Staff Reports
In the ongoing drama of Congress, once again, we find ourselves teetering on the brink of a government shutdown. Chuck Schumer and his Democratic comrades have adopted their favorite pastime: pointing fingers and blaming Donald Trump and his loyal Republican followers for this looming disaster. According to Schumer, the Republicans are simply too frightened of Trump to defy him. Yet, it seems a tad convenient for the Democrats to brandish Trump as the boogeyman whenever it suits their narrative. Instead of addressing their own inflexibility, the Democrats choose their usual scapegoat tactic.
The Republicans, in fact, have been trying to hammer out a budget since January. The diligent folks, like Susan Collins, have put in the hard work to negotiate most of the budget, passing it through with solid support. They are left wondering why, after so much effort, their plans are stuck in gridlock. The answer appears to be Chuck Schumer, who sits on these plans like a dragon hoarding treasure. The Democrats, apparently, have taken the stance that it’s more about making extravagant demands for expanded Obamacare subsidies than keeping the government running.
What Schumer is pushing for seems to be nothing short of extortion—a hefty $40 billion a year for additional Obamacare subsidies. These subsidies, birthed during the pandemic, have lingered well past their expiration date, much to the annoyance of fiscally responsible Americans. Most of these funds benefit individuals making well above four times the poverty level. Senator Roger Marshall rightly points out the absurdity of continuing such handouts when the pandemic, thankfully, is behind us.
Enter President Biden, who seems determined to double down on the Democrats’ generous spending habits, ignoring the strain it puts on the budget. He insists on granting even more money, arguably trillions, to those entering the country illegally, some allegedly not of the most law-abiding sort. This priority, to many American taxpayers, is as bewildering as it is alarming. The President, in his quest to seem compassionate, misses the notion of compassion first to those legally residing in the country and contributing to its success.
In the art of political horse-trading, Schumer appears to be wagering that the blame for any shutdown will fall on the Republicans, thus freeing the Democrats from any responsibility. However, this gamble overlooks the basic fact that it’s the American people who bear the brunt of any shutdown. The Republicans’ call for a more prudent budget, without the extra trillions and unwarranted subsidies, seems reasonable. Yet, here we stand, with the Democrats holding out stubbornly amid rising tensions, and once again, the everyday American waits on the sidelines, affected by a stalemate that seems as much about politics as it is about policy.
