Our Viewpoint

"Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the things you can think up if you only try." If only Dr. Seuss were a member of Congress.

We are in the third week of a government shutdown, with threats that it could go on even longer. It seems that neither side is going to budge, and we're beginning to wonder if a solution will be found.

Growing up, you are constantly reminded to play nice, be kind and treat everyone with respect. You learn to share your toys, say please and thank you, and most importantly, that you don't always get what you want. It's easy when you have your parents to lay down the law and enforce the rules. But when you're adults and you're the ones in charge, it's harder to see the other side and come to a compromise. No one likes to give in or accept defeat.

It seems as though politicians are losing sight of their responsibility to the American people. We elect officials and entrust them to help our country grow and prosper. It's a tough job, with constant criticism.

However, enough is enough, and both sides need to come together. Furloughed federal employees and volunteers near national parks are stepping up to help keep the parks clean. They don't have to. They aren't being paid. But they care enough to help. We heard of one furloughed employee who started a Go Fund Me page to help make sure she can pay her mortgage.

When the government first shut down partially, we figured that threat was enough to get politicians to find a compromise quickly. As it nears the monthlong mark, we wish that members of Congress would step back and really take notice of the impacts this is having on hard-working Americans.

We urge them not to think left and think right, but to think low and think high and come up with a solution.