Kevin’s Journal: Our Nation’s Leaders Need to Grow Up and Start Leading

The government shutdown was not something that just randomly happened.

Our congress decided to not act on major bills, and even though many Republicans will say the Democrats shut down the government with their refusal to sign the budget deal, the reality is, the budget bill Republicans were proposing continued to cut healthcare subsidies, and did not reverse the healthcare cuts that were in the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

Thinking back to when our congress was in session, they were basically in constant gridlock and could not pass any of the bills they promised would pass. We should expect our leaders to work with each other and get bills passed, but it seems like what our politicians are more worried about is who gets the most air time to bash people on the opposite side of the aisle. Sometimes even those of their own party.

I mean, we all know how partisan politics work. There’s a reason we vote for one party or another. Even if they only work with members of their own party, at least they are working on something.

Both parties are responsible for this stoppage in our politics. While Republicans are stopping because they want more and more cuts to federal spending, Democrats don’t seem to be doing much other than going on TV and whining about how bad the politics of today are and how the Republicans aren’t working with them.

It makes us look dumb. Of course they won’t work with you. They’re from a different party and have a different set of politics then you do.

When we do this, it stops our government from functioning like it’s supposed to, and it makes our government the laughing stock of the whole world. If we want to show we are strong to the world, we need to stop just going on TV and complaining about our problems. Do something!

There are people not getting their healthcare, elders and disabled citizens not receiving Social Security paychecks, and veterans who are unable to receive services. But please, let’s see Chuck Schumer and the rest of the Democratic leaders go hold another press conference in order to “spread light” on these issues.

Adelita Grijalva was elected to represent Arizona’s 7th district in Congress in September and due to the government shutdown she has not been able to be sworn in as a representative. Finally, she sued Speaker Johnson because he has been postponing their appointments. This should be more common in our government today.

We need to take actions that are “against protocol.” It is time we tell our government that we want to see them get the most out of their time in office and not just the most out of their time on the air.