1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

The current government shut down is the result of a failure of leadership by the president and the Republicans in congress. Their failure to negotiate in good faith to safeguard health insurance and medical care for Americans led to a disastrous, historically protracted government shut down. Democratic Senators are reportedly working to end the shut down with some backing à plan to reopen the government based on on a promise of a future vote on healthcare subsidies. This should be a non-starter. Republicans have shown they are not working in good faith and Democrats in congress must require that they put real, solid, tangible protections for healthcare into any deal if it is to get any Democratic votes. I urge you to work with all parties, but to communicate strongly to Democrats that they must hold strong. The president is a weak and feckless leader and now is not the time to let him have his way.