Let me explain how it works
During a sequester Congress tells an agency ...cut your budget 10%
Given that many expenditures are already committed, they slash payroll. Decisions are based on cost
The parks were closed during the Republican shutdown. This means that agencies are not authorized to expend funds. But in shutting down government, even Congress understands you can't allow people to die or assets remain unprotected. So congress allows essential functions to remain open during a shutdown
Now, guess whether parks are considered essential or nonessential functions?
The government shut down was NOT the sequester, Winger. You need to keep your talking points straight! Congress did not tell the Obama White House what to shut down and what to keep open...those were choices made BY THE OBAMA WHITE HOUSE and it's very instructive if you look at what they chose and how quickly it happened. This was something they had obviously planned. Someone in this White House sat down and drew up lists of things they thought would irritate the average American citizen if it was no longer available and then they shut THOSE things down.
Yes!
Now you are learning.
That is the difference that Conservatives can't seem to grasp. During a sequester, an agency is told "slash 10%" and they cut spending where it makes the most sense
During a shutdown an agencey is told they are not authorized to expend funds. However, they are authorized to expend funds for "essential" functions. So cost savings does not come into play, only essential or non-essential
Now that you are getting it. Can you explain how a PARK should be considered essential?
What was the objective of a 10% savings? Where were the savings supposed to be applied?
-Geaux