Wharton Sinkler: An objection to the partisan falsehood on WMNF website

To The Daily Sun,

I strongly object to the message the Department of Agriculture has posted on the White Mountain National Forest website, saying “The Radical Left Democrats shut down the government.” 

First, it’s a lie: Our government is shut down because the Senate has not been able to bring together a filibuster-proof majority of 60 votes to pass a budget. The current breakdown of the Senate is 53 Republicans, 45 Democrats, and 2 independents. Both parties have a role in governing, and it will take a compromise to pass a budget and reopen the government. Republicans want to pass a budget that continues spending at current levels, with the cuts to health care made by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Democrats want a budget that undoes those health care cuts. Either “side,” or preferably both sides, are going to need to compromise in order to reopen the government. So, the Trump administration’s Department of Agriculture is lying on their website by laying the blame for the shutdown solely on “The Radical Left Democrats.” The truth is: both parties are to responsible and need to compromise. 

Second, it’s illegal. The Hatch Act of 1939 prohibits federal employees from using government resources for political purposes. The message is clearly aimed at scoring political points against Democrats. That’s an illegal and abusive use of a federal agency and taxpayer resources to attack political opponents. 

Finally, it’s not the American way. Our system is built around the respectful hearing of opposing opinions to achieve beneficial compromise, not insult and bullying. We really need bipartisan action by Congress to put limits on this kind of unacceptable reckless and divisive action by the current administration.

Wharton Sinkler

Sandwich