So the government has shut down. Well, more accurately, those who govern have shut down all productive work directly funded by the federal government. Ah, if only a government shutdown actually meant those who govern would have to do without pay until they fixed what they have broken. It occurred to me today to wonder what exactly politicians do to earn their $174,000 or more salaries. As near as I can figure it, they wander from meeting to meeting arguing with each other and bashing each other to the press, but only when they are not trying to cover up some scandalous habit or behavior.
Whatever they do must be important, because they wear suits and have to go to important parties and such. Only important people do those sorts of things, because only important people can afford to do those things, because only important people have money. At least that's what I get from my very impartial and comprehensive research and observations.
What does that mean for the rest of us? Well, what it seems to mean is we are in the middle of a tug-o-war between political parties, and they would mostly rather pull our arms off and watch us bleed out than stop tugging. You see, the thing in the middle of a tug-o-war is merely a tool, a means to victory over the opponent on the other side. What happens to it is not really as important as making sure your opponent doesn't win.
What we have on our little playground are a few hundred bullies on one side, a few hundred bullies on the other, and just over 300 million wide-eyed victims in the middle. Welcome to the government shutdown my fellow Americans. May you keep at least some of your limbs until the tugging stops.
