“Shut It Down”

Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) said that a government shut down should be, “on the table” in the talks over the debt ceiling and was insistent.  She claims that her constituents want her, and her colleagues in the House, to use that tactic to get their way if necessary.  I don’t think the congresswoman, nor her constituents really know what a government shutdown could entail.

If the Republican’s fail to pay their bills, and that’s what it essentially is, many of her constituents would be hurt by this kind of stunt.  

The troops that Republicans claim to support, and like to think they have a monopoly on that support, would not get paid.  Many spouses and children of our troops are on a very tight budget anyway, but to cut off that lifeline is tragic. 

Social Security checks would not go out, impacting countless seniors.

National Parks would close which generates approximately $251.2 million each year.

Medicare applications and claims could be held up, impacting many low-income families.

This is not a decision to take lightly.  Congress needs to pay its bills.  I kept hearing from the right that the debt ceiling should not be raised to pay for Obama’s new spending in 2011.  They were being disingenuous by deliberately misleading the public.  This time around, they seem to be singing a different tune but several members of Congress have expressed similar sentiment as Rep. Blackburn.

It is important that Congress pay its bills and the country continues to function.  There are other times, and other ways to make your point, Rep. Blackburn.