Martin, I really enjoy your columns (enjoy may not be the correct word), and i don't believe I have commented before. However, I'd like to know whether the Justices on Supreme Court (and their staff) are considered "essential workers" in the event of a shutdown? The reason I ask is that they had an outsized role in bringing us to this moment so there would be a certain fairness in cutting off their salaries 5 days before Christmas.
From what I can tell they are critical. The worst affect of the timing now is that many TSA workers and air traffic controllers may not work because they would not be getting paid. This could snarl up air traffic during a very busy time. But I just saw a headline that said the House just passed something to keep it open.
Nope it failed. While I agree with you that Trump has no interest in governing and wants the admiration of the crowds and rallies, he is a petty bastard. He wants-no needs- the government to shut down so that he can rescue it sometime soon after January 20th. He also wants to make sure Joe Biden gets a government shutdown on his “final record” like he did during his first term. (currently Trump has the longest was the one of 35 days that started on December 22, 2018).
Quite frankly, I have no issue with reminding Trump supporters this is what they voted for. Am I joyful about it? No. But I feel the pain must be felt deeply until the message is clear: Better vote for a clear-eyed solution come 2026.
Martin, I really enjoy your columns (enjoy may not be the correct word), and i don't believe I have commented before. However, I'd like to know whether the Justices on Supreme Court (and their staff) are considered "essential workers" in the event of a shutdown? The reason I ask is that they had an outsized role in bringing us to this moment so there would be a certain fairness in cutting off their salaries 5 days before Christmas.
From what I can tell they are critical. The worst affect of the timing now is that many TSA workers and air traffic controllers may not work because they would not be getting paid. This could snarl up air traffic during a very busy time. But I just saw a headline that said the House just passed something to keep it open.
Nope it failed. While I agree with you that Trump has no interest in governing and wants the admiration of the crowds and rallies, he is a petty bastard. He wants-no needs- the government to shut down so that he can rescue it sometime soon after January 20th. He also wants to make sure Joe Biden gets a government shutdown on his “final record” like he did during his first term. (currently Trump has the longest was the one of 35 days that started on December 22, 2018).
Yes, my mistake. The whole thing is so chaotic that figuring out what is happening may occupy historians down the line, if they still exist! M
Quite frankly, I have no issue with reminding Trump supporters this is what they voted for. Am I joyful about it? No. But I feel the pain must be felt deeply until the message is clear: Better vote for a clear-eyed solution come 2026.