A Compromise Would Damage the “Democratic Brand”
Well, here we are. About a month into the government shutdown, some readers are wondering, what was accomplished? “Nothing,” reports the editors of the WSJ.
But behold the cynicism of Democrats, who now want to exploit their Tuesday election victories to prolong the dysfunction at the public’s expense.
Languishing on the tarmac, the paroles can take heart that their suffering is an assist to the Democratic brand. Yes, you may miss Granny at Thanksgiving this year when you see that red “canceled” notice on the departures board, write the editors of the WSJ, “but rest easy.” All was not in vain. “You helped Democrats stir up their voting base for the 2026 midterms.”
Democrats, unconcerned over lapsing food stamp benefits, vow this is a cherished national priority any time the GOP suggests reforms for better incentives or the most modest spending restraint.
From Sen. Elizabeth Warren in 2023 about a potential shutdown:
“We got about 125,000 people, mamas and babies in Massachusetts, that get food assistance. Come on, this is baby formula.”
After the trouncing inflicted upon the GOP this week, Democrats seem to think they have new leverage to extort Republicans to bail out the Affordable Care Act, the WSJ reminds readers.
Compromising the Democratic Brand
Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut:
“I think it would be very strange if on the heels of the American people having rewarded Democrats for standing up and fighting, we surrendered without getting anything for the people we’ve been fighting for.”
The WSJ writes that it could fill a book with such Democratic laments, even if now they don’t mind if the programs stop. Go to any national chain drugstore, by the way, and look at all the “baby formula.” You’ll be hard-pressed to find it. It’s a joke, a junk food heaven, a tsunami of Omega-6s and high fructose corn syrup.
Shutdown Costs to National Security
Meanwhile, have you read or heard about the costs of the shutdown for U.S. national security? Reportedly, some 80% of workers at the agency overseeing the American nuclear stockpile are furloughed. Furthermore, won’t the Pentagon end up behind on ship maintenance and military training?
“There is a time and a place to debate health care, just like there is a time and place to debate energy policy and immigration and education,” noted a man from Connecticut. But “not when the funding of the federal government, and all the lives that are impacted by it, hang in the balance.”
Well said—Sen. Chris Murphy (2013).
