The Capitol building stands behind caution tape at a construction site in Washington, D.C., U.S. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg
Government Shutdown: Let’s all get along
The government shutdown crawls on with no clear end in sight. We’ve passed 21 days, making this shutdown the longest in American history. Now over a month long, 800,000 federal workers will soon miss their second paycheck
According to an article from the Washington Post, “Belt Buckles…” by Christopher Rugaber, “Among the hardest hit are the owners of restaurants, hotels and gift shops near federal agencies and national parks around the country.”
President Trump shut down the government on Dec 22 of 2018 after democrats refused to fund his border wall, claiming that a wall would be ineffective and other border security methods should be followed.
I think that regardless of your stance on the wall, nearly everyone can see the importance of an expeditious compromise.
Undoubtedly, politicians see this as well.
Attempts at accomodation have been made, but have been unsuccessful.
President Trump has offered the protection of 700,000 DACA recipients from deportation or a partial restoration of government services in exchange for 5.7 Billion dollars to the fund the wall. House Democrats have offered to fund border security measures other than the wall.
Both sides are throwing ideas out there to see what sticks.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell optimistically says, ”At least we’re still talking.”
I think we all could use a bit of optimism right now. The shutdown has slowed down air traffic, weakened the forces that check our food, but arguably worst of all, deepened the ravine between Republicans and Democrats.
Hopefully, these compromises will help alleviate this gaping divide and reinstate order to our nation.
