Jan 2019 Around The World Today Series 2 Episode 3 By Terry D
In Series 2, Episode 3 of Around the World Today, titled Common Goal, Terry Davies takes a close look at the 2018 U.S. government shutdown and the role that then-President Donald Trump's decision-making played in the crisis. The episode provides a detailed analysis of how political motives, leadership styles, and the lack of foresight contributed to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, which lasted 35 days from December 2018 to January 2019.
Ways To Listen
Terry begins by setting the context: the central issue that led to the shutdown was President Trump's demand for $5.7 billion to fund a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico, a key promise of his campaign. This demand caused a stalemate between the Republican-led Senate and the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives, with both sides unwilling to compromise on the budget. As a result, large parts of the federal government were left unfunded, leading to the shutdown.
The episode focuses on Trump’s decision-making during the standoff, emphasizing how his insistence on the wall without considering broader political and economic consequences led to widespread disruptions. Terry discusses the effects on federal employees, many of whom went without pay for over a month, and the broader economic impact, including disruptions to national parks, air travel, and other public services.
Terry also explores how Trump’s leadership style, marked by a focus on winning political points rather than seeking common ground, further entrenched the division between Republicans and Democrats. He critiques Trump's lack of foresight, pointing out that the shutdown failed to achieve its primary goal of securing funding for the wall, while causing significant political and economic harm.
In concluding the episode, Terry reflects on the importance of a "common goal" in governance—how leaders should strive for decisions that benefit the nation as a whole rather than focusing on narrow political gains. The episode serves as a critical commentary on how short-term political manoeuvres can have long-term negative outcomes when the broader picture is ignored.
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