Government NOT at Work

Image from whitehouse.gov

There was a brief break with the incredibly childish behavior in Washington, but it is very much like a child distracted from his tantrum by a cartoon.

The President wants a wall. 

House Democrats disagree.  Truth be told, so do most of the Republicans in the House.

That's a logical conclusion from the evidence that prior to Democrats taking the majority of the House on January 3, 2019; the Republican majority in the House were missing the votes to build a wall.

Despite the fact the Congress and President agreed to re-open government for three weeks - thinking all is well misses the huge disconnect that are our executive and legislative branches.

This is the kind of predicament formerly solved by statesmen and women.  They searched for pieces both sides could tolerate while trimming the points without a solution.  Often the two sides negotiated to get something they valued while living with the result on the other side.

There is a word for that sort of thing... compromise.

image from visitthecapitol.gov

This would be laughable except that some federal employees, people just like us, were left high and dry.

The on-going standoff hurts civil servants; the economy; and the country.  Men and women responsible for people and goods traveling by air had to visit food pantries and decide what bills to pay out of dwindling savings.

The President seems to be counting on Democrats ultimately caving to his demand for a border wall.  Democrats are worried that if they cave, another far-out demand will come right behind it.

I'm sure the President believes this is an issue where he can win the presidency and deliver the promise he trumpeted on the campaign trail.

Our political climate fired by chirps, posts, and tweets doesn't allow for thoughtful leaders and middle ground.  If we don't look out - all of us will be looking for that middle ground will discover it is one monstrous gaping hole.

Maybe one of these mornings we will wake up and discover this whole thing has been an ongoing episode of "political-reality" television...  I hope so.