U.S. won't shut down, but ...

Congress hasn't done its duty to complete responsible action for necessary federal spending legislation by the end of the current fiscal year Friday. So the federal government is threatened with a "shutdown." But, of course, a shutdown will not occur.

Congress is rushing a "stopgap" bill to keep the government running.

But that a government shutdown will be averted does not mean Congress is doing its duty. Congress is not doing its job well. Despite taxes that are too high, it has voted to spend too much, generating close to $1.4 trillion more red ink this year, adding to the national debt of more than $13.3 trillion.

If Congress were responsible, as it should be, it would have voted for less spending, eliminated clearly unconstitutional programs, and perhaps even cut taxes. But a majority of members of Congress simply do not perform their financial duty responsibly.

So before the Friday fiscal year-end deadline, Congress will pass a last-minute bill to keep government running - and spending too much, adding to the debt.

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