By Dalton Webb
The students and teachers at Mashpee Middle High School have opinions that think very poorly of the potential shutdown of the government.
President Trump recently released a document detailing the president’s budget plan. The spending plan had controversial elements such as the defunding of Meals on Wheels and Planned Parenthood, the repeal and replacement of Obamacare, and the use of taxpayer’s money to fund development of the wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Both the Congress and the Senate rejected certain parts of the budget plan, which almost resulted in a potential government shutdown in April. However, all parties concerned over the possibility came into an agreement to fund the rest of the 2017 fiscal year budget. Meaning, that certain parts of the spending bill will be voted on individually, and many other parts to the budget plan could be potentially changed. With these agreements the shutdown has been averted until September 30, when the fiscal year ends.
The students and teachers at Mashpee Middle High School have opinions that think very poorly of the potential shutdown of the government.
President Trump recently released a document detailing the president’s budget plan. The spending plan had controversial elements such as the defunding of Meals on Wheels and Planned Parenthood, the repeal and replacement of Obamacare, and the use of taxpayer’s money to fund development of the wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Both the Congress and the Senate rejected certain parts of the budget plan, which almost resulted in a potential government shutdown in April. However, all parties concerned over the possibility came into an agreement to fund the rest of the 2017 fiscal year budget. Meaning, that certain parts of the spending bill will be voted on individually, and many other parts to the budget plan could be potentially changed. With these agreements the shutdown has been averted until September 30, when the fiscal year ends.
When I asked Mashpee students and staff, “Do you think there should’ve been a shutdown in April?”, most of my answers were a “no.” However, everybody I interviewed had different reasonings for giving me this response. Student Paul Menke wasn’t totally opposed to the potential shutdown, unless a re-election in the Senate was made. On the other hand, history and psychology teacher Mr. O'Donnell didn’t want a shutdown because of the fact that many people won’t be payed and will get hurt from a shutdown happening. Additionally, student KatieBeth Clark believes that if a shutdown were to occur, Republicans would’ve slowed down the budgeting process further and passed tax cuts that could cause further financial harm to the country.
Furthermore, I asked the same people if they agreed with President Trump’s statement, “Either elect more Republican Senators in 2018 or change the rules now to 51%. Our country needs a good 'shutdown' in September to fix mess!” Paul thought that electing more Republican senators wouldn’t fix the problem, but he likes the idea of a 51% majority vote. History department head Mr. Brodie believes that the country doesn't need a shutdown, but a Congress that’s more concerned about the country instead of it’s own re-election. However, Mr. O’Donnell believes that instead of a shutdown both political parties should start working together for the good of the people. In addition, KatieBeth Clark thinks that President Trump shouldn’t be in the place to tell politicians what to do considering that the president has no real political experience.
Finally, I asked the panel, “Who do you think is to blame for the potential government shutdown?” Mr. Brodie believes that the people to blame for the potential shutdown was the Congress. Paul thinks the senate is to blame. Mr. O’Donnell blames both the democrat and the republican parties, while KatieBeth believes that it’s just the Republicans that are to blame.
However, everyone I interviewed agrees that there needs to be more compromise and cooperation between the Republican and Democratic parties.
Furthermore, I asked the same people if they agreed with President Trump’s statement, “Either elect more Republican Senators in 2018 or change the rules now to 51%. Our country needs a good 'shutdown' in September to fix mess!” Paul thought that electing more Republican senators wouldn’t fix the problem, but he likes the idea of a 51% majority vote. History department head Mr. Brodie believes that the country doesn't need a shutdown, but a Congress that’s more concerned about the country instead of it’s own re-election. However, Mr. O’Donnell believes that instead of a shutdown both political parties should start working together for the good of the people. In addition, KatieBeth Clark thinks that President Trump shouldn’t be in the place to tell politicians what to do considering that the president has no real political experience.
Finally, I asked the panel, “Who do you think is to blame for the potential government shutdown?” Mr. Brodie believes that the people to blame for the potential shutdown was the Congress. Paul thinks the senate is to blame. Mr. O’Donnell blames both the democrat and the republican parties, while KatieBeth believes that it’s just the Republicans that are to blame.
However, everyone I interviewed agrees that there needs to be more compromise and cooperation between the Republican and Democratic parties.