What the government shut down will do

But there have been partial shutdowns before I understand.

Why did the clock not stop in any of those?

No idea. I just saw the headline and thought it kind of sad.

Although perhaps that is a sign of my screwed up priorities. Not winding a clock certainly pales in comparison to someone facing death or serious injury.

Gallup has called me at least twice now in the past few days, I presume to ask me if I was mad at anyone in Washington.

I didn't bother to answer either time. I don't really care about the shutdown anymore (if I ever did).

The odd thing is that congressmen still receive their salaries and perks and what not... if I were Obama, I'd put them all on notice by not paying a dime to them.

Unfortunately, the President doesn't have that power. It's Congress that controls the purse strings and it puts them in the enviable position of being able to raise their own salaries or make any other decisions regarding same.

Right, but who's actually operating the HR office? There must be admin folks managing the payroll, and they must be federal government staff, no? Maybe Obama could send them a memo that they should all take a forced leave until further notice. Come to think of it, he should also send the senate security personnel home, and the sweepers and the maintenance crew as well.

'Mr Congressman/Ms Congresswoman, you're entering the premisses at your own risks... Do mind the homeless people sleeping in your office. They're armed so there's nothing I can do... I must go now, I'm alternating as a pizzaiolo during the shutdown.'

Obama's administrative authority extends only over the Executive branch of the government. We expect a lot from a president but in reality his authority is quite limited; there's only so much he can do.

And that's supposed to be a presidential system?

That's supposed to be a system of "checks and balances." Nobody has unlimited authority and one branch of government can always put the brakes on any excesses of another one of the three branches. Unfortunately, in fiscal situations (which is what the present crisis basically is), Congress holds the whip hand.

Well, each political system has its quirks and debilitating aspects I suppose.

The government shutdown has made these trespassing malingerers criminals:


http://www.buzzfeed.com/bennyjohnson/brave-tourists-are-blatantly-defying-the-us-governments-dema

There will be a deal to tide you over. If not the markets will force the issue within a week at most.

Senator Al Franken has donated his salary to a food bank in his state.

That should get him a few votes. What's the timescale? Has he any other income?