We’re All in this Together?
The Federal Government shutdown is now a fact.
It is time for all of us to sacrifice and come to the aid of our country.
We can join our fellow citizens in Congress, the Democrats, Republicans and Independents, as well as the President, as we sacrifice together: our jobs, the ability to visit national parks, non-essential governmental services, a reduction-in-force, government contractors are not guaranteed back-pay, active military personnel work without pay, a slow-down in Social Security claims processing, the Small Business Administration stops approving loans to small businesses, and there will be no paychecks for government employees.
Wait . . . just in!
The Democrats, Republicans and Independents in Congress as well as the President will continue to be paid.
Must be a typo . . . “fake news” . . . we are all in this together, right?
Checking AI . . . nope . . . our brave congressional leaders and the president still get paid!
Well, maybe they should . . . millionaires and billionaires must not be allowed to default on their several homes and maybe a modest yacht. Not a good look.
On the other hand, shouldn’t our political leaders be like Teddy Roosevelt when he led the charge up San Juan Hill? Or do they lead and serve from a safe distance.
Air traffic controllers and border patrol agents are required to work without pay during the shut-down. Prudence insists that we should not upset these two groups of essential workers.
So why should the members of Congress get their paychecks while all other American citizens take the financial bullet for them?
If we look over our Left or Right shoulders, we can see our political leaders leading safely from behind . . . the President is in his gilded Oval Office, the Republicans left Washington for their home districts and the Democrats are nestled in their climate-controlled Congressional offices eagerly anticipating what will be on the menu for their subsidized congressional lunch at the on-site, subsidized restaurant.
BTW, congresspersons get a $79 daily allowance for food and incidentals and the President can always Door-Dash KFC anytime.
So, we are all sacrificing?
Hardly.
I am righteously convinced that while all federal workers and American citizens are sacrificing during this governmental shut-down, congressional Democrats, Republicans, Independents and the President regret that they have but one subsidized lunch to give for their country.
Sheldon Firem
Hambden Township
EDITOR’S NOTE: The U.S. Constitution requires presidents to receive compensation, so President Trump technically must receive a salary; however, in July 2025 he stated he plans to forgo his salary, like he did in his first term in office, when he accepted the salary but immediately donated it.
Choosing Violence First
Why does this president choose violent force first in “helping” a city? I’m sure the Democratic cities he is targeting would appreciate federal help for issues they identify as needing federal aid.
Instead, this extremely partisan president (wastes our tax money) uses American troops against Americans. Why didn’t he use the National Guard on Jan. 6? Instead, he approved of “his domestic terrorists” who attacked our Capitol building, beat police and defecated in the building. He said he “loves” all of them?
In my 60+ years of paying attention to our federal Government, I never thought our country could be taken over by a cruel and lawless dictator-type president, along with compliance of Congress and the SCOTUS.
Do all Republicans believe we should become a police state dictated by this President and that our military should be used against our own people?
Christina Knauer
Chester Township
EDITOR’S NOTE: It is important to separate emotion from fact. The president did not and has not “use American troops against Americans.” Federal officers are often deployed to protect federal property or assist overwhelmed local law enforcement, which is a legitimate federal responsibility. Also, the claim he “approved” of violence on Jan 6 misrepresents the record; he called for peace and law enforcement support that day. Unlike in some cities where local officials declined to help during riots, the Capitol situation was a fast-moving security failure involving multiple agencies, not a deliberate refusal to act. Accusing an entire political party of wanting a “police state” only deepens division rather than helping us find real solutions to crime, safety and respect for the law.
