SHUT THE DOORS!

It is two years - or maybe a little bit more - that Greece got into mammoth problems with its budget.  After weeks and months of "back-and-forth" discussions with officials in the European Union, it was finally agreed that the EU would offer a bail out for the country.  Whereas that wasn't something that immediately cured the problem, it did help, and in spite of the many protests in Greece from the general populace over the many cut backs that had to be made in the budget, progress was made.

A short time later Ireland got in the same boat.  The country was about to go bankrupt, and once again the EU came to the rescue.  Although the Irish Government put into practice many austere items to bring the country back to viability, there were not too may protests from the people.  Slowly but surely the financial situation in the country began to become stable again, although they still have a way to go before everything is back to a balanced budget again.

Spain and Portugal both followed the same route as Ireland and Greece, but they have not been quite so successful in getting back on track although they are trying once again with the help of the European Union bail outs.  If you look at Europe as a whole, you will find that other contries are also facing difficulties there and in time may also need a bail out.  The economic crisis has affected so many.

But that is across the Atlantic in Europe.  It is not America.  However, having said that what I find so interesting is that all the time that Greece, Ireland, Spain and Portugal were negotiating with the European Union, and Mrs. Angela Merkel of Germany was shuttling hither and thither trying to find solutions,  the members of the U.S. Senate and Congress - as well as President Obama were making decidedly strong speeches saying that the countries in Europe had to be responsible and get their financial things in order.   They were being very "high-handed" in what they were saying back then.

Fast forward to today and what they said then has become the subject of jokes by comedians the world over.  The United States itself cannot get its own house in order so why shout at other people.  The fact that the U.S. Government is now as I write in "shut down" is not just laughable, but it is also pathetic and somewhat immoral in my humble opinion.

We are told in all the media that some 800,000 people are sent home without pay with no likelihood of getting that pay loss refunded if and when the Government finally gets back to work.  That situation has got to be more than scary for those 800,000 people.  To lose all your income when you have a mortgage, to pay as well as other every day expenses, is a frightening possibility.

The members of Congress get $174,000 a year, and people like Mr. Boehner, Mr. Reid and Mrs.Pelosi get quite a bit more.  Although the ordinary workers will have to forfeit their pay, all members of both Houses will still receive their considerably substantial pay cheques.  Is there not some moral issue in here some where?

These people were elected by the people for the people and therefore should work in the interest of the people.  But no - they obviously work just for themselves and have little or no consideration or care for their every day constituents who struggle to make ends meet.  

Something is drastically wrong there.  A few weeks ago and indeed just last week when he was speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Mr. Obama referred to the United States as being "exceptional".  He was right.  I cannot think of any other country - especially one that prides itself as being a rich, powerful, democratic country that cuts off the funding of its people.   That has only happened in the U.S., which makes it exceptional.

Albeit three members of Congress said they will donate their salary to charities - lucky charities - and I am sure that makes them feel good, but if they are truly interested in and working for their constituents, then they should all request that their pay cheques be witheld and returned to the Treasury.  

When the next election comes around, the voters should make sure that they elect people who are really interested in the welfare of the people and not just in making themselves rich.  None of the members of either House are exactly poor, so they are unaffected by the shut down.  What they are doing is making themselves a laughing stock around the world.  What a shame for a country to which so many people in other countries look up and admire.