By Glenn Mollette

Both sides of the aisle have their guns loaded and aimed at the political opposition. 

Members of Congress nor the Senate are perspiring a drop. Each resembles Cool Hand Luke; unshaken and for good reason. They don\’t really give a big jiminy cricket.  Why should they? As long as they are in office the gravy train never stops.

The federal shutdown is looming over us. On September 30th life will be changed primarily for three groups: our military, our federal workers and our national parks. 
Social Security checks will not stop. Medicare payments will not stop. The post office will not stop. Soldiers in Afghanistan are at risk of taking a bullet or encountering roadside bomb. They are also at risk of being carried off the battlefield to the news that all their automatic pre-pay checks just bounced because Uncle Sam did not make the payroll deposit. How in the name of Betsy Ross could we ever expect an American soldier to be wearing our uniform while worrying if his paycheck will be a stupid IOU from the government!

All the while, back at the OK Corral in the hallowed halls of Congress there will be no fear of being slow on the draw. No, no, noooo! They don\’t even have to care. If there is a government shutdown their paychecks keep coming. Nothing can shut down the pay of the mighty do nothing Congress. I should take that back. Do you remember when the airlines had a hitch involving the budget for the air traffic controllers and Congress was affected? Congress had a meeting and resolved the issue faster than the President lights a cigarette after ducking out of the white house pressroom. The flight schedules created delays in travel for Congress. The House of Representatives approved by 361-41 a budget fix designed to avert their anticipated inconveniences and happily continued their weekend travels without a hitch.

Congress opted out of Obamacare. They don\’t want Obamacare.  Apparently, the President has a higher opinion of them than the average American citizens. Congress is too good to have the same insurance as average America.

If Obamacare is bad for Congress and the President, then it\’s bad for the entire country. If there is not enough money to pay the military and the federal workers, there is not enough money to pay the President and Congress.  Include the President and Congress in the same shutdown rule and you will see how fast Congress starts working together to resolve our budget dilemma. 

 
Glenn Mollette is an American columnist read in all fifty states.