This past Wednesday, the House of Representatives returned to office, concluding a 43-day government shutdown. To recap, 1.4 million federal employees went unpaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits were terminated for nearly 42 million people for the first time in its history and thousands of flights were canceled or delayed for airline users. These numbers are incomprehensibly large. They might mean long-term, possibly irreversible, damage to the backbone of our country. Yet by the end of the shutdown, no progress was made in the initial conflict that caused it in the first place.
To say we are disappointed is an understatement. The government shut down because Republicans refused to extend funding for the Affordable Care Act, a statute intended to improve healthcare accessibility through federally-regulated and subsidized programs. Democrats refused to accept the proposed spending bill without that provision. According to 2023 and early 2024 statistics, approximately 44 million people were enrolled in health coverage through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace and Medicaid program extension. This means it provided healthcare for 1 in 6 nonelderly individuals. In other words, the basic human right to healthcare led to a government shutdown.
So what did we get out of this? We learned Democrats are doormats. In the end, they did not get the Affordable Care Act funded. They allowed a record-length government shutdown just to roll over to Republicans in the end. They put tens of millions in the fire for a mere statement.
At the end of the day, politicians are supposed to work for us. Regardless of status, they are supposed to serve everyone who calls this country their home. Lately, though, it seems that those in power would rather assert their influence, presenting a grandiose show in the face of adversity without making any material impact.
This consistent disregard for the well-being of the average American is a trend for our government. Over the past two decades, both parties have been willing to throw countless lives and dollars into foreign military campaigns that have only led to further death, destruction and political instability. Billionaires pay less in taxes than all other American taxpayers. To think that millions of lives have been put through financial and food insecurity just to face more financial insecurity in losing affordable healthcare is beyond infuriating.
That’s why news of the government shutdown resolution rings hollow. Maybe many of us did not notice the effects of SNAP termination, because we are able to survive on Case Western Reserve University’s unlimited meal plan and swipe system. Maybe many of us can comfortably fly home over Thanksgiving break because federal workers are earning wages again. But this is not a success. People lost their income, food and ability to support their homes and families, yet again. Republicans get away with it, yet again. Democrats in positions of power are okay with idly standing by, yet again. We are all spectators in a senseless game of power.