Both sides should put American people first

The ongoing sad saga of wall or no wall has all the trappings of a prize fight. In one corner, President Trump and the Republican leaders who support his battle to get funding for construction of the wall at our southern border. In the other corner, the Democrat-dominated House representing the get-thegovernment-working /no wall team. But honestly, everyone’s allegiance should be to the American people — 800,000 of whom are in various stages of unemployment. Today is the first payday without a paycheck for many more federal workers — and the clock ticks on more agony to come as the numbers of government workers and others outside that workforce brace for more cutbacks, and worse. John Drew, CEO of ABCD, Boston’s anti-poverty organization, issued a clarion call for those living on the mar- gins whom his agency serves. Money to fund Section 8 subsidies to landlords runs dry at the end of January. More than half of those with Section 8 housing vouchers are elderly or persons with disabilities. It’s time to get to a compromise, people, for the sake of those who hired you and depend upon you. Both sides may think it’s “their way or the highway,” but your jobs are secure. Your paychecks are not in jeopardy. It’s time for everyone to show their “chops” by bringing this horror show to a close. Whether you think arguments for and against the wall are bogus or without merit is not the point. There will always be differences of opinion ad infinitum, but there is absolutely no benefit to the American people by both sides digging in without solution. Thankfully, several compromises are allegedly under discussion. Moderate Republicans Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Maine’s Susan Collins have helped pull out a compromise before, and they are adamant that getting the government running again is a priority. That should be a rallying cry for everyone. Bay State Democratic Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley’s recent speech on the House floor articulating the range of people who are and will be hurt by continued inaction should serve as a guide for what’s at stake For sure, there will be no knockout punch for either side. But if we don’t end the impasse, the American people will be the ones “down for the count.” How about we win one for the American people by getting government back up and running. And once this sordid saga comes to a close, how about a focus on crafting legislation to make sure that the threat of closing down the government is never again used as a wedge or a block by Congress or any president at the expense of the American people caught in the middle. It’s just not right and no one wins.