Washington Shutdown 'Embarrassing,' Patch Readers Say

There may have been much finger pointing in Washington, D.C. in the days leading up to Tuesday’s shutdown of the federal government, but now that it’s a reality, many North Jersey resident are holding all elected officials accountable.

Patch asked readers on Facebook what they thought about the Oct. 1 shutdown, which would suspend pay for about 800,000 furloughed workers while members of Congress would continue to receive their paychecks.

“Of course the ones that cause the shutdown still get paid!” wrote Maria Miller on the Hillsborough Patch Facebook page. “I’m sure they would come up with an agreement real fast if they didn’t!” 

Carol Misuraca- Shortall wrote on Springfield Patch’s Facebook page, “They didn't get the job done so why should they be paid? You or I would be FIRED if we didn't do our job!” 

“Congress should not be getting paid,” said Denise Baird Caputo on the Hopatcong-Sparta Patch page. “When your term is up so is your salary.Take the Obamacare or Medicare upon retirement. … Washington is embarrassing us around the globe and Americans should be very angry!” 

Gloria Borchert posted on the Basking Ridge Patch Facebook page, “If they had to do without their pay like everyone else maybe they would stop the shutdowns. I do not think Obamacare is good but they should have read the excessive volume before it went through.” 

Tri-Boro Patch reader Jimmy Laratta Jr posted a suggestion on Facebook for how elected officials could come together to agree on a budget and end the shutdown. “Maybe a clean slate of people who want to move forward... not affiliated with any party... no games... show up and do your job like the rest of us have to do.” 

One commenter on the Bridgewater Patch Facebook page did not seem to think the shut down would adversely affect his life. “I have not missed any Government services, so far,” wrote Eliot W. Collins.  “Is the primary purpose of government to provide services for the citizens or to provide employment for government workers? I am not sure.” 

But the one bright spot found in Tuesday’s shutdown came from Hillsborough Patch reader Diane Burckhardt O'Toole who wrote, “I was able to sign up for health care today for the first time in 7 years. And I'm paying for myself but it's affordable because of the Affordable Care Act.”