Minnesota government shutdown

Exactly What It Says on the Tin. Since midnight last night, the MN state government has shut down because the Democrats and Republicans couldn't hammer out a budget compromise. As one boy scout said in an interview on the radio, these politicians are like 2 year olds in failing to get their act's together. Discuss.

...

Well, as long as government services keep running in the meantime while stuff gets sorted out.

edited 1st Jul '11 7:55:48 AM by AllanAssiduity

The Democrats should compromise more! Why are they being so stubborn?! ;)

edited 1st Jul '11 7:55:19 AM by AllanAssiduity

Because pride matters more to some people than the issues that are happening.

Oh, your two parties are at loggerheads.

Still, you have yet to surpass Belgium.

Give it time.

Wow, not even one page and it's already Democrats predicting that Republicans will blame them and already making fun of the fact that some people oppose high taxes. Seriously guys, if the other side is the same way as you then no wonder you cannot get any agreement.

The topic is the Minnesota government shutdown, not who eviller democrats or Republicans.

If all you've got to contribute to the conversation is mudslinging at the other party, don't bother to type it up.

Ok, what could these guys potentially agree on?

-edit-
Oh, right. I'll stop it now. Not gonna get into arguments over political parties I have no interest in *

I'm wondering if the "rich taxes" were the point of contention here? Or was it "littler things"?

edited 1st Jul '11 7:58:59 AM by AllanAssiduity

A margarita and ice cream social? I can't think of anyone who would disagree with that. And after enough margaritas and ice cream they might be more amicable to agreeing on other things!

edited 1st Jul '11 8:19:01 AM by Bur

To take my tongue out of my cheek for a minute, the cause appears to be disagreement over (as is typical) whether or not taxes should be increased for the wealthy.

http://news.yahoo.com/minn-braces-government-shutdown-over-taxes-211900938.html

"Though nearly all states are having severe budget problems this year, Minnesota stood alone on the brink of a shutdown, thanks to Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton's determination to raise taxes on high-earners to close a $5 billion deficit and the Republican Legislature's refusal to go along."

Pretty much what Karkadinn said.

The republican plan, on the other hand, is cutting benefits and services for the poor and elderly, particularly health care. No, I'm not joking. That's their plan.

The proposed tax increase on the rich was 2%.

A compromise plan was put forward by the governor, with a 1% tax raise and the other 50% of the deficit coming out of cuts. It was rejected.

I don't think I can discuss this without getting extremely, extremely mad, since I live here, and this is absolutely fucking disgusting, so I'll just excuse myself from the thread.

Where is Governor Ventura when you need him?

Fortunately, certain essential personnel were kept on duty, apparently there were some questions about persons in senior centers.

Grr...

Politicians who cause these sorts of problems should be criminally liable, or obliged to stand down.

What exactly does a "government shut-down" entail anyway?

Not to attack the OP (or the radio interview), but the attitude that both sides are equally responsible is a big factor in why this crap is allowed to continue in the first place. No, both sides are NOT equally responsible. One side is willing to compromise, and the other is not. Full stop. Now, there might be a very good reason for the other side to not compromise. But all the same, it does mean that one side IS being more stubborn than the other.

Equivalency is a really bad way to think about things. It's generally lazy and wrong.

How does a "shut-down" government work, then? Normally but without legislators making up new legislation ala Belgium?

edited 1st Jul '11 9:25:53 AM by TheBatPencil

Any non-essential services are closed, and the workers told to stay home or whatever. That means parks, museums, and other recreational stuff, but not say, care for the disabled and seniors, or police officers.

Here's a court ruling

edited 1st Jul '11 9:27:24 AM by blueharp

Yeah, I dunno. The more I read about this, the more I realise that my comments will cross over into "Republican bashing" too often for most people's comfort.

When did the mods get those nifty red posts?

^^ It really depends on how wide spread the shutdown is. In some case, even things like senior centers and such will be shut down or put on reduced operating hours.

edited 1st Jul '11 9:29:30 AM by Madrugada

It works about as well as one that isn't shutdown. Budum psh.