WS Chronicle

By Dr. James B. Ewers Jr.

“Break up to make up, that’s all we do.” Those words are from a popular song made famous by the singing group, The Stylistics. If you are a member of the old school, you know that song by heart.

These lyrics apply to the Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives. Some days they have made up and other days they have broken up. Right now, they have broken up and are in disarray.

As we know, the government will shut down on Sept. 30 if new legislation is not passed to keep it open. House Republicans are like political nomads. They are roaming around the House floor with various agendas, none of which are moving America forward.

We are at a standstill as the hardliners, the moderates and the conservatives cannot see eye to eye. It is their way or no way.

The Republicans control the House of Representatives. The problem is they cannot reach consensus on legislation. The House GOP doesn’t have the necessary leadership. Kevin McCarthy, Speaker of the House, has been unable thus far to get a bill on the House floor for consideration.

If you recall, he was elected as House Speaker on the 15th ballot. Speaker McCarthy had to make several concessions which made him a political pawn. That is my opinion.

In some ways, he has what I call a puppet speakership as he is being pulled and pushed in different directions. His political philosophy has been mangled and maligned. His future as the Speaker is questionable. This is my opinion.

Recently, he proposed without a consensus that President Biden be subjected to an impeachment inquiry. While I am just a voting American, let me suggest that Speaker McCarthy champion a bill that will prevent a government shutdown.

We know that McCarthy is a Trump ally. At this moment, Mr. Trump is in a legal bind and Mr. McCarthy is in a legislative bind. I do hope that Mr. Speaker talks to some non-Trump supporters on the Hill who will give him some solutions to avoid this possible shutdown.

What happens if the government shuts down? It is noted that House Representatives and Senators will still be paid. Men and women in the military will not be paid. However, they will receive back pay when the government re-opens.

Those receiving Social Security checks will continue to receive them according to Kathleen Romig, director of Social Security and Disability policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. 

Yet it is still an embarrassment for the United States of America to be in this situation because we cannot handle our finances. Other countries are watching us, and it is not a good look.

The next week looms large as the House of Representatives with its Republican majority tries to pass a bill that the Senate too will sign. Is this too daunting for them to do? Reaching across the aisle to Democrats may be an option for them to explore.

As citizens, we must contact our congressional representatives to urge them to stop this harsh partisanship and get a bill passed for we the people. This inaction by them is causing depression and anxiety for many people. It is unnecessary and unwarranted.

The political pendulum currently is not swinging in our direction. We are caught in a spin cycle of mistrust. Doubt about the effectiveness of our leaders is growing each day. It will only get worse if there is a government shutdown. It is a certainty that we will be the folks hurt the most if this happens.

If you are a Republican in the House of Representatives with a conscience of good will and moral courage, you must lead the charge to keep the U.S. government open for business.

James B. Ewers Jr., Ed.D., is a former tennis champion at Atkins High School in Winston-Salem and played college tennis at Johnson C. Smith University, where he was all-conference for four years. He is a retired college administrator. He can be reached at overtimefergie.2020@yahoo.com.