Now this is not intended to be a political blog, but the whole government shutdown thing is so pervasive that I can't ignore it. It would seem the country has gone crazy, and it is impossible to understand how a group of elected officials...adults...are unable to use their words to talk to one another and do their jobs. Regardless of how one feels politically, it would seem pretty evident that there is a smallish group making it impossible to find a resolution (this probably tells you my political position but if you want, it is vague enough that you could apply it to the other side or as some are doing, consider it to be one supremely powerful individual at fault). In the end, most people would like to bring this to an end and return our government to its usual and customary position of being *open* and doing nothing . Sure, it's not particularly productive but at least people are getting paid and can support the economy by going shopping.
Now you may wonder how it could be that such a small group would be so willing to be so concerned about what they want as to seem careless about others' situations. I do not wonder for I ride the LIRR every day and have seen things that make this all entirely possible.
People are aghast that Congress could stick so many people out in the cold without their jobs and without access to the fun part of government (the parks and the memorials to just name a couple) while continuing to go to work and collect their paychecks without seemingly a care in the world. This barely registers for me as a seasoned traveler on the LIRR. When there is a serious shutdown of service, whether due to weather or just ongoing crappy service and equipment issues, there is usually a quote from someone in the upper management levels of the LIRR about how they care and it affects them too and they are doing what they can to make it better for their valued customers, both regular and those heading in to see the awesome sights of the greatest city on earth (or heading home exhausted and cranky from said sights). Not only is this individual never, ever someone who actually takes the LIRR, they are usually not even located in the New York area. They are so far removed from the pain of the breakdown that it really doesn't matter to them how quick it gets fixed. What are you going to do? Take the other train from Long Island into the city? That's pretty much how Congress feels about the whole thing. They're all you've got and despite some empty threats and a few really determined people, no one is moving to another country.
A really sticky point in the situation seems to be the issue of healthcare. Yes, people would have you believe that there are concerns about the details of such healthcare, but for the small group about which we speak, it would seem the very concept of unfettered access to healthcare is a problem. This would seem rather inhumane to many, but I have been on the LIRR when the train has come to a stop and the announcement that we are being delayed due to a sick passenger on board has been made (sometimes, although not always, with a follow-up that we are just awaiting help). Oh the groans. Oh the eye-rolls. The looking at watches, the grumbling to friends, the astonishment of so many that they may be a little bit inconvenienced because help is needed for a person on the train who is ill. If someone is willing to be completely pissed at the thought of losing 5 minutes of their day due to a sick person who probably can't help the situation they are in, just think of how they feel if they believe it will take a penny out of their wallet or require them to do something in the land of the free (car insurance anyone?).
Perhaps you are thinking that surely, surely Congress has seen the polls that say that a good majority (like over 70%) of the public doesn't think they should be shutting down government over their particular issue of concern. And that they would listen to the public. Oh please - people don't listen. Every single day the LIRR train conductors announce at least once, and sometimes more, to please keep your feet off the seats, put your bags in the overheads and respect your fellow passengers by keeping cell phone conversations to a minimum (or going to the vestibule if it can't be avoided). Every single day a good number of passengers completely ignore these pronouncements that I feel pretty sure, based on the dirty looks given, represent the opinions of most of their fellow passengers.
So to sum it up, if you've ever been on an overcrowded train, that is two cars short because of equipment problems, and is delayed thanks to a thunderstorm that took out a switch (that was replaced in a recent modernization effort) and an announcement is made that said train will be held at Jamaica awaiting medical assistance for a sick passenger, you can rest assured that a bunch of people on the train will only be pissed at the poor sick schmuck who needs help and some tool hundreds of miles away will release a statement that the customers are their number one priority and they will address the issue as soon as they get back from a previously planned vacation.
MY SNARKY SELF "Let me tell you what I think of that..."
