@BizSuitStacy I am using the last examole of when government shut down during a Trump administration. Which is relevant here . .

Government is not a business. But the way in which it spends taxpayers' money is of critical importance to the health of an economy. If people do not get paid, mortgages go into arrears and the housing market is impacted. If the poor do not receive their entitlements their children's health and educational prospects are impacted, to the long term detriment of the economy that will have to support them in the future. If treaties with indigenous people are not honoured, trust in institutions is eroded.

If the legislature and administration fail in the primary duty of passing a budget for spending commitments already made, they are not fit to participate in government and should resign. You may see this as a means of pushing your own small government ideas, but it isn't. It's a simple failure.

@BizSuitStacy Would you truly be happy if every public encounter was reduced to a simple commercial transaction? Do you really see no value in government activity?

Btw, I think investigations are underway to find out what has happened to the billions of dollars Trump keeps boasting he has raised from tariffs. Or the $202bn that DOGE reportedly "saved" in efficiencies.

@KunsanVeteran If Americans succeed in pushing out the fascists I actually would suggest a new flag might be a good thing for the USA.

After all if people are honest the current flag represents a promise that has never been fulfilled for a large segment of the population.

A fresh start might not be a bad thing.

@PicturesOfABetterTomorrow Perhaps one without a military history per se but a civil rights history.

Celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion!

@KunsanVeteran For sure. Maybe a design contest open to actually everyone in the US.