How much does it matter if the national government shuts down?

The financial markets are grappling with that question.

 Treasury Secretary Jack Lew had a chilling message yesterday: the government may have only $50 billion in cash on hand by mid-October; inflows and outflows sometimes exceed that amount every day.  This is a looming train wreck; a government shut-down, on the other hand, wouldn't affect much that's essential, and the public would hardly notice a brief shut-down.  

The problem is this:


The White House has said it won't negotiate on the issue. The GOP has no appetite for a clean raise. And the growing Democratic left will hem in The White House, preventing any possible deal. There's just no basis for a deal, nor is there one being worked out in the background.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/analyst-a-genuine-crisis-is-looming-for-the-markets-due-to-the-debt-ceiling-2013-9#ixzz2fuMtBhcj

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/analyst-a-genuine-crisis-is-looming-for-the-markets-due-to-the-debt-ceiling-2013-9#ixzz2fuMl3uy4

ANALYST: A Genuine Crisis Is Looming For The Markets Due To The Debt Ceiling - Business Insider