Staff Reports
In the pre-dawn hours, the United States government entered yet another shutdown, sending over 7,000 federal workers home without pay. Meanwhile, in a move that would be chuckle-worthy if it weren’t so frustrating, members of Congress continue to collect their paychecks. It seems these lawmakers need a refresher course in why their constituents find this situation as delightful as a dentist visit. Senator Rick Scott, who has a penchant for sensible money talk, believes lawmakers should feel the pinch when the government grinds to a halt. After all, in the business world, failing to do your job doesn’t earn you a bonus; it usually earns you a pink slip.
Scott has been championing a novel concept: no budget, no paycheck. It’s a simple idea that should make perfect sense. By refusing to pay Congress during shutdowns, maybe, just maybe, it would spur a bit more urgency in those endless budget meetings. Imagine a world where missed deadlines actually have consequences! Senator Ron Johnson also proposed a bill to prevent shutdowns entirely, which sadly seems to have attracted as much attention as a squirrel in a parking lot.
However, you can’t discuss political stalemates without tipping your hat to the Democrats. According to Scott, the Democrats seem to enjoy a good government shutdown, like it’s taco night. With the current resolution merely maintaining existing funding levels — levels they themselves helped set — it’s difficult to see where the problem lies. Yet here we are, with Democrats dragging their feet as if they’re being asked to donate a kidney.
For the everyday Americans scratching their heads at this Washington melodrama, the question remains: why can’t lawmakers just get along? Average folks manage to put aside differences during a good ol’ family dinner; perhaps Congress could learn something from Aunt Nancy and Uncle Joe, who haven’t agreed on politics since the Reagan era yet still share pumpkin pie. Brian, a conservative reporter, astutely observes that this governmental gridlock is a bipartisan affair, and perhaps they all share blame for this absurd reality show.
In the end, the idea floating around Senate chambers is simple fiscal responsibility. Parts of the budget, particularly healthcare and discretionary spending, could undergo serious trims. Yet those alterations must be met with meaningful conversations — something not synonymous with the current Capitol Hill climate. While Senator Scott dreams of balanced budgets as he did annually as a governor, it seems Washington is still working on waking up to that possibility. Maybe one day common sense will make a surprise appearance in the budget meetings, but until then, federal workers might want to stock up on instant noodles.
