41 days, 19 hours, 28 minutes, 24 seconds, and counting. A record time, but I still remember its beginning. October 1st was a day plagued by hopelessness as Americans saw their government fail to prevent the first shutdown since 2018. Now, 41 days, 19 hours, 28 minutes, and 30 seconds later, it seems as though the end is near. And hopefully, by the time you are reading this, the shutdown will be officially over. But a question still arises.
What should we take away from the most notable government shutdown in American history?
In May of 2024, The Pew Research Center reported that only 22% of Americans had trust in Washington. One can only assume that these numbers will not increase anytime soon. Amid suspended paychecks and airport delays, Americans can no longer trust the “public servants” tasked with protecting our interests.
The disconnect between Americans and their government is becoming increasingly clear. Now is the time to close this gap. We have a political body that is not only aging in time, but also in reliability. It is upon us to demand more from our local, state, and federal government. We, as a country, must not forget the purpose of our democratic framework. You, and I, have the power to ensure government shutdowns remain in rarified air.
In the next few years, there is an opportunity to write a new chapter in American politics. A chapter in which our politicians truly serve their communities. One in which partisan disagreement can never take away a federal worker’s paycheck or an elderly woman’s flight to visit her grandchildren.
After the last 41 days, 19 hours, 31 minutes, and 4 seconds, I hope that our country understands not only the need for change, but also our unique opportunity. The catastrophe of a shutdown we experienced should act as a catalyst. A spark that sets off a new wave in American politics, because our current problems stretch far beyond the last 41, almost 42, days. Federal cuts to SNAP threaten millions of families and changes to Medicaid risk the health of millions more. Super PACs remain unchecked and Congressional insider trading runs rampant.
In a time marked by failure, I hope we pursue new solutions with the tools provided to us. I, for one, am excited by the potential of our democracy; to improve upon our government to not only prevent future shutdowns, but also to solve other major policy issues.
ELI HAJJAR
- ELI HAJJAR
