The federal government shutdown has now gone into two missing paychecks for workers without any resolution. It started as Trump’s demand that Mexico would pay for the wall. Then it advanced to American taxpayers would need to pay for the wall. Mexico likely laughed at the suggestion of their paying for it. And now it has snowballed into a hostage take over situation of over 800,000 federal government workers plus contract workers being furloughed until presumably American taxpayers pay for the wall. Trump has placed America at risk in food safety, air safety, health safety, economics, intelligence and basic human rights.
While the focus at times has been on federal government workers in the DC, Maryland and Virginia area, federal employees work in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia. Large numbers of workers are located in Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginian and Iowa –Trump Red states. There are government contractors who are not government employees who will never receive back pay.
There is so much at stake with the government shutdown. The lives and well being of 800,000 employees and their families are at stake. Most families are merely one paycheck away from homelessness. Rents and mortgages due are not being paid by many workers. Food lines and food pantries are now feeding government workers and supplying food for their families. The Department of Agriculture may need to forego food stamps distribution in February and SNAP benefits to 40 million Americans. The SNAP program began in 1964. There has never been a lapse in providing food services since the program began. The Food and Drug Administration is lacking the ability to keep our food supply safe, in terms of inspection.
The FBI cannot effectively work. The FBI Agents Association warned Tuesday that the ongoing government shutdown is not only hurting individual FBI employees and their families, but hampering key operations. This means that gangs such as MS-13 and other criminal enterprises will not receive appropriate investigation, indictments and court documents resulting in a likely increase in crime.
The TSA workers who make on average $30,000 must continue to do their jobs without pay. Many TSA workers have already called in sick causing check points at various airports, including Baltimore Washington airport to close checkpoints. Air traffic controllers are now beginning to call in sick. At some point, our air traffic safety will result in a tragedy of huge proportions.
Presently, there is no end in sight. Donald Trump ran at least four companies into bankruptcy. He appears on track to make America his fifth bankruptcy. If the U.S. were a private company, like Trump is running it, he would have already been removed. Papa John’s Pizza removed its CEO and founder under less severe issues than those being displayed by Trump.
One thing is for sure. Trump has a chokehold on America. A CBS News poll found that 71 percent of Americans do not believe the government should be shutdown over Trump’s demands for a border wall payment. Unless our lawmakers find a way around his insanity, our country will be crippled even further. And Trump and Putin will be laughing all the whole time. It’s time to begin impeachment. We cannot wait much longer—if America is to survive. As Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib stated, “impeach the mother fucker”.
Washington, DC based Debbie Hines is an attorney and former prosecutor.
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