If MTG won’t vote to raise the debt ceiling: Let it Burn!
If a war between ideologies is enviable, this is a good time to start.
Marjorie Taylor Greene, the prominent right-wing representative, has indicated her willingness to shut down the government if her conditions aren’t met. While she wields significant negative influence within her party, few colleagues publicly contest her stance. While some argue that resisting her demands might push America towards an economic downturn, it might be the wake-up call the public needs.
Greene’s threats have far-reaching economic consequences. Immediate impacts would be felt in market reactions, US Treasury values, and credit availability. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg; a potential loss of confidence could trigger an economic recession and stock market instability with global ramifications.
Such a shutdown would touch various sectors of the public. Not only would government employees, social security recipients, and low-income families be directly affected, but the repercussions would also ripple out to investors in US treasuries and diverse industries such as agriculture, retail, energy, transportation, and construction.
Greene’s conditions, among other things, demands an impeachment of Joe Biden based on no evidence of wrongdoing, the elimination of all COVID vaccine mandates, and a cessation of funding for the conflict in Ukraine. If she succeeds, it could set the stage for former President Trump to make a formidable run in the next elections, given his clear outlines for his potential term. Our systems allows for one person to gum up the works of the enitre world. But what can be done?
The alternative is to challenge Greene’s power play. If the government does face an economic downturn, critics will undoubtedly place the blame on the Biden administration. However, the tangible hardships resulting from a government shutdown will be undeniable, affecting everyone from low-income individuals to major corporations.
While marginalized communities are all too familiar with resource shortages, an economic crisis would significantly affect the upper echelons of the financial sector, known for their pragmatism. Such stakeholders rarely align with the more extremist factions of any party.
An impending economic crisis might serve as a clarion call, urging citizens from all political affiliations to vote. This moment demands political activism, starting at local levels and echoing into national spheres. The stakes have never been higher.
President Biden must weigh the consequences of any capitulation to Greene’s demands. Given that any decision he takes is likely to be met with criticism from staunch opponents, perhaps the path forward is to stand firmly against divisive rhetoric. If economic hardships serve as a catalyst for greater civic engagement, it might be a bitter pill worth swallowing. After all, empowering voices like Greene’s without rigorous scrutiny can lead the nation down a perilous path.
