Funding the government is a vital element to America’s functioning, and which is constitutionally mandated. Congress is the sole decider in passing a budget and will determine the distribution and use of federal funds – your tax money. Both the Senate, the House, Republicans and Democrats, work out a multi trillion-dollar plan that is supposed to benefit the country and work for all Americans.
Trump has thrust upon Congress a devastating Budget agenda, that will pervert our critical health and social services, and corrupt Social Security. With his $4.5 trillion in tax cuts for wealthiest and corporations, $2 trillion of slashed spending Medicare, Medicaid, food assistance, childcare, education) while raising our national debt ceiling (currently at $36 trillion) Congressional Republicans are mired in Trump’s despotic ambitions.
However, Congressional Democrats will soon have a real opportunity to make a stand against the appropriation of our government by an aspiring dictator. The Trump Administration’s series of unilateral actions has sabotaged Congress’s constitutional authority for overseeing the well-being of all Americans. Through lies, manipulation (gas-lighting) and shameless, illegal ploys traditional constitutional and parliamentary defenses have been surreptitiously blocked.
The MAGA conspiracy, directed by the stealth “Project 2025,” has obstructed the constitutional checks and balances of the three equal branches of Government. Congressional Republicans have been reduced to mindless sycophants, and a traditionally unbiased SCOTUS is now subverted into a partisan stamp of approval for a lawless, dangerous POTUS.
In a life or death battle for our very Nation, facing impending negotiations for a federal budget that could inflict unimaginable damage to our Democratic Government and its citizens, the Dems, despite their minority status, have leverage. Even with Trump’s veiled threats and unilateral hijacking of Congress’s constitutional authority over the federal budget, appropriations bills require 60 votes to pass in the Senate and usually need bipartisan support to pass in the House. The Congressional Democrats cannot morally support a budget that cuts $880 billion in vital social and health services. The Trump administration’s disregard for the Constitution (Article 1, Section 9) and his unilateral intrusion, diminish the long-standing principles of Congress. Our Democratic Representatives and Senators are our last bastion of defense for our 200-year-old democratic government! While Congressional Republicans are only parroting Trump’s machinations, the Congressional Democrats must avail themselves of any weapon to stop Trump’s budget. And, their votes are needed for passage!
A shut down is a courageous move in the face of a vindictive POTUS. Hopefully, Americans are seeing it is the GOP that has created this maelstrom we are all living through – they control all branches of our government, they are willing to hold a budget for Americans hostage and cripple the nation Their blind alliance to Trump leave no room to consider what is just and right for all the American people. No budget is far better than a devastating one.
The just fight begins with the shutdown of the federal government. A shutdown will be far more acceptable to the American people than the catastrophic budget ordered by Trump. Shutting down the government means sacrifice, but the country is already engulfed in Musk’s firestorm and the coercion by a malevolent POTUS toward oligarchy is worse.
Americans will know and support a bold defense against a hideous budget agenda. A shutdown must be seen as a positive protection of our endangered rights and beleaguered government. Congressional Democrats’ profound concern for the survival of our nation is manifest with their unanimous refusal to go along with the MAGA/Trump trainwreck.
The deep commitment to their country to make the tough decisions, fighting the GOP cult’s greed and devastation to the U. S. Government is the reason for a government shutdown. Sometimes the best way to show leadership is to just say no!
The Democrats in Congress will do whatever it takes and fight the fight against injustice, fraud and greed of bullies, thieves and thugs for all Americans.
Lili Harper
Los Osos