In the midst of what can only be described as a circus of political theatrics, the government shutdown continues to unfold like a poorly written soap opera. The air traffic controllers working without pay, flight delays causing chaos, and frankly, a lot of noise from those who love to point fingers. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries is busy blaming President Trump for not chatting enough with Democrats. Perhaps he expects the President to roll out a red carpet and serve tea next time there’s a disagreement.
But let’s not ignore the elephant in the room—or should it be the donkey? The aptly dubbed “Schumer Shutdown” still spins its web. While Republicans and President Trump have been trying to stick band-aids on this gaping wound by passing a clean continuing resolution (CR), Democrats seem to be succumbing to the whims of their radical base. Suddenly, what’s been an acceptable practice for Chuck Schumer in the past 30 resolutions is now politically inconvenient. Could it be that the priorities of political posturing are outweighing the well-being of hardworking Americans?
The recent court order demanding SNAP benefits to persist is a temporary reprieve for struggling families. However, like applying ointment to a broken leg, it does nothing to mend the underlying issues. This emergency funding is meant for, well, emergencies—not political filibustering. States like Wisconsin, where up to 700,000 families rely on these benefits, deserve more than bandaids; they need a system that’s not trapped by the gridlock of Senate politics.
Meanwhile, Democrats appear to be rallying their forces in a different battle, trying out a new messaging strategy as the specter of rising Obamacare premiums looms. With nearly 400 canvassing events aimed squarely at spinning their healthcare narrative, they are leaving no stone unturned. But behind this fanfare is a harder truth: the Affordable Care Act’s soaring premiums are hitting Americans where it hurts most—their wallets. And who’s to blame, if not those who pushed such policies down everyone’s throats without considering the long-term financial chokehold that would ensue?
In the end, the cost of healthcare continues to be unmanageable, and the Democrats’ refusal to negotiate amidst a government shutdown only underscores their recklessness. It’s time to open dialogues and the government without holding Americans hostage for political leverage. But perhaps the upcoming elections, with socialism creeping up like a bad cold in multiple mayoral races, will serve as a reality check. Whether the voters will hear this message or fall for the same tired tricks remains to be seen. But one thing is certain—this political charade needs to end, and soon, for the sake of those caught in its tangled web.
