Yes, the media has covered the last few weeks of events fairly heavily about how they are where they are and how they got there. But those of us that read heavily a variety of unbiased materials know where the blame lies. And unfortunately, it is correct where it is.
I believe in a fair and balanced government, I have voted in every election that I have been eligible to vote, and have NEVER voted a straight party ticket. Congress is to blame for the majority of this mess. They need some very deep contemplation about what they are doing, who it is for, and what their job is. This was a huge waste of time, for what?! The lost dollars, tourism, payments and processing for benefits, and on an on.
Bullheadedness does not get anyone anywhere. And sometimes when we lose, we need to evaluate and move on. Not waste time and energy when a decision has been made by every available avenue. Time to get to work! We still have no Farm Bill, they shut everything down prior to the end of the Fiscal Year for every agency of the Federal Government. The incredible lack of understanding of just that timeline boggles my mind!!
I was working for Congress in 95 when Gingrich and his crew did something similar and lost big. Shame we didn’t learn from that lesson. We need more of the John McCain’s of this world, and less of the Ted Cruz’s. There is no one better to listen to and get things done in a timely fashion than John McCain, and on a bipartisan fashion.
Hubert Humphrey stated many years ago that compromise is not a four-letter word. Something to ponder and pray about. Tip O’Neil and Ronald Reagan had a fabulous working relationship, even though their views were much different. At the end of the day, they set aside differences and got to work. It is way past time to start exhibiting the same qualities!
Anne Foley from Windom, Minnesota
Also read this Poll taken by NBC/Wall St. Journal about this same subject on what Americans are thinking: https://fggam.org/nbcwall-street-journal-poll-shoes-most-americans-blame-republicans-for-shutdown/
If you have a letter you would like to send us, email us at pastordewey@fggam.org
You can also make your comments below in our comment section. God Bless!
Don’t mean to upset anyone here but 83% of the government is open, it is not entirely shut down although with all the political posturing, name throwing and make it hurt games going on, it would be extremely hard to know that.
As a Vietnam Veteran myself you couldn’t admire John McCain more than I for what he did and went through; I myself came very close to joining him in his confinement. He’s a TRUE American hero but a 100% effective politician that does not make.
You may disagree with Ted Cruz which is one of the rights I fought for for you and I’m neither for or against him myself, but he does feel the voters in his state voted for him to do exactly what he is doing and thus, that is his job for which he WAS elected.
Unlike GOD who has one & the only real story, there are two sides (or more)to all human stories. What we do need, as you state, is for both sides, such as Clinton-Gingrich eventually did, (neither with deep rooted personal ILL intent such as exists today), to work together and come to a consensus through negotiation. As long as BOTH SIDES refuse to negotiate together and play political posturing and name throwing as BOTH sides are doing we will NOT have a resolution to our problems.
My prayers are that we can get GOD back in our schools & society which eventually will put GOD back in our government itself !!! Therein our situation would be much much much easier to resolve !!!
rick stambaugh, U.S. Navy Retired