This is precisely why I believe there will be a shutdown: Both sides are caught up in partisan bickering convinced that they will profit (at the other's expense) politically. This is so reminiscent of an all-in showdown: Two players, (i.e. the Democrats and the Republicans), are pushing all their [political] chips to the center of the table convinced that they have the nuts. Just as occurred in 1995, one side is going to turn up the second best hand - both sides can't "win" in this squabble. (I don't see any way you can have a chopped pot on this one, but what do I know?)

Former DJ

Running up the debt during a recession != running up the debt when the economy is doing well.

The more interesting question is who wins from a govt shutdown.. republicans or democrats?

1. Yes the government will shut down

2. It will not reopen for 15 days. It will change into a giant solar powered car and the Decepticons(Republicans) will destroy it by dumping oil on its panels from 50 year old bombers that have terrible fuel efficencys.

But they're both holding A-rag.

Both lose, if you trust polling at least...

If it was a zero sum game, i say that Repubs lose a little more than Dems as the Dems can play the, we offered to compromise for over half of your original demand and you couldn't get your caucus to play ball, hand.

would be nice if they shut it down forever imo.

I agree. I think they can pass stuff in the house to keep certain areas open like SSI. I don't think Obama will have the heart not to sign them even if the unions complain about that. I really think this might be the solution - 20 year shutdown.

What you say is true, but what did the democrats do to change it? stimulus checks and support of government workers.

Yeah government shut down is a republican scam to make people who don't use the internet to pay their bills be late on their credit card bills...

Making their intrest rate go from 4 % up to 29 % it's always about big business and the credit card companys making an extra billion or so

The big drain of a shutdown will be decreased revenue, mostly in the states and DC. A lot of states rely on federal employees and federal money for payroll. Parks shut down, vacations get cancelled. Fees aren't collected. Federal money not coming into states means more IOUs to vendors. Put this with the Wisconsin union breaking, and watch the Republicans not want to give backpay, and then you have a very angry white and black white collar class.

I think it shuts down, and is back up by Monday, followed by at least one more small shutdown this year. Possibly a longer one late in the year why FY2011's budget gets "debated".

This assumes that private companies wouldn't be created to provide mailing services. It would be amazing to see the government shut down and sell off all the services they are currently providing to the highest bidders and shut down the unneeded services for good (i.e. earlier mentioned mailing service and social security to name a couple).

The Post Office pays for itself. Even its retirement plans. You aren't going to find a company willing to assume pickup and delivery to every address for the standard stamp rate. The Post Office's existing infrastructure would be a huge advantage.

Solid plan. Let's let Eli Lilly take charge of drug safety and Oscar-Mayer can do meat inspection.

Drug companies ALREADY run the FDA.

Private food inspection that has HIGHER standards than the government ALREADY EXISTS.

So if that's the case, then get rid of the post office monopoly as clearly no one else could do what they do.

Delivering mail to citizens is a basic service of every government in the world. Meanwhile having Fedex or UPS deliver a letter costs $3, while the USPS does it for fifty cents. How can that be better for anyone?

What would you have had them do?

Obama comes on tv saying t it will stop fha loans, sba loans. i really think they will never cut the military or SS checks. We should shut the government down at least 5 years to improve the economy.

Thank god at least the Representatives will still get their moneyz in the event of a gubmint shutdown!

There was a proposed bill in the House to stop payments for Representatives. All but one Democrat voted in favor, all but one Republican voted against.


http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2011/roll223.xml

Yeah but I was listening to CNN tonight and as it turns out it might be unconstitutional for them to not be paid.

this made me burst a blood vessel

3-4 years of no National Parks wouldn't be very popular.

Be very careful what you wish for, citizen. You're advocating a ****storm for which the ramifications will be very unpleasant.

Wouldn't it be awesome if the Democrats would show some teeth and offer a different plan that would end the Bush tax cuts and end corporate welfare? The Reps will obviously reject the plan but it will probably get some points in the polls.