Shutdown Update
The effects of the shutdown are steadily increasing, including for the #aerospace & defense industry. Our new series, which will continue each week until the government is fully funded, shares the impact of the #GovernmentShutdown on A&D. Read more: https://t.co/f0YIAehYQQ
— Aerospace Industries (@AIAspeaks) January 18, 2019
AAS community, we have put together (and are regularly updating) a "Shutdown Central" page on our website to be a source of information. If you have more information to add or stories to share, please e-mail us at [email protected]. https://t.co/XmOAdUUrhy
— AAS Public Policy (@AAS_Policy) January 18, 2019
One of @NASA's main problems right now is communicating with its workforce since memos and updates are sent to government and contractor email accounts that cannot be accessed during the #governmentshutdown pic.twitter.com/RPnOQSENj6
— NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) January 18, 2019
>memos and updates are sent to government and
>contractor email accounts that cannot be accessed
Thanks to NASAWatch for gathering and posting information on a site that I don’t need to log in to read postings.
A possibly positive effect of this situation (stay with me here…) is this: the financial situation of so many families is becoming more broadly known.
I’m thinking about three points, among many others: Firstly, that a six-figure income ain’t what it once was; and Secondly, that three quarters of the working families in America live month – to – month; and Thirdly, that even two breadwinners is insufficient nowadays.
Some point out that any discussion of these problems should follow the eventual re-establishment of normal order. I disagree. What better time to wonder, as I do, how we have allowed our great country to fail her citizens so miserably? How have families been allowed to suffer so, when ‘family values’ are hawked on every street corner?
Buried deep inside the shouting and braying that happens whenever social policy is discussed is a small kernel of near universal agreement, a shared vision of a more ideal American life: One in which families, even of modest means, may with deliberation and hard work allow one spouse to take care of the kids, the other providing the means. A vision where kids may obtain a post-high school education without incomprehensibly large loans. Where savings are actually possible.
Why have we allowed this to happen? I don’t know. Neither do I know why we are not ashamed for what we have created.