Scootrd, congress has in place provisions already if the Government shuts down, the military and Social Security checks will continue to go out as they were deemed necessary. Other stuff, like commerce, education, transportation, environment, Nasa, OSHA, interior, ect, arts, foreign aid, UN money, agriculture, will be shut down. States run their own education departments but will not be getting fed money during this time. Same with transportation. I think it needs to be shut down for a month or two, to let the average people know how little they need to government interfering in their lives. The Senate (controled by dems) are SUPPOSED to provide a BUDGET. The House of Representatives (controled by the GOP) has provided a budget. Then committes from each are to iron out a compromise budget for Obama to sign. This shutdown is not because of the TEA party, but the Dems haven't even offered up a budget to even haggle over. Hypocrits for putting blame on the TEA party. Both sides know they are going to have to cut the budget or raise taxes, no way out of that. Raising taxes too much is counterproductive for economic growth. Cutting too much out of SS will hurt older people dependent on it. Welfare can keep able bodied people on for 2 years, that might need to be cut to 6 months especially if they don't take advantage of free schooling during this time and if they flunk out, they don't get welfare. There are usually plenty of fast food jobs changing hands all the time.