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As the United States wakes up, the morning shows are focused on the new government shutdown.
Speaking on Fox News, Vice-President JD Vance said, “the longer this drags on, the worse it is for the American people,” calling it “craziness” that hurts ordinary lives.
He warned travelers of airport delays and noted that the military is not getting paid. While he was glad some Democrats backed a Republican bill, he urged both parties to “work together” on lowering healthcare costs instead of using shutdowns as bargaining chips.
Shutdowns have become a recurring ritual in Washington since the 1970s, with more than 20 episodes. They are rarely total shutdowns; “essential” services like the military, border security, Social Security, Medicare, and air traffic control keep running, while other federal employees are furloughed or work without pay.
National parks close, passport renewals slow, food safety inspections and research projects stop.
Thanks to a 2019 law, federal employees eventually receive back pay, but contractors often do not.
Banks and credit unions now step in with zero-interest “furlough loans” to help workers survive until funding resumes. Institutions such as USAA and Navy Federal also waive fees or allow deferred mortgage payments.
Critics argue that if employees are guaranteed back pay, a direct system of government advances would make more sense.
The Caribbean also feels the ripples. Embassies stay open because visa services are fee-funded, but smaller posts may reduce operations if the shutdown lasts. U.S. foreign aid programs and joint law-enforcement efforts could be delayed. Tourism also suffers when American travelers face flight uncertainty or hesitate to book trips.
Shutdowns tend to end without major policy shifts. They are used as political leverage, with public opinion usually blaming whichever party seems responsible. Deep partisan divides, competitive primaries, and a fragmented media environment reward brinkmanship instead of compromise.
So the cycle continues: workers brace for missed paychecks, banks revive their loan programs, Caribbean partners watch for disruptions, and eventually Congress strikes a deal—until the next shutdown arrives.
As JD Vance put it, “It’s craziness.”
Source: BBC.
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