So, that happened... now what?
If you're anything like me, you're wondering what the HELL is going on in DC? In case, you've been asleep for the last month or so, lemme recap real' quick:
1. Sept. 16: Aaron Alexis fatally shot twelve people and injured three others in a mass shooting at the headquarters of the Naval Sea Systems Command.
2. Oct. 1: The House and Senate STILL can't agree on a bill to fund the government resulting in a GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN. (Apparently this also happened in 1995 so I can keep my "Repent!" picket sign stashed in my closet a 'lil longer.)
3. Oct. 3: A woman tried to ram her car, with a young child inside, through a White House barricade Thursday and then led police in a chase toward the Capitol, where police shot and killed her. Fun times.
4. Oct. 4: A man set himself on fire on the National Mall in the nation's capital. The reason for the self-immolation is still unclear. He died later that night. Is Washington DC the new Tibet?
Is anyone else the least bit creeped out by all of this or am I just being paranoid? I'm not sure what to make of the recent violence, governmental instability and subsequent violence that has plagued our capitol in recent days, but I'm starting to feel a little hesitant about taking up my friend who works at the State Department on his offer for a tour of the Pentagon. Call me crazy. For those of you who might think I'm overreacting, you're probably right. There are plenty of mentally unstable people out there and this is all probably just a series of completely isolated incidences that in no way are related to the polarized political climate in which we live.
Ok, I'll play you're game. So, isolated, sensational acts of violence aside, let's look instead at the consequential day-to-day reality of how the government shutdown has or has not impacted most U.S. citizens. Ya know, those of who have not yet taken to bulldozing the White House gates with or Prius or, um, lighting ourselves on fire.
So, like, beyond the delayed federal benefits and 800,000 furloughed workers, whose jobs are considered "nonessential," how is the shutdown affecting our daily lives? (Oh and b-t-dubs, what exactly is a non-essential federal program?) According to the Washington Post, there is more at stake than Panda cams and trips to Mt. Rushmore:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/10/02/21-surprising-effects-of-the-government-shutdown-you-havent-heard-about/
So, after reviewing the article, here are some highlights: whales are screwed, Obama's family is down by 75 White House caretakers, transportation workers are having a good 'ol time not worrying about being drug-tested, consumers (but let's be, honest, Californians mostly) will have to blindly accept that foods labeled "organic" actually are and lastly, "wild horse and burro adoptions will stall," along with my heart as it skips a beat in horror.
Ok so there are some slightly more legitimate concerns to consider. For example, assistance to towns impacted by the recent flooding in Colorado could be delayed, the Department of Homeland Security will stop civil liberties complaint lines and investigation, and charges of on-the-job discrimination complaints won't be investigated until further notice. Sucks if you're these people. Right?
But, alas, most of us aren't those people. I think. So this whole shutdown business can be confusing, frustrating and seemingly entirely pointless. From what I can surmise, and I am no political expert, the GOP is holding the U.S. government hostage until it gets it's way. All because it disagrees with a law that has already been passed. It kind of reminds me of when my five-year-old nephew would be on a time-out from playing video games for not playing nice, but would then hide the controllers from the rest of his cousins so no one else could play in the mean time.
Bratty five-year-olds. Yep, that's what this whole thing reminds me of. So, congress, if you won't listen to reason, listen to Britney, and get to work bitch. Yours truly, everyone.
http://www.eonline.com/news/465956/britney-spears-to-congress-work-bitch
