The Government Shutdown

The United States government shutdown is probably one of the most inane, childish, immature, idiotic occurrences that has yet to beset this country. There are many ways to pin the blame in this situation and that in it of itself is an infuriating display of stupidity and nonsense, but it is not the point of this post. My real concern is the congressional deadlock and how it will effect the raising of the debt ceiling.

If this whole scrabble over healthcare in congress only affected the population of the United States, I wouldn't have a problem with it. Sure, I have many personal opinions about who is responsible and that will come into play next time I vote. But that doesn't matter, no, what really scares me is the fact that congress is willing to play a game of economic chicken with the global economy. The United States is the spearhead of the global economy. What happens to us happens to the rest of the world. Remember when the housing bubble burst in the U.S. and sent the entire world spiraling into an economic downturn that we are just now barely struggling to escape from? I do. Now congress is using our outstanding debt as a political bargaining chip like this is some game. The global repercussions of the United States defaulting on it's loans would be catastrophic. 

The U.S. has occupied the central position in the global community since the end of the second world war and that has led us to hold a very powerful position, and with great power comes great responsibility. The United States is central economy holding the global community together, the fact that we have never defaulted on our debts makes us a safe investment and the powerhouse of our capitalist economy makes us an enticing place to invest indeed. This set of events means that if, for some reason, we default on our debts that confidence will be shaken, we will no longer be a safe investment, and with our already sputtering economy that is a death blow to our economy, and as has been shown in the 2008 recession when we fall, we take everyone with us.

If we default on our loans we and we alone will be responsible for the global economic downturn that is sure to follow. The worst part about all of this? The rest of the world has absolutely no control over a body of 435 men and women that have the power to throw us all into this economic abyss. The rest of the world didn't vote for them, they can't call them to ask them to see reason and compromise, the rest of the world can only sit idly by while we slowly drift off a cliff with a rope attached to their necks. That's what makes me angry. These poor souls had no control over the catastrophe that will envelope them if we default. 

All of this will happen because two political parties cannot agree over whether or not a law providing healthcare insurance to the poor citizens if this country should be funded now, or next year. Let that sink in, we are so wrapped up in our political squabbles that our congress is willing to hurt millions of lives so that the representatives can have party support in their next election primary.