1. Both sides of the aisle are petty and mean. That may be an elementary way of describing them, but I don't believe their actions warrant much higher vocabulary. They're acting like school children.
2. The gov't has too much power. It may be microcosm of bigger issues, but the following agencies are closed right now:
Ability One - A program that assists the blind
American Battle Monuments Commission - Want to go see Gettysburg? Sorry. You'll have to wait.
Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board - That April 15th explosion in Texas? Yeah, sorry.
Department of Interior (National Parks) - Closed. Planned a big trip? Got your vacation time? Saved up your money to see Yellowstone? Sorry.
Institute of Museum and Library Services - Sorry. No learning will happen here.
National Gallery of Art - No culture for you!
Smithsonian - How many of you went on that big 5th grade trip to DC? Sorry, 5th grades this year get nothing! Nothing!
US Commission of Fine Arts - Closed. Go drown in a river, creative people.
US Holocaust Memorial - Closed. Want to pay your respects? Download a picture off the internet, plebians.
NASA - Partially closed. Have a 3 day weekend planned so you can take your son to the space and rocket center? Fuck you!
And that's the gist of it - Fuck you! The gov't has shut down, and because they can't figure out how to agree or compromise or discuss anything, they've decided to take away a number of enjoyable and needed services.
This should be a bigger outrage if you ask me. Honestly, I believe the government will try to expand their hand in what they can shut down in a scenario like this. I mean, why are air traffic controllers still fully employed? That would get the citizens' attention, right? Only essential flight traffic will be allowed. NFL and college football games are suspended until the end of the government shut down.