Shutdowns are an almost uniquely American thing, a fitting spasm of officialdom given the country’s historical skepticism about government. With the increase in the number…
Shutdowns are an almost uniquely American thing, a fitting spasm of officialdom given the country’s historical skepticism about government.
With the increase in the number of employees affected, however, a greater strain has been placed on this mechanism that has been used, to varying effect, since the 1970s.
And while the benefits of being a federal employee — good health care, pensions, child care, etc. — can still outweigh the pitfalls, the strain on the national psyche is often cited as a reason to avoid shutdowns. I disagree.
Most Americans didn’t realize this shutdown was a thing.
