On the morning of October 1st, I opened the news. Republicansfor the second time in less than a decade- failed to prevent the shutdown. When it comes to partisan politicking, I usually conclude that both sides are the problem. However, there was something different about that morning. I realized something that I haven’t thought about in a very long time: I have been too light on my criticism. The republican trifecta- in less than a year of being in powerhave failed to deliver on the platform they campaigned on. They failed over and over in regard to matching the platform they were elected on. The republican party promised Americans that they would protect their Medicare; now millions will be threatened by the cuts to benefits they need to stay healthy. Republicans promised to release the Epstein files; now Trump and his team deny they ever existed in the first place. Republicans say that the radical left is attacking America; yet they conveniently removed a study from the Department of Justice saying that it is radical right-wing domestic terrorist groups who have killed more individuals than any other domestic terror group in the United States. Additionally, they have wasted money by sending armed forces to safe cities, threatened the free speech of the American Press (and late night), they have imposed restrictions on the American’s right to protest, and they used the death of Charlie Kirk as a call for violence against their political opponents: same with Annunciation, and many other instances of violence. However, instead of taking responsibility, Republicans have attempted shifting the blame on Democrats. But it is democrats who are protesting in defense of the people’s needs being neglected by the Republican party. Democrats, united in their stand against the government, wanted republicans to come to the negotiating table. The ball was in Republican hands. But the republicans fumbled. Now don’t get me wrong, I would be scared of sitting in a room with Chuck Schumer for more than 5 minutes. Regardless, however, Republicans failed to budge on a bill that they know will only harm the American public. Now, public workers will go unpaid: some without the opportunity to work, others (necessary workers) are forced to work without compensation; all because Republicans in power sold them out. Now, with those jobs being threatened by mass firing from the 2nd lame-duck Trump presidency, the American people are getting tired. Workers are stronger than elites who fail to represent them. But they need the support of Democrats again. My fellow democrats, we must realize that we lost the worker’s trust. We failed to represent those who made America run better than any country in human history. We can be their voice again. We have been given the opportunity to represent the true needs of the working people of America. To defend the rights of the American worker must be our goal. We will give them what they need, defend their home wherever it is, allow them a platform regardless of their politics, give them the healthcare they deserve, and protect their jobsregardless of the collar, regardless of the education, regardless of the work- from losing their meaning and their benefits. There is work to be done to achieve this. We must be firm in our resolve; we mustn’t become lazy, even for a second, when representing the everyday person; regardless of their differences, whatever they may be. Our platform must be able to convince the Republican that their party is against them. That the republican voter is not heard, and that their leadership won’t listen to them as long as they have their support. Democrats must be willing, however, to back this claim with action, not words. We must catch up with the rest of the world and invest in the resources needed to boost our economy on a global scale; we will be first again. We must respect our neighbors by ending harmful rhetoric in political practice; no longer is our neighbor our enemy, but rather our worthy opponent. We must invest for the sick and hungry; no longer will Americans go hungry or unwell. We must pass sweeping gun reforms to remove illegal weapons and stop the unfit from being armed; no American, grown or young, will work, pray, learn, shop, or exist with the fear of the end in their minds. We must protect our beautiful American landscape with climate action and protection; no longer should God’s creation go unprotected. We must build an economy for everyone with a focus on smaller businesses and end the idea of the underpaid American worker; no longer will they struggle to earn, to contribute, or to rest compared to the wealthy. We must do all this and know one thing while we do it: Public Policy is for the Public’s benefit, not ours. To my republican voters, I ask you to look at your leaders. Realize they are against you and your interests. You’re a number to them; don’t be a number anymore. To my fellow democrats. This moment in history is our call to muster; our way to earn back our public trust. We must walk under the American public’s banner, carried by her workers. We must offer our opponents the chance to be our constructive opposition again. I walked out to get breakfast after I read the news that October 1st, and I looked at the sky above me. I have never seen a horizon as blue in my life.