*Do You Think The Government Will Shut Down?*

[AGBF]

To be more precise, do you think that the United States government will shut down in the less than four hours that we have before the midnight deadline?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/reid-says-impasse-based-on-abortion-funding-boehner-denies-it/2011/04/08/AFO40U1C_story.html

Deb/AGBF

 

[ksinger]

Government managers and contract companies everywhere have been running around with their hair on fire disseminating guidance and contingency plans to workers at federal installations, so yeah, if they are that sure it will happen, it likely will. The larger question, is if it does happen, will the "essential" personnel like air traffic controllers, TSA screeners, and the entire military - who will essentially be working for free, not to mention the furloughed federal workers and the even larger number of federal contractors, get paid. The general consensus is that the essential personnel will, while those furloughed will not, but it IS a brave new world, so no one can say for sure. All I can say is they'd BETTER pay the ones who are "essential" or else the next time this happens this country really WILL grind to a halt. You can only ask people to work for free for so long, before they simply won't.

 

[Hera]

I don't think it will happen. Even if it does, I read an article on CNN that they could have the money sent to troops by the 15th paycheck within two- three days notice. I am a military wife and while I am not too worried because I have savings but I'm definitely worried about the younger service members. They usually have to live paycheck to paycheck and I remember doing the same in my early 20's. I'm trying to stay optimistic though.

 

[Dancing Fire]

i hope so,unless both side agree to stop spending the $$$ that we don't have.

 

[suchende]

Government managers and contract companies everywhere have been running around with their hair on fire disseminating guidance and contingency plans to workers at federal installations, so yeah, if they are that sure it will happen, it likely will. The larger question, is if it does happen, will the "essential" personnel like air traffic controllers, TSA screeners, and the entire military - who will essentially be working for free, not to mention the furloughed federal workers and the even larger number of federal contractors, get paid. The general consensus is that the essential personnel will, while those furloughed will not, but it IS a brave new world, so no one can say for sure. All I can say is they'd BETTER pay the ones who are "essential" or else the next time this happens this country really WILL grind to a halt. You can only ask people to work for free for so long, before they simply won't.

The thing is, they likely 1) already got paid 2) aren't due to get paid yet. Will these "outsourced" government workers come in anyway? My State and Local Gov't textbook said there's something like 6 times as many "contractors" as official Feds.

 

[ksinger]

Government managers and contract companies everywhere have been running around with their hair on fire disseminating guidance and contingency plans to workers at federal installations, so yeah, if they are that sure it will happen, it likely will. The larger question, is if it does happen, will the "essential" personnel like air traffic controllers, TSA screeners, and the entire military - who will essentially be working for free, not to mention the furloughed federal workers and the even larger number of federal contractors, get paid. The general consensus is that the essential personnel will, while those furloughed will not, but it IS a brave new world, so no one can say for sure. All I can say is they'd BETTER pay the ones who are "essential" or else the next time this happens this country really WILL grind to a halt. You can only ask people to work for free for so long, before they simply won't.

The thing is, they likely 1) already got paid 2) aren't due to get paid yet. Will these "outsourced" government workers come in anyway? My State and Local Gov't textbook said there's something like 6 times as many "contractors" as official Feds.

No, no and no. I can't speak to all federal contracts, but the ones I know of are not paid up front. The contractor works, and the contract company bills the government for the time worked. No monies up front. Depending on size, a contractor may or may not have much of a pad to pay employees, so in many cases they just don't pay. They are, after all, in the business of being staffing services rather than actually producing anything. Not sure on the actual number of contractors, but the number who will be adversely impacted if this goes on for too long, is pretty staggering and probably more than doubles the number of feds who will be furloughed.

 

[suchende]

ksinger I know some people working on gov't contracts who get paid upfront or bill at certain points in the project, so that's not universally true. It depends how long it takes to get sorted out, but conceivably some contract work wouldn't need to be impacted at all.

 

[iheartscience]

It's looking like there will be a deal, so if there is a shutdown it hopefully won't be for long.

 

[megumic]

It is absolutely absurd ridiculous conduct that it has even gotten this far out of hand. I'm sorry, but this is unacceptable behavior.

 

[ksinger]

ksinger I know some people working on gov't contracts who get paid upfront or bill at certain points in the project, so that's not universally true. It depends how long it takes to get sorted out, but conceivably some contract work wouldn't need to be impacted at all.

I did say I could not speak to all contracts didn't I? Government contracting officer is one of the most complex jobs in government, and the certifications and training are long and stringent. Not a job I would want.

And yes, much will depend on how long this goes. The only contractor work that I would think would NOT be impacted, would be those that happen offsite - work performed at a federal building or installation will likely be shut down completely. But even if offsite, if federal computers or networks are needed to do that work, it will be no go. I know furloughed federal workers can't even check their emails.

In any case, each contract company will have to decide how long it plans to go on.

 

[suchende]

ksinger I know some people working on gov't contracts who get paid upfront or bill at certain points in the project, so that's not universally true. It depends how long it takes to get sorted out, but conceivably some contract work wouldn't need to be impacted at all.

I did say I could not speak to all contracts didn't I? Government contracting officer is one of the most complex jobs in government, and the certifications and training are long and stringent. Not a job I would want.

And yes, much will depend on how long this goes. The only contractor work that I would think would NOT be impacted, would be those that happen offsite - work performed at a federal building or installation will likely be shut down completely. But even if offsite, if federal computers or networks are needed to do that work, it will be no go. I know furloughed federal workers can't even check their emails.

In any case, each contract company will have to decide how long it plans to go on.

You said you didn't know of any, and I was sharing what I know about an area that I am familiar with, government contract work awarded project-by-project.

ETA: you also answered my question, "No, no and no" but it's not clear that it applies to the type of gov't I've been involved with personally.

 

[Dancing Fire]

a deal has been struck.our government is back in business.my granny won't starve after all.

 

[FrekeChild]

a deal has been struck.our government is back in business.my granny won't starve after all.

...for now...

 

[monarch64]

no.

 

[ksinger]

no.

But..but...but...that's cheating! You waited until you KNEW for sure! I call foul!

 

[y2kitty]

I was happy the government did not shut down. The thought of Andelian not getting a paycheck, when she buys such pretty bobbles with them, was too much for me to bear.

 

[dragonfly411]

I'm glad they didn't shut down. I was worried about our soldiers, and about all of the government workers who would be without work. They were talking about shutting down all of our state parks... everything. I feel like it would be a bit chaotic as well.

 

[y2kitty]

Yes, I know my earlier post was light hearted but I sort of can't believe we live in a country where the people who can't agree on a budget would still get paid but soldiers would not.

 

[FrekeChild]

Yes, I know my earlier post was light hearted but I sort of can't believe we live in a country where the people who can't agree on a budget would still get paid but soldiers would not.

It bothers me that they were choosing to not to agree on a budget because of social issues. Because you know, partisan stances on social issues are so much more important than the government functioning FOR the American people!

ETA: And I'm not talking national parks, soldiers getting paid, or any of the issues that have been brought to light by news media, but more towards my work--getting disabled, often homeless, people off the streets. Their measly checks would have stopped coming, and seeing as how you can't save that much when you're getting less money than poverty level, they would be right back out there on the streets.

I wish we could still talk politics in ATW.

 

[VapidLapid]

I would like to introduce legislation that suspends all congressional salaries and benefits when congress' failure to have a budget inplace by due date occurs. And I mean The People shouldnt even be springing for a couple of pizzas in an all night session. They default on their PRIMARY job function, they should all be fired and get bad references.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I never worried for a second that it would shut down. Come on, they spend billions and billions more than they take in, so what difference did it really make whether the budget was done or not?

 

[ksinger]

Yes, I know my earlier post was light hearted but I sort of can't believe we live in a country where the people who can't agree on a budget would still get paid but soldiers would not.

It bothers me that they were choosing to not to agree on a budget because of social issues. Because you know, partisan stances on social issues are so much more important than the government functioning FOR the American people!

ETA: And I'm not talking national parks, soldiers getting paid, or any of the issues that have been brought to light by news media, but more towards my work--getting disabled, often homeless, people off the streets. Their measly checks would have stopped coming, and seeing as how you can't save that much when you're getting less money than poverty level, they would be right back out there on the streets.

I wish we could still talk politics in ATW.

Well as a liberal in Conservative Land, I can say that while we all still roaringly disagree on most things, we do agree pretty much one one thing at least - that Congress is pretty d*** worthless. Certainly not worth what they are paid. Both sides.

 

[AGBF]

I wish we could still talk politics in ATW.

Yes, well then you should have behaved yourself when we were allowed to talk politics! It was liberals like you who caused all the trouble and made the rest of us lose our privileges. So put that in your pipe and smoke it!

Deb

 

[Dancing Fire]

I wish we could still talk politics in ATW.

Yes, well then you should have behaved yourself when we were allowed to talk politics! It was liberals like you who caused all the trouble and made the rest of us lose our privileges. So put that in your pipe and smoke it!

Deb

yep,i remember moonwater,karen,Freke,thing2..

 

[FrekeChild]

I wish we could still talk politics in ATW.

Yes, well then you should have behaved yourself when we were allowed to talk politics! It was liberals like you who caused all the trouble and made the rest of us lose our privileges. So put that in your pipe and smoke it!

Deb

Hah! I wasn't kicking around in there much after the election...when we "lost our privileges"!

(And speak for yourself! You are just as liberal as I!)

Its DF who is the conservative naughty monkey around here...

 

[Dancing Fire]

I wish we could still talk politics in ATW.

Yes, well then you should have behaved yourself when we were allowed to talk politics! It was liberals like you who caused all the trouble and made the rest of us lose our privileges. So put that in your pipe and smoke it!

Deb

Hah! I wasn't kicking around in there much after the election...when we "lost our privileges"!

(And speak for yourself! You are just as liberal as I!)

Its DF who is the conservative naughty monkey around here...

me a conservative? you got me confuse with Holly S...