
By the way, Donald Trump has sent his goons to Hawaii investigate Obama's citizenship. Donald TRUMP. NOT any government agency. How pathetic.
Seriously? You think they are just now getting around to that? Really? You are an idiot. His opponents have been chasing papers for YEARS. Seriously. You are an idiot.
Great point! Haven't you been trying Obama was not born here for almost 3 years now? Get a life!
To whoever said that the governor of Hawaii was present during his birth, you are wrong. The governor of Hawaii has said that he is a friend of the Obama family, that he knew Obama when he was a small child. He has never once said he was present during the birth, just that he knew the family when he was a baby. He has no proof that Obama was born in the hospital or anything, hence he was trying to figure out a way to get the records to finally hush the case for once. I don't normally comment on these things, but I do hate when people try to bend the words to make their point clear. I don't care where Obama was born frankly, I care what he does as a President. So far he has failed to make an impression on me, and I'm a younger voter. A person who has voted in EVERY election since I have been old enough to vote. That is my problem. Just say the truth and don't bend the truth and we will be okay.
Hey Beth, your birther is showing from a mile away. You are a young voter huh? Well, so I am I. At 28 years old I have only been able to vote in 2 elections. 2004 and 2008. So, how many have you voted in since you are such the veteran at such a young age? If you are so impressionable and not actually just a birther in disguise, may I then ask exactly what Mr. Obama has done to turn you off? I can tell you that I voted for Obama and I wish I had not. I can also tell you in detail exactly why I no longer support him. Like you, I rarely comment on these things, but I just wanted to let you know that no one on here buys that load of garbage you have for sale.
IKnowThe Reason,
Check your facts please before you go ridiculing someone. President Obama does not have a birth certificate. He has a certificate of live birth, not a birth certificate. There are big differences between the two.
A birth certificate requires signatures of doctors and witnesses present at birth, weight and length of the newborn, etc. A certificate of live birth does not have that information. It's considered the short form, or an abridged version.
It's a shame how few people (yeah I'm talking about you IKTR) actually research the things they hear and then proclaim themselves smarter than everyone else because they can repeat it back.
This is so stupid. Whatever happened to compromise and teamwork? This is all about sucking up to their respective electorate so they can get re-elected. Perhaps if we turned down the demagoguery we would steer clear of such conundrums.
The American people are to blame as well.
They elected these idiots.
Not this American. I don't vote because I know they are all idiots.
@ CTexas – I wholeheartedly concur with your sentiments.
@ Ronald Howard – you are one of the many reasons that contributed to our current problems today. Let's face it: as an American citizen, you have as much responsibility for our society, and consequently our nation's health as any other American citizen. You could be out there voting, protesting, and spreading knowledge regarding the stupidity of our electorates. It takes a lot of courage to do what I said, but to deny or not realize that you have implied responsibility when you said you don't vote is living in your la la land. I know I could have phrased this better, but as long as it gets the point across...
@Aestuo- think about it for just one sec. Most people who run for office and actually gets it are rich. And money is the root of all evil. And why do you think they run in the first place? To get more power. I don't call it la la land. I call it being smart. So next time you vote for sombody just know that they are already corupt and will most and likely fail just like the others before.
@Ronald Howard
I am in full agreement with Aestuo... you have no right to complain about anything wrong with this country when you make no contribution to changing what you think is wrong! Voting is a responsibility of every citizen in this country. What exactly is your suggestion on how things should be fixed?
@ Ronald – Once again you standing by passively will not change anything but let it continue. Even if your effort fails to bring in a good candidate into office, remember that your actions could start a ripple effect around you. If everybody use your logic, everybody would not do anything and let things continue as is. Instead of calling the current politicians stupid, go try to make a difference. Rest assure that your effort will put some dent into the monster that is our politic today, but the effect will not be noticeable right away. Please do put some more thought into this.
@Ronald - did you not voting make anything better? If you aren't going to vote then sit down, shut up and take whatever the government poops on you - it's what you deserve.
It's simple another really. Let the people actually decide. Not even Obama is going to stand a chance against congress. Where is our say? Another really do you think if you asked congress to help feed the hungry, put a roof over the homless, or let you have a say on anything over there needs that they would actually listen? That's all I want. Just let the people decide. What is there not to get?
It doesn't matter who you vote for Tia. Your already getting pooped on. We all are. They don't care about you or me. They are shutting down. They are rich. It's not going to hurt them any. I don't get it Tia? You guys just keep on voting corupt people into office. And we will all continue to get pooped on.
Ronald Howard- please note the phrase is actually "The love of money is the root of all evil" -most people aren't aware of that. It's scripture, as is the phrase "Money answers all things" The root of all evil does not answer all things.... so "the love of money" is really how it goes.
Just please give me one person you have voted for that was not corupt or eventually became corupted.
I think somebody forgot to do their civics homework....
Ronald Howard, you have the quote wrong. It's "THE LOVE of money is the root of all evil." From Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.
RonHoward, one of my first jobs when I was young was at a VFW and they taught me an important lesson: Don't vote, Don't B1tch!
Ms Clark- Thanks. I'm a firm believer in scripture. I've just never known hardly any wealthy and powerful people to be any help to our country. Most on congress are millionaires and could care less about anyone but themselves. The shutdown proves it. Families of those who are in the military are going to loose homes or starve to death. I could never vote for someone who could let that happen.
And Jen. It's scripture from the bible. And Iftry again. Most of your buddies in the vfw are active. And if you are too you have a right to complain. It's a free country. At least for right now anyways.
@Ronald Howard – I cannot believe you are moronic enough to publically state that you don't use a freedom (voting) that so many people have fought for and died to give each of us Americans. So many people in this world would give ANYTHING to have that right. If you don't want to vote, you should keep it to yourself, moron. And please use spell check before posting, your typing makes you look illiterate...moron!
Ronald,
Let me help shed some light on what wealthy people do for this country. I'll start with a question...
How much money did you give to charity last year? On average, people with a household income of roughly 1 million dollars gave $13,000 to charity. Unless you provided that much in charity or volunteered your time, I'd say they are doing way more than you or the average citizen.
I'm not attacking you, nor am I defending the rich people who really are causing problems by abusing the system. I'm just trying to educate you since you have a this erroneous idea that all rich people are evil and corrupt. That is the same logic used by racists by the way.
@Ghost of Uncle Sam, You idiot, Donald Trump is investigating Obama's birthright. It has nothing to do with congress and he'll just look like an idiot in the end, AGAIN.
It'd be nice if Trump would donate some of his money to help out the families of the soldiers instead of his normal diarhrea of the mouth and using it to smear the president or anybody else who he thinks gets in his way.
I'm not an Obama fan, but Trump is an idiot and anyone who would vote for him belongs on a ship filled with fools.
I would like to see an article that reads, "10 things that could *make* your day if the government shuts down." Bring it on!
I had a lot of respect for Trump as a smart business man but soon lost that respect when he started rambling about a birth certificate. Upon hearing it I immediately thought, 'Oh no he can't be that stupid.' But I guess he is.
I would question Trump's political skills, but as far as fiscal smarts, I think he has it going on, and could be one of the best choices to fix the budget woes. As far as what he lacks in political experience, that's why the president has a cabinet.. Just a thought.
Just what we need – a corporate bully in the White House. Though I agree Mr. Trump has exceptional finacial finesse, most don't get to where they are by being nice guys and thinking of others to make the money. Not exactly the type of person I'd want to look after MY best interests.
Trump's quest for Obama's birth certificate is a calculated plan by Republicans. Trump has no chance of being nominated, so he has nothing to lose by looking silly. But he keeps the birther issue live in the press, which is what Republicans want. This way their viable candidates don't have to engage in the birther debate, but can still benefit from the constant media attention on the "issue".
How about those fighting over this our "esteemed" Senators and Legislators give up their pay... Let them live measly paycheck to measly paycheck. Let them live like the rest of us – wondering if we can even gt to work next week with the given gas prices. Let them feel the affects of teling our military we cherish your serices but not quite enough to pay you and best of all let's CUT OFF paying other countries to support them when they will never ever ever chnage their ways – come on think about history has not changed yet we continue to pour billions into these countires and our own people are starving and homeless
Not sure I could have said that any better. Thank you, sincerely.
1% of our budget goes into "supporting" other countries. A much LARGER amount of our budget goes into making sure that we are able to regulate OUR deregulated corporations, which are busy EXPLOITING other countries and dragging us and our soldiers into wars.
I agree with you on just about everything else.
Exactly right. They're all so thoroughly out of touch with the struggles the rest of us are facing. I don't think there is a single one of them from either side of the aisle that really represents the rest of us.
You hit the nail on the head! My husband was laid off last year from his engineering job and I didn't notice any government officials trying to work hard to get his job back, and I'm pretty sure none of them were worried like the rest of us, just hoping we could make our next house payment and clothe and feed our children. I hope they get it all worked out, but (besides our military) I would like to see the government go thru what most of us Americans had to endeer during the worst of the recession.
People of D.C.: Take your garbage to the home of the Tea Partier of your choice.
#winning
Lets see... You are paid to do a job. Whether you do it or not, you still get paid. Let the common folk try that. You folks need to grow up and realize you are messing with the voters and taxpayers. We elect you to make a decision and come to an agreement that will benefit us all. If you can't do that then you need to leave office, and someone with some common sense needs to step in.
People with common sense have tried to come in, but the majority of American voters only want to hear what they like to hear. It is sad but aye, it is an accurate statement of current reality in good ol' USA.
Someone with good common sense will never make it to the primaries. Both parties have this thing called an agenda.
more people of various backgrounds need to vote too! many younger people don't vote and a lot of the time nonwhite don't vote either... so nothing changes... if politics had more diversity... maybe we could get things done around here
Amen!
Look what happened in 2008. Ron Paul got laughed out of the Republican primaries because he didn't fit the establishment or the party agenda. However, in my humble opinion, he had some of the most reasonable and beneficial ideas. Like an earlier CNN article said, Washington can't get away from the high school mentality...and the lure of money.
Politicians are bunch of idiot, nothin less. Doesn't matter where you come from. They don't care about pple who put them there!
Everyone on here is ticked because Congress can't reach an agreement and the government is closing. Why can't they agree and stop pointing fingers, yet I sit here and read all of your comments, aggressively pointing the fingers are each other. I laugh because I see the same hardline approach to discussion reflected in you, over that which you complain about.
Seems ironic.
@listentoyourselves!!!: Very keen observation. Almost makes you wonder if the system will ever see improvement, huh?
To Congress: I would be satisfied with such a ragtag group of opportunistic dinosaurs such as yourselves as long as you weren't blatantly incompetent, irresponsible, and less effective as a governing body than a soggy cardboard box full of aborted monkeys. Apparently that's too much to ask. Canada does seem more appealing these days.
To the birther guys: Even if he wasn't born here (and there's no evidence to suggest he wasn't), I would think his policies and/or governing abilities would be more important to you, whether you like him or not. Do you have any idea how many of our military personnel (you know, the guys who defend the country and all that good stuff) were born on foreign soil?
All finger pointing does is poke in the eyes of both sides blinding them to the important issues – the people that put them in office be they Rep, Dem, Green, independent, etc. Do the job and get it done already – ALL of you!
MilitaryManWhoVotes: APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE !! Sorry, couldn't help myself – I'm a wife of a retired Navy man who currently works for the federal government. Monkeys....love it!!! God bless you!