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Government shutdown — ⁠who won?

by Philip F. Jacobus, CEO | January 24, 2018
Whether I look at the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal or the pundits on television, there are different views about who blinked after the government shutdown.

Republicans take the position that the Democrats surrendered. The Democrats take the opposite position.

If you ask me, the real winners are the roughly nine million children who will benefit because Congress has extended the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) by another six years.

I am really fed up with our politicians. I think it is completely wrong that they could not work together and instead allowed the government to shutdown.

Even if you feel strongly one way or another about a particular policy of our government, it seems to me that you should be willing to accept that other people you share the country with will have a strong feeling that is different from yours.

Imagine if I liked cauliflower and my wife preferred broccoli and my wife said, 'I won't allow electricity in the house or running water unless you refuse to give up cauliflower!'? But that does not happen. In fact, my wife lets me cook cauliflower from time to time, and I accept that she prefers broccoli. That is because we are a family and we agreed to compromise.

Why can't our government officials do the same?

For people who are powerful and well-to-do financially to deny health insurance to those who are less fortunate, and to use it as a bargaining chip, is wrong in my opinion.

I dread that in another 14 days, we are going to have another government shutdown. This time, over building a wall between the United States and Mexico.

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About Phil Jacobus

Phil Jacobus has been involved in health care since 1977, when he visited China to sell equipment. He has done business in 35 countries and still travels extensively. Phil is active in charity, helps rural clinics and always tries to help DOTmed users when he can.

Phil is a member of AHRA, HFMA, AAMI and the Cryogenic Society of America. He has contributed to a number of magazines and journals and has addressed trade groups.

Phil's proudest achievement is that he has been happily married to his wife Barbara since 1989, who helped him found DOTmed in 1998.

Ted Huss

CHIP as a bargaining tool; Who won?, etc.

January 25, 2018 12:17

I enjoy getting your perspectives. IMO Republicans won because, for whatever reason, Schumer caved enough to get the CR. Regards the wall, criticisms of politicians is pretty easy. What solutions do you offer/suggest regards a "compromise" on the wall, given the voting blocs who politicians answer to typically have the same,but opposite and inflexible pov's ? Thanks for any comments you may care to make...Best regards,...Ted Huss, MIR.

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