Congressional Perks Deemed Essential During Government Shutdown While Public Sacrifices

Although I am from the U.K, I have been keeping a keen eye on events across the pond in the U.S and its Government shutdown. Unfortunately if the U.S do default on their debt, then we are in all kinds of trouble in the western world.

So whilst 800,000 federal workers, public services and U.S tourist attractions are affected, as they are not deemed essential, certain privileges and services available to the politicians are deemed essential.

An interesting article in the Huffington Post today:-

WASHINGTON -- Around the country, furloughed federal workers are wondering how they're going to pay their bills while they wait for the government to reopen. Businesses that rely on tourists are taking a hit due to shuttered national parks. And scientists conducting groundbreaking research have had to put the brakes on their work.

Meanwhile, members of Congress continue to pump iron in their exclusive gym, ride on special trolleys so that they don't have to walk a few extra feet and in some cases, protect their entire staff from the furloughs faced by other federal workers. Here's a look at the maddeningly arbitrary nature of the government shutdown, and at what has been declared "essential" and "nonessential":

There is a list of services deemed essential and non essential in the article, which kind of opens your eyes and mind to the world of Politics U.S style.

I sincerely hope that this whole shut down is brought to an end soon.

www.huffingtonpost.com...

Cobaltic1978
Although I am from the U.K, I have been keeping a keen eye on events across the pond in the U.S and its Government shutdown.

Huh? Why?

It doesn't take an enligthend person to recognize this is all a game.

Lets not talk about the war crimes that took place in Syria.
Lets not talk about seeking out the truth in Bengazhi.
Lets not bother addressing the continued drone strikes.
Lets not even address the hows and whys behind the Prime Minister of Lybia getting abducted for 6 days because we drone striked Al Qeada there.
Lets not discuss the NSA leaks
Lets not discuss the continues eroding of our essential liberties.

Nope, lets all be scarred of a govt. shutdown...because printing money like water and raising a ficticious "debt ceiling" is something we haven't done in the past.....

What an utter joke the world has become. But by all means....you keep an eye on this non-story story.

reply to post by Rosinitiate


I think I stated my reason for keeping an eye on this particular (non) story.

Whilst I appreciate what you are saying, there are other threads relating to those topics, in fact some I have even contributed to.

I also appreciate it that this particular event is a political game, but I guess the main message of this thread has been missed by you. That's cool, you continue to investigate all those other events and let us know how you get on with it.

I understand what you're saying Rosinitiate, but don't you agree that you have to 'reach' people at their own level of awareness? Some people really aren't that bright, and our disintegrating public education system only makes it worse...not to mention, some people don't want to ponder more-complicated issues. Those types of articles are necessary, imo. They show corruption, show inequality, show public servants' holier-than-thou attitudes, etc. without getting into 'heavy-duty' issues.

OP, thanks for sharing...

Cobaltic1978

Meanwhile, members of Congress continue to pump iron in their exclusive gym, ride on special trolleys so that they don't have to walk a few extra feet and in some cases, protect their entire staff from the furloughs faced by other federal workers. Here's a look at the maddeningly arbitrary nature of the government shutdown, and at what has been declared "essential" and "nonessential":

Sickening, huh? Especially, when you see things like this ...



Who exactly is it they are trying to hurt anyways?

...and yet when the midterms roll around next November, the vast majority of the incumbents will return to office.

...and yet when the midterms roll around next November, the majority of voter won't be bothered to vote. It's obvious that they have better things to do.

...and they'll squall like scalded cats when things continue to spiral down the drain.

We're getting exactly what we deserve.

Don't like it? Do something about it.

reply to post by Cobaltic1978


I didn’t miss your point. Your point was that you want to follow this (non) story because a default by the US would cascade throughout all of the western world. I get that of course, however…..

What I am trying to express is simply that if a default takes place in America it won’t be from this non-event. This is nothing more the posturing for the next election cycle. They are using us to that end, so IMO if we are going to “follow” this story, it should be in the context of “look what these scumbags are doing to we the people in the name of political posturing.”

A default would occur, again in my opinion, when other nations completely lose confidence in the US’s global hegemony. You know….like if more events happen like what did a few weeks ago re: Syria and President Putin. If we see more instances where other nations can out influence the US in world events and worse yet, to make us look silly, weak or taking the low road, can and will result in a default. Meaning nations like China and Japan would grow a set and demand a return on their debt.