For the fourth time in my lifetime, the US Government has been shut down. The only reason I knew what would happen during a shutdown is because it happened in The West Wing.
"Then shut it down."
While it is the fourth time in my lifetime, this is the first I will actually remember and first that will affect me. The government has shut down 18 times since 1976 including this one; the longest being 21 days in 1995-1996. If this shutdown lasts a few weeks, this will prevent me from visiting the National Park dunes in Indiana or prevents me from taking vacation to any government run attractions. It's sad to know that Yosemite National Park will be closed on its 123rd birthday.
Government websites are down (or limited). Government run Twitters are down. And even the Panda Cam is down (I wish I knew about this before it was brought down).
For the sports fan that don't think they'll be affected by the shutdown, the three military academies have suspended athletics including practices.
But most importantly, 800,000 federal employees have no salary. This will cause anxiety since no one knows when this government shutdown will end especially for those who are in need of income to provide for their families (and Head Start kids have no place to learn).
It's entertaining how the government shutdown is being caused by the fight to defund the Affordable Care Act and the online marketplaces created by it came online on the same day.
Thank you Jimmy Kimmel for this:
Obamacare- Marketing at it's best/worst.