Weekly Comments: Fasting and Praying. Common Sense in the Senate? #1284 Nov. 9, 2025
COLUMBUS, Ohio: We’re still shut down after 40 days. Even Jesus only had to spend 40 days in the Wilderness. He fasted and prayed, which is what a lot of federal employees and SNAP recipients are doing now.
Churches, businesses, and individuals are stepping up to provide food. As one example, the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma set aside $6.7 Million to help its citizens get through the Shutdown.
Will Rogers experienced the generosity of Americans, “People in America have got the money and will give if they know the need is there.” (DT #1411, Jan. 30, 1931)
Will Rogers also understood why Congress creates roadblocks to common sense solutions, “Now these fellows in Washington wouldn’t be so serious and particular if they only had to vote on what they thought was good for the majority of the people in the U.S. That would be a cinch. But what makes it hard for them is every time a bill comes up, they have things to decide that have nothing to do with the merit of the bill. The principal thing is of course: What will this do for me personally back home?… A (lawmaker’s) thoughts are naturally on his next term more than on his country.” (WA #78, June 8, 1924)
The whole Shutdown debate seems to be over Obamacare. Officially it’s the “Affordable Care Act” and was passed in 2010 with the promise it would reduce the cost of health care. To be honest, when the folks in Congress passed it, they knew it would not reduce costs, and probably not be “affordable” for everyone. They promised to cover “pre-existing conditions” which is a wonderful, caring idea. But it’s expensive.
One reason Obamacare policies need tremendous subsidies is that you could sign up anytime you like. You didn’t have to sign up and start paying immediately or the day you turned 21. So, many healthy young folks decided to take the risk until later in life. Also, most workers have health insurance provided through their employer. The result is Obamacare is overloaded with unhealthy people.
How many are on Obamacare? There is some disagreement but it ranges between 25 and 45 million. The Senate has hindered normal life for 330 million Americans for 40 days and nights because they can’t agree on how much to subsidize the health insurance for those 25 to 45 million. Should the subsidy continue at 80% or drop to 70%? And should people with incomes from $200,000 to $500,000 qualify for a subsidy?
Since I was flying last weekend, I want to personally thank the TSA folks and Air Traffic Controllers who were working. We know they will be paid, eventually. My Southwest flights both directions were on time so I had better thank those folks, too.
Historic quotes by Will Rogers:
“You can’t legislate intelligence and common sense into people.” DT #2377, March 16, 1934
“(Senator) Magnus Johnston says he is ‘going to use common sense in the Senate.’ That’s what they all say when they start in. But if nobody don’t understand you, you naturally have to switch.” WA #59, Jan. 27, 1934