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The United States government has entered another shutdown, marking the twenty-first closure since 1976. The last government shutdown occurred in 2019 and was the longest in U.S. history, lasting 34 days due to disagreements over funding for a border wall.
This latest shutdown affects federal workers, government contractors, and others whose work is tied to government operations. According to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office, about 750,000 employees could be furloughed. Additionally, millions of Americans may lose access to healthcare services and nutrition programs, while education systems face significant financial losses.
The current political climate has heightened divisions between parties and regions. There are discussions about cutting funds from agencies perceived as aligned with Democrats and withholding resources from states identified as having supported Vice President Harris in the 2024 election. These actions have been criticized for promoting a "we/them" mentality that increases polarization rather than addressing underlying issues.
There are concerns that targeting individuals or groups based on their political choices undermines civil and human rights, including the right to vote freely without fear of retribution. Supporters of both major parties are affected by these measures.
Increased restrictions on free speech and protest have also been noted during this period. Critics argue that such actions contradict democratic principles protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Quoting from President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address: “Government of the people, by the people, for the people” is cited as a foundational principle currently at risk during this shutdown. This phrase was originally articulated by Theodore Parker in 1850 and later echoed by Martin Luther King Jr.: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.”
The message calls for continued advocacy for justice and inclusion rather than focusing on assigning blame or deepening divisions: “This is not a time to be consumed by the fears of blaming and the amplification of injustice. Instead, this is the time to continue to advocate for justice, to advocate for change, and to ensure that ‘justice rolls down like waters.’ The blame game is a tool of distraction and a weapon of injustice.”
