Shutdown Is a Failure of Political Leadership

Marriott International’s headquarters is just a few miles north of America’s Capitol, the epicenter of the profoundly disappointing federal government shutdown and a looming confrontation on the debt ceiling. The impacts ripple well beyond Washington, D.C. and past U.S. borders. Others from around the world are watching this circus, which is embarrassing at best. Just like in each of the last few years, we are confronted with a failure of our political leadership that threatens an economy that wants to turn the corner to higher growth and employment.

With the major attractions of the city and government offices closed, tourism and business travel to D.C. is declining. Visitors applying for visas to come to the United States for business or pleasure will likely see delays. The E-Verify system, which verifies the work eligibility of employees, has been pulled down, leaving employers without a key resource when trying to be sure that a job offer can be extended. These are just a few of the many consequences of this shutdown. Each of the furloughed federal employees has his or her own much more personal story. And it will get worse with each passing day and especially if the debt ceiling wall on or about October 17 is also left unresolved.

We all know what our politicians should be doing – passing funding measures to get the government running again, passing a regular budget (we haven’t had one for years), developing a more thoughtful approach to deficit reduction than the sequester, and agreeing on a path to responsibly raise the debt limit. But they aren’t doing it. From a distance, it doesn’t look like they are really even trying. Without an apparent spirit of compromise and collaboration, it is hard to have hope in the near term, let alone for action on other important issues like immigration, tax and entitlement reform. It looks to me like our political leadership is committed to their parties, their positions of power, maybe even the news cycle, but not to solving the political issues that need to be solved.

If ever there is a time for true leadership, it is now. What concerns me is there doesn’t seem to be much incentive to change course. What will motivate our leaders to leave politics aside and get back to sound policymaking? I can’t help but think that our political leaders and their party organizations are hurting this situation by pushing their members to take positions that are too extreme and creating an environment that precludes compromise.

It makes me wonder whether we shouldn’t all decide to swear off political contributions to any party or party controlled entity. I wonder too whether we should swear off political contributions to those in the House or Senate who have “perfect” or near perfect scores from those conservative or liberal groups that are assessing adherence to either party line. Can we collectively shift the money that is in the political process to politicians who are practical and who are not above doing the work of politics to reach practical solutions especially in the areas where political philosophies conflict?

I don’t know what the right answer is, but I’d love to know what you think about how we can take our government back and ensure that those sitting in political leadership roles are truly doing the work of the people.

UPDATE: American Hotel & Lodging Association joins Marriott International, Inc. in urging a swift end to the shutdown.

Follow Marriott International on LinkedIn.

Photo: Charles Tasnadi/AP

Timothy Kane

Information Scientist

10y

This gets to the point of MY frustration in other notes ... Regular budget ... Everyone looks past that which is the first empasse ... the demonization going on from the left, is what has been destroying this country since the 60's. I agree, failure in leadership, on the Democrat side tho. These progressive morons need to be called out on the ant-Americanism they exude ... By creating class warfare to begin with, and creating that pitting of one class versus another ... again nobody talking about THAT when we are all supposed to be equals. Class warfare ... is the root to be pulled out. Also about party lines, and providing funding reviews for records? ... I'm for giving all power back to the state legislatures, by allowing them to again send their senators to DC to represent THEIR interest. Enough is enough ... How long should one continue on a path blindly, purposely not seeing the Forrest for the trees? People need only actually read the constitution, and study US history more in depth to understand what went wrong, however Our education less system fails to push depth of US. History, and introduce more propaganda type classes like liberal arts and other useless classes for our youth. THAT is why we as a country also fail our children. Shame on us all.

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Michael Larkin

Founder & CEO @ LPJM Solutions | AI Marketing Tools and Strategy Expert (Reputation AI, Social Media AI, Video AI, Profit Funnel Websites AI and more to come).

10y

Dear Mr. Arne Sorenson - While the U.S. Government chooses to continue to point fingers the reputation deteriorates worldwide. Change is here, to continue to build upon the years earning a good name of some companies except for those who turn a blind eye to the current game changers that now exist: http://www.newswire.net/newsroom/pr/00077529-u-s-leaders-use-reputation-management.html

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I am really upset that my two friends are furloughed and still have to work? Really? Yes without pay!! These are individuals that have fought for our COUNTRY!! This is embracing for the USA!!! If we furloughed congress and made it mandatory they show up to work without pay. I bet a decision will be made much quicker! What really made me sick to my stomach was families of fallen soldiers had to beg for monies to bury their loved ones that were shot defending our COUNTRY!!! Really! Meanwhile Congress is still getting paid!!! This is an embarrassment to our COUNTRY!!!!!

Gregory VD Smith, Sr.

Mortgage Broker & Educator NMLS # 209194

10y

As an educator I have noticed an impact on military students and those who are employed by the government that are unable to work.

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Sir Wahab Ekunsumi

Founder, Wahab Janitorial Services

10y

"We the People" We want our country back. Stay Bless.

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