Who gets hurt in a Government Shutdown?

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

(excerpt)

There's a real risk now that the federal government will shut down on October 1. Lawmakers are nowhere near settling their myriad disputes and agreeing to pass a budget. A shutdown is generally a waste of valuable time and resources. Even the threat of a shutdown is a waste because of all the advanced planning required. Among other things, federal agencies have to decide: Which workers should be furloughed? Which programs and offices should close completely and which must continue because they protect life and property? How and when should necessary information be disseminated to workers and the public?

money.cnn.com/2015/09/23/pf/federal-government-shutdown/

*  *  *

Senate Republicans Take Steps to Avoid a Government Shutdown

(excerpt)

WASHINGTON — Senate Republican leaders on Tuesday took the first steps to avert a government shutdown by scheduling a vote on a temporary spending measure that would keep agencies functioning through Dec. 11.
...
The spending fight is the latest in an increasingly tense stalemate between the most conservative wing of the House and Republican leaders in both chambers who wish to keep the wheels of government churning through the next election, and who fear that a shutdown would hurt the chances of electing a Republican to the White House next year.


www.nytimes.com/2015/09/23/us/politics/abortion-limits-bill-senate.html

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

FEEL FREE TO POST OTHER "GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN" LINKS IN THIS THREAD.

(Note: The funding of Planned Parenthood is a part of most stories on this topic, but PLANNED PARENTHOOD IS NOT A TOPIC OF THIS THREAD other than its funding being related to the bigger topic)  Please keep this in mind when commenting in this thread.

[resolution]

Dept of Agriculture is saying they may not send out the October Food Stamps if there is a shut down. That's kind of difficult to believe because it hasn't happened in previous shut downs.

www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2015/09/22/government-shutdown-could-cut-off-food-stamps

[wvugurl26]

A lot of people in my building were furloughed last time. Like over two thirds I'd say. Half of our building entrances were closed. I just happen to be located there, I don't work for them. 80% of my group's funding is from mandatory sources outside of the budget process. Had it dragged on longer eventually I would have only been paid 80% until they reopened. They managed to pay everyone 100% and we were not furloughed at all. This time who knows. My group says no shutdown, other people say it's almost certain. I don't have time to worry about it.

[mmhmm]

IMO, everybody gets hurt, to some degree or another, just so the politicians can stage yet another very expensive dog and pony show. If a shutdown occurs, I'd think it would bode poorly for Republican candidates. A government shutdown isn't something anybody wants.

[The Captain]

My sister works for the government.  In theory she gets furloughed every time this happens.  In practice she puts her job at risk because she goes into work anyway because only she can do certain documents and filings needed in her office to issue arrest warrants, etc.  Seriously, she doesn't go in, they can't arrest or hold people.

Lots of other people don't go in at all, then get all their back pay so it's really just extra paid time off if you are a governmental employee.

As a taxpayer (depending on how long it lasts) I get asked to sign a form extending the statute when my company is under audit (which we are all the time).  I could refuse, but that creates bad will and puts undue pressure on my IRS audit team (which isn't fair to them).

If you're in the service and scheduled to return home from overseas chances are good your flight home may be delayed.

There will be delays in the issuance of passports, permits (it throws the fishing season off kilter) and seriously impacts people who rely on governmental approval to do their jobs.

Countless resources will be spent coming up with contingency plans (such as in the are where my sister works) to cover critical functions during the shutdown.  Then more resources will be spend doing triage afterward to try to catch up.

Really efficient all around.

[djAdvocate]

Sept 23, 2015 15:36:53 GMT -5 resolution said:

Dept of Agriculture is saying they may not send out the October Food Stamps if there is a shut down. That's kind of difficult to believe because it hasn't happened in previous shut downs.

www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2015/09/22/government-shutdown-could-cut-off-food-stamps

might have to do with the fiscal year.

[wvugurl26]

Food stamps were paid under previous shut downs because they had enough in reserves to cover it. In 2013 they had enough to cover October and by November they had funding. This time there's not enough in the bank to cover October.

They have one major job every year and they have failed every year for the last five years I've been a federal employee. And it's been much longer than that since we've had a proper budget on 10/1. Instead we hold funding hostage while we bicker about pet causes or those we want to get rid of. Food safety and a bunch of other essential stuff should not be compromised bc they have their panties in a bunch over Planned Parenthood. Do your damn job to pass a budget and save the friggin politics for October.

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

The government shuts down for two full days each week, plus federal holidays.  Only "non-essential" services actually stop during a shut down, and those workers are compensated for the furlough time.  In short there's really no such thing as a "government shutdown".  It's all politics, and it is complete horseshit. And that's before you address the factual inaccuracy of the assumption that Republicans are shutting down the government when in reality it is the President threatening to veto the entire budget if he doesn't get everything he wants, and the Republicans have pre-surrendered.  The whole thing is one big show that isn't gonna matter a hill of beans when the credit card is finally maxed out, interest rates rise, and the dollar collapses.

[marvholly]

IMHO EVERYONE.

We are facing pretty much the same thing in IL. No budget since July 1.  Governor & legislature at loggerheads & NO agreement in sight.  Pretty much NO bills being paid-daycare, medicaid, lottery winners.............

Beginning to think its time to replace them ALL, in IL and D.C.

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

Sept 24, 2015 5:48:37 GMT -5 marvholly said:

IMHO EVERYONE.

We are facing pretty much the same thing in IL. No budget since July 1.  Governor & legislature at loggerheads & NO agreement in sight.  Pretty much NO bills being paid-daycare, medicaid, lottery winners.............

Beginning to think its time to replace them ALL, in IL and D.C.

Though, I notice that the lottery still has money for advertising.

[bean29]

The government shuts down for two full days each week, plus federal holidays. Only "non-essential" services actually stop during a shut down, and those workers are compensated for the furlough time. In short there's really no such thing as a "government shutdown". It's all politics, and it is complete horseshit. And that's before you address the factual inaccuracy of the assumption that Republicans are shutting down the government when in reality it is the President threatening to veto the entire budget if he doesn't get everything he wants, and the Republicans have pre-surrendered. The whole thing is one big show that isn't gonna matter a hill of beans when the credit card is finally maxed out, interest rates rise, and the dollar collapses.

How can a shut down not cost anybody anything?  Sure the workers don't lose - they actually get extra PTO, but the taxpayers defiantly lose.  The pay the workers for not doing their job, then pay them OT to catch up on the time they were home on PTO.  Yes, as a tax payer, the idea of a shut down pisses me off!

[djAdvocate]

Sept 23, 2015 22:16:43 GMT -5 AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP said:

The government shuts down for two full days each week, plus federal holidays.  Only "non-essential" services actually stop during a shut down, and those workers are compensated for the furlough time.  In short there's really no such thing as a "government shutdown".  It's all politics, and it is complete horseshit. And that's before you address the factual inaccuracy of the assumption that Republicans are shutting down the government when in reality it is the President threatening to veto the entire budget if he doesn't get everything he wants, and the Republicans have pre-surrendered.  The whole thing is one big show that isn't gonna matter a hill of beans when the credit card is finally maxed out, interest rates rise, and the dollar collapses.

that having been said, this "horseshit" is terrible PR, and Obama is not running for office, so he has nothing to lose in the game of chicken.

[justme]

Not me because I'm no longer a government contractor! God it feels so relaxing not to be stressing out about crap like this anymore!

Ok, back to your regularly scheduled posts...

[myrrh]

The peripheral businesses who support federal employees are affected as well. Places where federal employees would be buying coffee, lunch, groceries, and other miscellaneous stuff are hurt during federal shut down because those employees are at home instead of buying stuff. I'm not sure if it would benefit malls and movie theater type businesses because the backpay isn't immediate and I think a lot of people are worried about paying bills.

[Value Buy]

How about Social Security direct deposits?
Are they good to go?

Don't want to pull money out of the IRA at these low stock prices.......

[marvholly]

Sept 24, 2015 17:48:00 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

How about Social Security direct deposits?
Are they good to go?

Don't want to pull money out of the IRA at these low stock prices.......

I think soc ets paid. IF I remember it was during the last shutdown. if it is NOT then I suspect BOTH house will turn demo next election. Seniors are a big voting group (it is often a social ocassion) and DO have more than 15 minute memories.

[wvugurl26]

Sept 24, 2015 17:48:00 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

How about Social Security direct deposits?
Are they good to go?

Don't want to pull money out of the IRA at these low stock prices.......

They are probably good for at least October. The thing is some people at SSA deemed essential have to work to get those direct deposits set up. I remember last time them saying if it dragged on there was a possibility that those deposits would start being missed. Or maybe it was they set October's up before they were furloughed and there might not be enough essential personnel with the time or authority/training to set up November's. Maybe that was the problem in the case of a prolonged shutdown.