US Government to shut down?

[mfoyama]

Are you concerned the government will shut down and if so, how will it affect you?

[amyrouse]

It will effect the taxpayer more than anyone might think.

http://money.cnn.com/2011/04/07/news/economy/government_shutdown_cost/index.htm

[afoti1976]

my boyfriend works for the navy.  He might be off Monday. This is crazy...

[ppv2]

I think a deal will be reached.

[thtrngng]

Whether the government shut down or not it will not have any affect on me. I don't work for the government and its obvious that the government do not work for me.

[jordandog]

How does cutting $12 billion in spending in exchange for financing the government another week (so that negotiations can continue) make any sense whatsoever?! I know many feel this will have NO effect on them, but it will, just like the shutdown in 1995 under Clinton did. Many on here were probably not old enough to even remember that or been working, supporting a family.

I already have a whopping headache from work so I am not going to list all the things that could/will happen, but if anyone cares, they will read about it and do their own research. If you are naive enough to think this won't touch your life if it happens, then you have NO business complaining about it when it does!

[walksalone11]

Naaa, my concern would be that your government might possibly survive.

[Falconer02]

As usual, Jdog is correct. These politicians should not be paid for the days they and others leave their job, but I don't think that's the case. Here's what's going on to those who are curious (and you SHOULD be curious because this WILL effect you)-

Federal law currently states that the government cannot carry a debt larger than $14.3 trillion ( http://www.slate.com/id/2280260/ ). When the debt ceiling is reached the federal government stops spending money. As of right now the US National Debt Clock (http://www.usdebtclock.org/) puts the debt at $14.28 trillion, and it's expected to hit the debt ceiling sometime in April. Although Republicans have threatened to refuse to raise the debt ceiling, the catastrophic consequences of such an action make it very unlikely that they would follow through.

Federal agencies cannot spend money unless funds are authorized and appropriated. Every year Congress is supposed to pass 12 appropriations bills that fund the federal government for the next fiscal year. They have not done that for FY11, and instead have passed a series of continuing resolutions that fund federal agencies at FY10 levels. The last of the continuing resolutions expired on March 4th, and unless Congress passes another funding measure a large number of "non-essential" federal employees will be furloughed.

•If the shutdown lasts long enough then paychecks for many employees, essential or not, would be delayed. Federal contracts would be impacted.

• Consumer spending could be dampened by the fear induced by this action thus damaging our economy even worse.

•Domestic agencies like the National Archives, DoE, HUD, EPA, and Census Bureau would be largely shut down. National parks would be closed, visa and passport applications would be delayed, and benefits to veterans would be delayed.

•It is unclear whether or not Social Security checks would go out. During the FY96 shutdowns checks were mailed and new applications were still processed. However because the program is no longer running a surplus that may not happen.

•New Medicare claims will not be processed.

•Tax returns that contain payment would be processed, but the IRS tax hotline will not be staffed. No tax refunds would be issued.

•The National Institutes of Health would not be able to accept new patients or answer hotline calls regarding diseases. The Center for Disease Control would not be able to provide disease surveillance. (aka zombie outbreak = we're all dead)

•Federal law enforcement (FBI, Border Patrol, etc) would continue. Administrative tasks such as approving permits would be delayed.

•Combat operations would continue, and the majority (69% in FY96) would stay on the job. Non-essential personnel would include research labs and people in administrative positions like program offices.

•The US Postal Service would not be affected.

[monnee]

They won't shut down because they' re already trillions in the red, but still spends billions on 3 wars.  As long as we have to pay taxes, the govt will never shut down.

[walksalone11]

They won't shut down because they' re already trillions in the red, but still spends billions on 3 wars.  As long as we have to pay taxes, the govt will never shut down.

lmiao.....you do like surprises, right?

[evilpixiemagic]

if it does, i blame the dems, they fighting for plan parenthood, i say screw them and pass the freaking budget! womens health will not be affected since PP does not do cancer screens and you can go to the health dept and get your free BC (like all the people that do not have a local PP)...only thing defunding PP does is take money out of the dems campaign contributions (PP is one of thier biggest funders)

[Falconer02]

They won't shut down because they' re already trillions in the red, but still spends billions on 3 wars.  As long as we have to pay taxes, the govt will never shut down.

http://www.usdebtclock.org/

Look at all that red, buddy. And the gov't did shut down for a few days back in '96 I believe. After today I think we'll have the word on it.

if it does, i blame the dems, they fighting for plan parenthood, i say screw them and pass the freaking budget! womens health will not be affected since PP does not do cancer screens and you can go to the health dept and get your free BC (like all the people that do not have a local PP)...only thing defunding PP does is take money out of the dems campaign contributions (PP is one of thier biggest funders)

Okay let's deny women pap tests, breast exams, birth control, education, etc. I'm sure all the medicare and welfare dollars going towards people with no money going to seek aid after their diseases have spread around on them and their partners or them having babies that they can't afford-- I'm sure denying them the small things that could prevent these major things will have us in a surplus of money in no time flat! You should run for office!  

[walksalone11]

via CNN....

"BREAKING NEWS    House Speaker John Boehner says Democratic and Republican negotiators reached a budget deal that will avoid a shutdown."

[evilpixiemagic]

They won't shut down because they' re already trillions in the red, but still spends billions on 3 wars.  As long as we have to pay taxes, the govt will never shut down.

http://www.usdebtclock.org/

Look at all that red, buddy. And the gov't did shut down for a few days back in '96 I believe. After today I think we'll have the word on it.

if it does, i blame the dems, they fighting for plan parenthood, i say screw them and pass the freaking budget! womens health will not be affected since PP does not do cancer screens and you can go to the health dept and get your free BC (like all the people that do not have a local PP)...only thing defunding PP does is take money out of the dems campaign contributions (PP is one of thier biggest funders)

Okay let's deny women pap tests, breast exams, birth control, education, etc. I'm sure all the medicare and welfare dollars going towards people with no money going to seek aid after their diseases have spread around on them and their partners or them having babies that they can't afford-- I'm sure denying them the small things that could prevent these major things will have us in a surplus of money in no time flat! You should run for office!  

no one is being denied HEALTH services, trying looking up your county health dept. they offer all the above at no or very low cost. when i was younger and had no insurance i went there yearly for my paps and birth control and they would always give the little "discussion" about different BC and diseases. we still go there for free condoms, just go to the desk and ask for them, no questions asked. takes 5 seconds. planned parenthood is a sham. the one time i did call them about a pap and they told me it would be about 90 bucks...i just waited the 3 weeks and went back to health dept for the FREE exam!

[teflonfanatic]

As usual, Jdog is correct. These politicians should not be paid for the days they and others leave their job, but I don't think that's the case. Here's what's going on to those who are curious (and you SHOULD be curious because this WILL effect you)-

Federal law currently states that the government cannot carry a debt larger than $14.3 trillion ( http://www.slate.com/id/2280260/ ). When the debt ceiling is reached the federal government stops spending money. As of right now the US National Debt Clock (http://www.usdebtclock.org/) puts the debt at $14.28 trillion, and it's expected to hit the debt ceiling sometime in April. Although Republicans have threatened to refuse to raise the debt ceiling, the catastrophic consequences of such an action make it very unlikely that they would follow through.

Federal agencies cannot spend money unless funds are authorized and appropriated. Every year Congress is supposed to pass 12 appropriations bills that fund the federal government for the next fiscal year. They have not done that for FY11, and instead have passed a series of continuing resolutions that fund federal agencies at FY10 levels. The last of the continuing resolutions expired on March 4th, and unless Congress passes another funding measure a large number of "non-essential" federal employees will be furloughed.

•If the shutdown lasts long enough then paychecks for many employees, essential or not, would be delayed. Federal contracts would be impacted.

• Consumer spending could be dampened by the fear induced by this action thus damaging our economy even worse.

•Domestic agencies like the National Archives, DoE, HUD, EPA, and Census Bureau would be largely shut down. National parks would be closed, visa and passport applications would be delayed, and benefits to veterans would be delayed.

•It is unclear whether or not Social Security checks would go out. During the FY96 shutdowns checks were mailed and new applications were still processed. However because the program is no longer running a surplus that may not happen.

•New Medicare claims will not be processed.

•Tax returns that contain payment would be processed, but the IRS tax hotline will not be staffed. No tax refunds would be issued.

•The National Institutes of Health would not be able to accept new patients or answer hotline calls regarding diseases. The Center for Disease Control would not be able to provide disease surveillance. (aka zombie outbreak = we're all dead)

•Federal law enforcement (FBI, Border Patrol, etc) would continue. Administrative tasks such as approving permits would be delayed.

•Combat operations would continue, and the majority (69% in FY96) would stay on the job. Non-essential personnel would include research labs and people in administrative positions like program offices.

•The US Postal Service would not be affected.

"I'm telling you allllll it all fails down"

Lauren Hill