The U.S. government partially shut down for the first time in 17 years on Tuesday as a standoff between President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans over healthcare reforms closed many government offices, museums and national parks and slowed everything from trade negotiations to medical research.
A protester covers his mouth with a dollar bill as he joins other in front of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, urging congress to pass the budget bill
Barack Obama meets with members of his cabinet, including Secretary of State John Kerry, left, Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter in the Cabinet Room of the White House on Monday night in Washington
US House Speaker John Boehner makes his way to chamber for a vote at the US Capitol
Republican Senator from Arizona John McCain (C) speaks with members of the news media after the Senate rejected a House-approved continuing resolution to fund the government on Monday night
Obama refused to negotiate over the demands and warned a shutdown could throw a wrench into the gears of our economy.
Federal agencies were directed to cut back services and up to 1 million workers were put on unpaid leave. Women pass a sign announcing the closure of the National Gallery of Art in Washington.
NASA informs readers that because of the federal goverment shutdown they will not be posting to their social media site
Tourists stop on the highway to capture a photograph of Mount Rushmore, one of the many National Parks closed on Tuesday due to the US government shutdown
President Barack Obama addressing the media on the first day of shutdown in the USA
US Park Ranger Richard Trott places a closed sign on a barricade in front of the World War II monument in Washington
Police tape blocks a closed Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall
Newspapers across USA bore the distressing news of the shutdown on Tuesday morning
This is so classic.
ReplyDeleteThe Republican Congress remind me of a child, not getting their way, So instead they throw a temper tantrum. They need a major time out.
ReplyDeleteIsn't Obama doing the same thing by refusing to negotiate? this is the problem with our current system of government... democrats blame republicans and republicans blame democrats, but they are all just a bunch of whining turds.
ReplyDeleteUntil they breach that divide things will never get any better.
besides, the ONLY reason Obama is closing the parks is because he wants the PEOPLE to feel it. I voted for the guy in 09 but I still think he is being a dick.
all that effort and it didn't stop the WWII vets from getting in. hell, the government Is even trying to put up barricades at Mount Vernon and its privately owned!!! this is all just for show....
Many republicans are representing their constituents. They are standing for our beliefs that Obamacare is wrong, unconstitutional and will hurt us more than help us. That's 41% of Americans. It damn near 50/50 or close enough for government work. And we can sit and bicker and fight but at the end of the day what does that help? What good does it do to constantly try and prove each other wrong? What good is it to win a victory and shove it in your fellow Americans faces? Why can't I be in an area where we don't subsidize what we don't believe in? Why would I settle for being taxed without representation of my beliefs? It hurts everyone, no one gets what they want, we all hate each other and we are constantly needing to compromise our beliefs and beliefs that are generally in line with our local and state populace.
ReplyDeleteAs it stands it's impossible to bargain with what is on the table because there is a fundamental divide, and this goes deeper than congress (since most of them are there for the $$$), between how large groups of this country feel our government should work. It almost seems like, to me, the liberal states and conservative states are at a point where they should divorce from each other because there is no way we can satisfy each other. There are no more compromises because we hardly find common ground anywhere. I'm sure you don't want the method of government I want and I'm sure I don't want what you want. I'm starting to feel it would be better if we just went our separate ways. Then everyone would be way better off.
Or we could govern at the state level primarily, have states that believe this is not a trespass on their rights set up their exchanges and let others be. I may be considered radical (because that's in line with what "radicals" are preaching) but it's only because I want everyone to get what they want and live within their beliefs. Not overreached, overburdened, overtaxed, suffocated and enraged with disagreeing ideals.