Yesterday, the S&P index estimated that the government shutdown cost the U.S. economy $24 billion and .6% GDP in estimated growth. Which is why Senator Elizabeth Warren is not celebrating.

In an email to her constituents, Warren expressed her disdain for and frustration with those Republican colleagues who irreparably harmed this country, and she did so in a series of pointed questions:



According to the S&P index, the government shutdown had delivered a powerful blow to the U.S. economy. By their estimates, $24 billion has been flushed down the drain for a completely unnecessary political stunt ... $24 billion dollars. How many children could have been back in Head Start classes? How many seniors could have had a hot lunch through Meals on Wheels? How many scientists could have gotten their research funded? How many bridges could have been repaired and trains upgraded?"

These answer to all of these questions is: too many.

Of course, such questions are of little importance to Republican lawmakers, who rarely care about funding figures that reach into the billions (unless it's military spending).

No, they're more concerned about entities that are funded with millions, such as PBS and NPR.

As with Warren, I too am angry. As is most of the country. Let us hope that, come election day in 2014, memory of this moment will not be lost on voters.

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David Harris-Gershon is author of the memoir What Do You Buy the Children of the Terrorist Who Tried to Kill Your Wife?, just out from Oneworld Publications.

Follow @David_EHG

