Is the government serious???

I think I just need to vent in this entry so forgive me if I begin to ramble or end up not making sense........I haven't paid as much attention to it as I should have been, but I have seen stories on the internet surrounding a government shutdown.......and all I can think to myself is "where are we, what country am I in, is this really a topic of discussion????? Our government helps regulate everything in our society as we know it..........How the HELL CAN THEY SHUTDOWN??? Who and what is shutting down??? The military?? The postal service?? The financial aid division?? Are the governor and mayor leaving office?? Is this over money?? Are city councils taking a leave of absence?? Who is going to be around to delegate medicaid?? Food stamps?? Living assistance?? Child support?? We depend on the government more that we realize......They are the reason we do not have any "real" monopolies in the US, the reason we feel safe from terrorists, they bailed out these big companies that almost collapsed the economy, they do so much for us??/ How unethical is it that they are even contemplating a shutdown??? The government is responsible for so many lives, millions upon millions of lives..........are they are seriously considering any type of shutdown??? Whatever it is they can not agree upon this should not even be an option??