Alongside many national parks are small towns that owe their existence to tourism. Tourist dollars support those towns and businesses, pumping money back into the economy through fees, gas taxes, goods and services.

Now the gates are closed. Silence fills the parks.

That means it is not only silent, it is lost revenue for all concerned — including the federal government.

I am not writing to mention health care, but rather the issue of lost revenue, which is apparently not needed. I wonder if it is the same with all the workers who suddenly found themselves sent back home with their jobs on hold? Apparently they are not needed. Yet, they also contribute to the economy.

Unless you are the government, you cannot spend what you do not have.

Marilyn Churchill, Minot