On the Government shutdown

On the 22nd of December, 2018, the Government began a partial shutdown.
Today is the 10th of January, 2019.

Phones go unanswered.  Construction is delayed.  TSA lines are long and slow.
But seriously... does ANYONE, other than Government employees, see anything DIFFERENT?
I'm not.  Those who are just moving into Social Security might be.  Medicare?  They're always slow.
FBI?  Still working.  Army?  Going without pay, I gather.

What began as a massive game of Chicken is now a staring contest.  Who blinks first?

Trump isn't caving.  He wants 5 BILLION for the Wall.  The Democrats STILL won't give it to him.

Congress is getting paid.  Trump hasn't been accepting a salary, as such, donating everything to various causes.

The gridlock continues.  Trump is about to go into the record books as the President with the longest shutdown.

There can be no compromises when neither side will budge.

Would this happen if Congress wasn't getting paid?  Probably not.

I've been looking at various scenarios as to how both side can escape unscathed, neither winning, nor losing.  There are none.

So, what are the other scenarios?
1)  Trump caves.  Take it on the chin, you lose.  The Wall was the Primary Promise.  If he can't get the Democrats to fund even the slightest border security, we're in trouble.
2) The Democrats cave.  They've got nothing to lose, here.  They can continue to hold their breath for as long as the shut can go on.
3.)  Congress caves.  They pass a bill to fund the govt, except the wall.  Trump Vetoes.  Congress overrides.  Democrats would need 70 more votes from the House to get that 2/3 level.  And they'd need 23 GOP Senators, if my figures are right.
4) Impeachment happens.  The Senate, however, needs to try, and the possibility of removal is less than 10%, IMO.
5) The People revolt against the DFL.  They demand things be reopened.
6) The people revolt against the GOP.   Ditto comment above.
7)  The People revolt against everyone.  Total civil war.  Death, Destruction, Pestilence.
8) Martial law is declared.  odds:  7-3 against.  But worrisome.
9) Total Economic collapse.  Major trouble for everyone.

I can't see a win for either side.  I CAN see an invasion happening.  Might be Russia, China, North Korea, Mexico or Canada.  Not France, not England.

Trump wants the Wall.  Democrats want murder (Abortion), free stuff (Socialism), open borders (invasion) and Gun Confiscation.

2 years is a long time to be shut down.

Is there any hope, at all?  We're in a tempest, the winds whip about, shit flies like debris in a tornado or hurricane.

What will it take?  I don't care to speculate on that.

Whatever happens will have long term consequences on the US.  And the world.

There are 2 -- likeliest --  scenarios.  One, I may not bandy about in public.
The other-- total collapse unless someone caves.

BUT... Isn't everything still running?  "Non-essential" is curtailed.  But for how long?
HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?
At this rate, 2021... without anything to let the government and the Republic, survive.

Worrisome?  Well... People have been wanting anarchy.  It's on the way...
AS I SEE IT.

Think your Vote doesn't matter?

     ABC/ Washington Post poll -- I don't trust these groups -- shows Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in a virtual dead-heat. 2%. Margin of error is generally considered 3.5-4%.
     Johnson is really out there, nothing, and his "minor party" candidate opponents have even less.
     We can expect ABOUT 120 Million to vote out of probably 260-300 Million eligible, and probably 240 Million Reg'd.
     This, of course, is still LESS THAN 1/3 of the Citizenry population.     Should we have a law that REQUIRES people to vote? Say, anyone 18 or Older, criminals (Felons) barred? No Non-citizens allow within 100 feet of the voting booths? Other than that, no exceptions?     People complain about "ID Cards." And yet, most people have one. How about a Biometrics card? Government supplied. You can't fake fingerprints. Of course, not everyone has fingers or toes. Or eyes. But you're likely to have one of the three. Brainwave scan?     Iran requires a finger print. Australia has a law that EVERYONE of ages votes. IDs are required in many countries. How can we do less?      Look at that 2% again. Then look at the 2000 election. THIS shows you how important your vote is.     If you go for Jury Duty, you are required to show an ID. Isn't that interesting? If you don't have an ID, you're barred entry and then can be held in contempt for no-show.     ONE ID, max of about 60, good for up to 8 years. Some will say it's a tax. Maybe so. But you ARE being represented.   2%. In Alaska, that's about 6000. In a city of 50000, it is 1000.  In a city the size of Ft. McCoy, Fl, it's 200.  Bring it to Milaca, MN: 60. Put it in Pease, MN, and it is 2.      A city of 100 -- 2 votes. An Election decided by 146 votes... in a state of 28 Million. Still, 30% didn't vote.

     Can you still say "My vote doesn't matter"?