The only benefit to the Gov shutting down

[ers906]

Without thinking about the federal government shutting down on monday night too much, I decided (like every tuesday) to head out to the lake to ride. I know the lake is on federal land, but didnt think too much about the launch ramps and bouy lines. Head down there to signs and federal park rangers blocking off the roads and turning traffic away. Was able to BS my way past the ranger, and threw a marina employee some cash to launch the boat using their ramp (private land). Five hours of being the only boat on an 11,000 acre lake. To get the boat out of the water was a bit more difficult, since it was dark and the marina was closed. Ended up unbolting the entire gate that was locked to block the public launch ramp, backed in the trailer, pulled the boat in, and rebolted and replaced the gated. Mission accomplished. Pretty much perfect glass all day so it was worth it. This may be the only benefit about this entire screwed up situation. I really hope that this gets resolved quickly (regardless of my personal Obama and Obamacare beliefs). I feel for the furloughed employees and those not getting paid since they are deemed "essential personnel".

[Zach@n3]

Ha sounds like messing with the gate was worth your time. Why are park rangers essential employees? I feel bad for people not getting paid too. I sure as heck wouldn't come to work if I wasn't getting paid. That being said, there needs to be some type of restraint put on the unbridled spending.. Neither here nor there.

[ers906]

I certainly thought it was worth the time, thankfully I keep a full toolbox in my truck. Otherwise I was going to have to go get a plasma torch from my house (if I couldnt unbolt it) and that would have been a pain. The most screwed up part of the whole deal is that Congress and Obama still get paid during this entire ordeal. Screw that. They are the ones responsible for others not getting paid. Make them take a "essential employee" pay halt and, while you are at it, make them sign up for the AHA (aka Obamacare) without getting their insurance subsidy so they can truly be "of the people" that they are supposed to be representing.

[Zach@n3]

Nicely put. I think you were itching to start a political debate because that's going to happen haha. It just ruins my day to think about all that junk that there is nothing I can do about I just usually put it aside.

[scarbs]

Eric...what lake?

[ers906]

Bartlett, but any lake you need a tonto pass will be shut down. The ranger we talked to yesterday said they can actually shut down the lakes themselves and not just the ramps, campgrounds etc. since they are in charge of maintaining the bouys and hazard markers. Not sure why that allows them to shut it down (although the entire lake I believe is federal land, even though it is used for power production), but that was the explanation we got.

[ers906]

Not a huge fan of political debates with people that I can't buy a beer for after the fact. Way to much can be taken personally . But I do have very strong views on the subject. That being said, more than anything I share the opinion of this writer (http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/02/opinio...html?hpt=hp_c2). I want my refund from the government. Or for them to not take federal taxes out of my paycheck until they restart the government in its entirety. We pay out federal taxes for them to do a job, which is to run the government. THat is not being done, therefore we should get our money back (in our dreams). If gov was run like a business, we would not have this problem, because bankruptcy and deficit spending is not viable. (K, getting off my soapbox now, and taking my xanax!) (and the emoticon hitting its head against the wall)

[Zach@n3]

That sucks they can shut it down. I guess any public lake could technically be shut down.

[Zach@n3]

Booom brother! You said it perfectly. The government needs to be ran like a profit making business. In the last 15 years or so it has changed into way to much of a oh it has to be done so we have to spend the money weather we have it or not type of thing. Businesses don't operate that way. If they do they don't operate for long. The government has a very large margin for failure before anything rash happens (ie. government shut down). There is no sense or urgency in anyone's minds of things like that happening because it usually can't or doesn't unless its an extreme circumstance. (case in point).

[cwindingland]

Yep, just another rediculous act on behalf of our government. I can all but guarantee they shut the ramps down so everyone feels their "pain". Why else start with the National Parks? And, the last I heard, it is highly likely any furloughed employees will get back pay once things start back up. You know, the complete opposite if you or I were furloughed. Ughhh!

[ers906]

Regardless, the faith in our gov is going down the tubes (but not wanting anarchy just yet). My favorite part is that congress was not even in session (ie vacation) for an extended period of time in the last several months, and now they act like they are surprised it has come to this. We (the people) should have more to say about their pay, vacation, etc. Need to enact term limits so they are more interested in our future, then just staying elected immediately after the previous election. The house should get two terms (four years) and out!!!! Senate should be only one (6 years). Retirement should be a 401K just like ours (hopefully), and only while in office. Make the president and the congress work together. Then boot them. If they have to go back into the real world, then maybe they will do what is needed for the people who live it daily. (More soapbox, trying not to be partisan)

[Zach@n3]

It's becoming a strange place to live.

[theduke]

I have a house boat rented for next week at Lake Powell to spend Oct break with family and friends. It is outrageous that we as a family can plan this trip 6 months in advance and have extended family make travel plans to get here and our elected representatives are on vacation forever and then start to address the budget problems just days before the deadline. As of today the Powell trip is off because there will be no one at the front gate to take our $20 to park the truck and trailer. This country is changing right before our eyes.

[Zach@n3]

Pretty ridiculous.

[AirTool]

............The government needs to be ran like a profit making business.......

Yes - and this is what Obama wants....and the only solution (for any president) is for taxing to be more than spending. So (for Obama) ...INCREASE taxes.

He also wants every business to be part of government...including oil, power, and healthcare.

Maybe this if the first step to the "correction" we need. Let everyone feel the pain caused by the people they elected.

Here are some of my thoughts:

1. Elections/All positions - one and done

2. Four constitutional ammendments to be voted on by the people...now...once and for all.

a. Preventing the murder of children in the womb

b. Preventing the marriage of anyone or thing other than one man/one woman (or removing the institution of marriage from laws altogether - as it does not belong there. Any entities should be able to have a contractual agreement outside the institution of marriage. (The last SCOTUS ruling on Gay marriage was solely due to the court case about death tax. How about lets fix that by keeping our governments hands out of dead people's stuff. I know personally some older men (not gay) and their families who own a billion dollar (family) company - and they are now "going public"...likely because: when they die, the company doesn't have to be sold (fire sale) to pay the tax....the family can pay it cash instead. Boy, that will be a painful check to write. The government charges you a xxx,000,000 dollar fee because your daddy died? w...t...f...?)

c. A fixed limit on taxing and spending tied to some credible economic metrics - like we tip a waitress.

d. Voting - In order to vote for the future of the country, you have to contribute. If you are a "net payer" of taxes to the government - you vote. If you are a "net taker" from the government, you don't vote. No parasites vote. (The way we are going....we are on track to have a "Chavez" in office. Or, wait, maybe we are there already. If not, wait and see what you get with Hillary.

That's enough for now...I'm out of the country and need to get back to work.

But,.......tonight I'll pray:

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;

If I die before I wake,
I pray for Lord my soul to take.

Should I wake and light I see,
Please let Texas be a country...