Can anybody explain why a government shutdown is a GOOD thing?

[DisgruntledVirus]

I can't see any beneficial result from a shutdown.

First, it's ~30 million dollars out of a 3+ trillion dollar budget. That's nothing and won't provide any real ground with the budget.

Second, it's basically funding for the EPA and Planned Parenthood AFAIK. So the R's are making this a fight over social issues and not about real progress on the budget (see point 1).

Third, our economy is still unstable. Now we have ~800,000 government employees in furlough not getting paid (and might not get retro pay), and unable to collect unemployment.

Fourth, the dems have refused to pass a bill without those being funded. Obama has stated he would veto a budget without those two funded. The R's can't overturn his veto, so that means they will have gotten nowhere beneficial.

Finally, if you're a Republican, don't you think this will hurt you in 2012? I'm sure a lot of people will forget about it, but if the Dem's use this to their advantage they will be able to point to this and show that the Republicans don't care about people (letting ~800k go without an income), women (Planned Parenthood funding is used primarily for womens health and abortions are a very small % of what their funds are used for), and the environment (since a lower funded/non-existent EPA means companies are going to not be as environmentally friendly).

So, anybody care to explain how this is good at all?

 

[Nebor]

Your post seems to focus more on the causes of the shutdown rather than the shutdown itself, so I think your title is a little misleading.

I think the shutdown is a good thing because I want to see how the country runs without all of those "essential" government services. Also, how much money will we save every day by shutting down the government?

 

[Zorkorist]

Do you remember the Tea Party Elections of last year?

The Tea Party is against Government Spending and for personal responsibilty.

This, is the result. They, the Tea Party (the American people), are speaking out about spending.

The good things are;

This is America speaking
Reducing spending

-John

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Your post seems to focus more on the causes of the shutdown rather than the shutdown itself, so I think your title is a little misleading.

I think the shutdown is a good thing because I want to see how the country runs without all of those "essential" government services. Also, how much money will we save every day by shutting down the government?

The argument I've heard is that this is a good thing for financial reasons (i.e. less govt expenses while shut down, smaller budget, etc). If that is why a shutdown is a good thing, then if we actually look at it objectively I don't see any good coming from it (either financially speaking or politically speaking for the R party).

So you think it's a good thing because in the short term we will see what happens for a few days when not everything is running?

 

[DominionSeraph]

Finally, if you're a Republican, don't you think this will hurt you in 2012?

You assume your points can fit in a conservative's tiny little brain. All a conservative will remember is that Republicans stood up against Big Gubberment.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Do you remember the Tea Party Elections of last year?

The Tea Party is against Government Spending and for personal responsibilty.

This, is the result. They, the Tea Party (the American people), are speaking out about spending.

The good things are;

This is America speaking
Reducing spending

-John

So America wants the EPA and Planned Parenthood to not be funded? Have any facts to back that up, or are you just basing that off the ideal of how our government is supposed to work?

 

[Matt1970]

We have over $1 trillion dollars to cut from the budget. If the Dems can't agree on such small numbers, how are we ever going to move forward.

 

[Matt1970]

You assume your points can fit in a conservative's tiny little brain. All a conservative will remember is that Republicans stood up against Big Gubberment.

So where does that leave the democrats if tiny brains can figure out we need to cut the deficit?

 

[Zorkorist]

So America wants the EPA and Planned Parenthood to not be funded? Have any facts to back that up, or are you just basing that off the ideal of how our government is supposed to work?

Yes. Both of those can easily be defunded to save money, when our budget deficit is so large.

I already stated my basis for this arguement. Last year's Tea Party election, where Tea Party candidates swept seats.

-John

 

[senseamp]

Do you remember the Tea Party Elections of last year?

The Tea Party is against Government Spending and for personal responsibilty.

This, is the result. They, the Tea Party (the American people), are speaking out about spending.

The good things are;

This is America speaking
Reducing spending

-John

And when GOP folds on this, what are you, the Tea Party, going to do about it?

 

[IronWing]

We have over $1 trillion dollars to cut from the budget. If the Dems can't agree on such small numbers, how are we ever going to move forward.

Revoke the Bush tax cuts and we're half way there. Tax capital gains as regular income and we make another significant advance. Means test SS and we're a step closer. End the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya and we'll be across the finish line in no time.

 

[colonel]

this is not about budget cuts is about politics, is about ideology of the republican party no funding "abortion"

 

[Zorkorist]

Continue the good fight. While Tea Party swept last election, politicians are notorious spenders, and folders. And the Dem's still own the Fed, obv.

But we will fight again next year.

I just wanted to straighten out op.

There are definitely good things in shutting down Government.

-John

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Yes. Both of those can easily be defunded to save money, when our budget deficit is so large.

-John

So instead of making real progress on the deficit through cutting military/defense (which is more like offense, but whatever), SS, medicare/medicaid we will save ~30 million dollars out of a ~1.4 trillion deficit (2009's #)? You honestly think that 30 million is going to make ANY measurable difference what so ever?

Also, it's funny how the budget cuts are from things that are "liberal/anti-big business" in nature...

 

[Zorkorist]

this is not about budget cuts is about politics, is about ideology of the republican party no funding "abortion"

Nope. It's about cutting spending.

-John

 

[Zorkorist]

So instead of making real progress on the deficit through cutting military/defense (which is more like offense, but whatever), SS, medicare/medicaid we will save ~30 million dollars out of a ~1.4 trillion deficit (2009's #)? You honestly think that 30 million is going to make ANY measurable difference what so ever?

Also, it's funny how the budget cuts are from things that are "liberal/anti-big business" in nature...

It's funny the Democrats, can't cut anything.

-John

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Continue the good fight. While Tea Party swept last election, politicians are notorious spenders, and folders. And the Dem's still own the Fed, obv.

But we will fight again next year.

I just wanted to straighten out op.

There are definitely good things in shutting down Government.

-John

You have yet to actually show any good things coming from shutting down the government. I'm not talking about teabag fantasy world, but instead I'm talking about actual benefits in reality.

 

[Zorkorist]

Revoke the Bush tax cuts and we're half way there. Tax capital gains as regular income and we make another significant advance. Means test SS and we're a step closer. End the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya and we'll be across the finish line in no time.

LOL, we'll be masturbating, and sucking our own tit. Only greater in debt, and going the way of Greece.

-John

 

[Zorkorist]

You have yet to actually show any good things coming from shutting down the government. I'm not talking about teabag fantasy world, but instead I'm talking about actual benefits in reality.

You can refuse to acknowledge the Tea Party elections as long as you want, but the fact is, people elected Tea Baggers to do just this.

-John

 

[guyver01]

Both of those can easily be defunded to save money, when our budget deficit is so large.

I'll agree to defund the EPA and PP *IF* you agree to defund NPR and remove the Bush-era Tax cuts.

Deal???

 

[SMOGZINN]

and unable to collect unemployment.

Government employees can collect unemployment, mattering on their states laws:

from CNN.com: a copy of the furlough letter going out to SAA employees:
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2011/images/04/07/furlough.pdf

During the furlough period, you will be in an unpaid, non-work status and must remain away from the workplace unless and until you are told to return to work. Also, during the furlough, you will not be permitted to serve as an unpaid volunteer. This means you must not perform work for the SAA from home or anywhere else, even if you have a SAA-issued BlackBerry or laptop or have remote access to the SAA’s network. (An employee who knowingly and willfully performs work while furloughed violates the law and may be subject to penalties.)

You may choose to apply for unemployment compensation from your local unemployment agency. Whether you are eligible or will qualify for unemployment compensation for any or all of the furlough period is not within the control of the SAA but is dependent on the laws and rules applicable in your state/locality

So, anybody care to explain how this is good at all?

It is not. The government is spending way more working on a orderly shutdown then it will save, and we will spend even more trying to catch up when we come back.

 

[wuliheron]

The republican party has suffered a major setback with the economic collapse and overspending of the Bush era. The result was the establishment of the Tea Party which is hell bent on re-establishing the economic superiority of conservative ideology. The problem is they can't produce the results they want. When politicians can't produce results, they make a lot of noise if for no other reason then to reassure the people who voted for them that they are still fighting for them.

In some countries the legislators will literally wrestle or even brawl with each other. Nobody really gets hurt, but it makes for good publicity. In Wisconsin the democrats actually left the state to prevent a vote. Now the Tea Party is pushing for a government shutdown over petty change and extreme issues they know they haven't got a chance in hell of passing.

In Italy one province voted a porn star into office repeatedly, and in the state of Maryland it is now illegal to vote for Mickey Mouse. US federal politics haven't quite become that much of a laughing stock, but we're working on it!

Vote Mickey!

 

[Zorkorist]

I'll agree to defund the EPA and PP *IF* you agree to defund NPR and remove the Bush-era Tax cuts.

Deal???

While I'd like to, guyver, I can't. I counter-propose I defund NPR and you defund the EPA.

-John

 

[RightIsWrong]

Revoke the Bush tax cuts and we're half way there. Tax capital gains as regular income and we make another significant advance. Means test SS and we're a step closer. End the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya and we'll be across the finish line in no time.

This is the easiest and most sensible solution to cutting the gap between spending and revenues which is exactly why neither side will ever do it.

What funds some are claiming will be saved by shutting down the government will be more than spent when everyone is paid overtime to catch up on the missed work and the productivity lost due to the shutdown.

 

[Zorkorist]

I've got news to you, you don't ever reclaim productivity.

Productivity is lost the instant it is lost. And it is never recovered.

But this isn't about productivity, it's about the Government spending us into debt.

-John