Imagine if the Government really shut down

[n2doc]

I know this isn't going to happen, and of course there are many many good reasons why it shouldn't happen, but imagine what would happen if the government really shut down due to a lack of a budget

The military, told to stop all missions and subsist on whatever supplies they have around them, and get home on the gas they have stored. Soldiers in the US furloughed. Building of warcraft stopped.

No social security checks or medicare, to anyone

No pensions or healthcare to Congress, or any federal worker, or contractor. No federally-paid for travel, limos, etc.

No air travel at all, due to the lack of air traffic controllers and airport security. Airports shut down, including private ones only the rich get to use.

No imports/exports, due to no customs offices open. No private ship traffic allowed due to no coast guard.

All embassy services closed

Don't you think that 1, people might just get a better idea of what government does for them? And 2, that they would never, ever shut it down, even for a moment?

[slackmaster]

1. You left out the part about letting all prison inmates go free

:hi:

[jwirr]

11. And no police or postal workers.

[Angry Dragon]

2. I believe they shut it down for two weeks in 1995

did a google

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_shutdown

[AsahinaKimi]

3. Not only no checks to disabled veterans

but It would probably affect VA hospitals as well. Imagine all the unscheduled surgeries..and those Vets who would die without immediate care.

[FSogol]

4. When it shut down last time, none of those things happened. People did get mad.

One of the main sources of complaint was that the National Parks all closed.

[n2doc]

7. Didn't say they did, or would

And I am not advocating for it, certainly people would die if the government fully shut down. My point is that people don't appreciate what the government does for them, and probably won't after this because they won't have anything happen to them personally.

Just shutting down all air travel (expect medical) would do wonders to educate people about the necessity of government funding. Or shutting down the military (again, except essential ops like hospitals, food, required security).

[FSogol]

9. You are correct. As the tea baggers showed many do not realize that Medicare is a govt program.

Or farm subsides or food stamps, or ......

[PDJane]

5. I often think it would be the only way

To make the American people realize the things, both good and bad, that the government does. It might be helpful in the long run.

[Sivart]

6. calling it a government shutdown.....

is just a scare tactic. Things are so bad, they are cutting us off.....but not everything....just the things that are not quite so essential.

It takes all of the mojo out of the threat, in my opinion.

I say bring it on, fuckers. Its one way to stop the wars.

Plus, like you said.....mayby some folks would have a better feel for how much our Government does.

[rucky]

8. sadly, the wars are in the "essential" column.

SS payments, not so much.

[n2doc]

10. I believe ss payments will go on as well

Just so the t-baggers can keep railing against their "useless" government