thu 07 apr 2011 00:14:10 — witte de withstraat
US govt facing shutdown over budget quarrel
i think it's gotten this far before, under previous administrations.
in the guardian they said
"A shutdown would prompt widespread disruption, hitting health services, courts, housing loans, museums, weather forecasts and other federal government services. Visitors to the US would face delays as embassies stop processing visa applications.
One of the officials said an estimated 800,000 out of the 2.8 million federal employees face being placed on extended leave, during which time they are unlikely to be paid. Exemptions will be made for services viewed as essential for security or safety, such as the military, law enforcement officers, customs officers and other border officials, and homeland security. The military would be paid up until Friday but, though continuing to earn beyond that date, would not receive any further pay cheques until the crisis is resolved."
so in other words, the budget crisis will shut down everything the US government does that isn't so bad — while all their bad stuff will go on as usual.