It is a sad and shameful day when the federal government of the United States knowingly follows a path that will have an adverse effect on millions of Americans, as well as the country’s economy and world reputation.

But that day has arrived with the partial shutdown of the government.

We, like most Americans, are frustrated over the unprecedented dysfunction in Washington, and we join the vast majority of citizens in being outraged over the selfish, partisan, arrogant behavior in Congress.

Fingers are being pointed at congressional Republicans, at Senate Democrats and at President Barack Obama for the first government shutdown in nearly 20 years — and all the pain that will ensue.

All of these parties share the blame for the most entrenched gridlock in the history of this country.

It is inarguable, however, that the shutdown is the direct result of the efforts of Republicans — spearheaded by the far-right tea party — to hold the country hostage to their obsessive quest to kill the Affordable Care Act.

The GOP simply cannot accept that Obamacare is the law of the land, and many Republicans are dead set on killing the historic health care program that is the centerpiece of Barack Obama’s presidency and legacy.

Republicans ignore the fact that the Affordable Care Act was approved by both houses of Congress, was signed by the president, was declared constitutional by a conservative Supreme Court and was at least indirectly endorsed by the American people in their sweeping 2012 re-election of Obama over Republican Mitt Romney in an election in which health care was a major issue.

The GOP has made 40 legislative attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which is its right. It also tried to get rid of Obamacare through the courts and through the elective process, which were also its right.

But tying the defunding of Obamacare to passage of the federal budget was a disgraceful, unacceptable tactic, and it has led to a shutdown that is damaging the American people, the economy and the United States’ image in the world. The longer it lasts, the more who will be affected and the more damage it will cause.

For starters, more than 800,000 federal employees have been furloughed and will not receive paychecks until the shutdown is over.

Businesses that rely on federal contracts will likely be forced to lay off employees if the impasse lasts very long, and federal loans will be delayed.

National parks and some museums will be closed. The space agency will be shut down, as will many government operations.

Programs like Head Start and Meals on Wheels will be affected, and veterans centers and call centers will go unstaffed.

Most observers agree the shutdown will slow economic recovery and job growth, will ultimately drag down the stock market (and millions of Americans’ 401(k)s), and will affect the country’s standing in the world.

And if a budget isn’t approved by mid-month, the U.S. could default on debt payments for the first time in the nation’s history.

All of this because a number of conservative Republicans in Congress, like spoiled children, can’t accept that things didn’t go their way with health care legislation.

All of this because government leaders of both parties have forgotten that their job is to make life better — not worse — for the American people.

We do not know how long the shutdown will last, or how many people’s lives will be affected, or how much damage will be done.

But we do know that the American people need to raise their collective voice to their elected leaders and implore them to do the right thing and get the federal government back in operation.

— The Connecticut Post