Many liberals are disappointed that eight in the Democratic caucus have broken ranks to end the government shutdown, but I believe those lawmakers are right. Elections have consequences, and the U.S. elected a madman. There is only so much any rational tactic or appeal can accomplish in these circumstances. The Dems were holding out for better terms for government aid in health care, but hunger and compromised aviation safety are more immediate threats to our health and well-being.
Truthfully, this government puts us all at risk with its sycophantic, incompetent Cabinet (chief among them the defense secretary), inadequate staffing at many agencies, and misplaced priorities. A crank presides over America’s health in general. The loss of insurance subsidies is just one in a long list of dangers we face. That some will bear more of the brunt of this incompetence, corruption, and deliberate cruelty than others is momentarily unavoidable.
But, let me repeat, elections have consequences. Dems will run on health care in the midterms and win as long as those elections are fair. Everyone involved must resist the administration’s efforts to undermine, deny, or corrupt them. The “No Kings” cry must segue into one for free and fair elections and every effort must be made to protect the midterms. Dems in Congress need to shift their focus from threatening shutdowns — the current CR only runs through January — to election success. Last Tuesday was encouraging, but much work lies ahead.
Kathe Geist
Charlemont