The Republicans were called out on their part in the government shutdown on Tuesday’s Daily Show with Jon Stewart. As are most of us, the actor, comedian, and politically outspoken talk show personality decided to stop talking about it. However, Stewart just had to get in one more jab at the recent and debilitating situation the country has been dealing with since last week. It seems Republicans are refusing to take the blame and are instead placing the fault on everything else they can think of and use it to their defense, whether accurate or not. Stewart said it pretty bluntly, “Look, you think Obamacare’s a big enough threat to this country that you need to shut down the government over it, fine. Own it. Don’t fart and point at the dog.” Very well stated, Mr. Stewart, though this reporter is unsure the Republicans will actually learn and listen. President Obama has also stated the reason behind the shutdown in a somewhat bold manner by telling the government that you can’t just cry when you don’t get what you want, and that the shutdown is a personal attack against him.
As a result of the government shutdown national parks have been closed, leaving people out of a job, according to the Huffington Post, and CBS News. Science professionals have also been having a hard time due to the shutdown. With a lack of government funding for their many projects and research, they are left out in the cold and some scientists are even considering a change in career. Veterans and military families are also experiencing difficulties because of the shutdown. If the government doesn’t open up again soon many people will be at a loss for money, since checks will not be sent out as expected. The Veterans Affairs (VA) Department have the responsibility to send out checks to dependent families on the first of November, but they may be forced not to and leave the families helpless.
On a more somewhat superficial note, the government closure may be affecting tourism. With national parks closed, many tourists are left without a full vacation experience. Maybe it seems unimportant, but tourists definitely help the economy and in this day the United States needs all the extra dollars it can get. Since Washington is such a rich site of American History, perhaps republicans can realize that deep loss of economic fallout from their desire to play childish games. If not, the country will be forced to think of new ways to gain monetary value for everyone’s well-being, or be caught in the shortfall. The Daily Show with John Stewart airs on Comedy Central.
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The Daily Show