Let me see if I have this right

The government has been shut down since October 1st. The Democrats will not endorse a continuing resolution unless the Republicans are willing to discuss continuing support for healthcare funding. The Republicans will not discuss healthcare funding until the Democrats endorse the continuing resolution.

Let me see if I’m understanding the situation:

• The continuing resolution in question would fund the government through November 21. After that, the government would shut down unless another funding bill was passed
• The healthcare program the Democrats are concerned about expires on December 31 of this year
• Congress usually takes the week of Thanksgiving off and goes on vacation for the last half of December
• The continuing resolution only perpetuates the funding strategy that largely benefits the most wealthy and neglects the needs of the majority of Americans
• Healthcare funding is an issue that does not directly affect Senators and Congressional Representatives: they enjoy access to a program much like the universal healthcare program they claim is infeasible to offer all Americans

If Congress is to address healthcare funding effective January 1, 2026, there is no reason to sit around doing nothing. Discussion should start immediately.

One excuse for the shutdown is that someone (Republican Congressional Representatives) cannot do something (address a looming healthcare crisis) because someone else (Democratic Congressional Representatives) won’t endorse an unrelated action (a short-term continuing resolution). Another excuse is that someone (Democratic Congressional Representatives) cannot do something (endorse a short-term continuing resolution) because someone else (Republican Congressional Representatives) won’t endorse an unrelated action (address a looming healthcare crisis). Both are the type of rationalization that, when said by an entry-level employee, is heard as, “I don’t really want this job.” We should not ignore this clear message from our elected officials.

Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address floated the idea, “government of the people, by the people, for the people.” It is an idea worthy of serious consideration.

It is time, it is time, it is time.