At the start of October, the government faced issues regarding funding being cut for health, housing and environmental programs. These cuts increased recent tensions between the Democratic and Republican parties, ultimately leading to a formal shutdown on Oct. first.
With a month-long continuation of this shutdown, it has officially become the longest shutdown within American history.
This shutdown has negatively impacted so many lives of American citizens, specifically government employees who have gone a month without steady income.
It was purely caused by many avoidable factors, that all connect solely to the stubbornness of politicians that refused to make compromises.
The tension that rooted to the full shutdown came from the lies within federal funding for the upcoming year. Democrats were promoting a budget plan that would protect healthcare for all citizens under the Affordable Care Act and help provide food safety, along with overall public safety.
While Democrats prompted a budget plan that would help all, the conservatives within the Republican Party wanted quite the opposite and made health insurance a costly thing. With that disagreement, the Senate refused to pass that plan, leading to this shutdown.
While both sides could have compromised in the middle before taking this drastic turn, Democrats had actually tried to negotiate the spending levels with the Republicans, who ultimately turned them down.
The government’s job is the work for the people, and by the people, but seemingly have not been in recent times.
Shutting down the government has been a reckless ordeal that projects the immaturity of politicians and how compromises must be made to ensure the safety of American citizens.
Senior, Cassidy Gurzi, expresses, “I believe that this government shutdown has caused too many people’s lives to spiral downwards over an issue that could have been so easily avoided, if the government could just make a compromise and agree with one another for the good of their country rather than for themselves and their party to “win” with the final say.”
In the past few years, Democrats have constantly argued for a budget to provide ease to American citizens. This includes protection over simple necessities such as healthcare and education.
Now because of the shutdown, the government is losing money every second, with costs of re-opening of government agencies increasing by the day.
This shutdown has been a reflection of why responsibility within the government matters. The Democrats constantly urge republicans to find compromises and their constant denial is why America is placed under this shutdown.
This shutdown has made even day to day life harder with flights being canceled, pantries not being filled and federal parks being closed. With subtle outrages, even students at Aliso Niguel express disdain. This is prominent in Senior, Jaslene Massey, who simply shares, “I feel like this shutdown is stupid and unnecessary.”
While students are often “too young” to have a voice and opinion on this matter, so many are understanding what is happening, and find it completely aggravating.
Not only is this shutdown a demonstration of why having a conservative majority within Congress is inefficient; it is a direct projection of Trump’s inability to be the “bigger person” and take his presidency seriously.
Cameron Wheaton, another Senior, who is enrolled in AP Government expresses, “I think that the government should prioritize giving SNAP benefits to the people that need it and should try and find a compromise quicker – and should’ve in the first place – because of the snap cuts and the amount of government workers without a pay. I understand that passing a budget is difficult, but that shouldn’t overshadow the needs of the people.”
It is always remarked that the youth should not get involved in politics because they are “too young” to understand, but it is us who are constantly ready to speak and approach matters such as these.
Education is what is keeping this nation strong right now. With access to learning opportunities that give students the voice to understand matters such as this shutdown, we are being set up for success in the future.
This government shutdown has been a complete waste of America’s time, money and focus.
