By Lizzie Oswalt, Observer Staff
The United States government has been shut down since December 22nd of 2018, becoming the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The cause of the shutdown is because of the President of the United States, Donald Trump – and his wall.
Trump is adamant about getting the funding and the support he needs to make a 1,000 mile long wall along the border of the United States and Mexico. Currently, Trump is having a standoff with members of Congress about the wall he so desperately wants built; the government shutdown does not look like it will be ending anytime soon.
The government being shut down is an issue that affects everyone, not just Trump and his wall. Government workers such as: airport security, park rang
ers, museum and zoo workers and other government funded organizations are expected to work without pay throughout the shutdown. Not only is that frustrating for the workers, but their families are also forced into a tough economic situation. With a once stable income, these families are now struggling to get by and pay the bills. These families are forced into these tough economic times because Trump will not let the idea of building a wall go. The stakes are a little too extreme for Trump to be throwing a tantrum over not having the funding or support for his wall.
In addition, workers who are not getting paid are either not showing up to work or being lackluster in their jobs. With crucial jobs like airport security, not being diligent in your job or even being understaffed and overworked can lead to mishaps and mistakes. Something dangerous could go through airport security without being found and do some serious damage. It may seem far fetched, but it could happen.
Even though not everyone’s job is affected by this shutdown, if this continues everyone’s tax refunds will be. The IRS is another government organization that is affected by the shutdown. With filing season right around the corner the IRS has yet to send out a contingency plan and may be short staffed if the government shutdown continues. Essentially, everyone’s tax refunds could be delayed.
With all that is going on while the government is shut down, one should question if this wall Trump claims will solve immigration problems is even worth it. Personally, I think Trump needs to learn when to pick his battles and when to let something go like a mature adult would. News flash: building the wall in Berlin didn’t work, so why would it work here?