Dear Rand Paul

You should be scared. And every single one of your fellow Senators and Congressmen and women.

If you have taken any economics classes, you must have forgotten some of the key tenets:

1. People tend to be rational actors, but markets may not.
2. Printing money does not solve any problems.

To put it simply:

1. If you tell people you will pay them back, you pay them back.
2. If you do not, they send in the collection agency to take anything of value.

I'm sorry, I don't want the Chinese coming to get our national monuments, etc., if we don't pay them back.

I worry about Aunt Mabel, who has T-bills, if she doesn't have the full faith in credit in the U.S. government she will starts sewing money back into the curtains. This has happened in her lifetime, and I've seen money with those holes from the thread of an electric sewing machine.

All 80+% of us Americans who are mad as hell want two things:

1. You do your job and reopen the government.
2. You take care of the debt ceiling so the US Treasury department can pay the U.S. government's bills.

Remember this tomorrow, while you are off and getting paid, and the rest of the government employees are furloughed.

Here's hoping your Christmas presents (an economics lesson, a clue and a pink slip) get delivered early.

Sincerely not,

RehabRN

Inquiring minds...

Want to know if their US Congressman(woman) or Senator is taking their paycheck during the government shutdown.

I do, so I found this list.

Here they are...

Seven senators say they plan to keep their salary. 
Those senators are:
Tom Coburn, R-Oklahoma;
Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut;
Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa;
Tom Harkin, D-Iowa;
Roy Blunt, R-Missouri;
Patty Murray, D-Washington.

Nine House members, however, say they're keeping their salary: 
Mike Thompson, D-California;
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Florida;
Rep. Danny Davis, D-Illinois;
Rep. Todd Rokita, R-Indiana;
Rep. William 'Lacy' Clay, Jr., D-Missouri;
Rep. Howard Coble, R-North Carolina;
Rep. Susan Brooks, R-North Carolina;
Rep. Renee Ellmers, R-North Carolina;
James Clyburn, D-South Carolina.


Some people aren't going to be too happy come the next election. I only have one vote, but I urge all of you out there to use yours, too.

Send these bozos packing. Every.single.one.

If we can't pay research scientists who work on cancer cures, people who take care of little kids, and other "non-essential people" who help veterans get compensation, small businesses run or students like me study (PubMed, my favorite resource, is also under shutdown), then why pay a do-nothing politician.

Remember: nurses (and many other medical personnel) are "essential" and get to show up for work in military and VA hospitals for no pay until legislation is enacted.

Just my $0.02.

More to come...

Yes, it is

This really was the saddest thing I read about the government shutdown.

My cousin's post that both she and her husband got furloughed today was the other sad one. They are both healthy and prepared, so while it's not fun, they will endure.

I just wonder if those kids will, too.

More to come...

Post script to Congress

Oh, good old, do nothing Congress decides to go retro and cause a government shutdown.

Too bad the economy isn't as good as it was way back when and no, the old timers here aren't lovingly talking about what fun it was to work and not get paid.

Nice.

Just wait, Congress, payback is hell.

Dear Congress

In the immortal words of one oft-quoted Saturday Night Live character played by Dana Carvey, "Isn't that special?"



Special that you might actually have to work late to get something done tonight. Some of my coworkers will work late to make sure patients get taken care of tonight.

Special that you just happen to be exempt from any government shutdown furloughs, pay freezes and the like. Maybe I should send you my smallest bill and so should everyone of your constituents.

That's right, if you get your pay, and some of your constituents are allowed to work for free until you stop fighting amongst yourselves, then you should share.

And yes, I do know that in a mere 18 days, we could have more excrement hit the fan with that lil' old debt ceiling thingy. (I could get more technical--with that business knowledge I have--but I don't think you all get the dismal science stuff).

We have a lot of excrement at the Hotel on the evening shift. I'd sure like to send you some if you don't get your act together. Work on it or I will during the next election.

Hugs, kisses and a bowel program or two. (Hey, you deserve it ALL!)

Sincerely not,

RehabRN

WTF, part 67

Dear Congress:

I'm getting really steamed about this "ending earmark" crap on TV. You know, those commercials that  most of you (who aren't in Iowa campaigning) are making to "protest" this, that and the other thing. The part that is most annoying is that lil' ol' government shutdown thing. Yes, you millionaires are fine and dandy, but some of us at the Hotel have bills to pay and no Uncle Mitt to pay them if we get furloughed (which is really a dream, since nurses are essential personnel).

I'm really thinking about telling some of our patients (and their cohorts) to leave you some naughty children surprises, and while it might be dark, it ain't coal.

Here's hoping you, as the Brits so eloquently say, "Get a finger out" and get back to work and solve all this budget shenanigans.

Remember, Santa is watching.

Sincerely not,

RehabRN