Political Games: When Power Plays Hurt People

The Longest Government Shutdown in History

The longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history occurred. It was supposedly about health care, but it was truly about politics.

• Democrats wanted to score points against President Trump.
• They didn't care about finding a solution.

• They just wanted to win.

• Trump didn't help.
• He didn't try to negotiate.
• Instead, he pushed Republicans to change the rules.
• He wanted to end the shutdown by force, not by compromise.

Millions of people suffered:

• Families lost food assistance.
• Schools for young kids closed.
• Workers didn't get paid.
• All because politicians couldn't agree.

States Fighting Over Political Maps

Now, things are getting worse. States are fighting over how to draw political maps.

Texas and California Leading the Way

• Texas made changes to help Trump, but it backfired.
• California responded by making their own maps.
• They say it's temporary.
• But will it be? Time will tell.

Other States Watching

• Virginia Democrats want to change their rules too.
• They want to make it easier to gerrymander.
• That's when politicians draw maps to help their party win.

Hope on the Horizon

Some politicians are standing up.

• Seven Democratic senators voted to end the shutdown.
• They knew it was wrong.
• They didn't care about the next election.

• They cared about doing what's right.

• In Texas, some Republicans are resisting too.
• They don't want to close primaries.
• In Kansas, some Republicans refused to redraw maps.
• They were punished for it.
• But they stood by their principles.

One Kansas lawmaker said it best:

"I'd rather look at myself in the mirror than win an election."

That's a refreshing change.