My GF went in at 6:00 am and worked 8 hours today for no pay. Got her forms for unemployment and has to watch the news to see if she'll have a job anytime soon. Not sure if that's "the hype" you are referring or not, but at our house, it ain't hype.
I acknowledged that some individuals may be caught up in it and I'm sure it sucks for your girlfriend but it is still hype and hysteria, just like the sequester was, when viewed from the big picture. We will never get our government under control if we can't look at the big picture.
Nobody is entitled to a job...especially those of us in public service.