Welp, the state parks have begun to shut down on the eve of the Fourth of July weekend, and unless some Republicans back down soon, it looks like the government is shutting down.

Which means my dad, along with about 35,999 other employees will be laid off starting Saturday. But the effects extend a lot further — loggers can't log on state lands, the DNR can't sell fishing licenses and I can't poop at a rest stop when I drive down to the cities.

To those politically minded, this is no surprise. The Republicans promised they would curtail spending. Dayton is promising he'll spend more. They are doing EXACTLY WHAT WE TOLD THEM TO DO.

What we've got is a host of determined politicians who want the best for the state and won't settle for anything less. And in the process it seems to be on the verge of burning to the ground.

I keep hearing about the "cone of silence" that has descended upon legislators keeping secret the budget discussions. AND I GOT THE OBSCURE REFERENCE! Looks like all those years of watching TV Land finally paid off.

The cone of silence was a technologic blunder used for comedy on "Get Smart" back in the 1960s. A movie came out based on the show a couple years ago. The cone of silence was supposedly used to prevent anyone from listening in, but many times those within the cone couldn't even hear each other speak, to comedic effect.

It's an oddly specific and correct metaphor for what's going on in the capitol right now. Legislators, I think I speak for everyone when I say, you better get your shit together.
 


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