At midnight October 1, the federal government turned off the lights and locked the doors.

So, what is this partial federal government shutdown all about, and what's next?

This week on the Money Metals' Midweek Memo, Mike Maharrey explains the reasons behind the shutdown, the likely result (more government spending), and why it amounts to little more than political theater.

Along the way, he highlights the inflationary impact of government policy and why you need to protect yourself from the inevitable consequences of this monetary malfeasance. He also gives a quick history lesson on the intended size and scope of the federal government.