The US Goverrnmet Shutdown

Facebook is full of haters.  Haters of Obama, haters of Republicans and now haters of the government shutdow…which is valid.  So many of the complaints I’ve seen on facebook have been day to day third world problems that I see first hand living in the Dominican Republic.  I’m not discounting the struggles for many American people but for many others, they are still living their day to day lives in their comfortable homes, driving their comfortable cars to Target and ordering pizza delivery as if nothing is going on.  Don’t get me wrong, that’s what I’d be doing if I was there but this whole situation has caused me to draw some comparisons between effects of the US government shutdow and life in a third world country.

1. Washington D.C. has stopped garbage pick up?!  Aren’t leisurely walks around the neighborhood with your baby just the best? How about when every five feet you are stepping over trash and not just litter, but piles of people’s trash? Not to mention the occasional dead dog that doesn’t get picked up but what can you do? Third world countries such as the Dominican Republic where I live, don’t have the funds for public works and luxuries such as garbage pick up.
2. Veterans are at risk of losing their benefits: I agree this is very sad and unneccessarry.  However it caused me to think of all the people I see with one arm, one leg, wheelchairs and other physical ailments that crowd the streets daily pan handling because of lack of benefits and lack of health care.
3. Speaking of health care, the state provided health care in the DR “is free but far from adequate. Although it does meet some needs such as the provision of vaccinations and infant rehydration supplies. Facilities, trained staff and medicines are often lacking. Patients may be asked to pay for materials  and for their prescriptions  putting the costs beyond their financial possibilities.” Taken from DR1.com.
•  I’ve been to both the public hospital and private hospital here and there is a clear difference.  The private hospital was nicer, cleaner and less crowded.  I simply went to my doctor’s office, waited my turn and was in and out.  At the public hospital, the waiting rooms on every floor were filled close to capacity.  There wasn’t enough staff to handle everyone and I am sure the wait time was much longer.  I was overwhelmed by all the sick people and again the fragile, elderly, panhandlers calling for money right outside the hospital door.
4. Government offices are closed and you can’t get your passport or your license renewed, etc. Try doing any of that here and expect to be in line for hours.  When we moved here, it took Jesus at least three tries going to the office for his ID. Computer systems don’t talk to each other so getting the “run around” is common over the phone.  Let me paint you a picture of the example of my insurance which may not be a government office but it’s the same concept.  When I went to get shots for my baby I was told that I needed to go to my insurance with a piece of paper I got during the shots and tell them I need a reimbursement.  That was the first red flag.  I had to go to my insurance office in person for a reimbursement? What?!  Don’t they just handle that online?  Not here. So I went  to the office and was told I’d receive a check in 8 days.  I went back in 8 days and was told my check was still in the capitol but not in my city.  I went back again (and yes I called before going both times and was told my check was there) and then I was told they mailed the check to my husband’s work, without either of our knowledge, and I once again went back to the office for nothing.  That’s just an example of what it is like working with any government office here.
5. The US Postal Service…luckily mail still gets delivered during the shutdown as far as I know. However if you want mail delivered to you here expect to see it arrive in 3, 4, 5 months if at all.  It’s a poor postal delivery service here and again I’d assume that has to do with funding. 

My point is not to paint a grey picture of the Dominican Republic because there are plenty of lovely things and people.  But these are just common third world problems that I didn’t really know before experiencing them firsthand. Nor is my point to be unsensitive and to dicount the government shutdown because it is a rough situation for many. My point is that America is one of the most blessed places to live and no matter how much you like or dislike your President or members of Congress (Be it now, in the past or in the futre) you are blessed.  You have freedoms.  Can you see the shingles of your roof through the ceiling of  your tiny home with a cement floor and curtains for the bedroom doors?  Can you not afford a $25 dollar grocery trip which is  a $1000 pesos grocery trip here?  Are you threatened to pay off police officers when they pull you over so you don’t get in trouble as there is corruption in the law?  Do you live in one of the most dangerous countries to drive because of  ignorance to the law?  Is your neighborhood abundant in robberies?    I digress…

As I read facebook I don’t see a lot of solutions to the problems.  I don’t see a lot of people being kind in a time of trial although I’m sure people are.  What I see is complaing which while it may be valid, I also see so much criticism of one another and their belifes. My only point in all of this is to be a little less hateful and a little more grateful (I know I can be), espeically in one of the most powerful and free countries in the world.   It truly is a land of convenience and opportunity and I appreicate that so much more after seeing something else. Amen.

And to those that are affected and having a rough time, my prayers are with your families.