by andy.v
US gov shutdown may mean some kids with cancer won’t be treated, CDC’s outbreak detection programs also halted
[Via Boing Boing]
The ongoing federal government shutdown in the United States affects national health services in ways you may not realize, including cancer treatment activities at the National Institutes of Health, and disease outbreak detection programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
For as long as the shutdown continues, the National Institutes of Healthwill turn away about 200 patients each week from its clinical research center, including children who have cancer. All existing patients at NIH will be treated, but no new patients will be admitted, and no studies.
[More]
Thirty children a week turned away. The CDC cannot track disease outbreaks, right as we begin flu season. It is very likely that people will die.
And for those who care little for the 47 million in America who are uninsured, how about the $300 million a day that is being lost? That is what is being lost just from the furloughing of government employees, not the multiplier effects. $300 million a day!
What happens to the economy when 800,000 people have no wages to spend? What happens to a society when people die that did not have to?
Lincoln, in his famous Cooper Union Speech made some statements that may have relevance today:
Because of the federal government shutdown, all national parks are closed and National Park Service webpages are not operating. For more information, go to www.doi.gov.
Oops. Sorry. The shutdown prevents me from finding anything at that site. All links are now broken Let’s try another part of the Web. Let’s try another one. Here is what he said to those who called themselves conservatives in his era
Your purpose, then, plainly stated, is that you will destroy the Government, unless you be allowed to construe and enforce the Constitution as you please, on all points in dispute between you and us. You will rule or ruin in all events.
A Man With A Ph.D. 
And this President has said “Après moi, le déluge:
Have you got a link for that, as I cannot find any such comment even metaphorically from President Obama? And I am not sure of the relevance of a Louis XV quote to this discussion. President Obama is not threatening the destruction of the Government, no more than President Lincoln was. In fact, both men made tremendous overtures to the other side, even to the point of alienating members of their own party. In both cases they were rounded on by another group of politicians who called themselves conservatives and who threatened to destroy the Union if they did not get their way. Lincoln called them highwaymen and I find that an apt description.
And this is good to see, that GOP moderates are beginning to want an up-or-down vote. This could stop right now if a vote was allowed. It simply requires the Speaker of the House to allow a vote on a clean bill. He refuses to do this, as it appears that it would pass, negating the efforts of the highwaymen. He has not wanted the democratic process to go forward. I hope he does soon.