Dems unprepared for a partial government shutdown that lasts for months and months

Conventional wisdom among the media and politician branches of the Democratic Party holds that President Trump and the Republicans will pay a serious price for the very partial (25%) “government shutdown” as it drags on. The passage of House budget bill with not even one dollar, as Speaker Pelosi averred, is supposed to increase pressure on President Trump in their view. They seem to believe that the public so loves visiting national parks in the middle of the winter – one of the few aspects of the 25% of the federal government that affects ordinary voters – that Republicans will crack under public pressure.

Actually, though, the don’t even get to such a calculation of who is missing what government services during a 25% shutdown. To a Democrat politician, government is so essential, so fundamental to their role as good people serving needy citizens of all stripes, that nobody could possibly endure a shutdown that lasts for months and months. It is literally unthinkable, which is why they have not bothered to think through who is going to start screaming the loudest as time continues its march forward with only 75% of the federal government funded.

They are wrong.

Senator Richard Shelby yesterday warned them:

"I'm thinking we might be in for a long haul here," Shelby told reporters at the Capitol. "I'm not optimistic now."

Shelby added, "If we can ever get over this, I think then you've got another week. A new week, a new day, and so forth." But that seems increasingly unlikely, he said. "If we don't get over this — if this goes on for months and months, and it could, I hope not, then that might be a preview of coming attractions."

If it extends for months and months then you’ll find yourself without a Coast Guard, Secret Service, Border Patrol, Park Service, Air Traffic Control system, and God knows what else. They won’t be able to go months and months without pay.

RE: If it extends for months and months then you’ll find yourself without a Coast Guard, Secret Service, Border Patrol, Park Service, Air Traffic Control system, and God knows what else.

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Are these considered non-essential?

I thought that in a shutdown, mostly non-essential employees are affected...

Are these considered non-essential?

I thought that in a shutdown, mostly non-essential employees are affected...

Non essential are furloughed without pay. Essential are required to continue working without pay.

“I thought that in a shutdown, mostly non-essential employees are affected...”

Essential employees still work, but they don’t get paid until a bill passes. Not a problem if the gov is shut down a week. Big problem if it goes on for 3 months! I suspect most active-duty military would be hard pressed if required to work without pay for months.

The government workers you listed will be the fodder to ramp up the impeachment effort. I don’t see how Trump doesn’t end up folding on the wall. Dems won’t budge, and getting Trump is far more important to them than any problems inflicted on the government workers.

If they can’t go ‘months and months’ without pay they can move on to the private sector... where they’ll quickly discover they can’t watch porn half the day on their employer’s dime.

This is Trump’s ‘air traffic controllers’... Reagan made his chops on the issue.

I’d think the airlines could privatize the ATC system....heck, they might even run it better.

In the next couple of weeks? Not likely.

Besides, having traveled on United and American recently I'm not sure they can run their own airlines effectively much less an ATC system.

The Democrats wasted their opening day, as their legislation passed is going nowhere, but being thrown in the nearest Capital building garbage can. If I were Pelosi & Schumer, I would give Trump the 5.7 billion dollars for the Border Wall right now.

Folks this game is over. In fact with Muslim Congress critters publicly calling our POTUS, Trump vile, gutter names....this Democrat controlled congress is finished before it even starts.

If I were one of the “useless” Federal Workers laid off, I would hope you all have family that will support you and pay your bills, because this Government Shutdown goes on until Trump gets his money. You can bank on it. I suggest you visit Pelosi and Schumer to demand your pay!!!

Now...If I were POTUS, I would demand to Schumer and Pelosi the entire 25 billion bucks, Trump originally requested. Otherwise, the government stays shut down, until “Hell” freezes over. Fear not border Dudes...you guys & guys will get every single dollar you deserve in pay & compensation!!! Trump has your back covered.

Let’s stop using “essential” and “non-essential”, shall we? The correct terms are “exempt” and “non-exempt”.

For instance... right now the people who handle the payroll, hiring, training, etc in direct support of our frontline men and women manning the border are furloughed. Those are essential functions, but not exempt. Those functions can be delayed but not eliminated.

And for the record, not all non-exempt employees are useless democrats. There are some hardworking republicans in the civil service. You just don’t hear about them.

This is Trump’s ‘air traffic controllers’... Reagan made his chops on the issue.

An entirely different situation. The air traffic controllers staged an illegal strike. The Secret Service and Coast Guard and all the rest are caught in the middle. And if you honestly think we don't need a Coast Guard or Secret Service then contact your congressman and senator about just abolishing them. Don't starve them into quitting.

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