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U.S. President Barack Obama looked like a beaten man after emerging from a White House budget meeting with GOP members last night. The budget talks between the White House and the Republicans have failed, and now the government shutdown that everyone is dreading looms large.
All nonessential government services — including the processing of IRS refund checks – will cease at the stroke of midnight tonight. The government shutdown will throw millions of people out of work temporarily.
Troops who protect our homeland will not get paid; social security checks will not go out libraries, museums, courthouses, city parks and recreational centers will all be shut down. Edit: According to loyal reader keiond23, who works for the SSA, social security checks will go out.
The trickle down theory will go into effect as most major cities are cut off from government funding.
The shutdown could affect city nonessential services such as garbage collection and even MARTA transit service might roll to a halt.
Americans are venting their frustration on networking websites. A facebook group is organizing an event to dump garbage on House Speaker John Beohner’s front lawn. Boehner is a Republican.
Former civil rights leader Jesse Jackson compared the government shutdown to civil war.
Meanwhile, Obama, 49, and his family will travel to Williamsburg, VA today to unwind and get in a little rest and relaxation.
Update I:
According to the LA Times, a planned vacation by the Obamas to Williamsburg, VA today has been canceled. The White House and Congress remain committed to resolving the budget dispute to avert a government shutdown tonight at midnight.
Originally posted on April 8, 2011 @ 10:57 a.m.
