Today, Tuesday, October 1st, 2013, marks a pivotal and historic event in American history as the United States government—the superpower of the world, the hegemon—has shut down yet again. Inciting mass panic, hysteria and even disgust by many Americans, the central and crucial issue of the shutdown stems from President Barack Obama’s healthcare plan; more commonly known as Obamacare but formally known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
The Affordable Care Act which is one of the major initiatives of the Obama administration, calls for all Americans to have health insurance. Those in concordance with the Affordable Care Act in the Senate, insist that the Act will prevent Americans with preexisting conditions from being denied health insurance; while the GOP dominated House argues that it will be an economic detriment to American society.
Though the last government shutdown occurred seventeen years ago during the Clinton administration for 21 days in 1995 (and the current shutdown marks the twelfth in the nation’s history), what makes this shutdown so unique is not so much the policies of the event but the staunch and blatant ideologies and belief systems of Congress; which has caused the government to essentially spiral into a political stalemate.
Although many are divided within this sectarian political charade, I submit to you that this unnecessary government shutdown is nothing but mere child’s play; it is remedial and elementary at best. In this case of “politics”, we are not seeing American leaders but children; as the emerging leaders of the world watch while Congress gets paid to play recess on a pitiful playground full of bottomless antics while over 800,000 Americans are furloughed. This also does not include the millions denied of government amenities which includes access to loans, passports and even food stamps.
Though many claim that the economic effects of the shutdown will not be grave if it is only a few days, others like Moody’s Analytics economist Brian Kessler ” estimates that a three- to four-week shutdown would cost the economy about $55 billion.” (CNN)
Now, don’t get me wrong—the ideologies of both Republicans and Democrats have been specific and blatant in times past but this shutdown is so very reminiscent of this Romeo and Juliet; Capulet and Montague; West Side Story; Jets vs. Sharks ordeal. Though this shutdown won’t lead to the suicide or death of the American government, the state of our nation has surely been in the truest sense, coma-induced.
In this situation, the Darwinist approach of survival of the fittest—or in this case, “survival of the parties”—can be applied: as the American public; those internationally and even Congress itself is vying to see what party will outlast each other until it gets what it wants.
It is in my honest opinion, though the House claims that Obamacare will supposedly damage the American system, I submit to you that it is not so much the objectives of Obamacare that they are trying to resist but instead who is pushing the agenda. Essentially, it seems as if the House is fighting the President more so than the bill itself--especially since Obamacare will not be killed because of the government shutdown.
According to CNN/ORC International poll that was released on Monday, “found that 46% will blame congressional Republicans if the government closes it doors, while 36% saying that the president would be more responsible and 13% pointing fingers at both.” (CNN)
The individualistic and non-collectivist mindset of Congress has caused for an irrational execution of American government and has left many wondering about the state of the nation.
If the 2013 Government Shutdown represents the zenith of this discord between House vs. Senate, it is critical to wonder how the rudimentary actions of Congress will further progress and critically affect the future politics of the United States of America.
Source:
CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/30/politics/government-shutdown-up-to-speed/index.html
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