Happy Wednesday and welcome back to today’s edition of Common Sense with Ally Sammarco—your daily briefing on U.S. politics. Let’s break it down.
Government Shutdown Begins….At 12:01 a.m. today, the U.S. government officially entered a shutdown after Congress failed to pass a funding bill. Senate Democrats blocked the GOP’s stopgap resolution, which omitted key provisions like health care aid and extensions on ACA subsidies—and the GOP blocked the Democrat-proposed resolution that included them. Approximately 750,000 federal workers have been furloughed or are working without pay—a totally avoidable disaster.
Common Sense takeaway: This is not governing. People are paying the price, or quite literally not getting paid, and it’s shameful.
Shutdown Fallout: Trump Freezes NY Infrastructure Funding….President Trump has ordered a freeze on federal funding for major transportation projects in New York, including the Gateway Tunnel and LaGuardia Airport upgrades. The move is clearly a retaliation for the state’s Democratic leadership opposing his administration’s budget proposals. Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the action as politically motivated and detrimental to the state’s infrastructure needs.
Common Sense takeaway: Using essential infrastructure as a political weapon is shameful even for Trump. Once again, he is putting his own ego above the needs of Americans.
Major Cities Rank Among World’s Most Polluted Cities….Brussels, Kuwait City, Delhi, and Lahore have been ranked among the top 10 most polluted cities globally, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 102, 124, 126, and 167 respectively. These pollution levels have raised extreme concerns about public health and environmental policies, mostly attributed to increased traffic and industrial activities.
Common Sense takeaway: Ignoring climate change is a deadly mistake. When governments delay action for whatever reason, the people living in those cities literally suffer and eventually we all will face the consequences.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month begins….October marks the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with global initiatives focusing on early detection and education. Organizations worldwide are promoting screenings and raising awareness about the importance of early diagnosis in improving survival rates.
Common Sense takeaway: There’s nothing like Republicans trying to cut healthcare access at the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Screening early and acting quickly are essential and shouldn’t be for the privileged.
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading Common Sense with Ally Sammarco. Check back tomorrow for more.
Love your common sense and NO NONSENSE ! THANKS
I want to urge people to be careful during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Look at where most of the money from the donations is going. Is it actually going to research? Is it just going to the CEO/COO/the lawyers? Too often, the money isn't going to research.
The other day was Rare Cancer Disease Day. Again, if you donate, look twice at where the money goes. 1 great way to donate is by getting items from LYM (formerly Love Your Melon). For each item that is bought, they donate 1 hat to a young child undergoing treatment. All pediatric cancers are rare. LYM has the warmest and softest beanies ever. They have great baseball caps as well.
Now, please. Go donate to PBS/NPR. Help educators clear wishlists. Thanks.