Shutting down ...

"What, me, worry?"

Get your copy, while it's hot! It's "Mad Magazine," the Washington D.C. edition. House Republicans will not fund the United States Government, unless Affordable Health Care ceases to be funded. The shutdown, however, will not impede changes taking place under the Act, because the funding is not in the Congressional budget.

     "Where is the surprise in the current meltdown," you may ask. After all this nation has operated sans budget, since 2009, narrowly averting a shutdown, until now. In the event anyone is worried, until a couple of weeks from now, when the nation finds itself poised on another debt precipice, here is how the shutdown will affect most of us: 

• Furloughs: Federal employees (800,000 of them) will be furloughed. They can look forward to being paid retroactively, once the shutdown is over. At least, that has been the case in the past. Personnel engaged in services, such as air traffic control, hazardous waste removal and food inspection will not be furloughed. 
• Office Closures: Of course, furloughs mean federal office closures, not just in Washington D.C. The Department of State generates sufficient fees to support it's operations. However, offices located in federal buildings affected by the shutdown may not be able to open. 
• National Parks: None of us and none of our foreign visitors will be able to visit national parks, national zoos or national museums. All National Park Services sites will close, 368 of them.
• Travel Documents: With any luck, you have a valid passport, particularly if you must travel abroad. Passports will not be issued. The shutdown of 17 years ago halted the issuance of 200,000 travel documents. The impact on cruise and airline revenues was extreme, not to mention, tourism suffered worldwide.
• National Defense: Active duty military members will remain on duty, but a bipartisan bill seeking to protect their paychecks failed in January. They won't be paid, until the government is functioning, and appropriations for military pay resume. Families of non-commissioned personnel will be particularly hard-pressed to meet their needs. There is additional bad news for military personnel. Some administrative functions will cease. Medical services will be limited. Facilities maintenance will be suspended. Most of the civilian employees, who serve the military will be furloughed. 
• Death/Taxes: Deaths will proceed as usual, as will the IRS. U.S. bonds will continue to be issued and other essential banking functions will remain in place. The U.S. Postal Service will also be unaffected by the shutdown.
• Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives: The shutdown will apply to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, in case you were wondering. They won't be issuing gun permits for a time. That's okay by me, personally. Government loans, however, such as small business loans, won't be being processed, nor will federal home loans. 
• Social Security: Social Security will likely send checks, except, of course, to new beneficiaries, but veterans aren't going to be in great shape, as their checks will be delayed. 
• Washington Residents:  If you live in Washington D.C., btw, buy a supply of surgical masks, aromatherapy oils and tall rubber boots. D.C.s budget is driven by Congressional approvals, so an estimated 500 tons of garbage will accumulate in the Capitol weekly. -Nice. 

Colorado residents are definitely on edge, because so many are recovering from disastrous floods. The state's infrastructure was so drastically damaged, we cannot afford delays. Ironically, national polls estimate only 51% of United States citizens blame the Republican Party for the current state of affairs. -Huh?