Yes.

13th outlaws slavery. But aren't they all free to quit any time they want to?

So far as I know, those Federal emplyees are still free to quit. (Except maybe the ones in the military). So I don't think the "slavery" issue would apply to civilians.

Thank you very much! I was about to order a couple of DVDs from Amazon. I'll add that book.

Good luck with your novel.

A book that you would find interesting and useful is Ayn Rand's The Art of Fiction: A Guide for Writers and Readers https://www.amazon.com/Art-Fiction-Gu... It is an edited version of informal lectures she gave in her apartment to a group of friends and acquaintances. There is a parallel book on non-fiction, with some overlap in the content. Both are very good.

Even more disturbing are government employees who perform their functions honestly, and often with zeal, but to the detriment of the rest of us

True story: my brother once worked part time as an intern while working on an MBA for a local government institution. He said that it was common for him to get done in 12 hours (3 of his half-days) what it took the full-time employees a full 40-hour week to accomplish. He said that the other employees actually came to him and hinted that he really didn't need to go so fast and that it would be better off for everyone if he only completed about half of what he was given. My brother was very happy to quit that job and move on.

Well said.

Our government is just so inefficient and irrational that it’s lost my support. We need to eliminate “catch and release”, chain migration, and the crazy ide that setting foot on American soil effectively grants asylum, and the giving of welfare to “poor migrants”. The wall is needed to prevent welfare seeking migrants from getting on us soil- because if there stupid immigration laws.

As to government workers- if you don’t work you don’t get paid, period. Time for government workers who don’t like it should quit. Getting free vacations with pay is not something I want to pay for. I usually don’t wish people to die, but I can make an exception for Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, chuck schumer, and Diane Feinstein.

You could go on strike against the government and work somewhere else. What is your work?

The problem is they cannot go to work. We were told NOT to report to work!!! We were in effect locked out we are not on strike. I say build the wall!!

Agreed, however, I do wish the pay wasn't just deferred. Then we might see some savings vs a loss, and even more people wondering "Why not just leave it shut down" Shut it down for 4 months. we'll get rid of some government parasites (who earn an average of $89K), and cut expenditures.

"I don't give them a pass on the sob story"
I think the sob story is true in so far as if you live paycheck-to-paycheck, your life will be a series of financial crises. I have no disrespect for people who live paycheck-to-paycheck, but it would be wise for them to get out of that. Otherwise life will be a series of bona fide sob stories. If it's not their employer missing payroll it will be something else.

Not a chance Trump played into their hands. He is proving many things to the sheeple . The Dems are frauds for example. The govt shutdown proves the bloat is unneeded. Trump will stand firm and the Dems will eventually cave. If not we all benefit from the looters locked out of the wheelhouse.

Sorry, my response was addled and not on point. I was trying to make an argument that there are some things like air traffic control that the governent does well and are necessary. I submit that air control is one such and we get value for value.

Free pot for the fed workers.
https://www.aol.com/article/finance/2...

I just wish Trump hadn't said he would accept the blame for the shut-down over funding the wall.
Played right into the Dems hands. Sooner or later somebody has to blink.

I definitely think if they are at home sitting around, THOSE people shouldn't get paid. If it's known that they will eventually get paid, then why aren't they working?

Oh, I remember,....it's to force a sense of urgency and deprivation by our "mean ole President." No blame at all on the Demon-rats.

When the shut-down ends, they all get "40 acres and a mule."

And delayed is not "slavery"...I just started a brand new job. Won't get paid for two weeks. Am I a slave until then? I think not. As I chose this career, as did the Federal employees...knowing full well this could happen..

...the added masses yearning to be fleeced...

I agree. The "essential" employees are not really necessary in order for the state to function. And, my heart does not bleed for them. Did the fed employees hearts bleed for the coal miners as the 0zero administration attempted to kill the mining industry? I think not.
Plus, Pelosi is not fighting for the employees of the state. She is fighting to keep the border open at the behest of her donors, who I imagine will take advantage of the illegals for the cheap labor. Once they are in the country, they will be granted the right to vote and the dims have a new voter base. Viola! dim power for a very long time.
We, the true slaves, the taxpayer will pay for it all. Until we stop producing. Won't take long.

Oh no. Laws are only for the addled masses.

You don't need the non-essential employees. But someone else's needs are deemed to require it. How they decide what to call "essential" is another question.

I think the ridiculous part of this is just what exactly is considered "essential" vs "non-essential" in terms of the shutdown. The hodge-podge is mind-boggling - as only politicians can contrive.