As I write this, the US Congress is in the final minutes of running out the clock before shutting down the federal government. From midnight, budgetary authority will expire, and the government will not be able to spend any money. Except, of course, on waging war - no matter what happens, the US War On Us will continue regardless.
Which tells you an awful lot about the bipartisan priorities of US legislators. War, spying and drone-murder good. Healthcare, education, basic public services - basicly, anything which helps people - bad.
The core of the problem is detailed here: Republicans hate the idea of a Democratic President, and are willing to hold the government to ransom to express that. But in the process, they're showing the world that the US is basicly a failed state, with no credible governing authority, except for the rule of the gun. A big, nuclear-armed version of Somalia, Iraq or Afghanistan.
This is what happens if you vote Republican: you get to live in a failed state. Congratulations.
Still, look on the bright side: we get a short break from federal involvement in their mad war on drugs. I wonder if it will make a serious difference?