To feel a bit scared about what Chris Evans just said about something happening in America to make the economy crash here and it all being a total and utter disaster?

[mameulah]

Genuinely feel a bit shaken up. Did anyone else hear it?

Chris Evans the washed up TV presenter? Or some alternate Chris Evans who is an economist?

Is this a freak post from 2008 which has been sitting in the server for five years???

Was he talking about this 'shutting down the government' thing?

The date on the OP is today.

The US has shut their government down thanks to the Republicans having a temper tantrum.

I doubt it will affect the UK.

Well maybe if people had heard Robert Peston on BBC news last night about the appalling effects this will have on our economy they'd know this is what Evans was referring to (and be less sarky)...

WilsonFrickett

It's on in the back ground so I wasn't really listening properly, but I assume he's talking about the shut down of the US government

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24302508

It is all a bit scary. I am glad I am not relying on the the american govt for my wage. I don't think I would worry too much. The optimist in me is hoping our government will learn something from this.

A radio DJ mentioning it this morning is the first you've heard about this??

If the USA cannot negotiate an increase on their spending budget then they will default. Seeing as the USA is regarded as a cast iron safe bet re loans by the world banking system it will have devastating effects. They are likely not to let that happen but I cannot believe the sarky ignorant comments on here. Read up before you sneer and see what happened the last time the USA fucked up (Sub Prime etc).

I knew about it and it is worrying. I was just laughing because it does sound like a pre-sub prime post from years ago.

Yes he was on about what mignonette said, not whats happening at the moment (the shut down of government). Mid October I think they said. They're saying its really unlikely, I can't see it to be honest.

It's partly to do with Obama wanting to provide health care for all Americans. He wants all employers to pay for it...some think that will cause job losses as employers cut back to pay for the health care.

So they're all stamping their feet. They'll be sorted out within a week OP...they've done this before. It's only a technical thing.

Debt ceiling has happened before and will happen again.

What you should be hoping for is smart American voters.

Why are posters so sneery? So what if this was the first OP had heard of it Vivacia? It may be a little surprising but hardly something to be aghast at. Why not just contribute your knowledge to the thread as Mignonette has, rather than slamming someone for their lack if knowledge.

Cal anyone remember what effect it had when it happened 17 (?) years ago? Dud they default? What effect did it have on the uk?

Genuine questions, I am not from the uk and would not have been of an age to be interested in international finances last time it occurred!

Apols for typos - phone!

I just keep at the back of my mind that this sort of thing could happen. Unlikely but not impossible. Also I do have a few "preppy" items? Is that what they are called. Personally there is one humongeos load of debt in the world, so I just bear the whole lot of it in mind.

Which Chris Evans btw, and is there a link?

Quite Bellamy. The OP has run up against the select group of MNers who know everything about everything [wink

Yes I've no doubt the American Government will sort it out before the deadline but is still has a destabilising effect upon the markets and is ridiculous and selfish behaviour by a group of politicians who are letting their personal animosity to Obama go out of control.

A guide for non Americans here:
www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/30/us-shutdown-explainer-non-americans

A useful guide detailing what happens when the US government shuts down.
Alternatively, a guide to what happens when the republicans have a temper tantrum.

This has happened before OP.

An a quick explanation of what happened last time here:
www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2013/oct/01/us-government-shutdown-clinton-presidency