1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

Why on Earth would you risk giving Trump more power? Gary Peters, for shame. While avoiding a government shutdown is usually a good thing, in this case it was a huge mistake. We have survived many a government shut down in the last several years. We would have weathered this one as well. This behavior demonstrates the democratic party's general lack of focus and backbone. Stick to your principles, don't compromise when you know it's wrong. Use the filibuster, it is a tool that is there for a reason. Mr. Peter's, you, Chuck Schumer, and every other Democrat that voted to pass the distorted and corrupt spending bill are all guilty of further destroying the United States already weak hold on maintaining a democracy. Push back against bad policies. Forget about "reaching across the aisle". When was the last time Republicans extended an olive branch or consession of import to Democrats? The more moderate members of your party might as well be "Republicans Lite". Take a stand against the tyranny of the current administration instead of just virtue signaling. Save our democracy, we are already way too far down the road towards fascism. The USA is at risk of losing its democratic standing as soon as 2026. Do you want to be remembered as the party that stood by and allowed our country to become a fascist state? This is the EXACT path Hitler took in the 1930s on his rise to power. We are becoming as Nazi Germany was. Do something. Take a risk. Make a stand. Hold your own party members accountable. If not, then you are on the side of the oppressors.