US Shock: How They Recover after Shut Down and Why We Can’t Overtake
Weeks ago, world has been shocked by the most powerful state news. US are
announced to shut down their government, leaving just a little public servant that still running. Liberty
Statue and other museum, and national park like Grand Canyon are among the tourism
object that has to be closed, affected by government policy, causing million dollar loss its potential income.
Government shutdowns tend to occur when the President and one or both of
the chambers of Congress are unable to resolve disagreements over budget
allocations before the existing budget cycle ends[1]. The
United States Congress members consist of two major actors, The House of
Representatives dominated by opposite parties and Senate held by winner party,
those compositions leaving a
problem, there are no easy agreement between members. If the funding gap lasts
long enough that shutdown plans must be enacted, the law requires the furlough
of non-emergency personnel and curtailment of agency activities and services. Federal
services may be continued for a short time after the shut down, including
National Weather Service (BMKG in Indonesia), health, army, Air Traffic Control
and prison system[2].
During the Ford and Carter administrations, funding gaps caused 6
partial shutdowns that affected only the departments of Labor and Health,
Education, and Welfare. These lasted from 8 to 18 days and the primary issue of
dispute was federal funding for abortion. During the Reagan administration,
there were 8 funding gaps with technical shutdowns lasting less than 48 hours
or over weekends while spending measures were negotiated. A funding gap during
the George H. W. Bush administration also caused a weekend shutdown, resolved
late the following Monday.[3]
During the Clinton
administration, after conservatives made massive congressional gains
in the 1994 Republican
Revolution, there were two full government shutdowns lasting 5 and
21 days respectively, both the longest and most severe to that date. These
shutdowns led to massive furloughs and significant disruption. The primary
issue was the United States
budget deficit.
The United
States federal government shutdown of 2013 ran from September 30 to October 16,
2013. The primary issue of dispute between the Republican-controlled House of
Representatives and the Democratic Senate was the Republicans' desire to delay
or defund the Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare),
signed into law in 2010.[4] A bill to end the shutdown and fund
federal agencies through Jan. 15, 2014, passed the Senate and the House and was
signed into law on Oct. 17, 2013[5]
Under the separation of powers created by the United States
Constitution, the United States Congress has the sole power of the purse and
responsibility for appropriating government funds. The appropriations bills
must start in the House of Representatives and then be approved by the Senate,
which upon passage of a final version by both houses, then go to the President of the United States. If the
President signs or ignores the bills, they become law. If the President vetoes
the bills, they go back to Congress, where the veto can be overridden by a
two-thirds vote.
Shutdowns of the type experienced by the United States are nearly
impossible in other democracies. Under the parliamentary system used in most
European nations, the executive and legislative branch are not separate, with
the parliament designating all executive officials, typically called
"ministers". In many other non-parliamentary democracies, a strong
executive branch typically has the authority to keep the government functioning
even without an approved budget.[6]
While most government shutdowns prior to the 1995–1996 shutdowns had
very mild effects, a full federal government shutdown causes a large number of
civilian federal employees to be furloughed. Active duty military personnel
(those on Title 10 status) and employees excepted by the Anti
deficiency Act are not furloughed,
but may not be paid as scheduled[7] if
at all for the period of the furlough. During a government shutdown, furloughed
government employees are prohibited from even checking their e-mail from home.
To enforce this prohibition, many agencies require employees to return their
government-issued electronic devices for the duration of the shutdown[8].
How about Indonesia, one of Asia growing countries? It become difficult
for Indonesian government announcing those shutdown just like the USA did.
Although the budgeting approval lies under the House of Representatives (HR), but
their decision will be a snow ball effect if they reject government budgeting submission.
Considering its resources, economic power and position among the countries, The
HR tent to be neutral and giving no such radical disagreement onto the
government budgetary plans, despite its member composition. The countries
growth, economic activity and citizen income rely on government operation. They
don’t have that same power and that same autonomous as USA have. No wonder, the USA
has become eternal superpower among the universe for decades. Almost every
sector of human needs all over the world cannot be separated from USA, especially its currency. The US $ has become the most powerful currency among the
others and used in almost all the world trading activities. Not to mention USA
contribution aiding millions dollar to the countries that need help to overcome
its poverty and disaster problem.
Yes, America will never fall or bankrupt at least not yet. Those
superpower still have plenty natural, human and economic resources. The government
actor or bureaucracy is steady,
effective and efficient unit, providing a better performance than others,
sustaining its greatness nation. Slightly corruption cases, wealthy, uphold the law, and a better employment opportunity creating US attractive for all over the world. With US$ 49.802,15 income per capita, The US economic
power relies on 50 country states, a federal district, and use of currency among the world trading
transaction[9].
US politic policy also triggers world
economic growth. America will never run out. It would be very difficult for
other nation such China, England, France, India, Russia or other wealth country
to overtake US position among the world.
This irreplaceable position is highly recognized by the US along with those
consequences. As we know, US have taking
part as a “world police”. The US defense budget tent to rise each year
(see my paper “US Military Budget and US Counter Terrorism Policy” for detail) enacting US on first position for its
military expense and forces. With the great power comes greater responsible. The
effort to have a balanced force conducting other rich nation is not supported
with enough resources and its reserve. As a result, Americans remain unshaken.
---more
deed analysis will be upload soon---
[1] Wearden, Graeme (September 30,
2013). "US Shutdown: A Guide for
Non-Americans – The American Government Has Begun Shutting Its
Non-Essential Services. Why? And What Will It Mean?". The Guardian. Retrieved October 4, 2013
[2] Brass, Clinton T. (February
18, 2011). "Shutdown of the Federal Government:
Causes, Processes, and Effects" (PDF). Congressional
Research Service (via The Washington
Post). Retrieved October 4, 2013.
[3] Staff (October 9, 1990). "The Budget Battle; Countdown to Crisis:
Reaching a 1991 Budget Agreement". The New York
Times. Retrieved October 4,
2013.
[4] Curry,
Tom (September 29, 2013). "Chances of averting government shutdown appear slim". NBC News. Retrieved October 1, 2013
[5] Obama signs budget deal; government to reopen Thursday". CNBC/Reuters. 16 Oct 2013. Retrieved 2013-10-18
[6] Zurcher,
Anthony (October 1, 2013). "US Shutdown Has Other Nations Confused and
Concerned". BBC News. Retrieved October 4, 2013
[7] Riley,
Charles (April 6, 2011). "Shutdown: 800,000 Federal Workers in the Dark".CNN
Money. Retrieved October 4, 2013.
[8] Liberto,
Jennifer (September 25, 2013). "Federal workers: Hand over BlackBerry during shutdown". CNNMoney.com (CNN). Retrieved October 6, 2013
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