Open the Government Now, or Else

Summary

The article criticizes the U.S. government's handling of the 2019 shutdown, calling for immediate reopening and smarter border security spending, while pointing out the potential consequences of the shutdown.

Abstract

The author of the article expresses frustration with the political games being played by both sides during the 2019 government shutdown, which has left 800,000 federal employees without pay. The piece suggests that while there is bipartisan support for improving border security, the current approach to the shutdown and the proposed border wall is both costly and ineffective. The article warns of the potential for civil unrest, security breaches, and long-term economic damage due to the shutdown's continuation. It calls for an immediate end to the shutdown, the issuance of paychecks and tax refunds, and a collaborative effort to address border security in a more intelligent and less divisive manner. The author also demands an apology from political leaders for the shutdown and a commitment to prevent future occurrences.

Opinions

The author views the government shutdown as a failure of leadership and an unnecessary financial burden on American taxpayers.
There is a shared belief that both sides of the political spectrum are more focused on "winning" than on serving the public interest.
The article implies that the $6 billion allocated for border security could be better spent on more effective measures than a physical barrier.
The author expresses concern about the potential for violence and terrorism due to the absence of fully operational government services.
There is a fear that the shutdown could lead to widespread civil disobedience, including tax evasion and demonstrations.
The author suggests that the shutdown could have severe political consequences for the elected officials involved, potentially leading to their defeat in future elections.
The article calls for a rational, bipartisan approach to border security, emphasizing the need for fairness, justice, and the protection of America's global image.
An apology from political leaders is deemed necessary for the shutdown, with a plea for future cooperation to avoid similar situations.

Open the Government Now, or Else

You know those paid Russian shills on Facebook? The ones that fill our group feeds with memes to engage and enrage us about the Socialist Libtards and Right Wingnuts?

They’re in crunch mode now, dividing and attempting to conquer as our frustrations with the government shutdown mount.

What if a couple of bored shills at Russia’s propaganda machine, Internet Research Agency (IRA), were smoking some good weed and decided for grins to take on a hybrid persona with the confirmation bias of a Rachel Maddow / Sean Hannity love child? Could they connect with both tribes with a single account by combining their lists of progressive and conservative taunts and slurs and moving toward the center?

They might try with a post about the 2019 government shutdown…

Memorandum

To: Dim Donny, McTurtle, MS-13 Lover Pelosi, Head Clown Schumer and Fixer McCarthy

From: A pissed off American Taxpayer

Subject: Your Shutdown

I hold all of you accountable. No points for any of you. Could I just get back the defective government I’m paying for? Your zest for winning is costing me too much.

Everyone agrees we have about $6 billion to tighten the border against illegal immigration, drugs and visa overstays. No one wants to pay for services to freeloading illegals. But adding the remaining two thirds of a barrier that can be tunneled under will be more expensive and less effective than spending the money by using our heads.

To score points in your tribal Super Bowl, you’re holding 800,000 of our family and neighbors who work for the government as financial hostages. Work’s going to be paid for that’s not being done. So we get to pay a second time when it does. According to Standard & Poor’s, each week of your shutdown is costing the economy the same as the $6 billion line item you’re screaming at each other about. $24 billion and counting… In what universe does this constitute competent democratic leadership?

As your shutdown drags on to its fifth week today, there’s a shitstorm brewing. I see it including demonstrations with angry opposing groups standing their ground with force, people not paying their taxes or getting their refunds, the trashing closed government offices and more hopefully, your losses in your next elections.

How long until an unpaid, financially strapped bureaucrat and NRA-addled gun nut finally snaps in a crowded place with 20 of his favorite WMDs in his hands? Or a terrorist eludes detection by TSA and pulls a 911 encore? Or that caravan of drug dealers and rapists storms our under-defended border?

I think you should open the government now, or else… it could get ugly.

Send out the paychecks and tax refunds immediately. Then put your brightest folks to work on how to best spend that few billion to improve our borders. It’s a complex engineering problem that needs to be optimized for effectiveness, justice, fairness and preservation of America’s brand.

And don’t forget, we deserve a no-fingers-pointed apology from you all for your shutdown ever happening. The State of the Union and Democratic Response would be the perfect time for that. After owning your lack of deal-making skills, you can let us know your plan for ensuring we never go through another debacle like this again. Note to speechwriters: start that thought with “We will work together to…”.

Haha, yeah those Russian shills would get fired for sure.