Have you been keeping up w/ your politics? Here are two recent conversation topics:
New Jersey Same-Sex Marriages
Just after midnight on Monday, New Jersey became the fourteenth state to allow same-sex couples to marry with Sen.-elect Cory Booker presiding over unions in Newark. (Sidebar: Booker was elected to represent New Jersey in the U.S. Senate in a special election last Wednesday.) Knowing when to fold ‘em, Gov. Chris Christie abandoned the state’s legal challenge to same-sex marriage in the wake of a court ruling. “Chief Justice Rabner left no ambiguity about the unanimous court’s view on the ultimate decision in this matter when he wrote, ‘same-sex couples who cannot marry are not treated equally under the law today,'” he said in a statement. Also following the ruling, President Obama sent the Tweet: “Congrats, New Jersey. #LoveIsLove”
Government Shutdown Over
Here’s an update on the government shutdown. First things first, it’s over – at least for now. Last Wednesday, President Obama signed legislation to reopen our government and extend the government’s authority to borrow money for agencies through Feb 7. Remember each year the government has to decide whether or how to fund agencies. Republicans were holding up approvals because they wanted a bill that would reduce funding to ObamaCare.
With the shutdown now over, furloughed federal workers will receive back pay. The deal also makes NO significant changes in President Obama’s healthcare law.
One more thing….Recently, it’s been reported that the shutdown has resulted in a $24 billion loss. In reality, there will be no economic loss to the economy from the shutdown.
It’s true, some of these losses did actually happen, but any losses in one part of the economy will be offset by gains somewhere else. Said another way, for all the tourist sites that lost money and visitors during the shutdown, there is a business somewhere that received or will receive more business than normal.
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