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National Parks' Closure Being Highlighted In Congressional Budget Impasse

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National parks are being wielded to build opposition to the congressional budget impasse that could lead to the first shutdown of the federal government since 1995-96.

In a release sent wide and far, U.S. Rep. Ed Markey, the ranking Democrat on the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee, raised the spectre of a shuttered Yosemite National Park in railing against Republicans he maintained are driving the government closer to a shutdown.

“This weekend, Yosemite might turn into ‘NOsemite’, as our national treasures would close their gates and send American families away,” said Rep. Markey. “House Republicans are telling the American families who would like to walk in one of our national parks this weekend to ‘take a hike.’ These forced closures could devastate the already fragile local economies of small communities which depend on national parks for tourism dollars.

“For House Republicans, the Tea Party is more important than the Tetons,” said Mr. Markey.

President Obama and Democrats have proposed significant and responsible budget cuts in an effort to meet House Republicans more than half way, the congressman's staff maintained.

Comments

Anon   April 7  1:22 AM
Levin, Limbaugh, Drudge, Fox News ?  Nope. They don't control our government. 
The Silent Majority is speaking. The Fiscally Responsible are speaking. Time to listen Up.
All the concern for Future Generations, so often mentioned in these forums, you would think that some little mention of our country going bankrupt might seep into the conversation. Not relavent ? Think again. At the rate we are going, Future Generations will not be concerned with our National Parks. They will have much bigger fish to fry.

Ron (obxguys) 


In response to the question of "why dont they work and keep the park open, they will get paid anyway...."  There is actually a federal law that makes it illegal for nonessential federal workers to voluntarily come to work during a shutdown.  It is true that federal employees were retroactively paid after the 1995-1996 shutdowns, but that repyment was not automatic; it required legislation.


Way to make it all about CAHA again samsdad1 - unreal.

To my English friend, if you need some help finding places to go, regardless of the shutdown, I would love to help, please do not let a few angry people deter you from visiting this country, or you could just visit Canada, they have some lovely parks I believe are still open for business.


It would be a shame if the parks close because budget negotiations have, at this late hour, turned into a pretext for fighting the culture wars.


Until the military, social security, Medicare and prior tax cuts for billionaires are part of the discussion there's no point in even talking. But all those entitlements are part of the untouchable reality of most conservatives. No wonder the country is going broke: don't tax but spend anyway.


I'm sorry, but I just can't reconcile the term 'reality check' with tea party rhetoric, and really don't like having such oxymorons associated with the national parks.

Disclaimer: I'm sitting on a hillside surounded by a national park and my NPS spouse is heading off on one of her last days to work for the forseeable future. My righteous rage is rising stronger than any fool wearing a tri-corner hat.


Interesting and widely successful PR campaign.  That's all that counts.  No reality needed.  Respectfully


Re: Rick B Sounds to me like a very selfish concern.  You are all being played, along with the military and others to make it as painful as possible.  The Democratic Pres., Senate and the House were supposed to present a budget before the last election but were afraid that it wouldn't be politically wise.  NO substance only deception and ...okay lies!  Look at the CBO projections and it should be very clear that without a change this country is in the toilet.Prove me wrong.  I hope I am.Respectfully 


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