Children Dream of Many Things

As the countdown to a government shutdown ticks away, politicians are jostling to lay the blame at the other sides feet.

Just to get it off my chest I will say that, while I am all in favor of a DACA resolution that will provide a path to citizenship for all the Dreamers that were brought here as children, I don't think this is the time for the Democrats to hold their ground and let the Republicans shut the government down.

In an effort to woo democrats the GOP has included funding for the CHIPs program for the next 6 years. It hurts to say this, but keeping CHIP running is of far greater importance at this time than the need to reach a deal on DACA.The funding for CHIP will end in many states in just weeks. millions of children will lose access to health care on which their very lives depend. The long term future of Dreamers is at stake... but the immediate lives of all the children who depend on CHIP for health care are at risk.

The short term budget being floated is only for four weeks. The DACA program will not expire until March. When the short term budget expirse in four weeks there will be another chance for the Dems to fight for the Dreamers. The Democrats will have re-inforced their resolve to do what is best for the country today and with nothing to hide behind, there will be less political cover for the GOP.

If a shutdown happens now I believe that Americans will hold both sides to blame. Pass the short term budget bill and keep Americans working. If a shutdown looms again in four weeks the Democrats should let it be over one clear shining objective.The dreams of the DACA children and the broken promise by the GOP and Trump.