Both Republicans and Democrats are responsible for shutting down the government. Both parties are intending to get political mileage from the partial closure. How disgusting!
Originally, I was preparing to use this commentary to discuss the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare). I believe the Act is a noble attempt to provide health care across America. However, the nobility of the move has been overshadowed by vigorous arguments about the role of government.
Similar arguments prevailed in 1995, when the government was shut down under the leadership of President Bill Clinton. The vitriolic language was no different. However, President Bill Clinton and House Speaker Newt Gingrich negotiated vigorously and struck several compromises. That tone of compromise is sadly lacking in Washington today.
For a moment, let us examine the response of government to shut downs under Presidents Clinton and Obama. War Memorials were kept open during the 1995 government shutdowns. However, under President Obama, the decision to barricade the Lincoln Memorial marks the first time in its history the memorial has been totally off limits to visitors during a shutdown.
Also, during the Clinton-era shutdown, World War II veterans kept the Pearl Harbor memorial open. The Associated Press on January 01, 1996, commented that “despite the federal government shutdown, tourists are still getting expert commentary about the World War II memorial at Pearl Harbor.” Administrators felt that it was their way of helping to preserve the history of the place.
That was not what prevailed last week. Barricades went up in national parks across Washington, D.C., including the Lincoln Memorial. Popular Washington spots such as the World War II memorial are now guarded by more security personnel than they are during normal operations, while federal employees have been dispatched to put up barricades on capital bike paths and other public grounds that are not usually patrolled.
During this government shutdown, the Obama administration has forced the closure of privately owned parks, stoking calls from lawyers for park owners to take legal action against the federal government.
According to Hans Bader, a senior attorney at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, “as a lawyer who once worked for the government, I assume there is no legal authority for this because these private tourist attractions were not shut down in prior ‘government shutdowns,’ even under Bill Clinton, who understood how to play political hardball.”
Here is a classic example of government shutdown:
Virginia’s historic Claude Moore Colonial Farm was closed by the National Park Service, despite not being financially supported by the Service or using any agency personnel; and despite the fact that the park remained open during the Clinton era government shutdown in 1995.
According to Managing Director Anna Eberly, “for the first time in forty years, the National Park Service (NPS) has finally succeeded in closing the Farm down to the public. In previous budget dramas, the Farm had always been exempted since the government provided no staff or resources to operate the Farm.”
Eberly went on to say that “the government sent the Park Police over to remove her staff and volunteers from the property while they were trying to set up for an event.”
In this government shutdown, the government is obviously shutting down public and privately-run facilities that have never been shut down in any previous government shut-down. Privately-run tourist operations that cost the government nothing should remain open. According to one analyst, “this is grotesque political theater.”
Although not as overt as President Obama’s administration, Republicans are equally responsible for contributing to this government shutdown and charade of compassion. However, as the governing party, the Obama administration must take primary responsibility.
The Bible teaches that governmental authority is to protect the poor in particular. Prophets were consistent and adamant in their condemnation of injustice to the poor, and frequently followed their statements by requiring governments to act justly. Jeremiah, speaking of King Josiah, said, "He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well." The same cannot be said of today’s America.
In discussing the role of government, the New Testament refers to restraining evil, punishing evil doers and rewarding good behavior (Romans 13:4). The text contends, civil authority is designed to be "God's servant for your good.” Or, what we call "the common good" – that’s good governance.
