The foreign economic press has been rife with articles on the American Government Shutdown.
there are points and counterpoints being presented on the impact on the American economy and on the lives of ordinary American citizens; and even American missions abroad.
Some in the government dismiss the adverse impact of the government shutdown on real American GDP. Harvard economist Mankiw feels that opinion is more wrong than right. This is because if one states that there is no adverse impact of the government shutdown one is making an assumption that the government workers don't produce anything of value when they are at work, or that they will make up all the undone work when they return, so making them stay at home has no significant economic impact. If that were really the case, then they should be given shorter work weeks, so they can enjoy more leisure.
Also take the case of the national parks that are now closed because of the shutdown. Those families that would otherwise be enjoying them are suffering a true reduction in economic well-being that is forever lost.
