Government shutdown: 12 things that would and wouldn't happen

This is based on what happened in the late 1995 early 1996 shutdown

From slideshow here:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/02/21/shutdown.stake/index.html?eref=mrss_igoogle_cnn

Veteran services could be cut back
National parks and museum would close
Passport applications and other documents would not be processed
Social Security payments would continue but new claims won't be processed
Federal employees furloughed without pay but this could be paid back. Government contractors also would not be paid and they may not be able to recoup this lack of revenue (I kind of doubt that)
Federal funds to states would be cut off
ATF, bankruptcy cases, and hiring & training of new agents would stop
The POTUS can keep certain things running like the military, foreign relations, border patrol, and airport security
Postal service would continue
Air traffic controllers would stay on the job
No change in federal prison staffs
Emergency and disaster assistance work would continue

but if it messes with my travel plans to smokey mountain national park in June I will be really really pissed.

people don't realize how much utilization of national parks there is. Try getting a campsite at Sherandoah Lake...well they did computerize but before that it was first come first served and I got there on a WEDNESDAY and they were sold out for the weekend.

Heaven forbid the Pentagon should stop its warfare,


My husband works for a federal contractor in DC. He was informed they would have to take vacation days for missed work days. So it looks like the contractors won't be losing that much -- they'll squeeze it out of their employees.

Hmmmmm? That could convince me it was worth it.