John,
This is one of those weeks that's not going to be pretty, depending on what team you root for, you're already not off to a good start. As a Bears fan, well, need I say more?
The MAGA Republican Party is fractured. No surprise there, but they have a powerful flank of their party that is hell-bent on seeing a government shutdown, a presidential impeachment, and God knows what other Beetlejuice-inspired antics they come up with. Yes, one of the "leaders" of the far-right MAGA GOP decided to put on her own show while watching the show and to absolutely no one's surprise, we hear crickets in response from the "conservative" party about Lauren Boebert's actions.
We expected all this. That is why we fought so hard in the midterms, and while we did much better than everyone expected us to—by everyone, I mean the pollsters, the cable news pundits, the social media trolls, etc.—the reality is we did lose control of the House, and sadly, Kevin McCarthy is the Speaker.
For a long time, we have been saying that elections have consequences, and we are about to witness that statement unfold this week. I hope that a government shutdown can be avoided, but I am not holding my breath. Here's why:
For some in Congress, the goal is to shut down the government. They want to make President Biden look bad, as well as their own leadership. Make no mistake about it: Donald Trump is calling the shots here. Under Trump, the government was shut down for a record 34 days.
If the government shuts down, this is what is at risk:
- Non-essential government services are closed. This includes things like national parks, museums, and libraries.
- Federal employees are furloughed or laid off. This means that they either don't work or don't get paid.
- Government contractors are also affected. Many government contractors rely on government contracts for their income, so a shutdown can have a devastating impact on their businesses.
- National security can be compromised. If the government is shut down, there may not be enough staff to protect the country from threats.
- The economy can suffer. A government shutdown can lead to a decrease in consumer spending and business investment.
In addition to these consequences, a government shutdown can also have a negative impact on morale and public trust in the government.
I will be traveling to D.C. to attend a conference and meet with Democrats in Congress and their staff. We need to be prepared to reach American independents and even some Republicans who are sick and tired of the antics and are looking for a change. I will keep you posted on what I learn this week and will be sending regular updates.
In the meantime, we are also trying to reach our own End of Quarter goals, and while we are as energetic and enthused as ever, our resources are very low, and we need you to help us keep this train going. Please chip in what you can! And if you have a specific question you want answered about what's going on in our nation's capital, shoot me a message. The staff at No Dem Left Behind is excellent at making sure all messages get delivered.
