By Harley Phelps

The U.S. government is open again, but the same dysfunction that led to its unnecessary closing is as bad as ever.

The real problem still remains: Our government leaders don’t believe compromise is important. In fact, not one member of the Kansas delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate voted to avoid the government shutdown. When it came to reopening the government, only two members of the delegation — Rep. Lynn Jenkins and Sen. Jerry Moran — voted to reopen the government.

The democratic form of government is the ground upon which our country was made. But, what happens when this ground quivers and the U.S. finds itself in gridlock? If compromise is not a priority in government, why should it be anywhere else?

If everyday Americans refused to come to compromise with one another, the atmosphere of the country would be entirely different. So, why is it OK for the country’s leaders to find compromise a low priority?

Imagine if Lawrence High’s student-led government was allowed to remain in gridlock. We would miss out on things like fundraisers, blood drives and dances. These events put on by Student Council are the backbone of what LHS is. These events are what everyone expects to see year after year and the ground upon which LHS stands.

What if you were working on a group project where half the group wanted to try one approach and the rest wanted to do something else? If you followed the model set by Congress, half the group would stomp out the door. The project would never be completed.

In September and October, our government earned a failing grade.

Sure, Republicans claimed they were standing up against implementation of Obamacare — a law they have consistently fought. But, how do they know the public isn’t going to eventually like the law?

Congress members sent a message to the public that they are not concerned about the country’s best interests. They only care about themselves and they will fight until the end — long after the battle is lost.

In no way is a government shutdown beneficial to the citizens of the United States. In addition, to the 400,000 federal employees who were temporarily furloughed due to the shutdown, the nation as a whole was weakened and a sense of unity was destroyed.

The problem with the recent government shutdown is not merely that the government was shut down, but rather that it shows a weakening in the backbone of the United States. It sends a poor message to citizens and foreign countries. Compromise is a sign of strength — not one of weakness.