By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Congress is facing a potential government shutdown as Democratic and Republican leaders remain at an impasse over funding negotiations and expiring health care subsidies. Democrats are pushing for an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies and the repeal of cuts to health care programs in exchange for their support. President Trump has signaled a potential shutdown, warning of the possibility of federal worker firings and program eliminations. The standoff could result in delays in government services and unpaid federal workers.
Read the original article here
Government to shut down after midnight barring last minute breakthrough in Congress. The looming threat of a government shutdown is upon us, and it’s a situation that, frankly, feels all too familiar. It appears that a last-minute deal is the only thing preventing a complete shutdown of government operations after midnight. The core of the issue seems to be the inability of Republicans to reach an agreement, with Democrats unlikely to concede to the last-minute addition of a Republican measure that would ban transgender healthcare for both young people and adults.
The consensus is that the Republican party is primarily responsible for the potential shutdown, given their control over all three branches of government. There’s a sense of frustration, with some wondering why the Republican party seems to be perpetually unable to pass a budget and keep the government functioning. Some feel a shutdown is inevitable, given the current political climate. There are accusations of strategic maneuvers, with some believing that the shutdown is being orchestrated to allow Trump to declare that Democrats are “the enemy of the state”, and use the military to arrest them all.
One of the main points of contention is a Republican-backed provision that would restrict transgender healthcare access, which is a line that the Democrats are unlikely to cross. This, in itself, speaks to a deeper ideological divide that has become the hallmark of the current political landscape. The situation has been compounded by last minute measures, in this case the transgender healthcare issue, added in, to delay an agreement.
There is a widespread sense that the public has become numb to these repeated crises. The fact that a government shutdown feels like just another “once-in-a-lifetime” event is telling. The shutdown is viewed by some as a strategic opportunity for Republicans. There are concerns about what could be affected.
The shutdown also brings into question the effectiveness of Congress. With laws seemingly disregarded and the Supreme Court potentially giving Trump a wide range of authority over federal spending, some ask about the continued need of Congress. The shutdown is viewed as a political act, with the potential for significant consequences. It has become an embarrassment to the country, as the Republicans are seen as the sole party of regression.
A significant question asked is “Why there even is a chance of a shutdown event?”. Some believe that it’s about partisan gamesmanship, with the Republicans hoping to put the blame squarely on the Democrats’ shoulders. The scenario that would unfold, in the eyes of some, sees the blame fall on the Democrats.
The overall feeling seems to be one of exhaustion with the political process. The potential shutdown is seen as yet another example of the government’s inability to function effectively. There’s a general sense of pessimism about the ability of the Democrats to negotiate effectively, with the fear that they’ll “fold” at the last minute.
Regardless of the outcome, the situation highlights the deep divisions within the American political system. The potential shutdown is a symptom of a much larger problem: the erosion of trust and the increasing polarization of American politics.