America is so weird. How can a party be considered to be "in charge" of something if they can't spend the money as they wish? Isn't that what being in charge actually means?
Well, all part of the checks and balances, I guess. But, as one professor at the University said, Minnesota used to be known for its politicians coming together in the end for the welfare of its citizens. Now, compromise has become a dirty word.
And of course, tourism is one of our biggest income producers, so with all the state parks, zoos, etc, closed - and on a BIG holiday weekend - more money lost. All road construction has come to a halt. Even the dispatchers who check for traffic jams are gone. Only 'essential services' are still operating.
It's embarrassing and frustrating. Stupid politicians...
In the UK the government has to get their budget and whatever through parliament, but since the reason they are the government is because they have a majority in the House of Commons then generally that's not a problem, as long as they don't do anything so nuts their own party won't vote for it. They don't have to get the oppositon to back them as well as their own people.
It's not a perfect system (and it's a bit wobbly just now with our first coalition for a long time!) but at least they can actually get stuff done. Whether anyone else likes what they do is another matter, but after five years we get to kick them out if we want to. Yay! :D
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Date: 2011-07-01 01:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-07-01 02:03 pm (UTC)And of course, tourism is one of our biggest income producers, so with all the state parks, zoos, etc, closed - and on a BIG holiday weekend - more money lost. All road construction has come to a halt. Even the dispatchers who check for traffic jams are gone. Only 'essential services' are still operating.
It's embarrassing and frustrating. Stupid politicians...
no subject
Date: 2011-07-01 02:11 pm (UTC)It's not a perfect system (and it's a bit wobbly just now with our first coalition for a long time!) but at least they can actually get stuff done. Whether anyone else likes what they do is another matter, but after five years we get to kick them out if we want to. Yay! :D