So the government shutdown is a crazy situation. You have the Democrats shutting down the government, and then blaming the Republicans for shutting down the government. No one seems to say: "Hold on, why don't the Democrats just open the government?" No, instead the media says: "Why are the Republicans refusing to open the government?" Yet the Republicans have repeatedly voted to reopen the government multiple times. It is surreal. I thought of an analogy to explain this.
Imagine this.
Two people are in charge of opening a huge door/gate. Each of them have a key to accomplish this. Both of these keys must be used to open the big steel door/gate. This steel door/gate opens a way that American citizens need to go through to get healthcare provisions. It's a large group of American citizens assembling. They need to go through. Person #1 unlocks lock #1 and steps aside. Suddenly, surprisingly, person #2 refuses to unlock lock #2 on the door/gate saying they are not unlocking the door/gate until person #1 promises to provide healthcare for the illegal aliens that have also showed up (a much smaller group). Person #1 says, "Hang on a minute. Let's open the door/gate first and then we'll discuss provisions for these other people". But person #2 still refuses. Person #2 demands that we promise to include the illegal aliens or they won't open the door/gate. Person #1 reminds person #2 that healthcare is for American citizens only, but, in good faith, still promises to discuss the issue further once the door is opened. Nevertheless, Person #2 again refuses to turn their lock saying if the illegal aliens don't get Healthcare, then NO ONE gets healthcare.
It is crystal CLEAR who is causing the problem here. It is OBVIOUSLY person #2. They are placing unreasonable demands on person #1. But yet they still blame person #1 for not agreeing with their unreasonable demands. They then claim it is person #1 who is responsible for healthcare not getting provided to the American citizens. Keep in mind Person #1 has already keyed open their lock. And is ready, willing, and able for the door/gate to be opened. So, please tell me...
How the HELL can person #1 can be responsible for door/gate not being opened?
Yet this is what's happening right now!
It's a scam.
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TAKE TWO:
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Two PEOPLE are in CHARGE of opening a HUGE DOOR/GATE.
Each of them HAS a KEY to do this.
Both of these KEYS MUST be USED to OPEN the BIG STEEL DOOR/GATE.
This STEEL DOOR/GATE opens a PATH that AMERICAN CITIZENS NEED to go through to GET Healthcare Provisions.
A LARGE GROUP of AMERICAN CITIZENS is assembling, each one needing Healthcare services.
They NEED to go through.
PERSON #1 unlocks LOCK #1 and STEPS ASIDE.
Surprisingly, PERSON #2 REFUSES to unlock LOCK #2 on the DOOR/GATE.
They SAY they will not unlock the door until PERSON #1 PROMISES to INCLUDE the ILLEGAL ALIENS that ALSO SHOWED UP (a SMALLER GROUP).
PERSON #1 SAYS, "Hang on a minute.
Let's OPEN the DOOR first, AND then we can DISCUSS PROVISIONS for these OTHER PEOPLE."
BUT, PERSON #2 STILL REFUSES.
PERSON #2 SAYS, "We MUST PROMISE to INCLUDE the ILLEGAL ALIENS NOW OR WE WON'T OPEN THE DOOR."
PERSON #1 SAYS, "HEALTHCARE is for LEGAL AMERICAN CITIZENS ONLY, but WE'RE WILLING to DISCUSS the ISSUE FURTHER once the door is OPENED."
PERSON #2 AGAIN REFUSES, SAYING, "If the illegal aliens DON'T GET HEALTHCARE services, NO ONE GETS ANY."
It seems CLEAR WHO IS REFUSING TO OPEN THE DOOR:
It IS PERSON #2.
They are PLACING UNREASONABLE DEMANDS on PERSON #1.
YET, THEY BLAME PERSON #1 for NOT AGREEING with THEIR DEMANDS.
They CLAIM that PERSON #1 is RESPONSIBLE for the HEALTHCARE NOT being PROVIDED to the AMERICAN CITIZENS.
Remember, PERSON #1 has ALREADY unlocked their LOCK.
They are READY, WILLING, AND ABLE to OPEN the DOOR/GATE.
So, PLEASE tell me:
HOW THE HELL CAN PERSON #1 BE RESPONSIBLE for the DOOR/GATE NOT BEING OPENED?
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Take 3:
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Two individuals are responsible for opening a large door or gate, each possessing a key required for access. Both keys must be used to activate the mechanism. This passage leads to a resource, such as healthcare, for a group of legal American citizens. A number of legal citizens are gathering, each expecting to access the resource. Person #1 unlocks their lock and steps aside. However, Person #2 declines to unlock their lock, indicating that they will not proceed until person #1 agrees to include a smaller group that has also arrived (this smaller group consists of illegal non-citizens). Person #1 suggests opening the door first and then discussing provisions for the other group, but Person #2 remains firm, stating that agreement on including the smaller group is a prerequisite for opening the door. Person #1 emphasizes that the resource is intended solely for legal American citizens and indicates willingness to discuss the matter further once the door is open. Person #2 insists that unless the smaller group is included, no one will receive access.
It is evident that Person #2 is the one withholding access, making an unreasonable demand on Person #1. Yet, person #2 claims that Person #1 is responsible for preventing the resource from being accessible. It is important to note that Person #1 has already unlocked their key and is prepared to open the door. So he/she MUST NOT be blamed for the access to the resource being unavailable.
Given this context, how can Person #1 be held responsible for the door remaining closed?