The Case for the Forever Shutdown

But what I need you to know is that the inherent contradiction of everyday life in Chicago for any one person of privilege like me—of living in and loving this vast, vibrant city while it gets besmirched and infiltrated by racist goons—pales in comparison to the inherent contradiction that is congressional Democratic leadership in Washington right now.

We are in week two of a federal government shutdown. Perhaps Beltway reporters have become inured to the extraordinary idea of a government shutdown, given how many they have covered. My boredom with the dysfunction and destruction of these sorts of events inspired me to leave my work as a congressional reporter, but many of the colleagues I left behind simply live for the “intrigue” of rank incompetence. Worse than how these legislative impasses have become commonplace in the rhythms and cadence of D.C., though, is how Democrats do not seem to know how to use them to build political capital, leverage, and public consensus.

Yes, Republicans control the White House, the U.S. Senate, and the House of Representatives. They undoubtedly own this shutdown, despite their cartoonish protestations on every government website, which skirt federal law. These missives are giving “clunky dictatorship” vibes—only underscoring how unworthy our would-be oppressors truly are. But Democrats control their own behaviors, words, and actions. They have been living with these mendacious Republicans and this dysfunctional media since the Tea Party takeover of 2010.