The Government Shutdown: Unpacking the Washington Monument Syndrome

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

We have often said that last government shut down was the best two weeks of my life , according to  Thomas J. DiLorenzo  Government shutdowns often bring a whirlwind of fear and frustration. But are these crises entirely organic, or are they carefully orchestrated tactics? Enter the “Washington Monument Syndrome,” a term coined to describe how government agencies weaponize services to protect their budgets.

Let’s break down this phenomenon and explore why it’s more than just politics—it’s a lesson in manipulation.

What Is the Washington Monument Syndrome?

The term originates from an incident involving George Hartzog, the head of the National Park Service, who shut down iconic landmarks like the Washington Monument and Mount Rushmore during budget negotiations. This wasn’t because the parks couldn’t function but as a strategic move to stir public outrage and pressure Congress into halting budget cuts.

Over time, this tactic has become commonplace across all levels of government. Whenever budgets are at risk, essential services like garbage collection, police protection, and school buses are often the first to be sacrificed—sending a clear message to taxpayers: Pay up, or face the consequences.

How the Syndrome Plays Out Nationally

The federal government has perfected the art of using this strategy during shutdowns and budget disputes.

• Amtrak’s Strategy: When facing potential budget cuts, Amtrak canceled popular train routes to inconvenience influential members of Congress.
• Congress’s Own Playbook: Threats of government shutdowns are wielded to protect pork-filled spending bills, creating media panic about Social Security checks, Medicare payments, and welfare disbursements.

Yet, paradoxically, while these essential services are threatened, there always seems to be plenty of funding for overseas aid or defense spending. For instance, billions sent to Ukraine dwarf the costs of maintaining domestic programs.

Economic Lessons from Shutdowns

Government shutdowns often spark warnings of economic collapse, but the data tells a different story. After a five-week shutdown in 2018, a Congressional Budget Office study revealed surprising results:

• The economy grew faster during the shutdown.
• The stock market rallied as federal bureaucrats were sent home without pay.

This begs the question: If fewer bureaucrats mean economic growth, should shutdowns be viewed as a crisis or an opportunity?

The Pandemic and Budgetary Expansion

In 2020, President Trump proposed cutting the CDC’s budget from $11.5 billion to $7.7 billion. Not long after, the CDC declared a pandemic, which led to an unprecedented economic shutdown. The result? The CDC’s budget skyrocketed, and the federal bureaucracy reached new heights of power.

Even “conservative” lawmakers, like Senator Tom Cotton, joined the chorus, advocating for widespread economic shutdowns and supporting federal stimulus checks. Such actions aligned closely with long-standing proposals for guaranteed incomes—a hallmark of socialist agendas.

Should Americans Fear Shutdowns?

Instead of dreading government shutdowns, perhaps Americans should welcome them. Reduced federal activity often highlights the inefficiencies of a bloated bureaucracy and can provide much-needed relief from overreach.

In fact, a longer shutdown could serve as a wake-up call, forcing a reassessment of priorities and spending.

Conclusion: Time for a New Perspective

The Washington Monument Syndrome reveals how government agencies manipulate public opinion to protect their budgets. But by understanding this tactic, taxpayers can push back against fearmongering and advocate for meaningful reform.

This holiday season, perhaps the best gift would be not fearing a government shutdown—but embracing it as a chance to reimagine how government serves the people.

 

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