To our Honorable Congressional Representatives and Senators,

Please stop playing the “blame game.”

Right now, parts of our government are “shut down” because of your inability to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government. Both of our two major political parties are publicly blaming the other party and are gauging public sentiment to see if they are winning the “blame game.”

This is not an appropriate way to run a country.

I am publicly refraining from blaming either party. BOTH parties are at fault.

The reason we need a “continuing resolution” in the first place is because we don’t have a budget, and it’s Congress’ job to pass one.

So do your job.

To the House of Representatives: Call yourselves back into session. There is much work to be done. Do you not have a budget to work on? Do you have a plan to solve the looming Social Security Crisis? There are wars in Russia/Ukraine, continuing issues in Gaza, and a growing crisis in the Caribbean that our government is involved in. Shouldn’t the House be in session during times like these? You say you will deal with the insurance issue after the Senate passes the continuing resolution. Can’t you work on your plan now, so we know what you are thinking? If the Senate passes your continuing resolution, it is only effective through November 21 and then we are in the same situation. Does this not concern you? Do you have a plan for after November 21?

The bottom line is that unlike other government employees, you are being paid. Shouldn’t you be in session and doing your job?

To the Senate: Please understand that in your desire to help one segment of the American population (those needing tax credits to purchase insurance), you are hurting others. Government employees. SNAP recipients. Military members. And many more. Are you willing to play that game and choose which people in American life can count on their government for help?

To the leaders of both parties in Congress and to our President: Shouldn’t you be meeting every day to answer the question, “What can we do to get the government back up and running?” Your current plan, “We won’t do anything until the other side caves in” is a horrible way to govern. Talk. Listen. Plan. Compromise when necessary. A divided nation needs leaders who can work together across party lines. Do so.

We want more from our government, and it’s your responsibility to give it to us. Stop playing the “blame game” and get to work.

Why would a pastor write this blog?

This morning, I am looking for ways to make sure that our food ministries (brown bag, monthly food distribution, benevolence) are well funded and that our procedures are streamlined to help the hungry. We have seniors, young families, single parents, and others who need help. We have families who need insurance. We have members in the military and other federal employees who will not get paychecks. We have many members who try hard to make their budgets work and don’t like to ask for help. How can I identify the ones who need it most?

Helping the hurting and the hungry in their church and community is a normal part of a pastor’s job. Congress’ inability to to their job is making it much more difficult.

I hear, even from our members, that it is the “Democrats” at fault and I hear from other that it is the “Republicans” at fault. If your desire is to further divide Americans, you have done so. For me, though, I’m purposely not calling out either party. I’m calling for both parties to put the good of America as a whole above the good of your party.

To Congress: Do your job. Do it quickly. We need a functioning government!