Posted on 10/04/2013 5:51:34 AM PDT by carlo3b
I GUESS IT’S OVER.. I wanted to say goodbye until…?
On Monday morning Oct 1 2013, a day that will be recalled in history as one of those moments, that will be etched in our conscience for an eternity..
When I opened my eyes Monday morning, my first reaction was that it was unremarkable, as in, a freaky calmness.. I was once again grateful that I was still alive, pain free, and with a dim sunlight illuminating my bedroom windows everything was at it should be.. Thank you Lord..
I then noticed that the television was still glaring, low volume as it often is, being left on from the night before, but as I emerged from the fog of sleep, and focused on the screen, the headlines brought me back to the painful reality that this isn’t just another glorious day, it may be the first of the remaining days of our Republic.. The commentator on the screen with the banner beneath them in bold type;
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, DAY 1..
Flashback to the night before, the debate on the floor of the Congress, the Senate, the dire predictions, the warnings.. OMG.. The unimaginable has arrived.. They actually did it, WE’RE SCREWED..
I reached for my remote, increased the volume and noticed that my TV was tuned to CNN, not a station I was accustomed to watching, however the voice was familiar, that Wolf somethingorother, with a grave expression on his face, and in a tone of voice reserved for catastrophes;
“IT’S BEGUN AMERICA, HOLD ON TO YOUR SEAT.. we’ll be right back..” GASP!
Well, I didn’t hold on to my seat, or hesitate; instead I jumped up and began to prepare for the day, listening to the talking heads in the background, taking turns, predicting the glum and doom, that’s coming, brought about by the RIGHT WING, REPUBLICAN CRAZIES’, in the House Of Representatives.. Whoa! What did I miss?
As I usually do in times of change, which this certainty appears to be, I began to prepare for the worse.. The lights were working, and the TV is still broadcasting, so far so good.. I tuned my attention back to the commentary on CNN, and listened for the specifics of the doomsday predictions that we can expect, except there were no specifics, at least not that I heard.. YET!
Descending the stairs into the growing light of my living room, I took notice that everything appeared in place, as it should.. The familiar scent of my fabulous coffee blend, was filling the room, as usual, and our precious new kitty, Miss Gwendolyn Pennyapple, aka, Penny, was scurrying about and circling my feet as I hit the main floor.. Again as usual..
I smiled, and felt silly, even a bit foolish, that I would even ponder that a government shutdown would affect my life in any appreciable way, but I really hadn’t thought it through.. That would change, especially after a cup of my wonderful coffee, that had been preset to be ready to enjoy at a routine time in my morning schedule..
As I stirred my coffee, I reflected on the tone of the prior nights Senate debate which was televised LIVE, as one Senator after another took to the podium, and argued their position on the issues that divide our government, and our culture.. I digress..
What should I be prepared for? The words, CATASTROPHIC, DEVASTATING, UNPESIDENTED, were being echoed by one commentator after another, which I found particularly disturbing.. What am I missing? What are the threats that will/could/should affect the average American, and most importantly, how will this, CATASTROPHIC, DEVASTATING, UNPESIDENTED, situation effect MY LOVED ONES AND ME? GULP!
GOOD GRIEF, as I searched my thoughts, nothing came to mind.. Mornings are usually my best hours, both in attitude and mental concentration, maybe this is just so magnanimous, so monstrous, so too big to contemplate.. ? WHAT AM I MISSING?
Finally, my presence stirred my trusted watchdog, Ezekiel, aka, Zeke, my aged miniature Dachshund, that typically takes possession of my LazyBoy chair for his nightly slumber.. The presences of Penny has him completely flummoxed with her youthful exuberance, and constant need for his undivided attention..
Getting back to business, I had to concentrate on the more immediate problem, the panic that has been dominating the news.. How am I going to navigate this nightmare that hovers over our head? The government is already closed, YIKES.. What can I expect to happen today, tomorrow, or longer? I started to tick of potential pitfalls regarding my current health matters.. Are Hospitals closed, doctors not able to access federal insurance agencies, or even worse, what if all of this uncertainty causes some really mentally ill people, already tittering on the edge, to go over the top?
I called the hospital, and found everything humming along, and asked if this predicament was hampering any of the medical care that was being administered, she answered, “What Predicament?”.. sheesh..
Well, I asked the obvious question, is the government problems having any effect on healthcare, she said, “Oh that thing, YES, Obamacare is causing all kinds of problems around here especially because they are already short of staff, and so many illegals, and others will be free to flood the system, and too many doctors are thinking of quitting.. Yeah, it’s a big problem” .. WHAT?
Then I called my bank, a major problem could develop if my banking, checks coming and going was interrupted.. Not a problem, everything normal, even federal checks are being deposited as usual.. Whew.. Ah, what about the Post Office, that is a federal department, surely that is cut off, so I called.. Nope, all systems go, not closing because they are deemed essential, but the cost of stamps might go up, not because of the shutdown, but because they are losing billions every month, and the Republicans want to close them down, and give it to their corporate friends.. HUH?
What if some tinhorn country might just take the opportunity to attack us whiles the Military might have shut down some agencies that could weaken our defenses.. I now had the radio turned on and the first report was that the Military is considered essential, and will not be affected in any way, but National Parks, and Memorials, like the Smithsonian will be shuttered until the stalemate is ended ..
WHATS CLOSED IN THE SHUTDOWN? I have to be missing something, all of the warnings, the CATASTROPHIC, DEVASTATING, UNPESIDENTED, happenings? What are they, and where are they, if not the things that affect me directly, who is being affected? I turned on the TV and shagged Zeke out of my chair, and I sat down and drank my second cup of great coffee, and if I were you, I’d suggest you sit down as well..
DAY 2.. a.. er.. No change..
Day 3.. cough.. still, nothing effecting anything that I or my family needs, is closed..
It appears that the only downside in this impasse is the loss of Federal jobs, for some 800,000 Americans, and that is horrible, and if I or someone in my immediate family, experienced this news, I would be devastated and pissed off as well.. But there are 316,000,000 Americans, and who knows how many undocumented, illegal, immigrants, it is a problem, I agree, but CATASTROPHIC, DEVASTATING, UNPESIDENTED, not so much..
IF THE FURRLOWED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ARE NONESSENTIAL, AND NOBODY, SAVE THE WORKERS, IN THOSE NONESSENTIAL AGENCIES, WHY DO WE REALLY NEED THEM????
Government has grown too big, and Government is too expensive, and we need to bring them into reality, and cut the BS, NOW.. This is a big problem that has now been brought to our attention, this is the beachhead, and this is where we draw a line..
DON’T JUST SIT THERE, CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS TODAY, NOW YOU CAN DO SOMETHING!
CALL CONGRESS AND TELL THEM YOU ARE WITH THEM!
Will do...
Kudos!!
BTTT!
Great my FReepr FRiend.. They need to know we are with them, especially NOW! :)
Tell your Rep, HOLD THE LINE.. Thank you .. :)
That is my very next order of business. I intend to point out that the vile smear campaign coming from Reid and Pelosi and Obama against us is exactly like a three year old throwing a temper tantrum. Though he lacked vocabulary, his emotion was fully utilized - as were his lungs.
I handled those by walking away and letting him go until he wore himself out. Never give up. Never. Never. Never.
Loved your article Chef.
Just a tiny little technical issue: October 1 was a Tuesday.
(Once a proofreader, always a proofreader)
DUH!.. How did I do that? I proof read it, at least I thought I did.. Oh well.. I’m glad you caught it.. LOL
I wanted to bake a rustic pear tart today. Will the Government Shutdown affect it?
From master chef to author! You rock!! Good to see you!
Only if you are liberal with the ingredients.. :)
Unpesidented???
Saw that... made me grin a bit.
CNN thinks it’s Unprecedented..
Worst shutdown in modern U.S. history
http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/02/opinion/fitzpatrick-skocpol-shutdown-extremism/
Spellcheck, isn’t my FRiend.. :)
Unpesidented = Unprecedented
Although, it isn’t Presidential either.. jus sayin :)
Yes I did, I also wrote that Monday was the 1st, when it was Tuesday.. Maybe the shutdown is getting to me! YIKES! LOL
Yes. Truly LOL
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