Madden Mischief

In this high-stakes political game of poker called the government shutdown, I can’t help wondering if the major political parties truly have the best interest of our country and most of us, its population, in both their heart and mind.

Or is it once again what position will win the most favor, motivate the most financial backing, turn out the most votes for respective causes, candidates or party?

But is this stalemate a good advertisement for democracy?  Freedom of speech?  A federal government comprising three branches, legislative, executive and judicial? 

And are Putin’s and Xi Jinping’s of the world laughing their you know what’s off as they’re enjoying seeing their stalwart foe, a democratically elected government, closed and maybe coming apart? 

With so much at stake and how costly this shutdown is, one would hope our political leaders would be thinking what’s truly the best course of action that will cause the least harm to the health and well-being of our nation, and not to mention, to most of its citizens. 

But politics is not always fair, right and far thinking and hardly ever is it impartial as both parties have their own agendas and strategies to carry them out, it seems come hell or high water.

We’re now four weeks into this high-stakes poker game with no specific end date announced even as federal workers are set to miss their first full paychecks on October 24 if it remains closed.

While there are ongoing discussions about potential resolutions, there’s still no definite plans and no end dates yet have emerged in what is now a nail-biting, nerve wracking impasse that has millions of government workers worrying about how they’re going to survive, and the rest of us perplexed and anxious.   

But still forever we’re rooting for what’s best for America!

Author and publicist Tom Madden, founder and CEO of TransMedia Group, is among the millions of Americans perplexed and frustrated about this government shutdown lasting this long.  He’s a proponent of opponents sitting down and talking instead of just playing poker, making remarks and speeches to their respective political constituents about how right and proper their respective position is.  He says the best public relations strategy is to say or do whatever it takes to sit down and talk with your adversary about what matters most, a resolution!