The upside of government shutdowns

Whether the government shuts down or not this year, it’s been a good run! But shutdowns are viewed too negatively by too many people. They fail to see the wisdom in furloughing, then paying millions of people — feds but not contractors — while costing taxpayers millions more.

The several shutdown scares this year (most recently this week) have brought joy to many. Such as people who hate the government, or loathe Washington and/or dislike anybody who works for the government.

The media in 2015 pumped out millions of words — written and spoken — about the possibility of shutdowns. And the potential adverse impact on the public. It’s been wonderful! Manna from the media version of heaven.

In a business where bad news is really good news — the media and the political world — the horrors of a shutdown are welcome.

Good times!

In mid-September, a 40-year veteran of Washington’s budget wars wrote a piece for a national publication. In it he predicted there was a 75 percent likelihood that Uncle Sam would go dark. Others said the odds of a shutdown then were even higher. That didn’t happen, but hope springs eternal.

Shutdowns permit Republicans to blame Democrats (sequestration) and Democrats to blame the GOP-led House (either for doing nothing, or doing the wrong something). Preaching to the choir is a Washington art form with shutdowns the ultimate prize. It is viewed as a plus for both sides, by both sides.

The fear of a shutdown over Christmas muted complaints from those feds who complained that the half-day off on Dec. 24 gift from the White House wasn’t such a big deal.

A shutdown would ease traffic in major federal centers. Instead of going to work, or shopping, people would stay home wondering if they would eventually get paid.

Shutdowns at National Parks always focus on the poor tourists. But they are good for bears at Yellowstone National Park who are forced to stop begging for food and return to nature. And near-sighted elk don’t have to worry about auto traffic.

During a shutdown, the famous blind fish at Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave National Park don’t have to guess whether tourists are gawking at them on the Echo River tour.

Again, good times.

Shutdowns also make holiday flying more exciting. Passengers, already nervous about drones and lasers, are distracted wondering if there are enough air traffic controllers on the job. And does the TSA have a full complement of screeners and other security folks checking bags? And creepy passengers?

What’s not to like?

And if it doesn’t happen this year there is always 2016.

Another FEHBP Open Season: Federal workers and retirees who want to switch to the new self-plus-one option will be able to do so in February. There will be a special open season. At 10 a.m. tomorrow on our Your Turn radio show, David Snell from the National Active and Retired Federal Employees talks about how the special open season will work. If you have questions you can call in during the show or send them to me: mcausey@federalnewsradio.com.

Nearly Useless Factoid

By Michael O’Connell

Approximately 280-610 grizzly bears and 500-650 black bears are estimated to be living in the Yellowstone National Park ecosystem.

Source: Wikipedia

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