Partisan Politics Should Not Hurt People

By:civilrights.org

WASHINGTON — Maya Wiley, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement after the government shutdown: 

“This government shut down as the debate about whether or not hard-working people and families in the US deserve to be able to see a doctor, get hospital services, and feed their families. These needs aren’t about Democrats or Republicans. There are the needs of millions of people in this country who want to hold on to their Medicare, to their SNAP benefits, to their family farms, and help with rent and protection from discrimination.

“Sadly, this administration and the majority of House members and Senators are not responding to the needs of their constituents. Partisan brinksmanship and hiding behind rhetoric can’t change the facts about how everyone but the wealthy will be served by slashing health care and putting money in the pockets of the wealthiest Americans.  Too many have blatantly abandoned their fundamental obligation to resource the core services that sustain our nation’s people: education, healthcare, and vital communal services that benefit everyone, not just their wealthy donors or extremists who sow hate and fear to distract from our shared needs and interests. This is not governance; it is a betrayal of public trust.

“The civil rights movement fought for a quality education, health care, and nutrition programs for all people, no matter their race, where they come from, how they worship, who they love, or their ability levels. We need leaders who understand that we are all in this together and that a rising tide lifts all boats. We must work together and support leadership that promotes concrete solutions and effective alternatives, rather than threats, false claims, and hate mongering. The civil rights community is united across differences in support of investments in every person’s ability to live a life rich in opportunity and rights, and we will not be silent in the face of those who only destroy, rather than build.”