Government Closures [active]
Trump told Politico that Democrats can “go F* themselves” and threatened “irreversible” harm if he didn’t get exactly what he wanted. This is a tantrum by a man losing control.
Prepare a quick “elevator pitch” to use whenever someone blames this on Democrats, or “both sides” it. The self-proclaimed King of negotiation, profanely refused to negotiate.
How to do it:
Government closures don’t happen often, because they result in hardship for federal employees and everyone who depends on them. It may be popular to complain about the government, but nearly everyone relies on government-funded services with some regularity.
Essential services will remain open. Some services are partially shuttered, while others close immediately. Closures can also have serious consequences. National Parks fill with trash and lack rescue and support services. Here’s a summary.
If you do interact with federal employees, remember they won’t get paid until after the shutdown, and are working shortstaffed. Be polite — this hits them hard.
This shutdown is very different from prior shutdowns. Normally Democrats are very motivated to avoid shutdowns. We believe in government, and understand how people are hurt when it closes. This is a unique moment in a few ways. The cuts and closures of the past year mimic a targeted shutdown, so business as usual won’t spare those services. When Democrats folded last Spring, nothing was spared. “Business as usual” is the Trump regime gutting government as fast as it can.
Democrats tried to negotiate anyway, asking for restoration of some of the cuts, primarily around healthcare. Trump told Politico that Democrats could “go fuck themselves” then doubled down by threatening “irreversible” actions that are “bad for [democrats.]”
Here’s what’s important: we need to make sure people understand that the government does important things they never even think about, and that the GOP wants to stop doing those things. Develop one or more very quick talking points for when you hear someone blame Democrats, complain about closed offices, etc. We need to make sure people understand that the government works for them, and Democrats want to fund those services.
