'The Democrat Hostage Crisis' by Vincent

It’s sad really, but here we are yet again.  Another Democrat political stunt gone awry, inflicting damage on America’s economy, while holding the American people hostage, and masking their ulterior motives behind a façade of righteousness.  In a desperate bid to hang onto power and appease radical elements within their own party, Democrats orchestrated a complete government shutdown by refusing to pass a continued funding resolution, also known as a “clean CR.”  The exact same CR they themselves had passed fourteen consecutive times under the Biden administration. 
 
Most pundits would agree that no one wants a government shutdown, but it seems in the minds of the progressives, the ends justify the means.  Whether it’s bringing air travel to a crawl, forcing servicemembers to the food banks, or delivering SNAP benefits to those in need, they all take a backseat when it comes to furthering radical progressive policies. They care only about pacifying their radical base and pushing their agenda through a convoluted maze of unscrupulous political gamesmanship.
  
For those that thought the shutdown was a temporary inconvenience, think again.  The ramifications will be felt well into the future.  For example, air traffic controllers are now deciding to retire at a much higher rate, and food banks that filled the SNAP benefit void are now depleted.  The Democrat message has become crystal clear; when push comes to shove, they don’t care about the average American; it’s always politics first. 
 
Here are the facts; the Democrats were pushing hard for subsidies that benefits healthcare for illegal immigrants, knowing full well that Republicans would never fund this outrageous plan.  But instead of reaching across the aisle to find some sort of workable solution to rising healthcare costs, Democrats chose their own version of the nuclear option, a government shutdown, leaving millions of government workers and American families holding the bag.
 
Let’s be perfectly clear, this was never about budget negotiations, it was always about fleecing the taxpayers and scoring political points with the radical base that has seized control of their party.  They decided early on that keeping the government closed was worth it if it means furthering radical policies that most Americans oppose.  
 
What I find most appalling, is that almost no one was willing to stand up the fundamentalist fringe elements of their party, except for freshman Democrat Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania.  Everyone else clung to the illusion that they were champions of democracy, while in reality they were merely pandering to a small but vocal cult within their base that prioritizes illegal aliens over American citizens.  Don’t expect Fetterman to survive a party primary because the knives are already out.   
 
Those very same fringe Democrats try to position themselves as morally superior, branding any disagreement as racism or bigotry, and have commandeered what’s left of the flailing Democrat party.  Anyone who capitulates to their demands immediately becomes a target, as Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer quickly found out.  This tactic vilifies anyone who dares to question their motives, forcing them to retreat to the shadows from which they came.  
   
As the approval ratings of the Democrat party continues to sink to all-time lows, the consequences of their intentional shutdown mustn’t be overlooked.  Federal employees were either sent home or forced to work without pay, essential services grinded to a halt, and trust in the federal government’s ability to pay its workforce has plummeted.  But what makes this especially reprehensible, is that they weren’t just risking the livelihoods of those who work for the government, they were happy to gamble on the stability of the American economy to score political points.
 
The federal government is not just an institution; it’s part of the social contract between the state and its citizens.  By shutting down the government, the Democrats violated this communal agreement, showing the entire nation that their interests take precedence over the needs of its people. 

We the people would be wise to remember that Democrats will always choose zealotry over the welfare of our nation.    

Editorial comments expressed in this column are the sole opinion of the writer.