Message to California Dems: move beyond the shutdown and serve the people | Opinion
The end of the government shutdown will be good news, but you would never know that by listening to top California Democrats.
Gov. Gavin Newsom, in particular, was angry at Democratic Senators in Congress who voted with Republicans to end the shutdown.
“I thought our immune system was woken up last Tuesday with the American elections,” Newsom said regarding wins by Democrats in New York, New Jersey and Virginia. “I worry now, though, that sounds like some of my colleagues and friends in the United States Senate, some of my Democratic colleagues, just decided that we’re playing by the old set of rules, not the new set of rules, and may have rolled over a little bit.”
Newsom’s sounds more like a leader intent on consolidating power while, and more concerned with his ego and self-interest, while complaining about party leaders who finally brokered a deal to end the record-breaking shutdown.
The Senate passed a plan on Monday to reopen the government and fund most agencies until Jan. 30. Funds for agriculture, veterans, military construction, and congressional budgets would be extended until Sept. 30.
This is real progress, especially after more than a month of uncertainty over whether our government would ever reopen. We cannot use the federal government as a bargaining chip simply because we dislike President Trump.
If a deal on health care wasn’t reached this time, there are always opportunities in the future.
And to be honest, what Democrats are currently advocating for falls short of true universal healthcare, the very goal many of their supporters actually want.
The recent elections were a response to the Trump administration, not a mandate to keep the government closed. If anything, opening the government puts pressure on Republicans to extend credits that keep health care costs low. We’re heading into an election year, where Republicans could pay a heavy price from voters worried about affordability in their everyday lives.
Political battles will continue, but the real victory is that our government is back to functioning as it should.
The shutdown reduced food stamps for millions, kept national parks closed, and left our airline industry in disarray. According to the Bipartisan Policy Center, at least 670,000 federal employees were furloughed, while about 730,000 worked without pay. These workers deserve full compensation for their service.
A government shutdown is not a bargaining chip
Democrats claim to want lower health care costs, but won’t support a deal for universal coverage. They are not truly health care crusaders.
If Republicans want to end subsidies and raise health care costs, let them. That will only further shift public support toward Democrats.
A government shutdown should never be used as a ploy for subsidies or healthcare cost negotiations. It’s a crisis that needs real solutions. Everyone should remember the farce in Trump’s first term when he tried to keep the government shut so he could fund his wall. Spoiler: it never happened.
Republicans have undermined public trust in government by promoting the idea that we can function without it. Democrats, on the other hand, weaponize government shutdowns by threatening closures as leverage in negotiations. Both approaches harm our government. Both must end.
Government exists to serve society. Annual shutdowns caused by political brinkmanship are an abuse of that purpose. The political tide may be shifting for Democrats, but it’s due to Republican actions in Congress — not because Democrats are uniting around an inspiring vision.
Our leaders owe Americans more than shutdowns and stalemates; they owe us honest solutions and real progress. It’s time they remember who they’re supposed to serve.
