Here are the facts on why our government is currently shutdown
Fact 1: Congress has the checkbook and has to pass a spending bill every fiscal year in order to fund spending. It is a felony to use taxpayer money with it being appropriated for.
Fact 2: the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) needs to be funded in this spending bill.
Fact 3: the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) is the law passed by Congress. Those who oppose it have not been able to overturn it.
Fact 4: Those who could not overturn are determined to simply not fund it.
Fact 5: The House tried to pass a bill with existing spending levels from last year, but it did not fund Obamacare – the law of the land and remember, Obama got re-elected. (I am a registered Republican) so it is fair to assume that people want Obamacare.
There are a few things I know about healthcare. Under the Bush administration, the Republicans did nothing. I have seen no alternative to my rising premiums and I can think of no other issue that affects every single American. Congress has never had to petition or beg their insurance company to cover a sick child or an experimental drug. Congress has their own high end coverage.
So, tomorrow when you drive by your empty federal park, think about the men and women who gave the lives so that we could have our freedom and think about those same fallen heroes whose families are being denied their death benefits because no one can process the paperwork. Think about why the House is holding back money for families who work for the government or not wishing to fund a healthcare program because they don’t want anyone to get credit.
Visit USAToday.com — 66 questions and answers about the government shutdown to learn more.