US Government Closure- killing my plans!

[cbarnard7]

My buddy races ultramarathons, he had a 100 mile race coming up this weekend and it was cancelled due to the shutdown (race takes place in a national park). Really sucks to train for 6+ months for one event, and then have that event cancelled.

Yeah, that would really suck. I'm not a marathon runner, but I am an athlete and I know that before a game (just like before a marathon) you time all of your activities to prepare yourself thoroughly and give yourself enough rest...so finding out the whole race is cancelled would really screw you up I would imagine...especially a 100 mile race!

 

[cbarnard7]

I'm watching you guys!!

And I'm watching your avatar!

 

[cbarnard7]

I thought that the role of members of Congress in the US was to represent their constituents. It would seem that in the last election, a lot of voters elected members who were willing to shut down the country, so since there seems to be no active dissent in the US, the conclusion of many of us foreigners is that the majority of US voters are in favour of shutting down their own country and/ or defaulting on their national debt.

If this were not the case, I would have expected a lot of public outrage and Americans phoning their members of Congress as well as organizing protests etc.

So does the "brinkmanship" continue or does the US self-destruct?

It's a "talk the talk or walk the walk" thing. If gas prices get too high or taxes start increasing dramatically, people will freak out (because it directly affects them daily). But, when Americans hear the term, "Government shutting down" many people don't even know what that means (until it happens, really). It's like when Detroit, Michigan declared bankruptcy...how does a city declare bankruptcy?! I mean, I know how it can...but why? There should be no such thing- it's embarrassing.As far as self-destruct- no, I don't think that will happen. This has happened in the past and it's part of our government (unfortunately). But, we'll bounce back once we figure out a solution.

 

[sm4him]

What if you just.... trespass? There's no one to arrest you right right?

Our local news actually mentioned this last night, since we're so close to the GSMNP. They were doing a piece on the park closures, and rangers having to go around and tell campers they would need to leave, etc.
Then they mentioned that there will be a few "essential" maintenance and security personnel that would remain, and IF you get caught trespassing in the national park while it's closed, you can get fined...up to...wait for it...$125!!
Seriously, $125? IF I even get caught? Even *I* would take that risk, and I'm definitely NOT a risk taker. I don't even like to order a new menu item, because of the risk that I won't like it. But the worst that can happen is I get fined $125? Good grief, who cares??

 

[cbarnard7]

What if you just.... trespass? There's no one to arrest you right right?

Hah, supposedly there's a small number of rangers on patrol at the parks. I'd be the lucky guy who gave the ranger something to do that day.

Wouldn't it suck though to have a colleague that was deemed, "essential" and you go home without pay?

 

[cbarnard7]

What if you just.... trespass? There's no one to arrest you right right?

Our local news actually mentioned this last night, since we're so close to the GSMNP. They were doing a piece on the park closures, and rangers having to go around and tell campers they would need to leave, etc.
Then they mentioned that there will be a few "essential" maintenance and security personnel that would remain, and IF you get caught trespassing in the national park while it's closed, you can get fined...up to...wait for it...$125!!
Seriously, $125? IF I even get caught? Even *I* would take that risk, and I'm definitely NOT a risk taker. I don't even like to order a new menu item, because of the risk that I won't like it. But the worst that can happen is I get fined $125? Good grief, who cares??

Maybe I'd even pay $125 to have the whole park to myself?

 

[sm4him]

If you hadn't told me I wouldn't have noticed. Maybe it's because I work in the private sector and we actually get stuff done on a regular basis.

Of course military is different story. Things don't end well when there are private armies running around.

I'm *certain* you mean that as a joke. Because personally, *I* work in the public sector, and I also actually get stuff done on a regular basis. It always sorta irritates me when people make the gross generalization that ALL government employees have cushy jobs with good pay that don't really require them to do anything. Those jobs DO exist, no doubt, but they are not descriptive of the majority of us. Those jobs ALSO exist in the private sector, by the way. I worked for a pretty high-profile (at the time) publishing company and they would literally hire people for their name recognition and then give them "editor in chief" titles and big fancy offices which they were never in, and enormous paychecks just to have them associated with the company.

</step off soapbox>

Well you need to pay attention to the words I used. I work in the private sector and WE get stuff done on a regular basis. I am talking about the private sector vs government sector as a whole, not individuals.

Fair enough. *I* work in the public sector and *WE*--the public transit system that I work with--get stuff done on a regular basis, real, actual stuff that is helpful to people, despite being government. Many, many other areas of government are also productive.
Some aren't. Some are corrupt. Some are ridiculous. JUST LIKE in the private sector.

But anyway...that's all I'm gonna say about THAT. And now, I'll just go take a little break because when I start taking offense at gross generalizations from strangers on the internet, it means I either haven't had enough coffee, or...no, I just haven't had enough coffee.
So, I'll just go "get some stuff done" for a while and when I come back, I'll be happy-go-lucky again.

Ya'll carry on...

 

[KenC]

Historic sites here in Philly are closed, so I can wander around the streets with my camera without having to dodge as many people. I should take advantage of the opportunity before the people in D.C. come to their senses.

 

[EIngerson]

I'm watching you guys!!

I thought you got furloughed too.

 

[runnah]

I'll just go take a little break

What a shock

I realize that some states and some departments are better than others, but as a whole the privatization of certain departments (DOT, transportation, education) would be better.

And it is very warm under my blanket of statements.

 

[Tiller]

I always just figured every government department operated like the show Parks and Rec.

 

[NancyMoranG]

Ka-Clink-, ka-clink...old wooden roller coaster reaching the top of the First climb.....
haaannnnnnggg onnnnnn. We're done until the budget bill in mid October...
i'll vote my guy/gal out if you will!
Nancy

 

[ronlane]

It hasn't effected my vacation planning but if something isn't done soon, it could cause me to get a lot better at photography (seeing I'll have a lot of time on my hands to practice). Now to find all the photo areas that are within walking distance of my house.

 

[runnah]

Funny how with the federal government being shut down my life hasn't changed in the least...its almost as if they aren't needed and do nothing.

 

[Braineack]

Funny how with the federal government being shut down my life hasn't changed in the least...its almost as if they aren't needed and do nothing.

what does that tell you?