US government shuts down as Congress misses deadline

[chuckd]

They have the right to visit the monuments when they are open.

The monuments in question are open 24/7, 365 days annually, when the government doesn't decide to place barricades in front of them.

It takes many more Park Service Rangers to block them now than tend them when they are open.

They are open air monuments, free to the public.

Closing them is an act of childish petulance by this administration.

Edited October 15, 2013 by chuckd

[Jingthing]

Focusing on the monuments when the radical nihilist tea party people are threatening to basically nuke the global economy with a U.S. debt default is like someone having a heart attack focusing on a skin tag.

These tea party pests are blatantly anti-democratic. Obama was elected, reelected, his landmark Obamacare bill passed the scrutiny of the supreme court, yet they think they can terrorize the world and STILL get their way, AGAINST the will of the American voters.

Also note you do not govern by POLLS. You govern by votes and elections. The tea party anti-patriots claim the majority of Americans are against Obamacare. First of all the majority of Americans are probably against having to pay any taxes, yet paying taxes is the LAW. Also the polls about Obamacare are used deceptively as a good portion of those opposed to Obamacare are actually for a much more progressive solution -- SINGLE PAYER.

Cheers.

Edited October 15, 2013 by Jingthing

[NeverSure]

They have the right to visit the monuments when they are open.

indeed, and not shut down by the spiteful, insane actions of a minority lunatic fringe of the republican party.

it's funny, the tea partiers claim to love america and be patriots when in fact what they do is hate it and try to destroy it. everything they do is anti-democratic, anti-constitutional and self-serving. e pluribus unum? yeah, right. they're fundamentalists engaged in a war against american values, democracy and freedom. now where have we heard that before?

Huh? WHO shut down the monuments for no reason other than a childish temper tantrum at taxpayer expense? Who paid to fence them off? I have never seen them closed. They are open and open air and I've seen people there at midnight. I went there at midnight with my camera and tripod because they are all artificially lighted and make great photos at night. So does the Capitol Building at the far end of the Mall. The only time I got challenged, my mistake, was when I set up a tripod at the bottom of the Capitol Steps. This was after 9/11 and everyone was jumpy. The guard was super nice, but asked me not to do that.

I walked all over the Mall and took pictures of all of this stuff that got closed down and none of it was, or needed to be closed.

This was a pure Obama tantrum, actually costing money while claiming there wasn't enough money, and yes ordinary Americans went and tore them down.

There is no King in the White House and they told him so by stacking some of the fencing in front of the White House. Gotta love it.

[chuckd]

So, Baloo22, did you have anything of substance to post, like maybe something about those thousands and thousands of people who are furloughed because of your party's nonsense? Perhaps some pictures of the babies not getting milk formula?

Instead, you chose to post pictures of people who can afford to visit parks and monuments. What are they doing for their country, besides destroying it? I see them moving lawfully set barricades, but I don't see one of them with a broom or a mop cleaning up anything.

The Republicans in general, and the Tea Party in particular, are America's very own equivalent version of a jihadi terrorist organization. They are doing exactly what Al Qaeda wanted to do. And they love to accuse the President of being a Muslim sympathizer.

Furloughed? The law has already been passed by Congress and signed by Obama to pay them after the government re-opens. They are currently enjoying a paid vacation.

I'd like to see a photo of those milk formula deprived babies you describe. Perhaps you have some...and not those from Somalia.

As far as those not cleaning up, you might be referring to the Obama approved illegal immigrant demonstration put on at The Mall last week. National Park Service employees had to clean it up. The illegal immigrants left it a mess.

PS: Just for the record, the House approved the following on 2 October. The Senate majority leader (D-NV) has tabled the legislation.

"Open Our Nation's Parks and Museums Act (H.J. Res. 70): opens all of our national parks and museums, including the WWII Memorial in Washington, DC that was initially closed to veterans by the administration. (Passed in the House 252-173)"

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2013/10/09/list-of-legislation-passed-by-the-house-to-end-the-government-shutdown-n1720013

[Credo]

So if you owe money for a mortgage and it was due but you didn't get paid, what do you say? If your credit card is due?

How about all those businesses that people won't be frequenting because the gov't was shut down? I don't see any care for them. I see even less for the thousands who cannot get health insurance.

[chuckd]

So if you owe money for a mortgage and it was due but you didn't get paid, what do you say? If your credit card is due?

How about all those businesses that people won't be frequenting because the gov't was shut down? I don't see any care for them. I see even less for the thousands who cannot get health insurance.

My suggestion is to tell your creditors the truth. They will wait, particularly if the debtor is a federal employee.

Since I haven't owed a mortgage or credit card balance in over 35 years, my answer might be considered speculative.

If the government wasn't shut down, the government workers would, theoretically, be at their offices and not frequenting the business sector.

My guess would be that the business sector is seeing an increase in traffic from all the government employees that have been furloughed with pay...IMHO that is.

[Publicus]

Citizen's response to one of Obama's targeted "Make them feel the Pain!" closures !!

[Scott]

Off-topic posts removed.

[SinglePot]

Skin tags and heart attacks. Nice one JT.

Any chance of any perspective from somewhere I wonder?

Cos all the time the US is fighting amongst itself the true enemies of America are rubbing their hands and laughing.

Where is JFK and MLK now when the US needs solidarity.

Jeez.

[boomerangutang]

I find it interesting that, Americans don't really miss the federal government that much. Like all government bureaucracies, Fed services are immensely over-wrought. Thai government is just the same, comparatively. In little Chiang Rai, there are a hundred large government buildings. No one ever gets fired or laid-off (it's the ratchet effect), and very few of the workers do any real work at all. It's 79% pushing paper around a desk, and 20% pretending to be busy. You'll notice, whenever you see a group photo of US fed. gov't workers, nearly every one is very fat. All they and their Thai counterparts care about is getting a paycheck and then getting retirement benefits. Doing useful things is way down their priority list.

P.S. the gym, sauna, barber shop and cafeteria at Capital Hill are all open.

Where is JFK and MLK now when the US needs solidarity.

Jeez.

Unfortunately, it just takes one nutball to terminate a great man's life in half a second. Let's hope it doesn't befall Mr. O.

Edited October 15, 2013 by boomerangutang

[StevieH]

Skin tags and heart attacks. Nice one JT.

Any chance of any perspective from somewhere I wonder?

Cos all the time the US is fighting amongst itself the true enemies of America are rubbing their hands and laughing.

Where is JFK and MLK now when the US needs solidarity.

Jeez.

solidarity? because JFK and MLK were such unifying figures? bloody hell mate.

the modern-day version of those two, or at least the closest there's likely to be, is in the whitehouse. he's trying to end america's obsession with wars halfway across the world by pulling troops out, trying to give 45 million americans access to some degree of affordable healthcare and spending most days shitting himself about being assassinated.

something else he has in common with JFK and MLK of course.

[SinglePot]

JFK had America behind him. Somebody didn't like it.

I'm not drawing comparison between Democrat Kennedy and Democrat Obama.

Just saying the US needs to be strong and unified. Like Liverpool with Shankly and United with Ferguson, to use a football analogy Stevie.

[samran]

*Deleted post edited out*

As nice as story as it is, I don't see how this has anything to do with the price of fish.

'Dependence on government' is really one of these terms that people like to throw about when it is they who don't like something that the government is doing - and in the US context, call it 'socialism'. But they conviniently ignore all the other things that fit into their world view which is provided by government, things like:

- defense forces

- post offices and postal services

- public schools

- your roads and interstate highways

- the power polls which bring your power to you.

- Medicare (in the US where socialised medicine is alright for some, not for others)

- Social security (again, where government dole is okay for some, but not others)

All these things have a huge, identifiable public good to them. Government intervienes when there is a public good, as 'the market' doesn't do as good a job at providing these things. This is simple economics 101.

So when it comes to health care, you'd think there would be a huge identifiable public good of having a healthy well cared for society who could go out to work and make the country grow. One where the cost of health care is provided for 50% less than it is currently. And that is the self interested motive. I haven't even touched on the issues of fairness and equity.

So I am afraid that the folksy parables and stories like the ones above don't cut it for me. It may do for the more feeble minded amongst us, but not this little brown chicken

Edited October 15, 2013 by Scott

[StevieH]

JFK had America behind him. Somebody didn't like it.

I'm not drawing comparison between Democrat Kennedy and Democrat Obama.

Just saying the US needs to be strong and unified. Like Liverpool with Shankly and United with Ferguson, to use a football analogy Stevie.

you're right of course but it's never going to happen while those that hold the power in the GOP continue to live in a world from a hundred years or more ago. they're fundamentalists who can't deal with the fact that the world has changed and humanity has evolved and moved on - while their beliefs remain anchored to the bible and the constitution - two staggeringly outdated documents - they won't evolve themselves. and the country as a whole, which democratically (and emphatically) elected this current administration, will continue to suffer and he held to ransom by a minority of maniacs. it's tragic to see and has massive implications for the world as a whole if they keep this insanity up.

Edited October 15, 2013 by StevieH

[SinglePot]

JFK had America behind him. Somebody didn't like it.

I'm not drawing comparison between Democrat Kennedy and Democrat Obama.

Just saying the US needs to be strong and unified. Like Liverpool with Shankly and United with Ferguson, to use a football analogy Stevie.

you're right of course but it's never going to happen while those that hold the power in the GOP continue to live in a world from a hundred years or more ago. they're fundamentalists who can't deal with the fact that the world has changed and humanity has evolved and moved on - while their beliefs remain anchored to the bible and the constitution - two staggeringly outdated documents - they won't evolve themselves. and the country as a whole, which democratically (and emphatically) elected this current administration, will continue to suffer and he held to ransom by a minority of maniacs. it's tragic to see and has massive implications for the world as a whole if they keep this insanity up.

I agree.

[samran]

JFK had America behind him. Somebody didn't like it.

I'm not drawing comparison between Democrat Kennedy and Democrat Obama.

Just saying the US needs to be strong and unified. Like Liverpool with Shankly and United with Ferguson, to use a football analogy Stevie.

you're right of course but it's never going to happen while those that hold the power in the GOP continue to live in a world from a hundred years or more ago. they're fundamentalists who can't deal with the fact that the world has changed and humanity has evolved and moved on - while their beliefs remain anchored to the bible and the constitution - two staggeringly outdated documents - they won't evolve themselves. and the country as a whole, which democratically (and emphatically) elected this current administration, will continue to suffer and he held to ransom by a minority of maniacs. it's tragic to see and has massive implications for the world as a whole if they keep this insanity up.

I thought i was reading about the Taliban there for a second...an old out of date organisation with issues over democratic process, anchored in a religious text and what some dead old bloke(s) said many hundred of years ago.

[antfish]

JFK had America behind him. Somebody didn't like it.

I'm not drawing comparison between Democrat Kennedy and Democrat Obama.

Just saying the US needs to be strong and unified. Like Liverpool with Shankly and United with Ferguson, to use a football analogy Stevie.

you're right of course but it's never going to happen while those that hold the power in the GOP continue to live in a world from a hundred years or more ago. they're fundamentalists who can't deal with the fact that the world has changed and humanity has evolved and moved on - while their beliefs remain anchored to the bible and the constitution - two staggeringly outdated documents - they won't evolve themselves. and the country as a whole, which democratically (and emphatically) elected this current administration, will continue to suffer and he held to ransom by a minority of maniacs. it's tragic to see and has massive implications for the world as a whole if they keep this insanity up.

I agree.

I think it isn't outdated and a thing of yesterday that the power of the president is limited by other forces like the Republican senators who are also elected by the people.

This actually a great system America has and should not be written off.

Edited October 15, 2013 by antfish

[StevieH]

JFK had America behind him. Somebody didn't like it.

I'm not drawing comparison between Democrat Kennedy and Democrat Obama.

Just saying the US needs to be strong and unified. Like Liverpool with Shankly and United with Ferguson, to use a football analogy Stevie.

you're right of course but it's never going to happen while those that hold the power in the GOP continue to live in a world from a hundred years or more ago. they're fundamentalists who can't deal with the fact that the world has changed and humanity has evolved and moved on - while their beliefs remain anchored to the bible and the constitution - two staggeringly outdated documents - they won't evolve themselves. and the country as a whole, which democratically (and emphatically) elected this current administration, will continue to suffer and he held to ransom by a minority of maniacs. it's tragic to see and has massive implications for the world as a whole if they keep this insanity up.

I thought i was reading about the Taliban there for a second...an old out of date organisation with issues over democratic process, anchored in a religious text and what some dead old bloke(s) said many hundred of years ago.

this is what GOP voters who are supporting this shutdown and the actions of idiots like cruz, bachmann, palin et al just never, ever seem to get. they bang on about freedom and liberty and the american way while pissing all over the american democratic process. they want an america tied to the bible and the constitution, an america of no abortions, god in schools and armed militias, not realising that the world, and the USA, have moved on. no longer is america a christian country, it is a secular one. every developed country is secular, and the stronger and healthier for it. so by yearning for an outdated america tied to the christian bible and one nation under god and god bless america and denying democracy they really are wanting to be that which they profess to hate most - a fundamentalist dictatorship like some of those in the middle east. if it wasn't so sad and recidivist it would be almost funny.

Edited October 15, 2013 by StevieH

[SinglePot]

JFK had America behind him. Somebody didn't like it.

I'm not drawing comparison between Democrat Kennedy and Democrat Obama.

Just saying the US needs to be strong and unified. Like Liverpool with Shankly and United with Ferguson, to use a football analogy Stevie.

you're right of course but it's never going to happen while those that hold the power in the GOP continue to live in a world from a hundred years or more ago. they're fundamentalists who can't deal with the fact that the world has changed and humanity has evolved and moved on - while their beliefs remain anchored to the bible and the constitution - two staggeringly outdated documents - they won't evolve themselves. and the country as a whole, which democratically (and emphatically) elected this current administration, will continue to suffer and he held to ransom by a minority of maniacs. it's tragic to see and has massive implications for the world as a whole if they keep this insanity up.

I agree.

I think it isn't outdated and a thing of yesterday that the power of the president is limited by other forces like the Republican senators who are also elected by the people.

This actually a great system America has and should not be written off.

Yeh. But not limited by <deleted>. Know what I mean.

[SinglePot]

Ego and Dogma.

Negative qualities in many leaders. Write your own list starting with B for Bin Laden.

[SinglePot]

Proud nation led by good men.

It's not rocket science.

Achieving it, difficult. Starts at the top.

Edited October 15, 2013 by SinglePot

[Baloo22]

"Obama Administration Shuts Down Catholic Services on US Navy Base; Locks Church Doors"

"In the wake of the government shutdown, despite provisions in the Pay Our Military Act, Catholics at Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base in Georgia are being denied religious services. The Catholic priest who serves this community has been prohibited from even volunteering to celebrate Holy Mass without pay, and was told that if he violated that order, he could be subject to arrest...."

[SinglePot]

Seems like there are a few posters round here like Yakov, baloo22, and Antfish who want "Republican Anarchy."

I'm still trying to get my head around this. I can't make it work though with the image of upstanding men with starched white collars holding bibles.

More tea vicar?

[Publicus]

Citizen's response to one of Obama's targeted "Make them feel the Pain!" closures !!

This is America. This is ordinary Americans. This is why the King of England in attempting to hold Americans as colonists got his rosy red ass kicked while many other countries rolled over.

Forget what some think of America. Just don't forget what rebels Americans are, and how they have the teeth to back it up.

It takes guts to tear those fences down and march right into the faces of the police and all of the reinforcements they could call, but Americans aren't puzzies.

You're looking at the real America.

There is only one America.

There is no "real America."

In the one America is the side that won the civil war. And in the one America is the side that lost the civil war.

This "real America" stuff is un-American. It implies and suggests there is an "unreal" or a "false" America, which coming from you would mean the Democratic party America.

The guy above is an American. The guy above and the people with him are Americans. It's unfortunate that he and they are loser Americans, but Americans they are.

Prez Obama was elected and reelected. ObamaCare is the law of the land. Republicans failed miserably trying to defund Obamacare by shutting down the government. Republicans are menacing the full faith and credit of the United States and the global economy with their debt ceiling madness. Republicans consequently are currently working out the terms of their surrender - yet another surrender by the loser Americans, yet another Appomattox Courthouse.

That flag and the Americans who love it have always been on the losing side of history, always will be on the losing side of history.

Loser Americans.

And the loser Americans are a part of the one America.

We've always been stuck with you, which means we're all in it together, for better and for worse, indefinitely.

Get used to it - losing, that is.

Edited October 15, 2013 by Publicus

[Scott]

A number of posts and replies have been deleted. This includes a rather long post which violates Fair Use policy.

There are numerous troll posts and replies to them. Please don't feed the trolls. Replying to troll posts will get your post deleted.

There are also several inflammatory personal attacks aimed at other posters.

[MaxYakov]

Seems like there are a few posters round here like Yakov, baloo22, and Antfish who want "Republican Anarchy."

I'm still trying to get my head around this. I can't make it work though with the image of upstanding men with starched white collars holding bibles.

More tea vicar?

How did you form your opinion that I want "Republican Anarchy" or anarchy under any label?

BTW it's MaxYakov.

[Scott]

A post with no comment has been removed.

[MaxYakov]

Citizen's response to one of Obama's targeted "Make them feel the Pain!" closures !!

This is America. This is ordinary Americans. This is why the King of England in attempting to hold Americans as colonists got his rosy red ass kicked while many other countries rolled over.

Forget what some think of America. Just don't forget what rebels Americans are, and how they have the teeth to back it up.

It takes guts to tear those fences down and march right into the faces of the police and all of the reinforcements they could call, but Americans aren't puzzies.

You're looking at the real America.

There is only one America.

There is no "real America."

In the one America is the side that won the civil war. And in the one America is the side that lost the civil war.

This "real America" stuff is un-American. It implies and suggests there is an "unreal" or a "false" America, which coming from you would mean the Democratic party America.

The guy above is an American. The guy above and the people with him are Americans. It's unfortunate that he and they are loser Americans, but Americans they are.

Prez Obama was elected and reelected. ObamaCare is the law of the land. Republicans failed miserably trying to defund Obamacare by shutting down the government. Republicans are menacing the full faith and credit of the United States and the global economy with their debt ceiling madness. Republicans consequently are currently working out the terms of their surrender - yet another surrender by the loser Americans, yet another Appomattox Courthouse.

That flag and the Americans who love it have always been on the losing side of history, always will be on the losing side of history.

Loser Americans.

And the loser Americans are a part of the one America.

We've always been stuck with you, which means we're all in it together, for better and for worse, indefinitely.

Get used to it - losing, that is.

The guy above is an American. The guy above and the people with him are Americans. It's unfortunate that he and they are loser Americans, but Americans they are.

Do you have any documentation to support your opinion? You can begin with when and where the image was captured and what the event was. You might continue by elaborating on how the "people with him" in the image are related in terms of success or political philosophy to "the guy" (with a rendition of one of the CSA flags).

Edited October 15, 2013 by MaxYakov

[Scott]

Please stay on topic. It should be clear when posters are expressing an opinion and when they are expressing a fact.

Pedantic posts that bait other posters will be deleted.

[SinglePot]

Edited by SinglePot.

Fifth amendment.

Cheers

Edited October 15, 2013 by SinglePot