Will a Government Shutdown Occur on March 4?

Will a government shutdown soon occur? There is much talk in the news and online about how the members of Congress are still bickering about the federal budget. Thus far, neither side is willing to make the compromises necessary to avoid a government shutdown. March 4 is the last day of the current federal funding law. It may be a day our country goes into crisis mode.

Government Shutdown: Cost of $100 Million or More Per Day

A shutdown of the government in 1995 had a cost of about $100 million each day to the American taxpayers, notes First Read of NBC. Also, in 1991, a three-day shutdown cost $607 million. Since America is already in a fiscal crisis, it seems nonsensical to have such astronomical costs due to politicians not being able to reach an agreement about how to fix budget woes.

Speaker of the House Boehner may cause a lot of grief for many people if his stubborn behavior impedes normal government function. Government workers may be ordered off the job, senior citizens may face a delay in receiving their checks, and government-funded research projects may be shutdown or put on pause. The government will lose revenue too.

The longest shutdown to ever occur lasted 21 days in December 1995, notes the WashingtonPost. And now, although Obama has desperately tried to get bipartisanship to work, the GOP still slams his ideas every chance they get. Obama should be backing away from attempting to bond with the GOP and start playing hard ball.

Can Boehner Control the Tea Party Members in the House?

The freshman members of Congress who are affiliated with the Tea Party may be overzealous and naïve about what type of cuts can be made without causing a shutdown, notes Time. Boehner doesn't have control of these members of the House who are somewhat rogue and balking against the GOP.

The GOP House wants $61 million cut from the federal budget. The deficit in the federal budget is currently approaching $1.5 trillion. Perhaps President Obama needs to stop bailing out sleazy Wall Street firms and end tax cuts for the rich

Also, it is strange how the GOP hemorrhaged billions of dollars on wars in recent years and yet acts like they have a superior ability to manage government finances. If a shutdown occurs on March 4, it will be a public relations nightmare for the GOP.

The people of America do not want to see chaos in the government. There is turmoil in the country already over lack of jobs, health care reform and the ongoing war in Afghanistan.

Sources:

First Read of NBC.

WashingtonPost.

Time