Wondering how long folk think this debacle wwill last and why?
I’m having a hard time seeing the endgame, so I’ll start things off by guessing 14 days - thinking something will get done over the Columbus Day weekend.
I voted 10-14, but more precisely, I’d think it’s probably 14 or 15 days, so I picked the lower one. Shutting down the government sucks and it hurts a lot of people, but it’s mostly a short-term pain. I think the big battle is going to be over the debt ceiling which is going to do a lot more long-term damage to this country if it doesn’t pass. Frankly, I think this government shutdown is really just a play in the longer game of playing chicken over that, in a sort of “you think we’re bluffing? We already shut down the government, we’ll default too.” Either way, there’s no way they can be that stupid to let that happen, someone will flinch, and when they do that, they’ll likely sign the budget because someone won this game of chicken.
I say more than a couple, less than a week. The hardliners want to show they mean business, but the leadership and rational Republicans will make something happen before the brand gets too damaged.
Like a schmuck, I was putting some thought into how I would best assume my new job next week, heading a government office other than the one in which I currently work. Was putting some thought into how best to motivate my workforce, how to build upon past successes, and how to improve where possible.
It will be a somewhat different prospect should I find myself heading a skeleton force simply putting out fires as they arise…
I think it doesn’t get resolved until there is also a breakthrough on the debt limit, which is expected to become a crisis on October 17. Back up a day or two and I voted 14 days, but I think it’s more likely to be 14-16 days.
Long enough to damage the republican party for years to come. Hopefully.
I’ve got $5 on…early February. I’m feeling adventurous.
4-5 days.
Which means that is the absolutely wrong answer. I’m terrible at predicting furloughs despite 40 years federal service.
I need a break though. I’m exhausted getting everything ready for the furlough.
The ultimate deadline is October 17th.
Can I claim “never”?