Today, thousands of Americans will have their paychecks put on hold. This is no fault of their own – but instead the fault of our Congressional leaders.

This shut down, the first in 17 years, is opposed by 72% of Americans as an opposition to Obamacare, according to a Quinnipiac Poll (shout out to my alma matter).

72%... 

That’s 72% of Americans – not Democrats, not Republicans. Not Patriots fans or Giants fans. Not 72% of individuals that cut their sandwiches on the diagonal or of those that cut them down the middle.

It is time to recognize that as Democrats, as Republicans, we have fundamentally different ideologies in the role of the government. We innately believe that the purpose of our governing body is different.

This will always be true; this will always be the case. Our experiences will point us one way or the other, our social culture, our professional experiences, our educations will each play a role in sending us to either side of the political line.

These differences are, dare I say, necessary. We need both sides to contribute. We need both threads to weave our national fabric.

How can our Congressional leaders ask the American people to walk on common ground on issues of race, and gun control, public education, or health care – if they do not, and in so fail to do what they have been so elected to do.

How can we do our jobs, if they do not do theirs? For the following offices, agencies, and staff members that is a very literal statement:

Department of Defense:

400,000 (civilian employees) except those deemed essential to “provide for the national security” – this includes many veterans that are still employed by the D.O.D. but are no longer active military.

Department of Commerce:

40,234 (exports and imports personnel and those that review weather and shipping – 6,186 of them to be exact will be back at work today)

Department of Energy:

12,700 (if you’re overseeing the national nuclear arsenal don’t forget to pack your lunch – you’re expected in the office today!)

Department of Transportation:

18,481 – while “most” of these employees will be reporting today, silly things like facility security inspections, personnel background investigations, and employee drug testing will all be suspended)

Staff of National Parks, including the Statue of Liberty, Yosemite National Park, and Alcatraz – 21, 379 Americans from coast to coast will be hitting the snooze button today, they’re staying home. Only emergency management staff will report to the work today.

19 Galleries and Museums and we can’t forget the National Zoo (panda cam included) 3,514 – not only are these paid employees taking an unexpected (and unwanted vacation) but these galleries can not accept any volunteer services to keep programs operating … Shout out to the millions of 8^th grade students that won’t get to play National Treasure: The Home Game

Department of Homeland Security:

31,295 are calling in their own Code Red today while 199,822 are still expected to arrive at 0900 hours.

Department of Justice:

All FBI agents as well as DEA agents working on active investigations in addition to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, firearms, and Explosives will also be checking in on FourSquare… although they may have 17,742 fewer friends to check in with them.

Department of Health and Human Service:

40,512 will not have to use a sick day to stay home today… the CDC stated they will use “minimal support to protect the health and well-being of US citizens.” … Oh, okay,

Department of Education:

Some of the $22 billion in public school funding that was to be distributed will, however, not all of it will make its way where it belongs – including money that covers the cost of educating children living in low-income areas and those with disabilities.

Environment Protection Agency:

Only 1,069 staff members will be at work today… good news? More parking spots for their low-emissions vehicles? 15,136 will be working in their victory gardens until further notice.

US Postal Services: will continue as normal but make sure you buy some stamps this week – since they will not be receiving funding from tax revenue and will be dependent on your purchases to keep the doors open.

Thanks to some nifty and creative language in the 27^th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, our elected officials will still be getting paid today – and all the others days too… However, unlike our Congressional leaders, average American Joe and Jane only get paid when they do their jobs.

The passing of a federal budget is one of the most principle responsibilities of Congress – it is a non-partisan, routinely foundational item on the to-do list of the U.S. of A.

Party politics are not an American value; binding of party lines is not a means to an effective end. It’s time our Congressional leaders reevaluate their priorities.