Unless you live under a rock, you will have heard that the government shut down on Tuesday after failing to reach an agreement on a spending bill for the new fiscal year.

The Constitution makes it a crime to spend taxpayer dollars without an agreed upon spending bill signed by Congress and the president. So when the government failed to reach an agreement on how to fund Obamacare, it was forced to shut down until a solution was reached.

Despite the estimated 800,000 to 1,000,000 federal employees (Federation of Government Employees) that are expected to be furloughed and the numerous government benefits at risk, Congress will continue to get paid.

Once again, the government has failed to do its job effectively and while hundreds of thousands go without work, the big wigs in Washington continue to collect a paycheck. This includes President Barack Obama who will continue to receive his $400,000 salary.

We largely have the 27th Amendment to thank. It was originally drawn up by the founding fathers to prevent Congress members from boosting their salaries. In today’s world it simply means that the $174,000 salaries of the House and Senate are immune to any issues they cause. Their staffers and aides will be the ones to pick up the burden with furloughs and work without pay.

Regardless of whether this shutdown lasts a few days or a few months, it is purely unacceptable. The start of the new fiscal year was always going to come on October 1. There were no surprises. The issue is not a lack of solution, but a lack of consequence.

For all members of Congress, there are no true consequences that threaten their individual well-beings. This includes the handful that chose to give up their salaries until a solution is reached. Their checks will still show up each week.

Sure, some reputations may be on the line, but what is that compared to any number of veterans who will lose the very benefits they depend on should the shutdown go into late October? The Department of Veteran Affairs said that it would be unable to fund the compensation and pension checks for millions of veterans if the hiatus continues. It’s truly a shame that the veterans, who fought in wars waged by their government, are now the ones who get to feel the brunt of the burden while Congress twiddles its thumbs on Capitol Hill.

Regardless of what side of the “Obamacare” debate you are on, it’s hard to see this event as anything more than a colossal embarrassment. And this sentiment is spreading.

On Tuesday, Google paid tribute to Yosemite National Park on its homepage. October 1, 2013 marked the 123rd anniversary of the park. It spent the day closed to the public along with all of the other national parks and museums. Campers already inside the park were given two days to leave.

These are only a few of the many consequences that the average American citizens will have to face should this shutdown continue. Currently, most government run benefits are being funded by external dollars that fall outside of the annual spending bill. However, these funds will not last forever. And the longer it takes Congress to come to an agreement the more benefits that will begin to feel the pressure.

So why not raise the stakes?

It’s easy to stick to your guns when there’s nothing to lose. So why don’t we give Congress something to lose? How about their salaries?

In the real world, poor performance in the workplace is punished with docked pay. Why should Congress be any different? The 27th Amendment is certainly alive and well; however, that is under the assumption that the government is a proper advocate of the people. This government is not. This government is comfortable and disconnected – it treats this situation like a game.

So take away the money. Take away the money and the perks. Let them feel the pain because, when it comes down to it, a position in Congress is just another job.

This is wishful thinking and will likely never happen, but it’s important for the American people to realize how badly they’re getting screwed. It’s important because, maybe not this time, but the next time, we will have the means and ability to hold the government accountable.