Yes people this is the final hour and where do YOU stand? People have urged, and urged, and urged, and urged.....for years for voters to choose their politicians wisely. However, too many of us have taken such advice for granted and complain when the crisis comes. When a crisis hits, there's not too much you can do when in reaction mode; but in proactive mode you can counteract whatever problems may arise. Now, in less than three days our government will shut down if they do not reach a compromise over the remaining budget for this fiscal year. The republicans are now acting on the demands of the steamship known as "The Tea Party." While I do not support the Tea Party, I do admire and respect their vigilance. They have many discrepancies with certain things and instead of being passive they are taking a stance all over America to voice their opinions. How come no one else is able to rally as forceful as they have?? Are they the only ones who want to change something about their country? Probably not, but their visibility certainly suggest so. So here lies the problem. The Tea Party from the beginning has wanted to bring an end to funding in education, funding for Planned Parenthood, funding for Medicaid and the laundry list goes on for days. Cutting funding in education means more teachers are laid off, more schools close, and more of our students recieve a cash in education that they cannot cash. Planned Parenthood provides birth control among other pregnancy prevention tips for those who financially do not have anywhere else to recieve such services. The democrats have offered a bill that would allow government agencies to continue while cutting 61 billion dollars from the budget, but the Republicans say, "Oh no that's not enough we want to have the greatest spending cut in history, let's cut 6 trillion dollars in federal spending.” So because each group has two totally different stands on how the budget should be cut they’re at a standstill until a greater compromise can be reached. Democrats are fighting to keep the government running while the tea party is shouting, “shut it down baby shut it down.” The government shutdown will affect you in the following ways: If the government closes shop after Friday, the IRS will stop processing paper tax returns, the Small Business Administration will stop making loans and federal home loan guarantees will be put on hold. Additionally, almost 800,000 federal employees will be placed on furlough and will not receive a paycheck to handle their expenses until the shutdown ends. Some of the government's biggest jobs, like defense and medical research, would also take a hit. U.S. troops would be paid through April 8, but after that, paychecks to members of the military including those in war zones, would stop. The National Institutes of Health will stop accepting new patients, and put clinical trials on hold. At the IRS, paper tax return filings -- about 30% of all returns -- would be put on hold, but electronic filings would be processed. The Environmental Protection Agency would stop reviewing environmental impact statements, which will slow crucial energy related projects. E-Verify, the Department of Homeland Security program that helps businesses determine the eligibility of employees, would be suspended, which could lead to hiring delays. What I am urging is for us, we as Americans with a common goal, to live a prosperous life and leave a better tomorrow for our children must stand up and act!!!! What will it take for us to take to the streets and direct our future in the manner Dr. King and so many of our forefathers did??? We either do some now or suffer dire consequences later!! So I ask it is 11:59 and the hour is almost gone are you ready for your government's shutdown?
