Topic of the day 4/6

I haven't done a "report" on government of politics yet, but since the government shut down is looming, it seems an appropriate topic for the day.

Normally, I stay out of political and government topics and debates and much as I can.  I'm one of those people stuck in the middle.  I refuse to choose a side because I really am against the party system.  I like to think independently, but I am not liberal enough to declare myself an "independent".  I vote for the the person I this is best fit in the position based on how they think and what they have to offer the position they are running for.

I tend to lean toward democratic, but I also agree with some republican authorities as well - which is good because I live in a heavily republican state. 

I hate the way politics lately has been about turning on the man in the head seat - i.e. Obama.  I'm not saying he's great, but people should be focused on fixing issues rather then ragging on the man for every single thing he does. 

http://www.wtsp.com/

So this week, republicans and democrats are stuck in Congress arguing over a bill that will determine how the government will spend it's money for the rest of the year is trying to be passed.  But the sparring and criticism between the two parties has them in a deadlock and both are refusing to compromise.  If it is not passed by tomorrow afternoon, the government will start to shut down. 

The biggest issue is coming from the GOP party being under pressure from the Tea Party activists to cut $61 billion in funding and refusing to compromise on the issue. Democrats are voting for 2 $10 billion budget cuts, but republicans believe that is an inadequate amount.  Neither party wants to involve the White House. 

It seems the Republicans want a number to be determined, while democrats and the White House are more intesrsted in determining where the money will go to. 

The current budget ends of April 8th, defining that as the deadling for them to assign the new one. 

If a new bill is not signed, employees working directly for the Federal government will be the main ones affected, not receiving paychecks but being required to work until a new budget is assigned.  Many state programs will likely be stopped because of how strapped they already are.  They will be able to utilize the funds they already have from prior years, but if no bill is signed after those funds are gone, all state programs will be halted or stopped. 

The general public need not go into a state of panic, as it won't affect the majority of us, but it close some federal tourist sites such as the Smithsonian and federall operated zoos (Yahoo! reports that no need to worry about the lions, tigers and bears - they'll still get fed). 

References:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703739204576229131946644972.html
http://news.yahoo.com/s/atlantic/whatgovernmentshutdownmeansyou36386