government shutdown

It may have taken more than two weeks, but the government finally looks set to reopen. At least until early 2014, that is.

The government shutdown that began Monday night and is now in its fourth full day means that lots of official data collection, analysis and reporting that happens each month has now stopped. This includes the monthly jobs reports issued by the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

From the brilliant minds at the Huffington Post (and yet another "Why didn't I think of that?!" moment for me), here's a mashup of the president announcing the disastrous effects of a government shutdown, with the jerk in Ghostbusters forcing them to shut down all their equipment.

It will affect people in different ways.

I won't be getting on a soap box since I admittedly don't entirely understand how all of this happens. Frankly, I thought it was illegal. But, I do want to let you know how the government shutdown could affect your life in the coming days, should they shut down for longer than 24 hours...

As of 12:01 a.m. EST on Tuesday, the federal government closed down. Congressional leaders in the House of Representatives and the Senate were unable to reach an agreement on a budget or a temporary fix, known as a continuing resolution, before the start of the new fiscal year on October 1.