Tonight they're gonna party like it's 1995...

Remember the '90s? It was the decade of mechanic shirts, 'Seinfeld', and the Chicago font.

Contrary to the nostalgic feeling of late, however, the '90s were actually anything but 2 legit 2 quit. It also saw the pair of federal government shutdowns of 1995-96. These stoppages of government services came about when the right-wing Congress intentionally refused to produce an acceptable budget. Congress's dereliction was largely retaliation by Newt Gingrich after President Clinton refused to let him play with the controls on Air Force One. (No, I'm not making this up. I was around in 1995, and I remember.)

During these shutdowns - which lasted from days to weeks - veterans benefits checks were not delivered, government health hotlines were out of service, and countless public employees were out of work and were not paid.

A shutdown is a serious matter - and no reason to party. But Republicans in Congress today are about to launch another shutdown, and they're already getting into a partying mood.

Unlike last time, the GOP doesn't control the Senate. But remember, the House - which the GOP does control - is actually in charge of budgeting. This policy was based on the premise that the House was supposed to be the people's house and the Senate was supposed to do the elites' work. In recent years, however, we've seen a reversal of this arrangement. Make no mistake: The House is the elites' realm. It's been that way through most of my adult life. We truly have mob rule by the rich.

The Republicans are partying like it's 1995, and they're having a hard time containing their glee about shutting the government down again.

If there's a shutdown, what does it mean? If you're a federal employee, you'll likely be out of work - and money. If you rely on Social Security or any other government benefits, that's probably gone for as long as the shutdown lasts - and that'll cost you hundreds per month. (It's actually illegal not to pay these benefits - but that didn't matter last time.) Government facilities ranging from museums to parks will be closed. Aviation will be disrupted too.

It may also mean a political bonanza for President Obama. When the Republicans shut down the government in the '90s, it did wonders for Clinton's approval ratings (not like Clinton knew what the hell to do with it).

The shutdowns of 1995-96 actually cost the government (i.e., the taxpayers) hundreds of millions - more than wiping out any savings that built up during the weeks of the shutdowns.

If we don't have a government, doesn't that also mean I can do whatever I want? Does it mean I can bring back my pirate radio station or bring my own container of water into Riverfest? You can't shut down the government and then expect me to follow idiotic laws when there's no government to enforce them. You can't have it both ways - though I know they will, just like how they're only against "big government" when this stance helps them.