Would you favor a gov't shutdown until significant cuts are agreed on?
(PHOTO CREDIT: PAUL J.RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
There's a pretty good chance now that the federal government will not shut down at midnight on Friday.
The House approved a new spending measure this afternoon that could keep the government running for two weeks past Friday's deadline. Democrats and Republicans agreed to $4 billion in spending cuts - mostly to earmarks and other programs, many of which President Obama proposed in his own budget. The measure now moves on to the Senate.
You can bet those cuts are the easy ones - not any of the heavy-handed cuts House Republicans passed in a bill a few weeks ago that included ending funding to Planned Parenthood and making cuts to education programs and the EPA. And there still isn't total agreement on the $4 billion measure.
The President and some Democrats were hoping for a four to five week extension cutting as much as $8 billion.
According to a recent poll, 58 percent of Americans say they would rather have a partial government shutdown until Democrats and Republicans can agree on what spending to cut than have Congress avoid a shutdown altogether by keeping spending at the same levels as last year.
And since both parties can't agree on how much should be cut from the budget for the rest of the year and which programs should face the ax, a shutdown could be a reality very soon.
Here’s my question to you: Would you favor a government shutdown until significant spending cuts are agreed on?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Kevin:
Of course not. Having suffered through the last time the GOP played this game, I'm well aware of the real world consequences - contracts canceled, people unemployed, seniors and veterans not receiving benefits. And this time we've got 2 wars going plus a shaky economic recovery trying to survive.
Richard in Texas:
Not only would I favor a government shutdown but I would be willing to fly from Texas up to Washington DC to protest until significant cuts are agreed upon. Jack, kicking the can down the road has gone on long enough. We are at the end of the road and all those cans are blocking our way out of the dead-end called government debt.
Paul in Hawaii:
Jack, why do we have "non-essential workers" in our government? How many "non-essential workers" does CNN employ? My guess would be zero. If our government shuts down, they say all the "non-essential workers" will be laid off. Think of the billions we will save by firing all of these "non-essential workers."
Frank in Indiana:
No, this is a tactic of juveniles not elected representatives. We need to increase revenue, not cut spending. That means tax the super rich at 90% as we did under Eisenhower.
Kathy:
Jack, with our financial house in ruins, drastic and painful solutions are unavoidable. Regrettably, a government shutdown may be what's needed to shake the Democrats from their out-of-control spending. This would be similar to using a defibrillator on a person suffering a heart attack.
S in Florida:
If you mean pay the G.O.P. ransom, I'll have to say no. How about we start collecting taxes again?
@jackcafferty on Twitter
It won't make one bit of difference!
When all you have in Washington is a bunch of "clowns",
then all you have is a 3-ring Circus! God help us!
Why not all the truely needed stuff will keep going because those agencies are funded outside any form of budget spending. The whole deal is a shame by the Republican big business budies to change the retirement age to like 98.
Jack,
Jack,
Honest, hard working, government employees should not be used as pawns by Congress and/or the Senate. It's time for Republicans and Democrats to stop wasting time by bickering and pointing fingers. It's time they start working together on coming ip with viable solutions to get the deficit under xontrol. They can start doing something about the tax breaks (and tax loopholes) that the wealthy and corporations get.
Well, Jack. nearly half of Congress has been shut down since 2009 when the GOP merrily succumbed to the mantra of NO. To court another failure akin to the 1993 debacle is truly suicidal on their part, or anyone else's. It's more posturing that voters simply do NOT want. By the way....where are the jobs the mid-termers strutted? THey don't know we're counting, do they?
NO, we elect people to run the government properly. we need to sent home any person who has been in office more than 8 years. they are the problem not the cure so send them home.
Absolutely not.
no I read somewhere what all shuts down and in the true fashion of the gov it seems that they only shut down programs that help people i say lets add a policy change that they only get half pay and no benefits in these situations
Why don't we just shut the entire country down including the military. Maybe we will get lucky and a foreign country like China, Russia, or the EU will invade and take charge of the country and replace the entire government.
No, there should not be a government shut down.
They shouldn't end funding for Planned Parenthood. That would only lead to many many unwanted pregnancies. If the mothers can't afford the babies they have now, how will they afford the unwanted ones? I say keep it opened and dispense birth control for anyone that needs it.
We don't need old men and wealthy women in congress telling us what to do with our bodies.
sure, Jack, lets shut down the Federal Govenment. just let me get my stock market SHORTS in place first because IF the U S of A DEFAULTS on it's credit, the market will CRASH.
THEN we can have a re-run of TARP.
WHAT STUPIDITY!!!
Jack,
All should be shut down except our military and other vital services, as well as cut their salary until their work is done!!
They also need to do the rest of their sworn duty and start seriously enforcing laws that returns 8 million jobs to OUR unemployed and relieve us and states from preventable, forced costs associated with illegals such as Obama admitting that "illegals go to the ER and we pay for it" That adds up to an average $2 Billion cost per state/per year!! We have paid enough, they need to do all their sworn duties!!
Mary
Yorktown VA
i would favor a shutdown if it was to replace everybody in it.
We citizens can't seem to get through to the folks in Washington that government is too big so shutting it down would prove a point.
We don't want 'em and we don't need 'em. And, of course, absolutely nobody knows what would actually happen so it would be a wonderful adventure for us all. I'd suggest 60 days ought to be a good number.
Gary in Scottsdale, AZ
A temporary budget is the best way to prevent Congress from haphazardly throwing a budget together and passing it. After taking their time to consider cuts and throw darts across the aisle, no need to panic and pass a mess. They can get it right – give them some time and pressure from the press.
Given that neither the GOP nor the Democrats want to really make cuts where they are needed to be "significant" I would have to answer in the negative since it would be an indefinite shutdown.
|With reference to any gov shut down, cut back in medicare or health benefits. Do the polititions in the big house or states gov take a cut the same as they dispense it to thecommon folks |? For instance if it costs the folks an average of 10% in health benefits do they take the same hit. Better than that when the govement cuts back federal pays do they take a hit? |If they did they might find themselves looking at there own stupid spending and realize they are at fault more then the folks.
Love your short time on the news but it hits the smart button every time.
|Bob
Does it make a difference what private citizens favor? If Big Businesses want it they simply pay for it and get it and their courts all say it‘s legal. Money talks and citizens desires are simply squawks.
I would support a government shut down if congress cannot do the job of cutting the budget. Everyone knows we cannot continue this spending spree. All programs must be cut. Let's start at 5% across the board.
The last government shutdown cost more than keeping the govt open. And the Repubs paid the price. Only the American people lose from this stupidity and showmanship.
Yes. If you can't take care of the business that you have been elected for, then you need to face the consequences.
Fredonia, NY
Jack,
Yes, shut down the government if we can't get the budget within our means. Otherwise, we're bankrupt, if we aren't already.
Jack,
The shut down is just political noise, but I favor it. Our government does not have a clue what they are doing. So what' is new? SSDD.
A government shutdown does not seem such a bad idea. The way our politicians behave, if things continue as is, we might just end up with a meltdown. One possibility is. that until a budget can be agreed to with appropriate cuts, the salaries of Congress should be withheld.
Yes, I would favor a government shut down until significant cuts have been made – and my husband is a Marine so that means we would not get paid. But I think to get our country back on track we need to get our spending under control.
YES! We absolutely need BIG cuts in spending. Getting rid of Obama care would be a great start.
A goverment shut down should be inplace until we can see an actual decrease in our 14 Trillion dollar deficit. Then we can work up from there. Only then can any sanity be brought into an almost irreversable suicide plumet of our grand childrens well being.
Yes, shut it down. Nobody takes the situation serious until someone feels the pain. That is the only time people compromise.
Shutting down the government accomplishes nothing other than disrupt government employees.
I don't advocate a partial (or full for that matter) government shutdown. As normal Americans, we can't begin to fathom the extent that the government is involved in our lives. A shutdown of any kind will have far reaching adverse effects. One example: The men and women in our military don't get paid. Is that really what we want?
Congress needs to do what is necessary to machine through the legislative process and get our 2011 budget approved!
Jack,
Shut it down! However there is enough revenue monthly to be managed properly for the essentials including Social Security and Defense. We could for once see our President & elected officials act responsibly instead of the reckless abandon witnessed for the last 60+ yrs!
Yes... Shut it down. With the GAO study just out finding $200 Billion in duplicate waste, there is lots of room to cut in the new budget. Shut it down until large cuts are agreed too.
I all in favor of the government shutting down until an up or down vote is had on the deficit commissions total package. The Republicans proposing 60 billion dollars in cuts is miniscule to the trillions in deficit spending and the Democrats unwillingness to seriously cut even close to that amount is even worse than the Republicans.
Jack,
Absolutly! No more games. It has to be done.
Mike
Trexlertown, PA
The country would probably be better off if the government shut down more often. It has happened in the past and we survived. The amount of money we would save from this shut down is something tax payers should look forward to.
Jack,
It seems hard to believe these people can't sit down and come up with some kind of agreement to solve this thing. Perhaps, we should withhold their salaries until they can get this done, because so many people are affected by their lack of hard work.
Hello Jack,
I think a -partial- shut down will do a lot of good. It would get more people to actually notice the real problems that they usually just ignore. That's the only way real things ever get done any more. It will be the same thing with energy alternatives; people won't do anything until they are forced to.
If a shutdown cuts the exorbitant pork that is usually in the budget, then shut it down until we get back to reality. Reality is not giving our money to foreign countries without proper payback. Reality is cutting the budget by at least 25% so Americans do not have to suffer.
PS. Public employee unios suck!
If it would help the government to become a little more grown up and responsible, it could be a good thing. It's a shame when government isn't responsible in it's choice of spending and in using wise decisions... The one thing government has proven to "We the people" is they have lost their moral compass.
I don't know what they are so up tight about. I can cut more money in two moves then all their debating. Get rid of that tax cut for the rich and pull out of Afghanistan. There's billions and billions of dollars cut from the budget right there. And I didn't even have to take any away from poor people. Imagine that.
No, because any government shutdown will affect the poor, disadvantaged, and medically indigent population to a greater degree than any other part of the population. It would be a case once again of adding to their problems more than to those of anybody else. Frankly, I don't think that's appropriate OR fair!
This country is in decline. 58% want less because the are thinking negatively. There should be a vision to the future not to the past. The Natioal Debt issue cannot be solved with cuts in spending since cuts in spending also cuts into the economy and GNP of the Nation. The solution to the Natioal Debt lies in a reform of The Federal Reserve Bank and monatary policy. Nothing else is going to solve the problem.
It's frustrating to see these fools in Washington fooling with the future of the United States!! Cut the nonsense, cut spending,balance the budget. Only then will America rebound and flourish. God Bless America!
I would perfer a shutdown. If not now, when will the politicians get a grip on the budget problem. Letting it go on and on with no resolution is leading us down the road to failure. They should stand up now and address the painful problems and forget about getting re-elected.
I would favor a shut down.However, the state of affairs with our government is much deeper than just a budget. They are spinning out of control with "all" that they do. If we shut it down until they can agree on something they may never re-open it. Party lines have devided our politicians as well as our citizens for far too long.
I grew up in Canada and spent my working life (until last year) in the US. I am a US citizen. I never thought growing up that Canada would have it's financial house in better order than the US.
Shut it down and fix it all. It is way past time to swallow the tough pill. 1 page for each entitlement. Bammm... done. It really can be that easy.
Here is an idea for "significant cuts": How about getting rid of the military bases we have in 100+ countries throughout the world. Do we really need a Military base in Germany or Japan anymore? I thought World War Two ended in 1945. We should also stop sending so much aid to corrupt leaders and dictators. Imagine the billions and billions of dollars we could be saving annually!
I would definitely favor a shutdown until significant cuts are a done deal. We are depending on the current Congress to DO SOMETHING about this nightmare spending. There are no more places to hide, no more excuses.
You're doing a good job, Jack.
For how ever long it would take the Federal government to shut down to get out of the red , No more wars, no more forgain aid , no more section eight [ that free rent ] no social security checks they have to share the pain.No more government contracts.their over payed anyway.Congress men the checks in the mail?
Hey Jack
I'll go along with anything as long as we can get those kids in Washington
to agree on something. they are worse than a bunch of 5 year olds in a playground.
People don't realize that a lot of federal employees are just pions... housekeepers, nursing assistants, cafeteria workers. They are the ones that suffer if there is a shutdown.
Heck no Jack on shuting the governement down its amazing that those that want to shut the government down is the main one that want be affected. People mad with the federal employees why most of those people don't even have a clue why they don't like them. Just do what other people tell you to do (Dummies)
David
Martinsburg, WV
Hi,
Jack, I enjoy your segment very much and yes, I would agree to a government shutdown if that stops the bleeding deficit even temporarily. There are serious financial problems in this country that are gonna require some harsh and unpopular decisions. Although I voted for and have no regrets about my vote for President Obama, I would emphatically entertain campaigning for Donald Trump if he decides to run. He's a man that can get us in fiscal shape!
Tom,
Rumford, Rhode Island
Yes i agree on a partial shutdown maybe they need a break to refocus on whats really important.
Somewhere and somehow the cost of government must be tied to the income of government. Otherwise we have a "Madoff" ponzi scheme that has to be solved by our children and grandchildren.
Yes! But instead, they will keep the government open, cut insignificant amounts, pat themselves on the back and put us further and further in debt. No spines, since we the people demand more than we contribute. What has happened to "ask not what your country can do for you" ?
Sure, shut it all down and make sure nobody gets paid. We can also sell off all that wasted real estate in Washington–like Congress and their offices and perks. Some prime offices space to auction off.
Actually shutting down the guv does no good at all for anyone. It is stupid and spiteful and a Republician idea.
A government shutdown will cost more and only create more chaos within the federal agencies. Real meaningful cuts will not happen until U.S. debt is downgraded, which will happen in a couple of years. Then we will look at our overstretched foreign obligations, end the twin fiascos of Iraq and Afghanistan, look at social security and lower COLAs, look at defense expenditures for real meaningful cuts, and bite the bullet on Medicarae. And raise taxes. Reality sucks.
Why is no mention of all the foreign aid given to other countries when budget cuts are discussed? The U.S. pays out billions to other countries but can't seem to help our citizens who need help.
PLEASE Shut it down it's not working anyways. Maybe some time off will remind them what they were sent there to do. hmmm prob. not.
nathaniel euless, TX
heck yeah!!! if the government can't decide what to cut, then whats the point on having them there in the first place? if the governtment shut down 15 years ago and came back just fine, then whats the problem that they can't close their doors and call it a day? their paychecks maybe?
Yes....it is time to start having our elected officials get down to work and develop a bipartisan approach to spending no more than is being brought into the govt. coffers through tax dollars. The American people being are being robbed on a regular basis, and it's time to stop the bleeding that this great country is experiencing. If something isn't done soon, you will see marching in the streets and protests in American cities just like you do in the dictator run middle eastern countries. Let's get this country in order...stand up and be heard America! Toledo, Ohio
I agree on a partial shutdown. Maybe as americans we should protest this to show them how serious we are about all this spending!
Yes, and keep it shut down until we spend within our means. I receive all my income from the government and am willing to do without until some sanity prevails.
I work for the federal government and there are a lot of unesscessary jobs and spending within our department. We have contrators doing jobs that a full-time employee could do. I totally agree with shuting down until significant cuts have been made.
I would agree to the partial shut down if the first point of business would be the collection of corporate taxes and adding a sunset clause to the life of the corporation.
Second point would be the removal of all House and Senate health and retirement benefits
Third and fourth points: elections funds paid for by taxes, and level taxation for all including taxing individuals and companies doing business with and in the USA
Yes shut the government down – I have to live within my means & salary & so should our government- Start w/ all the legislators & presidential & judical salaries – I bet you when it hits them in their pocket – they will get the job done!
Before domestic cuts, let's end both wars and their huge costs!
Jack, if we fired all of the "non-essential government workers" we wouldn't have to shut down the country.
Hell no Jack! If congress did not get paid in the event of a shutdown, I might feel differently, but until we start talking about cutting pentagon spending, any "compromise" the republicans make will be useless. And going with the republican "plan" will cost nearly a million jobs. Not something we can afford right now.
What Congress needs to do is get its act together in the next two weeks and actually cut a decent amount of money from the budget.
Cut money from defense and Social Security, those two things alone make up most of the budget spending and would do more than just cutting 6 billion dollars.
Democrats and Republicans need to actually think of what we need and don't and get rid of it.
Maybe congress should propose that the president get line-item veto, and that would cut even more spending.
Elise, Houston, TX
A government shut down is way better than a GOVERNMENT MELTDOWN. We need to make it clear, WE HAVE NO MORE MONEY................
At a time when many talented people are out of work and businesses are not employing because the 9% of unemployed can't consume much and demand is shaky, Republicans want to fire public service employees - the very people who teach our children, put out fires, repair roads and catch criminals! - and make drastic cuts in vital programs for the poor, making the situation far worse and endangering a shaky recovery. Are they nuts? As Henry Ford recognized when he paid a decent wage to his workers, these are the very people he needed to be able to afford his cars.
It should be jobs, jobs, jobs, not anti-abortion, union busting and crocodile tears about the deficit while the rich gets unpaid-for tax breaks. Wake up Republicans!
The much larger $61B that the Republicans want to cut is still less than 5% of the administrations budget. $4B is chicken feed. Besides, if the social security checks will still go out, the mail gets delivered and other "critical services" will continue, how much could we save if it gets shut down? It undoubtedly would be worth it.
Yes I agree, if you don't hold there feet to the fire, as usual, they will kick the can down the road. Shutting down the government will be in its self saving some money. i don't have a probelm with it. So far the new republicians are dissapointing, it looks like they are falling into the same old practices. They were brought in to make deep changes, though its still early, looks like they are getting steam rolled the the established republicians. Time will tell.
Daryl
Rochester MN
I'm a federal employee (pittsburgh, PA) while I certainly understand the concept of getting caught up in the mob thinking of "yes for government shut down" please don't forget that there are a lot of little people that work in the government as well. I have just as much trouble affording a gallon of milk for my kids as Joe Public, and it is just as disheartening when I have to scrounge change together to do so. Why is it that because I work for my country my job is at the whim of my next door neighbor while their's remains safe? I took an oath to protect and defend the constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic...and now my country wants to shut my job down because times are tough. This is a sad reflection of what America has come to.
Unfortunately I would favor a government shut down if that is what it will take to get Congress and the White House to face up to real problems we need to take on to straighten out our economy and lives going forward. The time of running the greatest pyramid scheme in history is over and as a nation we have to start living within our means (like all Americans have to do) and stop putting the burden on our children and grand children in the future.
We need to take a lesson from the people in the Middle East and let our politicians know their behavior and special treatment granted to themselves must come to an end.
Shut it down for 2 weeks and find out how much money we win if all the politicens getting not paid we dont need them anyway all they do us make us modern slaves!
It's frustrating to see these Congressmen in Washington fooling with the future of the United States!! Cut the nonsense, cut spending,balance the budget. Only then will America rebound and flourish. God Bless America!
A shutdown wouldn't be near as bad as some of these comments indicate.We wouldn't default on loans but it sure would pressure these politicians to get moving!
Jack,
No, there should be no shutdown.
Only little people would be hurt. The federal programs that provide profit to the very wealthy few will continue at full payments.
There will be no rational budget till we raise taxes and cut the military and failed agencies like the DEA.
Carol, Sparta,NJ – yes shut the government down. They don't get it. We have no more money. The tax payers have stop spending but our government keeps spending our money. Look at the 200 b. duplicate programs that have been exposed. Maybe with a few week off, they will talk to the people.
Are you kidding? You want us to wait for the Democrats and Republicans to agree? Unless medical science just came up with an anti-aging pill, none of us are going to live that long. Get real.
You bet! Shut it down for as long as it takes to convince the Dems. If the overspending is not stopped now, it will be stopped later when the economy collapses and that will be worse than a few spending cutbacks right now will be.
I am not for the Gov't Shutdown. This would both Political & Medical Murder on American Citizens. There are millions of people on both Social Security and/or Social Security Disabilty. Not to mention those whom are in Nursing Homes across America.
I Obama does shutdown the Gov't, he should be impeached and arrested for putting American Citizens in danger. And this would also include the Veterans receiving benefits. And if American Citizens die, the President should be charged with murdering the very people he promised to protect.
Jack,
No. What I want to see is our elected officials work together and negotiate a compromise. Neither the far right nor the far left should get all that they want. The common sense middle will be what's truly best for the country.
Yes.Anything that slows our headlong rush toward insolvency is good.Sometimes when the chickens come home to roost,they ain't chickens!
It is clear that we still do not have adults in congress. If we did, they would understand that tax paying USA citizens demand a balance budget. It should be part of our Constitution. We are on a fixed income after working for 50 years and we would support "what ever it took" to make sure our children and grandchildren did not suffer from the current "kick the can" policy that is supported by both parties.
Shut it down and give them half pay. I bet they will fix the issues then.
This is old news. The dems have already caved and will agree with the pubs to cut 4 billion and stay open for 2 more weeks .This whole situation is due to the fact that the dems who controlled both the house and senate failed to pass the 2011 budget by Oct 1, 2010. The dems are still whining that 2 weeks is not enough time to pass a budget which was due Oct. 1, 2010. This is gross dereliction of duty by the democrats in congress.
The Devil is in the details, Jack. Really. The Republican agenda is to cut spending on education and many services that are essential to every civilized society. I suppose the devil might convince some otherwise. Especially since the made sure the rich are secure.
Jim. CA
No, because I believe the people who run the government are Incapable of making ANY decisions that are logical, reasonable, or in the best interests of the American people.
Absolute support from me to SHUT THEM DOWN. We will all hurt from the deeper cuts that are coming...and essential...but, HELLO! Lets get on with it. No one is buying the the pity-party the Dems are still trying to sell. HELLO, AGAIN! We can no longer afford to SPEND, SPEND,SPEND. A shutdown will send the correct message... Cut it out, or the people will CUT jobs...starting in Washington, DC. I hope Congress does the right thing to save our country.
Hey Jack
I' ll go along with anything as long as we can get those kids in Washington to agree on something. They are worse than a bunch of 5 year olds in a playground.
Yes I would be in favor of a "True" government shutdown, which would include salaries of the Pols being frozen or cut for the same period of time as needed program funds and Government employees salaries are.
I would support a full govt. shut down until sugnificant spending cuts are made if the cuts included cutting the salary of every one of the members of the house and congress at the verry least maybe Obama could set an example by taking a pay cut him self. Wish they could try and make it on my income with a family of four, we could save millions
As a government employee, I can tell you that being the country's economic whipping boy is getting old. We are middle class, responsible taxpayers who work hard and pay our taxes and bills. Studies show that we earn 25% less than we would in the private sector and we do that happily because we want to serve. We have already accepted a pay freeze for the next two years, and because we are Foreign Service Officers, the House is working to hand us a 16% pay cut when we go overseas again. And now you want to know if I support a shutdown? People clamoring for a government shutdown seem to forget that those of us who spend our lives serving this country are the ones who will suffer. Of course Congress will still get paid, but my wife and I will not.
I think the congress should be ashamed. I'm ashamed that the gov't I
vote for won't try to do the right things for the country either morally,
financialy,& politically.It seems politics is all about MY interests whether
or not we go broke.
If they can not agree on a reasonable realistic budget reduction then they need to resign and go home. We will elect some one who is willing to do the job that they claim they can not. These folks are easily replaceable.
sure as long as the congress forfeits it pay for two weeks. Maybe the political parties can come to a solution real soon. This political bickering is no good for the economy or the country. It's time to start working together to pull this country out of the mess we are in. instead of dragging there feet for political gains. Fed Up
Yes and could we get term limits at the same time??
I was wonder Jack, would a shutdown of the government put an end to the payroll of the senate and congress, if so I'm all in favor of it. I really can't think of a bigger waste of money than what we pay those useless blowhards! Does the sound of ching ching actually go off everytime they decide to form a commity, or is that just in my head.
Dave from NH.
No,we don't need a goverment shutdown!! There are people who depend on ss each month such as my parents.And my son who receives ssi.Why would 60 days be a good number Gary in Az?
Why should the federal employees carry the financial burden of our elected official's inability to pass a budget. Obviously those who favor a government shutdown do not understand that many federal employees live pay check to paycheck. A government shutdown vs a continuing resolution would mean that many could not pay their bills. Both sides, the Dems and Republicans, need to get their act together. Quit posturing and do your job!
I hope we understand that a gov't shutdown would only effect one out of four. I would be in favor of a shutdown, it's the only way we the taxpayer will ever see anything done. I could get by without access to a federal park and limited other things, even wait longer for my Federal ck if necessary. Then we can do the hard ones.
yes they should shut down. the debt keeps getting passed on and on so these self preserving parasites can keep us happy. we are americans and never have enough, but will stand up to do our share if we have to. we know we have too, but politicians don't have the balls to make us. cut the spending fairly for all and make the rich pay for the past debt. its only fair, they have profited on how the country has been run, they should pay for it, not my kids.
NO do not shut down our government. The republicans have shutdown our government for 2 years now in their on-going effort to decredit our president. They do not care about to what is good for our country, they only care about getting their power back. Shutting down our government will crash the stock market and dismantle the economic recovery that is ongoing. So of course they want to shut down our government. Do we really want to go back to the Bush era?
Yes, by all means, the time to stop spending is now, not later.
There are thousands of government services that we could do without for weeks if we had to. We need to make the sacrifice NOW!
The reasons for our Government in the first place was, I thought , to represent the people that hired them and to that lofty goal they ceased to exist long ago. We are told by wolves that we need them to guard the flock and if they are not there we will be worse off. We need to pay more attention to the revolutions going on in Africa and tell our corrupt leaders who are owned by corporations We the People are ready for change and if there is none We the People will lead the world again and start our own revolt against the corruption. Welcome to the 21st century.
Jack;
I don't favor a government shut down. In order for us to balance the Federal Deficit, we need to start where the money /spending is: Subsidies to BIG OIL / $$ sent to outside the U.S to promote Democracy/ WALL STREET & finally the Rich. We all have to make sacrifices in order for this country to move forward. All I hear are most of the rich folks complaining about their TAX BRACKET & how unfair it is to them. If we all pay our fair share of taxes and stop complaining, maybe this country will move foward and become prosperous again. Finally, to the ones who got us into these 2 Wars, and all the Mismanaged /Unaccounted $$$, give them a bucket & a canteen of water & tell them to go find it!! Jose ( San Antonio, Tx)
Shut the government down until every liberal "give away" programs my tax dollars are being used for are cut back. Eleminate the education department – they have poured billions of dollars into government programs with no positive results. Let the states handle education and planned parenthood. As far as the EPA- they are nothing more than a bone in the throat of progress!
Al Brown Gorham, NH
Absolutely, it is a must!
Shut it down as a last resort. Without it anyone trying to reign in spending loses their leverage. All the spend crazy pols will just wait until the bitter-end when the fiscal hawks finally cave for fear of putting people through some economic pain.
Jack, maybe shut down domestic spending to a degree, but moreso cut down on what our government is spending outside the country which has no benefits to our own people and who are initially the one's supplying the tax money for spending in the first place. Then when we see what we gained THEN cut wasteful spending here in America, starting with congress. They need to get knocked down a peg or three.
No because the entire thing is childish to begin with. These "people" should act like adults and come to some sort of agreement that everyone has to swallow starting with the repeal of the Bush Tax cuts for the rich.
Other than that, the only thing that needs to be shut down and for a year is the salaries, benefits and pensions that we pay the House and Senate. They need a dose of reality quick.
Yes, as long as no politician or bureaucrat is paid a dime including health care and other perks. Serious cutting can only be done by cutting redundent agencies and agencies interferring in the things people can do for themselves. Perhaps we should go back and study the principles America was founded on.
Why do you keep pushing this like it's a good thing when Moody’s report yesterday clearly indicated a government shut down will derail our recovery? Why not point out the danger instead, Jack?
They need to shut down for at least a month..Then americans will realize how well we can survive without them!
By that I guess you mean shgut down forever! Because those fools in DC are NEVER going to really cut some of the foolish spending!
And maybe if it means Congress will get shut down too, it's a good idea. We could do without Congress altogether.
Yes, and shut off all foreign aid payments until the books are balanced.
What are the singificant spending cuts??? Not the 2 wars??? Who put those wars on the future generations' shoulder??? Not GOP but somebody else- PARTY of GOP may be!!
These are the hypocrats who is now playing the debt-gaming and funding the tax for the super rich by further burdening the future generations!!
If we provide another stimuls then future generations will have to pay- someone in the past paid for us, hence we enjoy the benefits they gave us. So what is whole issue of burdening future generations with any stimuls for the people – but it is OK to fund the super rich!! Rethorical POLITICS at its best is played out here!! So sad!!
People need to take all polticans and people need to stop wining about not having raises its like a buch of babies. My generation is going to have to take over this mess do not dig the hole to chinia. Obama really want to be a average citizen then why does he just quit?
Rather than shut down the government, I would be in favor of a suspension of salaries and benefits of our Senators and Representatives until they find a way to get us out of this mess. Shutting down the government hurts the wrong people.
Joel NJ
Dear Jack,
NEITHER side "get's it" and they NEVER will! The LEFT, is all about TAX! TAX! TAX!....SPEND! SPEND! SPEND! The RIGHT, is all about TAX CUTS! TAX CUTS! TAX CUTS!.....Give 99% of the money, to the FILTHY RICH!
Neither side, is about taxing and using the money, to pay off our ASTRONOMICAL Debt! SIGH!
John
Yes, shut it down! Then the pressure will be so intense on politicians that they will act and cut the budget deeply
Wether we would approve or not has become a moot point.
The vote has become a meaningless tool.
With all of this internet, why cant we put some critical issues up to a real vote?
Why do we not have true citizenship input on what should or should be included/excluded in policy making decisions?
The politicians need to go.
If the US would close half of its 800 military bases on our planet, quit imposing and supporting dictatorial regimes while US business interests pillage resources, we wouldn't need to cut public worker's pay. China is busy making deals, while the US is still using gunboat trade policies.
How about bailing out the banks and then crying for the votes by the leader of the crying caucus?? It is better to bail out the banks than saving " we the people from a double dip recession due to high gas prices and then now govt shut-down by GOP ! we see Hypocracy at its best stage!!