Why Government Shutdowns are Bad

I’d like to shrink the government and maybe even amputate a few limbs, but shutdowns are hardly a practical way to minimize bureaucracy–in fact they’re counterproductive.

Hitting a giant “pause” button on federal agencies won’t end the drug war or reform entitlements.

A government shutdown doesn’t even save money. Back pay to furloughed federal employees ensures that taxpayers pay just as much as they would have if the government had proceeded as normal.

During a shutdown taxpayers don’t receive the government services they’re paying for, and the economy takes a hit from the disruption.

In the latest “Mostly Weekly” we explain why everyone should be against a government shutdown (including people who don’t like government.)