The Shaky Shutdown

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STORY BY MARCUS BARBOUR, FNN REPORTER, BLOW PIERCE BUREAU

NOVEMBER 1, 2013.  Young people might not know what is happening in the world today, and they might say, “Oh, the government shut down. Who cares?” But you should care. You should care because have you ever thought of losing something you really want or really need—like public schools? Last month, all public schools were going to get shut down so it was a big deal. As a young person I am concerned because if the government was closed for a longer period of time, people would run out of money, and I heard that some people were going to lose their food stamps. So that’s a big deal for people.

For two weeks people could not report to work. Why?  Because the Congress could not  approve the budget for the Affordable Healthcare Act to help more people in need of the proper health care access. As a result of the Congress not passing the law to appropriate funds, the government got shut down! The shutdown had and will have an effect on the economy and the United States.

For instance, a program called WIC that was founded by the government was cancelled, so poor families all over the U.S. couldn’t feed their children. Also national parks were closed at the government expense. And many families are now without health care because of the shut down. I wish that I could help out.

When the government shut down, thousands of people who were working for the government were out of a job! My aunt works for the government. She was mad and used some choice words. Not having any income and not getting paid... what do you expect? These are some rough times. It’s hard for so many people. If the Congress did what they were supposed to do, nothing would be wrong.

Instead, many people were at risk of falling below the poverty line—which means that more people could become so poor that they’re close to homelessness. This a tragedy and a terrifying experience. I care because I don't like seeing the people who were hurt. The fact is many people rely on our government for support, and they should. Just because I'm this age now, doesn't mean in ten years from now I will be less informed. I will know what’s going on and will be able to vote!

Marcus Barbour is a 7th grade student at Friendship Blow Pierce Junior Academy.