I have served my country as both a member of the military and as an officer of Homeland Security for over 35 years. I believe in border security but not this monumental waste of taxpayer money called "the wall."

Most who scream that this must be done have never been to or worked the border. I have. Whether you want a wall or not is no reason to hold hostage the very people who protect those borders. It is unconscionable that McConnell refuses to allow a vote on opening the government.

It is unrealistic to think that shuttering the government won't, very soon, start to have lasting impact on most Americans.

We need to demand real compromise from the president and congress. For we still haven't heard of any good faith plan from the White House to show an actual counter offer to the House's rejection of the "wall." It's time for real leadership and to stop hurting the people that work for you and the people of this country.

The inability of our elected leaders in Washington to keep the federal government open is appalling. Now that the government is partially shut down, federal workers nationwide are forced to stay at home and wait for the government to reopen. Again these feds are no longer able to provide the services that our fellow Americans rely on.

Middle-class federal workers and their families are forced to stretch their pennies until the shutdown is over. Furloughed employees are navigating this difficult time without any guarantee of back pay. Even employees who aren't furloughed will not be paid as long as the government is shut down. Bills still arrive on time even if paychecks don't, and many federal employees are being forced to make difficult financial decisions to make ends meet.

Legislators and the president must reach consensus immediately so committed federal employees across the nation and right here at home can earn their livelihoods and get back to work for our country.

Michael Dugan

Massena