Americans Pay While Politicians Play

Michael Cohen

Let’s stop pretending: every American is about to get screwed. When the government shuts down, the ultimate losers aren’t Trump, Schumer, or the members of Congress who grandstand on cable news. The losers are you, me, and every single American—Republican, Democrat, or Independent. That’s the dirty little secret. And it’s why this entire circus is so infuriating. Because while the politicians play chicken, millions of lives get thrown into chaos.

Trump, of course, doesn’t care. He told POLITICO in a phone call Monday night: “I don’t worry about that, because people that are smart see what’s happening. The Democrats are deranged.” Translation: if the government shuts down, it’s not his problem. He thinks it’s good politics. And to make sure the headlines stayed ugly, he posted a vulgar, AI-generated deepfake video mocking Democratic leaders, complete with Hakeem Jeffries in a sombrero. This is the level of seriousness this administration brings to the table—a cartoon sideshow while the lights in Washington flicker off.

But here’s the thing: yes, the Republicans are to blame. They control government. Everyone knows it. They own this mess. But Democrats, once again, are at risk of losing the messaging war. Trump and the GOP are branding this the “Schumer shutdown.” And unless Democrats push back harder, that lie is going to stick.

So let’s talk about who actually gets hurt, because the pain is very real. Federal workers will be furloughed without pay. TSA agents, air traffic controllers, and border patrol officers—the very people Republicans claim to “back the blue” for—will be forced to either work for free or stay home. Imagine telling your family that your paycheck won’t be coming this month because politicians want to score talking points on Fox News. Military families will be crushed too. Active-duty service members will keep reporting for duty, but their paychecks will stop. Let that sink in. The same Republicans who wrap themselves in the flag are perfectly fine stiffing soldiers on rent, groceries, and child care.

https://www.meidasplus.com/p/americans-pay-while-politicians-play