Editorial: Political turkeys in DC don’t deserve to be pardoned
In a quintessentially American Thanksgiving tradition, President Donald Trump pardoned two turkeys, Gobble and Waddle, ensuring they would not meet the fate of becoming holiday dinner. However, the spirit of this tradition starkly contrasts with the behavior of many lawmakers on Capitol Hill, who have been criticized for their handling of a recent government shutdown that threatened food benefits for millions of SNAP recipients. With families across the nation facing anxiety over potential delays in food assistance, some Democratic lawmakers, including Massachusetts Congresswoman Katherine Clark, appeared to prioritize political leverage over the immediate needs of their constituents. Clark’s comments, acknowledging that “of course there will be families that are going to suffer,” raised eyebrows as it suggested a willingness to use hunger as a bargaining chip in political negotiations.
This government shutdown serves as a grim reminder of the disconnect between Washington politicians and the everyday struggles of American families. Both parties have been criticized for their failure to reach a timely agreement, resulting in a situation where missed paychecks and halted services left many Americans in dire circumstances. While there were some voices of reason, such as Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who advocated for legislation to ensure military service members received their pay during the shutdown, the overall response from Congress was marred by partisan bickering and finger-pointing. The shutdown highlighted a troubling trend: lawmakers are often insulated from the consequences of their decisions, living in a “bubble” far removed from the realities faced by their constituents.
As the political landscape shifts towards the next major battle over healthcare costs and the extension of ACA tax credits, the lessons from this shutdown should not be forgotten. Voters are encouraged to reflect on the actions of their representatives during this crisis, recognizing that partisan politics often overshadow the urgent needs of the public. The government shutdown serves as a critical teachable moment, illustrating the importance of accountability in leadership. As families gather around their Thanksgiving tables, it is vital to remember that the true turkeys in Washington may not be the ones spared from the oven, but rather those whose political gamesmanship puts the well-being of millions at risk.
President Donald Trump continued a Thanksgiving tradition Tuesday, pardoning North Carolina turkeys Gobble and Waddle from a roasted fate.
But there are other turkeys on Capitol Hill who do not deserve to be let off the hook, not by the president, and not by taxpayers.
Chief among them are the Democratic lawmakers who dragged their heels on ending the recent government shutdown as food benefits for millions of SNAP recipients hung in the balance.
As families in need panicked ahead of a food assistance delay or cutoff, Mass. Congresswoman Katherine Clark said “of course there will be families that are going to suffer, but it is one of the few leverage times we have.”
Clark may have said it, but she wasn’t the only DC lawmaker in line with that way of thinking.
Some in Washington even speculated that the shutdown would extend past Thanksgiving, which is something to keep in mind as you slice into that turkey tomorrow. If those lawmakers had been right, those keen to use looming hunger as “leverage” would be tucking into a feast as constituents went hungry.
But the Democrats are far from alone in turkey-town. Both sides of the aisle failed in their sworn duty to keep the country running and the government functioning. Our history of shutdowns and their impact should have informed our representatives of what the worst-case scenario looked like, yet they let a spending bill showdown turn into another nightmare.
The Beltway is our nation’s turkey pen, and the leaders who work and reside within are far too removed from the lives of their constituents. They return to their home districts and states during campaign season, certainly, but life inside the bubble is the comfort zone of choice.
They are insulated from struggle, and the government shutdown which sent families reeling from missed paychecks and lack of benefits didn’t affect them the same way, if all all. It was partisan politics, bickering and finger-pointing as usual.
There are some exceptions, those who called out the looming SNAP disaster, missed paychecks and shuttered services as the fiascos they were.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, for example, proffered legislation to pay more than 1 million military service members during the government shutdown.
But the turkeys of partisan party politics had the main character energy.
The focus is now on the extension of ACA tax credits, the point of contention between Democrats and Republicans who fought over kicking the can down the road as the program is set to expire next month. Trump has talked of a plan to address health care costs, which are astronomical even for those with insurance through their employers.
The cost of health care is likely Washington’s next big fight, and the way Congress acquitted itself so poorly during the shutdown does not bode well for Americans looking for real relief.
DC pols should use the shutdown as a teachable moment in how not to handle negotiations. Voters should use the shutdown as a teachable moment in which turkeys need to be voted out.
Editorial cartoon by Chip Bok (Creators Syndicate)
