Shutdown Dysfunction – It’s Far From Over!

So maybe you’re relieved that the US Government stepped back from the brink and did not default on its debt.  A return to more civilized debate perhaps?

Um…  no. Sadly, this mess is far from over.  The harsh partisan divide, with both sides talking past each other, drags on.

While some like to portray the Tea Party as representing the views of a mere two or three dozen members of the House of Representatives, the truth is quite different.

After 16 days of government shutdown, a battered economy, and massive disapproval in opinion poll ratings, 144 House Republicans – two-thirds of their members – voted against the Senate compromise.

They’re proud of what they’ve done, believing  that their stand against funding the government and risking an unprecedented US debt default was worth it.

“You know it isn’t about winning. It’s about were we on the right path,” says Congresswoman Michelle Bachman.

A defiant Representative Ted Poe of Texas argues: “We should be talking about cutting spending before we start raising America’s debt ceiling and that’s just the way it is.”

No compromise there.

Some members of Congress are clearly exhausted, and a ceasefire has been declared for now, but the this deal is only a short-term band-aid.  The resolution passed by Congress only funds the government until January 15th. And without a new bill the debt default threat will return in early February.

The damage to the economy is already becoming clear. Retailers worry that the recent drop in consumer confidence will drag down holiday spending. Car sales fell last week compared to earlier in the month.

America’s standing in the world has been damaged. China and other US critics will use this standoff to their advantage.

So how to fix this?  We have to change our national conversation.

After years of frosty relations, the face-to-face meetings by Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell in the past few days were a start.  But they are only two men.

It’s about all of us, not just “them”.

Just as Americans celebrate diversity of religion,race and ethnicity,  it’s time to welcome different points of view into our own political discourse.  Those who denigrate others and hold on to a rigid ideology should occupy a much smaller space in the public square.