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Well, we have planned a trip to DC for our family's Spring Break starting on April 18. If the federal government shuts down (April 8, I believe), will all the museums and sites close too? We plan on visiting many of the Smithsonian museums, National Archives, a tour of the Capitol, etc...I don't know if we should cancel our trip or not
If the government shuts down, the Smithsonian museums and national parks would also close. However, I don't know if they put up barriers so you can't walk up to the monuments, or if it's just that they're not attended to (and anything inside, such as going to the top of the Washington monument, would be closed).
That said, I wouldn't alter your plans based on the possibility of a shutdown. It was "going" to shutdown in February and then again earlier this month, both of which didn't happen. I'd bet money that they'll either pass another continuing resolution or actually get it together and pass a budget for the rest of the year (considering they're supposed to be debating the 2012 budget right now...).
Thanks for your reply. If we were to cancel, it wouldn't be until the very last minute since the chunk of deposit $ we would lose for the condo we are renting would be the same at that point. I know there is a lot to do in DC other than visit the museums and sites, but it is sort of the whole point of the trip for us...so I will cross my fingers!
I'd be very surprised if it's an issue for you. I work for the government, and no one around me really expects any sort of shutdown (it was seen as more likely back in February).
I'd be very surprised if it's an issue for you. I work for the government, and no one around me really expects any sort of shutdown (it was seen as more likely back in February).
Quote:
Originally Posted by knowledgeiskey
The government is not going to get shut down.
Can you both please enlighten me, what has changed since February? It seems as if they haven't really made any progress.
Can you both please enlighten me, what has changed since February? It seems as if they haven't really made any progress.
What's changed is that there's a lot more important things going on in the world, and no one's really listening to petty partisan politics right now. There's nothing for a politician to win by fighting over the budget.
What's changed is that there's a lot more important things going on in the world, and no one's really listening to petty partisan politics right now. There's nothing for a politician to win by fighting over the budget.
I guess one of the worst financial crisis in our nation's history, two wars, and record unemployment weren't big enough to motivate them before...
I guess one of the worst financial crisis in our nation's history, two wars, and record unemployment weren't big enough to motivate them before...
Uh, obviously much of those things you mention are related, or believed to be related, to the budget. So no, those things wouldn't distract the voting public the way earthquakes and tsunamis would.
Uh, obviously much of those things you mention are related, or believed to be related, to the budget. So no, those things wouldn't distract the voting public the way earthquakes and tsunamis would.
What do earthquakes and tsunamis have to do with a federal budget? We didn't have them happen here and the amount of money that we put out to aid them is minimal. And I don't remember Haiti having that effect on us last year, even though we have given them far more aid. Trust me, the only thing that can motivate these politicians is money and if their constituents are telling them that they are unhappy about their work, that might be the only thing that can make them move. You have to be delusional if you honestly believe these politicians are going to suddenly become conscience about settling a budget, when these are the same individuals that don't have to pay into their retirement or health insurance. If they were really serious about getting anything done, they would give up some of those things since that alone would save millions. The only reason why they are moving on the budget now is because of the backlash, not the earthquakes and tsunamis.
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