This is an excellent post by the Washington Post explaining the impact of a government shut down. Well over 800,000 people will be furloughed over the course of the next two weeks. As the Post explains, a government shutdown would likely be expensive, costing at least $2 billion a month.
The government shutdown debate is distracting from the astonishing point. Remember how the sequester was considered stupid and unthinkable less than a year ago? The continuing resolution being debated, essentially makes the sequester permanent.
Unfortunately, the continuation of the sequester likely cuts investment in science, research, technology and infrastructure in a way that might ultimately degrade the US superiority. Also, Obama's decision to opt for furloughs rather than layoffs is going to mean that there will be a brain drain from government, essentially eroding the public sector's effectiveness for decades to come. It might make sense for Obama to stop pretending the sequester is temporary and that sense will dawn, and instead actually cut services and lay-off people. Obama's current approach punishes loyal employees and minimizes the impact on voters, thereby vindicating the GOP.
The government shutdown debate is distracting from the astonishing point. Remember how the sequester was considered stupid and unthinkable less than a year ago? The continuing resolution being debated, essentially makes the sequester permanent.
Unfortunately, the continuation of the sequester likely cuts investment in science, research, technology and infrastructure in a way that might ultimately degrade the US superiority. Also, Obama's decision to opt for furloughs rather than layoffs is going to mean that there will be a brain drain from government, essentially eroding the public sector's effectiveness for decades to come. It might make sense for Obama to stop pretending the sequester is temporary and that sense will dawn, and instead actually cut services and lay-off people. Obama's current approach punishes loyal employees and minimizes the impact on voters, thereby vindicating the GOP.
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