NBR: Anyone affected by the government shutdown?

rowanthefrog · October 2013

I'm not trying to start a discussion about politics, but this whole thing is insane.

My sister is affected by this government shutdown. She's an epidemiologist with the CDC. Makes perfect sense to furlough epidemiologists right before flu season starts, doesn't it? Oh wait, they decided that they actually DO need her to work, but they just aren't going to pay her. Because that makes PERFECT sense. She's an MD and apparently she's just going to work for free.

Anyone else affected?

A

Unknown · October 2013

This content has been removed.

Firefly9 · October 2013

Not like some people--I deal with government documents in a library, so some of the websites might not work, we might not get new item shipments from the Government Printing Office, and they might not respond to our e-mails about errors in the cataloging records. So, things might slow down a little, but I'm not out of work until government gets their act together or anything.

pennstated912 · October 2013

Thankfully, not affected, but a few of my friends in DC are.

I think this is just so ridiculous. I feel like this is congress' version of a hissy fit. Shutting down a government and forcing people not to be paid (when they have given themselves an exemption from the pay cut) because they are delaying something that they don't agree with is counterproductive.

SvedkaStoli · October 2013

Thankfully not directly but since retail is really sensitive to people's spending, I am sure we will see ripples.

DH works in SSA-dependent industry so I am sure he will feel it sooner than I will.

avb422 · October 2013

Not me directly, but I'm also in the DC area, and a lot of my friends are extra-stressed.

aessary03 · October 2013

Directly, no, I will not be effected. Indirectly, yes, because I work very closely with MCR and MCD so that will effect how operations run.

SunflowersBride · October 2013

I'm in DC, but fortunately DH and I both work for private companies. But you are correct that this entire thing is insane, and you can thank about 40 super crazy tea party members in the House for this shutdown. Even the majority of the GOP did not want this to happen, and it's obvious the tea party members would rather fight for the sake of fighting (and scoring political points) than work to continue to fund the government. Obamacare was happening regardless, so it's clear that their intention was to shut down the government all along.

Deblondie1 · October 2013

Kiwi110 said:

Financially, no, because they passed that last minute bill to pay military. However, H works at a government facility where most of his department and a lot of the other employees are government civilians, so he'll be just about the only one in his department, and not a whole lot will be getting done. They'll also likely close the commissary, maybe the gym, and some other conveniences, but we can count ourselves lucky to be paid.

This is our scenario also. I do worry about some of my veteran benefits if the shutdown lasts longer than a week though.

AnnikaD20 · October 2013

I'm a federal employee, non-esential, but with the very lucky distinction of being paid with "two year money". (I found this out on Friday). That means that Congress appropriates money to pay my group in 2yr increments, so they don't need to appropriate new money this year for me to continue being paid. I'm grateful that my military coworkers will continue being paid as well.

I know this isn't supposed to be a political discussion, but I'm going to chime in with all of you other frusterated people. I understand that the Tea Party members don't like the ACA. I'm not crazy about it myself. (It has good parts, but major flaws too, imo). But we have a process here. The ACA was 1. passed by the senate 2. ratified by the house 3. signed into law by the president and 4. upheld by the supreme court. There have been numerous attempts to repeal it, and they have failed. Hijacking the entire federal government because you don't like the rules of the game is not statemanship. It's immature and reckless and makes you look really bad.

vstevens · October 2013

AnnikaD20 said:

I know this isn't supposed to be a political discussion, but I'm going to chime in with all of you other frusterated people. I understand that the Tea Party members don't like the ACA. I'm not crazy about it myself. (It has good parts, but major flaws too, imo). But we have a process here. The ACA was 1. passed by the senate 2. ratified by the house 3. signed into law by the president and 4. upheld by the supreme court. There have been numerous attempts to repeal it, and they have failed. Hijacking the entire federal government because you don't like the rules of the game is not statemanship. It's immature and reckless and makes you look really bad.

Sing it, sister!

fredtheredhead2 · October 2013

Like Kiwi, since the Pay Our Military act was passed, we are not directly affected. But DH´s office is 90% civilian employees, and they are only keeping 2 on staff. It is going to be rough and he isn't sure how much they will actually be able to get done. My SIL and her husband are both getting furloughed as well. This whole situation is ridiculous. It NEVER should have come down to this.

SunflowersBride · October 2013

AnnikaD20 said:

I'm a federal employee, non-esential, but with the very lucky distinction of being paid with "two year money". (I found this out on Friday). That means that Congress appropriates money to pay my group in 2yr increments, so they don't need to appropriate new money this year for me to continue being paid. I'm grateful that my military coworkers will continue being paid as well.

I know this isn't supposed to be a political discussion, but I'm going to chime in with all of you other frusterated people. I understand that the Tea Party members don't like the ACA. I'm not crazy about it myself. (It has good parts, but major flaws too, imo). But we have a process here. The ACA was 1. passed by the senate 2. ratified by the house 3. signed into law by the president and 4. upheld by the supreme court. There have been numerous attempts to repeal it, and they have failed. Hijacking the entire federal government because you don't like the rules of the game is not statemanship. It's immature and reckless and makes you look really bad.

You are 100% correct. If these House members hate the ACA that much and think it's going to ruin the country, I don't understand why they wouldn't just let it fail on it's own. That would actually be a great thing for the Republicans against it in the next election. But the fact that they so vehemently want to delay it's implementation, makes me believe they are seriously worried it will be very successful.

gina0485 · October 2013

Thankfully I am not affected at the moment, however many of our health care grants come through the government to sponsor the programs we run. If this is prolonged, things could get dicey.

Summer889 · October 2013

DH works for the Dept. of Defense (civilian position), but thankfully he has some outside funding he can work off of and doesn't have to get furloughed (yet). He was already furloughed once this year, so we're really grateful! But we also live in the DC area, so things are quite different around here today.

Kc101212 · October 2013

At one of my jobs, yes :-(

I coach a HS team of 50 kids that uses a National Parks site in DC to train at, which is now baracaded and locked. Trying to make other arrangements for them so their season isn't cancelled has been incredibly hectic and frustrating.

I know it's small peanuts compared to what else is going on and how people have been affected, it's just hard to see kids who have no voice in what's happening affected by this.

Freebies for those furloughed: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Businesses-Offer-Freebies-to-Furloughed-Federal-Workers-225942371.html

jldubb0626 · October 2013

Jessiejam said:

Everyone needs representation, liberals and conservatives, and usually when they work together society finds a comfortable compromise. The tea party have hijacked that ethos and are now holding the entire government to ransom. The genuine republicans in congress should distance themselves from these lunatics asap.

I think this is an unfair generalization. I align my beliefs with the tea party, so am I a lunatic as well? I think the biggest thing that most Amercians fail to see is that BOTH sides are both equally corupt and power hungry. There are so many larger issues that need fixed, the first being that we the citizens all just sit back and let this shit happen. How many American's are not getting paid today because our society as whole has the mentality of "As long as I can still play with my iPhone and Google the latest BS on the internet, I don't care about it."? We should be standing up and saying that NEITHER party is doing their primary jobs of keeping us, the people who vote for them, in their best interests. You can blame the tea party and Republicans for today's shut down all you want, but the Democrats aren't the saving grace the country needs either.

vstevens · October 2013

jldubb0626 said:

I think this is an unfair generalization. I align my beliefs with the tea party, so am I a lunatic as well? I think the biggest thing that most Amercians fail to see is that BOTH sides are both equally corupt and power hungry. There are so many larger issues that need fixed, the first being that we the citizens all just sit back and let this shit happen. How many American's are not getting paid today because our society as whole has the mentality of "As long as I can still play with my iPhone and Google the latest BS on the internet, I don't care about it."? We should be standing up and saying that NEITHER party is doing their primary jobs of keeping us, the people who vote for them, in their best interests. You can blame the tea party and Republicans for today's shut down all you want, but the Democrats aren't the saving grace the country needs either.

I don't think any one political party is a "saving grace" - one side getting their way all the time does not a functioning democracy make. Legitimate government NEEDS healthy debate and combat within the confines of its chosen institutional system. But what separates us from failed states is the fact that we have a system at all - without the system, things fall apart...in ways that are unpredictable and not conducive to a functioning nation / economy.

Being a minority like the Tea Party in a representative government is a very frustrating position, I don't doubt it, but the Tea Party didn't win the last election. In our system, it means your options are limited - you can only achieve your policy goals by working with more moderate members of your own party, or the other side. Except the Tea Party has decided they don't want to work with moderates or majority. They want their own way, and they are willing to subvert the system and shut down the government for 100% of the population to satisfy the demands of the minority who represent their constituents. I can understand why people are angry at the Tea Party in this instance, can't you?

jldubb0626 · October 2013

vstevens said:

jldubb0626 said:

I think this is an unfair generalization. I align my beliefs with the tea party, so am I a lunatic as well? I think the biggest thing that most Amercians fail to see is that BOTH sides are both equally corupt and power hungry. There are so many larger issues that need fixed, the first being that we the citizens all just sit back and let this shit happen. How many American's are not getting paid today because our society as whole has the mentality of "As long as I can still play with my iPhone and Google the latest BS on the internet, I don't care about it."? We should be standing up and saying that NEITHER party is doing their primary jobs of keeping us, the people who vote for them, in their best interests. You can blame the tea party and Republicans for today's shut down all you want, but the Democrats aren't the saving grace the country needs either.

I don't think any one political party is a "saving grace" - one side getting their way all the time does not a functioning democracy make. Legitimate government NEEDS healthy debate and combat within the confines of its chosen institutional system. But what separates us from failed states is the fact that we have a system at all - without the system, things fall apart...in ways that are unpredictable and not conducive to a functioning nation / economy.

Being a minority like the Tea Party in a representative government is a very frustrating position, I don't doubt it, but the Tea Party didn't win the last election. In our system, it means your options are limited - you can only achieve your policy goals by working with more moderate members of your own party, or the other side. Except the Tea Party has decided they don't want to work with moderates or majority. They want their own way, and they are willing to subvert the system and shut down the government for 100% of the population to satisfy the demands of the minority who represent their constituents. I can understand why people are angry at the Tea Party in this instance, can't you?

I never said I didn't understand why people were upset and I didn't say I agreed with the government shut down. But ultimately both parties unwillingness to work together and the constant bickering and blame game on both parties sides need to be taken into consideration as part of this problem as well. Blaming the tea party for the shut down is a narrow minded way to view the problem as a whole. Yes, people are going without pay as a final result to their unwillingness to budge, but do you think they would have made such a drastic stance if both parties would have been willing to work together before we got to this point in the first place? A government shut down shouldn't have even been an option and if the government was functioning as it should, this whole mess could have been avoided.

bnik · October 2013

If my husband had gotten his civilian job on time if the paperwork was processed in the 8week limit we would be screwed. But thankfully he's active duty and they passed that bill. I do feel for everyone who isn't working or who is with back pay coming. I understand how frustrating that is. Especially when everyone who doesn't work for the government says "shut it down it doesn't affect anyone!" It hopefully won't last long though! Stay strong

vstevens · October 2013

jldubb0626 said:

[snipped to cut down the quote tree]

I never said I didn't understand why people were upset and I didn't say I agreed with the government shut down. But ultimately both parties unwillingness to work together and the constant bickering and blame game on both parties sides need to be taken into consideration as part of this problem as well. Blaming the tea party for the shut down is a narrow minded way to view the problem as a whole. Yes, people are going without pay as a final result to their unwillingness to budge, but do you think they would have made such a drastic stance if both parties would have been willing to work together before we got to this point in the first place? A government shut down shouldn't have even been an option and if the government was functioning as it should, this whole mess could have been avoided.

But the problem with that argument is, the government DID function as it should. A law was passed in accordance with our legislative process. The Supreme Court has confirmed said law is constitutional. The chance to make changes to that law and come to the table is supposed to happen during the legislative process, not after the fact.

Why should a party come to the table at this point to renegotiate something it has already negotiated and passed through proper channels, and that a majority of the country, based on our most recent election results, supports? If this is the new process, get ready for nothing to get done, ever - the legislative process will become unending, because if a party doesn't get its way, it will be able to force a shut down and bring everyone back to the table...we'll never be able to consider legislation "complete". It's actually the ultimate form of control by special interests, if you think about it, and it's scary.

SunflowersBride · October 2013

jldubb0626 said:

vstevens said:

jldubb0626 said:

I think this is an unfair generalization. I align my beliefs with the tea party, so am I a lunatic as well? I think the biggest thing that most Amercians fail to see is that BOTH sides are both equally corupt and power hungry. There are so many larger issues that need fixed, the first being that we the citizens all just sit back and let this shit happen. How many American's are not getting paid today because our society as whole has the mentality of "As long as I can still play with my iPhone and Google the latest BS on the internet, I don't care about it."? We should be standing up and saying that NEITHER party is doing their primary jobs of keeping us, the people who vote for them, in their best interests. You can blame the tea party and Republicans for today's shut down all you want, but the Democrats aren't the saving grace the country needs either.

I don't think any one political party is a "saving grace" - one side getting their way all the time does not a functioning democracy make. Legitimate government NEEDS healthy debate and combat within the confines of its chosen institutional system. But what separates us from failed states is the fact that we have a system at all - without the system, things fall apart...in ways that are unpredictable and not conducive to a functioning nation / economy.

Being a minority like the Tea Party in a representative government is a very frustrating position, I don't doubt it, but the Tea Party didn't win the last election. In our system, it means your options are limited - you can only achieve your policy goals by working with more moderate members of your own party, or the other side. Except the Tea Party has decided they don't want to work with moderates or majority. They want their own way, and they are willing to subvert the system and shut down the government for 100% of the population to satisfy the demands of the minority who represent their constituents. I can understand why people are angry at the Tea Party in this instance, can't you?

I never said I didn't understand why people were upset and I didn't say I agreed with the government shut down. But ultimately both parties unwillingness to work together and the constant bickering and blame game on both parties sides need to be taken into consideration as part of this problem as well. Blaming the tea party for the shut down is a narrow minded way to view the problem as a whole. Yes, people are going without pay as a final result to their unwillingness to budge, but do you think they would have made such a drastic stance if both parties would have been willing to work together before we got to this point in the first place? A government shut down shouldn't have even been an option and if the government was functioning as it should, this whole mess could have been avoided.

But this particular shut down is 100% the fault of the tea party, because the rest of the GOP and Democrats were more than willing to work together to fund the government and raise the debt ceiling. Ted Cruz and his buddies decided they would hijack those proceedings to once again attempt to defund Obamacare, which it's important to note was going to happen regardless, because IT HAS ALREADY BEEN FUNDED. This is why the debt ceiling arguments don't make any sense. The debt ceiling must be raised because the government has already agreed to pay for these things (i.e. the laws have already been passed). If the US fails to pay for things it has already agreed to pay for, that shows the rest of the world that we are an economic risk, and it hurts our ability to borrow money, which in turn hurts the economy.

The tea party members of Congress have demonstrated that the only thing they care about is looking like they are fighting the good fight against Obamacare, knowing that it's not going to be repealed, and attempting to spin all of this as the Democrats refusal to negotiate. This is not the case at all, particularly when most of their own party does not agree with them.

jldubb0626 · October 2013

So I'm not making huge quote trees - @vstevens and @sunflowersbride

I'm not arguing the point you are both making. I fully understand that the tea party is grandstanding and throwing a hissy fit. So YES, today, you may blame the tea party for the shut down. I don't personally feel that way (even though I do not agree with the shut down) because I don't support the ACA, but that is not my argument. My argument is that before the ACA got voted through both the Senate and the House and put into place as constitutional, the issues that BOTH sides still to this day have with certain aspects of the ACA should have been worked out, before it was ever even considered to be put through as a law. My argument is the current state of the government (being driven by political interest groups, voting on issues for the sake of poll standings, ect) is the bigger idea of what's wrong with today's government - which is turn why stupid grandstanding and government shut downs are happening.

BuckeyeMommy4 · October 2013

My Grandma just told me that my uncle is working without pay. He used to be in the army, but now works for them as a civilian. He works in intelligence and has been working 7 days a week since the whole Syria thing. My Aunt is a SAHM so he's the only one bringing in income. Hopefully shit gets straightened out soon!

erika_sue · October 2013

MarBee1214 said:

We have an AFB in our city and its literally the number one thing that keeps our entire greater Dayton area running. If AF families weren't around, our population would be near zilch and the cities and towns would go to crap. Employees there have already had 20% of their hours cut recently and now on today's news, they said they expect nearly everyone on base to be sent home today until further notice. This could get really bad.

Thankfully, DH no longer works for the state or this would have a huge effect on us as well.

@MarBee1214

My in-laws are in this city and my mother-in-law will be out of work. She works on base and her income there is her only income. We lost my father-in-law this year and her work has literally been the only thing keeping her sane and busy. We are actually leaving tomorrow to go visit, which was preplanned before this fiasco, so hopefully with us being there she'll be able to get through her days.

RobynLovesDano · October 2013

We are in the process of trying to buy a home, and using USDA for our loan. So the already 45 day wait for loan approval is going to be even longer because of the shutdown :sigh: at this point, moving is going to put me into labor.

Oh I think it's crap they expect people to work but they won't pay them. Seriously what is wrong with our government these days??

JaneW2 · October 2013

For now, my husband at the DOD is both working and getting paid, but that might change through the shutdown. However, his base has no support staff, secretaries, human resource people, or any ability to pay for materials or contractors, which means that within a few days, their ability to actually do anything will be seriously curtailed. The higher-up bosses are also gone.

It's just a bunch of geeks, plus the guards. Now, that's a scary thought!

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