Government shutdowns are not a new concept, with the most recent being Trump’s third between two terms. Yet, as a citizen, voter and engaged student, it is frustrating to understand why American political tension is on the rise.
The recent shutdown comes after Democratic members of Congress refused to back down on an appropriation debate surrounding healthcare funding cutbacks. The shutdown has turned into full-on finger-pointing, with arguments over who created the shutdown rather than what is being done to move past it.
Chaos has further erupted in the days following Wednesday’s official closure, with fingers being pointed in all directions as to the cause of this latest conflict.
Government officials in America are representatives of their constituents, gaining a following of people who entrust them to advocate and protect. As an engaged citizen myself, I can’t help but feel that more should be done.
The new norm for America is dysfunction. We, as the general public, are encouraged to accept and go along with it. Dividing people down the lines of party preferences is a tactic to label them and selectively represent them.
I ask myself this week if professional ethics continue to be mandatory in government spaces, to which I believe the answer is no.
Most government agencies have notices stating due to the shutdown, they will be unavailable for the time being. Other agencies, like the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, posted notices aiming to point fingers at the cause of the shutdown.
“The Radical Left in Congress shut down the government,” a taxpayer-funded website reads. “HUD will use available resources to help Americans in need.”
It seems quite unprofessional for a government agency to paste a bright red banner on top of its website, name-calling party affiliations.
Signaling to the public that low-blows are acceptable is another way to create conflict between the people and drum up more drama. It should also be a concern due to its effect on the next generation of voters.
We are exiting a time where basic cordialness is expected of all public officials whose job is to be public servants.
What we should not lose sight of is the fact that at the center of the shutdown are hardworking American people who are caught in the middle, losing employment, let down by their government.
It’s not to say that all government officials have taken this approach to gaining more power, because those who are still left fighting the good fight are overshadowed in the media by wild statements and flashy accusations.
I can only hope for my generation and the next that, despite the contention, conflict and battle, we can stray away from reducing our right to participate to “I’m not political" or "politics aren’t my thing.” They are your thing, and you are affected by it whether you like it or not.
For Ohio University students, the impact is expected to be minimal on financial aid programs, educational services and federally funded research efforts, but that doesn’t mean students should tune out.
The bottom line is we need to hold our rights close and continue to be civically engaged, because your voice does matter, and at the end of the day, our representatives do not represent themselves, but their constituents.
This goes out to everyone else who is also disappointed by those we hold at the highest standards to support and protect us. We shall proceed with hope and community.
Sincerely,
Someone who thinks our government can do better.
Emily Stokes is a junior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Have something to say? Email Emily at es542222@ohio.edu
