Mike Barnhill,
Ashland
Dear Editor,
It seems every year we hear the Republicans wish to shut down the federal government for various reasons. Regardless of the reasons, whether valid or not, it may lead to lessening the ranks of Republican straight-line voters. How many senior voters rely on either a small or to a large degree upon receiving monthly Social Security? How many military personnel rely totally upon a monthly salary? How many people, both federal and civil, will be forced out of their jobs due to a shutdown?
I think the Republicans leading this disastrous decision will learn the bitter consequences. It reminds me of a child wanting to smoke or drink alcohol. The time-honored way to correct the wants of a child is give them all they want until they're sick. They tend to remember the consequences of their desires rather than the verbal warnings. I suppose we'll just have to wait and see if it's a true aim of Republican leadership or just a whim as we hear it every year.