2000 Ford Escort Safety interlock not working

About 2 months ago, when trying to start the car with the transmission in the park position, the starter would not engage until I jiggled the gear shifter slightly which apparently engaged the safety interlock that prevents the car from starting unless the transmission is in park.

As time went on, it took more and more jiggling of the gear shifter to engage the safety switch untill finally I cannot get it to engage at all.

My questions: One. What exactly does this switch look like? I have taken apart the console and have exposed the shifter and I can see two different switches. One is metallic and has a plunger which is depressed when the car is in park. The other is a smalll rectangular black plastic piece with a metal strip beneath it that is pressed upwards when the car is in park (I have attached a photo which may be of help to you).

Two, do you think the switch itself went bad and that is why it will not engage? I have tried to manually depress either and both of the about mentioned switches and the starter will still not engage

Three. If it is the black rectangular piece. Can I just cut the wires and tie them together to get the car to start?

This car has had a rough life but is still used as a daily driver to work (95 miles round trip) and gets about 32 mpg so would like to use it until it finally gives up the ghost. I'm not worried about selling it to someone else as it will be likely junked when the next major item breaks on it.

Thanks for your help