Whose fault is the federal government shut down, now the
longest in United States
history?
Is it the fault of an intractable President, unwilling to
budge one inch from his position that he must have a border wall and it must be
fully funded? Is it the fault of a newly elected and energized left, who insist
that the wall is "an immorality" and not one dollar must be devoted
to its construction?
Who is to blame?
That's the main political parlor game playing out these days
as "Closed Until Further Notice" signs hang on locked office doors
throughout the federal government at agencies and commissions and branches that
are supposed to do basic things for you and I and others, citizens of the United States. You know, like...distribute food stamps to
hungry people. Ensure that the person next to you on an airplane is not a
terrorist. Patrol our borders, land and sea, to keep us safe from outside
threats. Make sure that our air is clean
and our waters are without toxins. Collect enough taxes to fund services for
veterans and housing for the homeless and health care for our aging
parents.
Just who is to blame?
For the truth that right now, all those governmental functions
either are not happening or might soon come to a screeching halt? Who birthed this current mess, this embarrassment
to our republic, this pathetic and shameful example of how we Americans seem
incapable anymore, at least in Washington,
D.C., of even being able to
govern ourselves, keep the lights on, run the government, carry out the most
basic of civic work? To legislate. To
pass laws. To oversee with care and commitment
the collective life of 325 million Americans.
I think what most amazes me is how unashamed both sides act in
the midst of this disaster. One side
tweets away and spends most of its energy posturing and pontificating, pointing
fingers and acting like petulant children. The other side stakes out what they
are convinced is an unwavering "moral" position, preaching from on
high about how they are completely correct, and then they get in their limos
and go home for the weekend.
Just who is to blame for this train wreck?
The media? Somewhat. Yes, some among the fourth estate
report about the real negative effects that are beginning to be felt because of
the shut down. Long lines, even cancelled
security lines at the airport. Mortgage applications that can't be
processed. Scientific research that has
ground to a halt. I can't imagine being one of the 800,000 federal workers who
worry about how to pay the mortgage or make the rent or fill a needed
prescription because their bosses are so inept that they could not even pass a
budget.
But in much of the media, the shutdown is reported as some
kind of glorified political wrestling match. Talking heads from both sides yell
at each other on split screens. Countdown clocks tick away at how long Uncle
Sam has been absent. Polls about blame
are trotted out as the next Presidential election cycle begins. ARE YOU
SERIOUS? Didn't we just have an election!!! UGH!
So who is to blame for the mess we find ourselves in?
Here's an unpopular opinion. I think we are. We, the
American people. We who elected these folks, these ideologues, these
politicians who are ideologically pure on the left and right but who have
forgotten how to govern. How to meet an
opponent half way on their demands. How
to "get" in negotiations but also how to "give". How to compromise. How to remember that the good of the country
always, ALWAYS, trumps the good of any political party, either party, both
parties. We voted in leaders who seem
much more concerned about getting re-elected, or elected, than actually doing
their jobs. We worship before the TV screens
of Fox and MSNBC, eating up news that tells us just what we want to hear, news
that neatly fits our political ideology, no other views needed.
Where's the good news?
Maybe, just maybe, stateswoman and men, true public servants, might emerge from the fray and teach us all
again about good governing and the practical and pragmatic art of politics.Politics
as the art of the possible. Politics as a place not just for ideologues, but
for legislators and lawmakers too. Folks who actually get stuff done. Who
govern.
That's my prayer. That's my hope.
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