They might not accept it, but the ongoing government shutdown is at the feet solely of the Democrats. You can complain about Republicans controlling all three branches all you want. The simple fact is Democrats have kneecapped 14 attempts at reopening the government, and their work to filibuster the bill has made it necessary to not get just a simple majority, but 60 total votes.
Seven of them need to cross the aisle to vote for a funding extension they had no problems voting in favor of 30-plus times previously. They might whine about Republicans not caring about people, but it is truly them who do to care. The party of "love and empathy" it is not. They solely care about adding in more spending, damn the consequences. So, it is a Democrat shutdown. But why is it dragging on as now the longest in American history?
Simply put, it is because the party is more fractured than it ever has been. There is no direction, no platform, and no real leadership. So, they decided to create drama to present the optics they are unified in their "fight for democracy," as they delusionally call it.
Florida Congressional candidate Raven Harrison says they have run out of bullets, and making a scene is all they have left in the chamber.
"They are basically bringing a butter knife to a gun fight...they are holding our government hostage for trillions of dollars because they are trying to protect their illegal voter base," she says.
That is after all what their demands are about. They want to be able to give free healthcare to millions of illegal immigrants. Cry about it all you want, that is what they desire. It is not about helping people. It is about self-preservation for a dying party.
Meanwhile, people are fleeing the party at record rates. Their approval numbers are sitting in the gutter and more people every day either switch to being Republican, Independent, or just give up politics all together. That is because the party is showing no intent to change.
They are pitching the same loser mentality they have for a decade and there is no sign they will self-reflect and grow a brain anytime soon.
"The strategy is to continue to gaslight the American people and label this a Republican shutdown...all they are doing is the usual propaganda," says Harrison. "They should probably stop with the gaslighting and look at the polling numbers. They are tanking because people are over it and no one is buying this garbage."
That garbage they keep pitching too is just being anti-Trump. That platform alone is a losing one, as was proven in the 2024 election. But they refuse to stop that and anyone in the party who says it is not a good idea is ostracized by the party.
But Americans are sick of that narrative and sick of the shutdown. The only way they will change is by looking in the mirror. Until they do, the government shutdown will continue.
Photo: Alex Wong / Getty Images News / Getty Images