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So, I was a Federal employee during the 1996 shutdown.
What will happen: parks, social services, and many other parts of the government that you took for granted will close. About 800,000 employees will no longer be paid. Many of them will be expected to work anyway. On the other hand, the military, law enforcement, and other pieces that are essential to the continued operation and defense of the United States will continue. The bridges will still open and close, federal power plants will still deliver power, and so on.
Oh yeah, and the Obamacare health insurance exchanges? Still open October 1st. That means that broke people will still buy health insurance.
In a week, the shut down will end and both sides will claim to have done their best and will claim victory.
What will not happen: anarchy (because the government isn't actually going anywhere), electoral consequences (everyone will forget this by Nov. 2014).
What will happen: parks, social services, and many other parts of the government that you took for granted will close. About 800,000 employees will no longer be paid. Many of them will be expected to work anyway. On the other hand, the military, law enforcement, and other pieces that are essential to the continued operation and defense of the United States will continue. The bridges will still open and close, federal power plants will still deliver power, and so on.
Oh yeah, and the Obamacare health insurance exchanges? Still open October 1st. That means that broke people will still buy health insurance.
In a week, the shut down will end and both sides will claim to have done their best and will claim victory.
What will not happen: anarchy (because the government isn't actually going anywhere), electoral consequences (everyone will forget this by Nov. 2014).
