Isn't there anything in the US constitution to break deadlocks? In Australia if the government can't get a bill through the senate, they can try again in 3 months and if it still doesn't go through then it can be used a trigger to dismiss the house of reps and the senate and call a new election.
Federal Government Begins First Shutdown In 17 Years
21–30 of 233 posts
Re: Federal Government Begins First Shutdown In 17 Years
#22Let's keep track of what technology related services get shut down. Please reply here.
For animal lovers out there, contrary to reports, the National Zoo's PandaCam is still operational (as I type), so enjoy while you can!
Re: Federal Government Begins First Shutdown In 17 Years
#23This is really depressing. The system seems to be designed to be strong but not infallible, with the assumptions that the people trusted to run the government would do so competently with the best interests of the nation. It seems clear that a slow process of radicalization has replaced the interests of the nation with the interests of the party and it's unclear how to fix it.
If one group defects to block voting and no compromise the other side has to also defect or be run over. This is the prisoner's dilemma writ large, only we citizens are the ones paying the penalty for dual defection.
Re: Federal Government Begins First Shutdown In 17 Years
#24We all spend so much time focusing on the Federal Government but I doubt many of us will even notice the "shut down."
Compare that with what would happen if your local and state governments shut down: Trash would pile up. Criminals would run free in the streets. Fires wouldn't be put out. Water and electricity would stop. Sewage systems would back up. Schools would close. We're talking about services that are the very cornerstones of modern society.
It really gives you an appreciation for what the state and local governments accomplish.
Re: Federal Government Begins First Shutdown In 17 Years
#25[not my quote...but relevant]
In essence, America has told the world that as long as the business of this country is functioning, your wealth, as represented in Marks, Yen, Pesos, etc. is backed with performing US debt. It's like saying, "as long as your neighbor, next door, does not loses his job, you will not lose all your money!
Re: Federal Government Begins First Shutdown In 17 Years
#26We all spend so much time focusing on the Federal Government but I doubt many of us will even notice the "shut down." Compare that with what would happen if your local and state governments shut down: Trash would pile up. Criminals would run free in the streets. Fires wouldn't be put out. Water and electricity would stop. Sewage systems would back up. Schools would close. We're talking about services that are the ver…
well, this is the case for DC. Also, there are a few things you might notice. If you are house hunting hoping for a FHA loan you are screwed for now.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/23/politics/government-shutdown-d...
Re: Federal Government Begins First Shutdown In 17 Years
#27why is this a bad thing? less spending on something pretty much everyone agrees is bloated is bad? it's like saying morbidly obese person has slightly less access to food. every person in the media seems to assume this is a bad thing. i say this is a good thing. if we can't agree on how money should be spent, it's better that it not get spent at all.
Re: Federal Government Begins First Shutdown In 17 Years
#28Slightly off topic, but this shutdown is one of those times where I got a very different perspective simply by reading about it from a non-US based (Al Jazeera) source. It is not that they write anything different than local sources, but the whole situation seems way sillier when I think about how this must look to people outside of the country.
even funnier, the US hasn't passed a budget since '97.
Re: Federal Government Begins First Shutdown In 17 Years
#29This is really depressing. The system seems to be designed to be strong but not infallible, with the assumptions that the people trusted to run the government would do so competently with the best interests of the nation. It seems clear that a slow process of radicalization has replaced the interests of the nation with the interests of the party and it's unclear how to fix it. If one group defects to block voting and…
Three or four years after the last shutdown (twenty days long!) we had a budget surplus and the lowest unemployment in decades. I'm not saying those things are related, but your pessimism is probably excessive.
Re: Federal Government Begins First Shutdown In 17 Years
#30How do the Republicans reckon they'll come out ahead after this? It'll be a GOP bloodbath in 2014.