In order to pressure the Democrats to cave to Trump’s demands that they sign on to the House Republicans’ continuing resolution to fund the government, the administration has been refusing to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that 42 million Americans depend on to eat.
I added a calendar on my spreadsheet so we can target our calls/letters/emails/faxes to flood offices in an organized manner.
Use/share this spreadsheet (bit.ly/Nokings) as a resource to call/email/write members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Call. Write. Email. Protest. Unrelentingly. We deserve better ❤️🩹🤍💙
Reach out (beyond your own) to as many in the Senate and House as you can. All of this is bigger than “I only represent my constituents” issues.
Add a reaction or comment to help keep this bumped ✊
I keep posting. According to Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA) Trumpepstein may cause an "Epstein bomb" causing over 100 Republican members to "jailbreak" from Trump.
Miselle, who knows what the threats have been....probably in some cases to their families or some scandal. The most likely one is actually running someone nuttier against them. All it would take is a few of them to stand up together and they could break this. Some of them actually believe the same tripe as well. I have run out of really bad words.
Brendan Boyle is a shining star not just for PA but for all of us. His knowledge about the economy is immense and the fact that 15,000 people came to listen to him, says a lot.
Trump will eventually turn on the Republicans anyway. He's turned on their base. It's his nature. Republicans may as well speak now because it will only get worse. It's their only call. Trump and his handlers are sucking up power like a vucumn cleaner and they're only in the way whether they know it or not. Move it or lose it. Clear the oval office now or more will get hurt or killed.
Daniel, it is certain there is something seriously dangerous to Trump and his cadre of handlers that will be even further revealed in the Epstein Files, which is why they are fighting so hard to keep them secret. I keep wondering if Mikey Johnson has something in them that he is so willing to cheat the American people of funds for a House that is not present, mostly Republicans not even holding townhalls at home, in short, We the People are paying for a 7 week vacation after 8+ months of getting nothing positive done for the American people. Shameful, but just what everyone should expect of a bought and paid for set of Republican members of congress.
Thanks for pulling all this together! I just tried to leave a voicemail for “Strikebreaker” Shaheen and her mailbox is full—no surprise. So I sent an email but I know her staff will junk it as soon as they see I’m not in NH. I really wonder what big money is pressuring her to lead such a blatantly misguided effort. And does she really believe this is the way to get re-elected? Spoiler alert: it almost guarantees not.
It's a lose/lose situation so I am torn on this one. The republicans were not going to budge so by the democrats refusing to open the government people couldn't get SNAP and federal employees could't work. By voting to open up the government people won't be able to afford health insurance and some will die. One thing's for sure--people are waking up. The democratic sweep in the elections and trump getting booed by tens of thousands at the football game is heartening....
I'm going to swim against the tide here and agree. The Democrats completely changed the political narrative with this shutdown. Republicans now solidly own the issues of health insurance costs and affordability. The country's consciousness is raised and people know exactly who to blame. And there was a risk that if the shutdown continued there would be diminishing returns and possible blowback as we approach the holidays. The Repubs were never going to cave. This shutdown was a victory.
Lisa, although I appreciate your efforts, it's obvious you are not a NH resident (as I am, lifelong.) Jeanne Shaheen decided earlier this year not to run for re-election, and that has opened up a slew of candidates. I'm hoping Chris Pappas wins it next year -- he's younger, with the experience of a couple terms in the House.
I've long admired both Sens Shaheen and Hassan, each of whom served successful multiple terms as NH governor and are both women. I am, though, greatly disappointed in them with this vote.
Josh Marshall has a much more upbeat take on the end of the shutdown:
Thanks for speaking up! When I send an email I use an office address of their own and then at the end I say something like, “while I might not be a constituent, what I’m reaching out about is related to ___ committee which ___ is on and therefore he/she does represent me” or “while I might not be a constituent, I will be sure to donate to ____ opponent who cares and acts in a way to protect the average American”
Steve, both my senators in Oregon have said they will not cave. Health insurance is already a mess even for those of us who are not using Obamacare. We have the third insurer for Medadvantage for next year. Just found out my chiro does not use that one. She said some companies issue a card with some money on it for out of system places. The one we had for years could not reach an agreement with the local hospital. This whole health care thing is just disgusting. Our neighbors said some insurance person they visited said she has never seen anything like it.
PHEW! Governing is so damn difficult- especially when some office holders can't/ won't see the light of day regarding the real cost to their constituents. Wish all who have lost food & medical benefits would go camp out @ State Houses & march (peacefully) by their homes.
As HCR noted importantly, Senior, Massachusetts, Judge Mark Wolff has resigned to fight autocracy outside the system after 50 years at the DOJ & on the Bench.
Online now, The Atlantic has juste posted: "The Judge's Mission Statement, loud & clear : "Why I am Resigning".
"My reason is simple: I no longer can bear to be restrained by what judges can say publicly or do outside the courtroom. President Donald Trump is using the law for partisan purposes, targeting his adversaries while sparing his friends and donors from investigation, prosecution, and possible punishment. This is contrary to everything that I have stood for in my more than 50 years in the Department of Justice and on the bench. The White House’s assault on the rule of law is so deeply disturbing to me that I feel compelled to speak out. Silence, for me, is now intolerable."
What the neofascist GOP has just shown is that is will close the government forever, go on paid vacations, and dismantle one public service after the other. All illegally, and yet, they couldn't care less.
So why do you imagine that continuing to give the GOP what they want would be actually be helpful here, as you seem to assume... ?
So that’s the reason Democrats swept the elections at every level last week - because they are losers? Republicans were the losers- read about it. I dare you.
Democrats who negotiated are wrong, I agree, and will be calling those who sold us down river today. but the alternative party is armageddon incarnated. Prove me wrong.
Actually what the treachery of the "Democratic" (sic) Party means -- beyond the final phase of its suicidal fulfillment of its post-JFK role as the Fifth Column of the "Republican" (sic) Christonazi/Neoconfederate/RepubliKlan Party -- is that all of Tuesday's elections are now meaningless. The Democrats have just proved the popular will is no more significant to them than it is to the Christonazis and their ilk.
Respectfully, all those Democrats were elected to state and local offices. And ALL politics is local. If uour back yard has Christo fascists in it, vote them out. That’s your job as a citizen in a democracy. A Democracy- if we can keep it.
I agreee the retrumpians are nazis calling for ww3 but the dems are just useless they always bring their heart on their sleeve to a gun fight. Compromising with the rethugs...you know they never keep their word. Hell my cats know it.
I don’t need to prove your point because you haven’t made one. You’ve made a declaration with no facts to back them up. Republicans have been circumventing the law for decades only this time it’s out in the open and their base who wouldn’t read a piece of legislation to find out facts is why they get away with it.
We need Schoolhouse Rock to play during every sports event or reality TV show MAGA watches. It might be the only way to educate them.
A MAGA complaining about how insurance works in California yesterday on Twitter disliked that I asked for receipts of her assertion instead of Republican talking points retorted with she didn’t believe I lived in California. I was a nurse, spent 10 years in health insurance. I think I know how to read insurance laws and coverages, but she couldn’t let facts get in the way of her narrative.
Just like I say to all the people parroting talking points instead of reading legislation, show me the receipts, read the documents.
I actually gave hundreds of dollars to Biden and then Harris - never again. If the dems had let Bernie run the felon child rapist would not be president twice!
Nope. You’re right. We’re not in lock step with each other, or with anything else. And that’s a good thing.
Democracy is messy. Authoritarianism is brutishly simple.
And while we’re talking about losers, let’s mention the stupendous losers the RepugnantKlans like to align themselves with, like Nazi Germany and the Southern Confederacy.
No, we should recognize our cause is hopeless and flee this accursed realm before it exterminates us for opposition to its now utterly omnipotent zero-tolerance Christonazi theocracy. Trump has won; the Democrats have surrendered unconditionally. The RepubliKlan ptromises are naught but lies. There will be no more food stamps, no more ACA, and by the time they are finished, no more Social Security or Medicare. In fact, were I a gambler, I'd bet big money the regime cancels next year's Social Security cost-of-living increase just as it has -- thanks to Democratic treachery -- forever killed SNAP and ACA.
Terry, I have been pushing my senators not to cave, but they (Shaheen and Hassan) represent 25% of the 8 Dems who buckled. I feel a bit better about it after reading Josh Marshall's post:
I have never been encouraged to write to Sens and Reps other than my own. In fact we were told that any out-of-staters were deleted or round-filed by staffers.
Susan Collins hasn't responded to an email I have sent in several years. Once McConnell became SML she started working closely with him and started ignoring the needs of her constituents.
But, I keep writer her nonetheless. Many of us live in rural areas covered by small town newspapers that will publish letters. I'm sure many of you have submitted letters to your local papers and/or commented in the comment section provided.
Since all Republican politicians are cruel and hateful assholes, it may be a better option than contacting your Senators and Congresscritters.
As a life long Mainer. My husband & I write & call Collins weekly. We rarely receive anything answers other than a form letter about nothing! She is s completely out of touch with most Mainers. Lately her campaign for re-election has been showing television ads with people thanking her what she brings to Maine. They never mention all the losses of funding that her votes with her party have taken away from Maine!
We live in Hancock County which is where Graham Platner lives and Shenna Bellows and Matthew Dunlap. Dunlap is running to replace Jared Golden announced his retirement last week as you know.
There are lots of Platner signs and none for Collins. It is time for her to go.
She is an ungrateful twit. Years ago, my wife and I were on the same flight as her and Olympia Snow. We were in the waiting area in Portland for almost an hour. They never spoke a word to each other or even looked at each other. I really like Snowe but she was way too moderate for the Maine Republicans and they treated her badly.
Karen, I target members of committees; as someone on (for instance) the Judiciary Committee, they influence matters that apply nationwide, along with the Armed Services Committee.
Mine are Ben Ray Lujan and Martin Heinrich. Both good Democrats who care deeply about New Mexico. I have met with and talked to both of them. They want to hear from us. And I want to thank them for their tireless work not only on the current stale mate but on other issues near and dear to my heart - like preserving our public lands.
Perhaps you could try to explain WHY he would be surrendering here, instead of just writing stuff that, frankly speaking, makes no sense (since when is voting NO all while understanding that the only choice on the table is either no SNAP and no Obamacare or no Obamacare and still having SNAP) somehow "surrendering"... ???).
What they did here was refusing to allow the GOP to cut SNAP. It was that (restoring SNAP) or no SNAP and no Obamacare.
Don't like that choice? Stop the obsessive, emotional Dem bashing and learn to engage in real debates, so that we can finally convince GOP voters to vote for Democrats, the ONLY ones who care about them.
It was a metaphor for not being heard, E…B. After hundreds of calls/emails/postcards to Schumer/Gillibrand and many other D & R politicians, I’ve received no responses from Schumer and only one from Gillibrand. I expected no responses from any Rs, but I did receive responses from other Ds.
My rep is tom emmer and I shout up his void daily. Reps and Senators do not read their constituent emails. Maybe a few hand picked ones but it isn't possible to read what are probably hundreds if not thousands of them. That is why they have staff.
But I have begun to add comments that are aimed squarely at those reading the emails. If tom emmer is a coward then isn't it safe to assume that those who work for him are also? As EUWDTB put it..'convince GOP voters to vote for Democrats'. Peal them off one at a time, where ever you can find them.
I use all and every take action email link possible because of my dysgraphia or chicken scratch writing as the nuns would call it. Every organized relation and every type of group is now getting involved with these types of communications. And they do if a constituent have to record abd label the call or letter. I also individually write and call.
The other way is to get any group you are linked to and get them to travel to the state capitol and state legislatures. Your state rep and state senator also play a role. Parishes and counties wards and neighborhood political or name a concern- environmental, social justice, peace, spiritual , schools of all kinds and sorts, music and theater, art areas. Every type of group is important in its own way. Victory gardens in WWI and WWII were another way. So all the community gardens and programs essential. The Hollywood Canteen and their efforts. Will Rogers and his role. I still like the mimes! Whatever works to change this.
I never had been drawn to either, but I feel like we’re in a major moment where we have to be extra loud. I don’t think we’ll see many big waves (like a major MAGA Congress member changing their opinions), however I think we can cause little ripples. I’m thinking staff members who hear the same thing over and over via voicemail, phone calls, letter after letter, email after email - maybe they’ll be a little more receptive each time they hear from us. Maybe they’ll talk more about our talking points to friends and family, maybeeee they’ll vote differently. As a collective, our volume matters. And, at the end of the day, if we just annoy and overwhelm some staffers working for people hurting the average American, I’m ok with that too 🙃
Connection, Brandy. Fetterman has sided with the Republicans and isn't changing his mind or his vote. He is a bitter disappointment to many of his constituents.
I supported John Fetterman during his campaign for the Senate, voted for him, and encouraged others to support him too. I once called him the real deal in this forum. In hindsight, my enthusiasm for him was misguided, to put it mildly. I won't be making the same mistake again.
The comparison of Fetterman to Manchin is apt. Fetterman is a "rich kid" from York County in southeast Pennsylvania, a predominantly Republican area. His parents were staunch Republicans.
The reason Pennsylvania is a "swing state" is that, like many states in the U.S., it is largely rural, where people typically have less education and are resultantly poorly informed and more prejudiced. This widespread ignorance is offset by better educated citizens in the cities, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The power struggle between the cities and the boondocks has been going on for generations.
Fetterman won his Senate seat mainly because he wasn't Mehmet Oz, a non-resident of PA. Like Manchin, from another "hillbilly state," Fetterman is a "DINO" (Democrat in name only). He's a declared Democrat only to get the urban vote. Philosophically, he's a Republican, and he will always disappoint Democrats.
Dale, while I agree with some of your points, I caution you about painting all rural residents of PA., or any state, with the same paintbrush. We're not all less educated, poorly informed, and prejudiced nor are we ignorant. It's well past time for the "hillbilly state" trope to die. It serves nothing and no one.
Kamila, I choose my words carefully. I used the word "typically" to allow for those ever-present exceptions. I grew up in several PennsylvaniaI towns, and now live in THE hillbilly state because that's where my career took me, not by choice. Most of my neighbors – but not all of them – are poorly educated and prejudiced. More than you or anyone, I wish Arkansas (and Pennsylvania) wasn't a hillbilly state. But the majority of residents here continue to earn the nickname.
I'm a member of several minority groups, all of whom are painted with numerous unflattering brushes. But until my peers stop doing what they do – even though I don't – I'm stuck with the stereotypes.
Hello, Dale. Thank you for your reply. I'm sorry for the bad experiences you've had at the hands of your neighbors and perhaps colleagues. It's wrong and shameful and shouldn't happen anywhere. At some point in the future, I hope you will be able to relocate to an area where you will be happy. I send my support and kindest regards to you.
I called Senator Tim Kaine . I am so angry and disgusted that he would cave . After standing together this long, it makes the Democrats seem weak and divided and, even more than that, makes this compromise so foolish. It will only help Trump.
Yes and suddenly Republicans have no complaints about his unprofessional attire or mental health issues. As long as he votes with them he could come in wearing a diaper or a clown costume.
The Trump administration has found a new way to make America great again, by making sure millions of Americans can’t afford groceries. It’s bold, it’s strategic, and it’s perfectly in character. Why feed the hungry when you can weaponize starvation to score political points?
SNAP, the program that helps 42 million people eat actual food, apparently didn’t make the MAGA menu this month. There is $29 billion sitting in reserves for exactly this purpose, but the administration decided to lock the pantry and swallow the key. Nothing says fiscal discipline like letting kids go hungry so the president can win a game of legislative chicken.
When a federal judge said, “Feed the people,” the administration replied, “We’d rather not.” They appealed, stalled, and begged the Supreme Court for help, proving that no amount of judicial intervention can force compassion into a budget meeting. Meanwhile, a few defiant states went ahead and issued the benefits, prompting the USDA to clutch its pearls and demand they take the money back. Nothing says “family values” quite like telling governors to repossess dinner.
While all this unfolded, Trump was at Mar-a-Lago hosting another luxury dinner of scallops, filet, and the sweet taste of irony, before heading to an NFL game where the crowd did what Americans do best: boo him like he just fumbled democracy. Somewhere between the salad course and the second quarter, he promised every American a mysterious $2,000 dividend. Treasury had no idea what he meant, which suggests the payout might come in the form of “thoughts and prayers.”
This, of course, is the same man who vows to defend “real Americans,” though his definition apparently excludes anyone shopping at Aldi. The White House insists this is about forcing Democrats to pass a spending bill, but it looks more like performance art titled Starvation as Leverage.
So now we wait, as millions wonder whether the turkey will arrive before the eviction notice, while the president carves another steak and calls it leadership. In this America, hunger is policy, cruelty is strategy, and compassion is socialism.
The confusion within government itself, all caused by a demented baby demanding his rattle, has reached the screaming decibel level. Still, I am heartened by a federal judge who basically retired himself in order to denounce the administration's daily attacks against the rule of law. Small acts of courage beget further acts by others and so on. It's not much, but it's what I've chosen to feel positive about. The rest? Not so much...
And Joyce Vance gives us legal contexts and background that flesh out the contemporary details. I subscribed to Richardson and Vance before I was introduced to Substack.
Good point. I was chafing at seeing the same info. all of the time. I now regret that attitude. I am older and lazier, so Megan's prodding me along is just what the Doctor (Richardson, that is) would order.
"In 2019, she started publishing Letters from an American, a nightly newsletter that chronicles current events in the larger context of American history. Richardson focuses on the health of American democracy. As of July 2025, the newsletter had over 3.2 million subscribers, making it one of the most popular Substack publications.[1]"
Dr. Richardson, being a historian, started Letters From An American as a historical record of these times.
I didn't find out until early this morning that 8 Democratic senators caved last night. By Dr Richardson's last line she published before the decision was made. Leaves with lots of questions. Main one ? What is Mike Johnson going to do now? Can he be forced back to doing his job in Washington now? Where is the lawsuit going that Adrlita Grijalva sued johnsom for not swearing her in. I want to scream from the top of the roof tops about this absolute failure of a human being, representative in the house and especially majority leader ( that term being used very loosely). I wonder what it's like to be him knowing how spineless, anti Christian and an absolute trump lackey he is? Release the Epstein files. Also he has NO intention of talking about ACA funding nor any intention of an alternative to health care funding.
I will say, contrary to some other comments I've read I think there are inspiring moves in the Democratic party around the country. One is the judge in Oregon that kept Federalized troops from going in to Oregon. The two women, while I have not studied their campaigns closely seemed to have won by revealing the failing economy as their main platform. Among other things.
Oooooh, excellent point! Imagine how sweeeeet! it will be if this forces johnson back to work and is instrumental in forcing the vote on the epstein files!!
My initial comment is extremely relevant. I’m providing a tool to help people speak up to Congress about SNAP, the emergency funds we should be demanding be used (especially after a judge order), the government shutdown, we can send our ideas to help problem solve cutting flights, question Congress why a district judge should need to resign in order to speak out and ask if they’re also not speaking up publicly for reasons like Wolf said some judges can’t.
If we’re not using the knowledge Professor Richardson gives us to DO something and speak up (like she encourages us to do in videos and talks with people), what are we doing? Just sitting, doom scrolling and complaining to the wrong people?
Action takes guidance. I am more knowledgeable when I reach out to Congress because of Professor Richardson and this letter of hers is a prime example. I then help encourage action from others by sharing a spreadsheet (that is completely free…or actually costs me money to share because of paid subscriptions I’ll pop around on in order to be able to comment).
Megan, I was out-of-bounds. My apologies. Relevant to me as well, since I need some prodding these days.
EDIT P.S., Megan, what people like you are doing is effective. These days, I either get no response or a generic one to my e-mails to my District's (MD-3) Representative as well as my State's Senators and Governor. I suspect the through-put of correspondence from concerned citizens is overwhelming these offices.
No worries. I do 100% worry that I’m “riding on coattails” of others and don’t know if I should comment my sheet over and over. But we have to take action and not just let fear about what’s happening spiral us ❤️🩹
Yes, Megan, you should ABSOLUTELY keep posting. It chips away at the resistance of people like me, Apathy is too easy and almost complicit. You are right about the fear's fatal consequence. 🙏🏾
Megan, I would have the same misgivings you do now about posting every day; I am not sure I would have your strength to persevere. President Jefferson would join me in saluting your republican virtue.🗽
Just remember, s.v.p., that, quite fittingly, the responses to my initial comment drew many more likes than did my whining in the wee-hours.⚖️
For myself, I would have a feeling of consternation followed by disappointment if you were not here doing what you have been doing. Keep putting one foot in front of the other forward!
"Use/share this spreadsheet (bit.ly/Nokings) as a resource to call/email/write members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations." Contacting our representatives is needed work, just as Judge Wolf's resignation so that he has the freedom to speak openly and freely is a signal that our democratic system is under serious attack. While Trump is a buffoon, even buffoons can wreck the ship of state. My experience is that the hearts and minds of the MAGATs in impenetrable. While votes still count, if they do, we need to out vote them. There can now be no doubt that there is a Nazi mentality in this country that has seized control of the minds of many of us, democracy be damned. Let's make those calls, write those letters. It's a way for us to answer "the call to arms." This is as serious as it can get. No foreign invasion - Trump is right, there is an "enemy within," and he's that enemy.
I cannot bring myself into affinity with farmers. They voted for Trump. No doubt farmers would be a lot smarter had they gone to Trump University. Let farmers eat soybeans. Soybeans are a great source of protein.
“All of us who are dismayed by the present state of the union, this is no time to give up,” Biden declared. “It’s time to get up. Get up now, get up.”
If you have become overwhelmed, rely on my 2 buckets to sanity. 2 buckets says stay in the fight. We are winning with a year to midterms. If you stay in, we will shut them down.
This is a GENIUS document thank you so much! Trying to get Aftyn Behn Tennessee 07 into Congress! Last Election of 2025! Early voting starts tomorrow and Election is on Dec 2nd! Anyone from TN 07 Spread the word!
Well, you're a member of a party that at least held its shit together for 40 days in the Senate, longer than any other shutdown in American history, while a demented baby played Great Gatsby re-enactments in Florida and Senate Republicans were too chickenshit to do the right thing by their own constituents -- so great is their terror of Trump and being primaried, doxed, threatened. Against fascism, I don't know, maybe we are disorganized. But we've been learning a lot of lessons and starting to act on them at the same time.
The intensity, scale and cruelty of these events are unprecedented in our history. Every flaw in our constitutional and institutional arrangements is seemingly coming home to roost -- from a Supreme Court granting a demented President unprecedented power and freedom from accountability, a Senate that refused to convict him for obstruction of justice and attempted blackmail TWICE when it could, a deeply flawed Electoral College that continues to grant excessive power to less populated states against the will of the majority, a hugely gerrymandered House, and virtually unlimited amounts of black money fueling the status quo.
And above all? An electorate too indifferent or too influenced by poison to figure out right from wrong, sense from nonsense, last November. This November, we got clear evidence that the needle has begin its march back to common sense and real fear fear for what they are trying to do to this country. It may yet turn out that all this awfulness actually gives that movement toward sanity and accountability a great push forward. It's certainly something to keep working toward.
It’s Come To This, you have succinctly and accurately listed the flaws and when we regain power maybe we will actually take action to correct at least some of them. I am particularly concerned about “unlimited amounts of black money fueling the status quo”. I wonder if both parties in Congress are more answerable to their donors than to their constituents. That is why we need to relentlessly and loudly let them know what we expect. For example, if we are unhappy with the action the eight Democrats and one Independent took to compromise with the Republicans without health care guarantees, we should let them know, and support Jeffries and representatives in refusing to cave.
Money in our politics is the biggest problem. At this point, it seems that there is so much money flowing into our government officials, that it is all they care about. I don’t think we will ever see a society that leans on the fair side and has logical taxation, social programs (healthcare, childcare, elderly care, education, etc.), wage profiles (min wage that actually keeps up with inflation) and benefits that actually help all Americans. It seems like both parties simply want Americans over the barrel. I for one, have followed all the rules and feel like there is not much benefit in the long run - especially watching my adult children struggle in a system that is rigged to induce stress.
We just spent 12 days off line in Florida as the tide seems to have started changing. The most pleasant dreams started immediately after Nov 4th results started looking solid, imagining some of my old party actually listening to us independent and Democratic constituents more than their party leaders.
Those three nights of good dreams for our country and the world came after a more personal pleasant dream following the 15th annual Memorial Celebration at the Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery near Gainesville, FL, remembering those lost with about 175 others who's friends and families chose a natural burial that conserves land and reunites people with the Earth (or as Wendell Berry would say, replenishes the Earth). That ceremony started with a Cherokee Peace Chant and was a great introduction to us with its proximity to All Saints Day, All Souls Day, and Dia de los Muertos (the last of which we knew of in California but had never participated in), altogether a heartwarming convergence of many different people and beliefs.
The delays flying back the night of the 8th did nothing to discourage a renewed commitment to press harder than ever for the government to realign with the will of the people.
Arithmetic probably determined that outcome from the beginning. There's only so much you can do with a losing hand, if your opponents are bent on lockstep cruelty.
It Comes to This. I not only like what you’re saying. I have hope that the Majority of the people can step up and Vote For Democracy, not party but for the good of the people and Country
Another point I want to understand is How in hell did we allow a person in the White House to have such extravagant parties and birthday parades on tax payers money???
Perhaps those Senators from less populated states should have their votes rated by the population they actually represent. In other words maybe Montana’s Senator only gets 1/3 of a vote.
Discouraged? 🫤 Please listen to Brian Tyler Cohen explain in great detail the negative implications of this vote. BUT please stay with him until the end when he outlines 4 positive outcomes.
It’s time to stay engaged and keep focused on the goal of prevailing in the midterms.
Expose the Epstein files! Protect folks from ICE and new imposters posing as ICE! Keep up our work!
Reductions in force will be reversed and SNAP benefits restored, ACA vote in December where republicans will have to go on record not supporting a popular plan, Adelita Grijalva will be sworn in to expose the Epstein files, and finally we will have an opportunity to redefine the Democratic Party by listening to the candidates who are bringing new ideas and voices to make the party even stronger.
I think enough votes can force his hand. And they have been using the shut down government as an excuse. What the Dems want is to force Republicans to go on record with their votes. No avoiding accountability and excuses.
Watching Allison Gill’s breakdown on Meidas yesterday, the files sound way worse than we’ve heard. Agents were deeply affected by what they saw during the haphazard review directed by Trump, bondi and Patel. Also, the security of these files were greatly compromised throughout the process. I’m hoping that carelessness will lead to leaks.
What does he mean by redefining the Democratic Party here though? Does he mean that too many people will be disgusted by the outcome and blame Democrats for having chosen the best of two horrible options on the table, so now they need to ignore "experience" and instead go for "new faces" once again... ? Just to keep us all entertained... ?
But will Johnson call another recess to avoid doing his job? It’s the holidays, they will barely be in session. His first excuse will be that reps can’t get flights to conduct business. They have been out almost the entire time of the initial CR which means they haven’t started the work the CR was meant to give them time for. Why isn’t this being hammered into the public’s heads? Where is the media? That CR wasn’t meant to give them a paid vacation. This pisses me off more than any of their other shenanigans.
I fear that the senate’s passing the CR by enticing Dems with false promises to negotiate the ACA subsidies will lead to nothing. I hope that someone will ask for a vote to remove The Felon President’s Johnson will lead to a schism in the SNOW FLAKE REPUBLICAN caucus and an appointment of a more moderate Speaker …(pipe dream). Whatever happens, the resolution to the rampant Administration’s RAPE of the country is dependent upon removing the republicans from office in such a deep manner as to be able to overturn any Veto the fat waste of air in the White House makes. We must be able to impeach the SOB and his administration over Roberts’ objections. While they are at it, Roberts must be impeached as well.
These Dems have been working with the GOP for decades, so they know better than anyone else that a GOP promise doesn't mean anything.
So they didn't do it because they believed those promises either.
And THE problem is that they have NO power to ASK for anything ("we the people" took it away from them).
As to the GOP caucus: under Biden, any pro-democracy Republican has been replaced by a pro-MAGA one, so either the new Reps are corrupt or pro-fascism or both...
And indeed, the only solution is a massive blue wave, with Democrats having a 60+ majority in the Senate, as well as controlling the House and the WH.
That will allow us to add more Justices, and then the pro-fascism ("Unitary Executive Theory", in their Newspeak) Justices will become a minority and the law enforced again...
Good one Karen. Today proved that! I am mystified. All that work for election wins and prop 50. Today’s actions are angrifying. New voters, getting young people to cast votes, giving the party a second look- disillusioned.
I read today that “democrats get caught up in procedure and republicans can’t govern”.
First we take away all the power from Democrats (after historians ranked Biden near the top of all US presidents in terms of achievements). Then we give a neofascist GOP full control over DC. Then they start dismantling all crucial public services - goal they can achieve much faster during a shutdown.
And your idea is that this is a normal party, interested in the normal democratic process where you compromise to keep the government OPEN?
What are Democrats' bargaining ships here?
NOTHING that the GOP cares about. So basically nothing.
The election wins and Prop 50 were crucial, but the left in the US has been systematically rejecting the only ones who are serious about making progress for "the people": Democrats. So it will decades to restore a semblance of democracy again. And it's Democrats who, as always, are and will be the only ones fighting for it. No matter how many times we fail to think and then turn against them again.
So what's your time horizon here? Is 7 weeks now the long term? Because in 7 weeks, the same 15 million people who were going to lose healthcare on 1/1 are still going to lose their healthcare on 1/1. I assume you'd at least agree that there is no prospect, NONE, of those subsidies coming back by then, right? So what did the Dems do for those 15 million people?
SNAP is absolutely a harder case. But again, what's your time horizon here and what's your scenario? You do know that if there is ever an actual budget it needs only a majority to pass under budget reconciliation, right? What's your calculation on the SNAP program making it through the budget process funded more, less or the same as now?
What cruelties will the administration NOT inflict on the country now that they face no opposition? Now that there's nobody standing up to it? I hope your answer is not that we can try again at the end of January because (1) the Dems have lost all credibility over their staying power and commitment and (2) the only things the Dems would even have a chance of stopping are those that the R's can't force into a budget reconciliation bill. The R's have shown that they will stop at nothing, including starving children and coming close to shutting down the economy by shutting down airports. Who knows what additional cruelties they'll come up with next time w/ the full knowledge that the D's will cave?
Appeasing a bully never works. Yes, the Dems had a bad hand. But for a while there, they stood up to the bully and had a chance to do some good. What do we do now? Wait for 357 days hoping we still have a country by then?
All too often, we ask what Dems did for us AFTER we took away all power to work for us in the first place. Then we refuse to vote for them because they don't achieve anything for us.
It's the main reason why progress in the US is so extremely slow, compared to most other Western countries.
It's BECAUSE a neofascist GOP will inflict ALL kinds of cruelties on the country, regardless of what Dems do or the courts decide, that the only thing Dems can do is to at least keep the government open, because destroying public services happens much faster during a shutdown.
Conclusion: the GOP wants a shutdown and Democrats forced them to end it. That's not "appeasing a bully", it's forcing him to slow down. And that is all the power that "we the people" gave Dems in the first place... .
The fact that the Democrats are NOT 'organized' is why I am a Democrat.
The GOP is too lockstep for my tastes. I want my party leaders to be allowed to think for themselves, not forced to vote the way they are told to vote by someone higher up the food chain.
James Fallows posted today that he has spoken with senior ATCs and other people who are knowledgeable about the flight restrictions, and they ALL agree that this is a purely political step by Maladministration II to make things more difficult for people, just like the denial of SNAP benefits, that there is no crisis needing this "fix."
Every single one of Maladministration II's vampires need stakes driven through them and the bodies left for the sun, come 2029.
Absolutely. Trump ran another shutdown in 2019 that lasted 34 days. There were no flight delays. But this hurts the educated people who don’t need SNAP and cruelty is the point.
And we need to keep hammering the fact that the problems that people are having is purely due to the Rethugs playing vicious politics with their lives. Dems are trying to reach some agreement that will lessen the pain for people who are the pawns in this standoff. Not flying home for Thanksgiving is an inconvenience, not having food to eat on Thanksgiving is a National disgrace.
My Trumper neighbor ( devoted Fauxnooz watcher) tried to tell me yesterday that the shutdown is all the Dems fault. I asked how that was when the Dems had offered to vote for their CR if they would extend the current tax relief for the ACA for one year and negotiated a solution so that millions did not lose health insurance…….
The deal is clear. Lead by Maine Independent Sen. Angus King, the Sell-Out Caucus has gained nothing. The GOP promise of a bound to fail ACA vote? Seriously?
King voted MAGA in March and has spent the past month lobbying for other sell-outs. And fresh off Tuesday's Big Tent Blue Wave, King et al have given Trump this big win. It is a gut punch to all of us who have united to work so hard. King and the Sell-Out Caucus just demonstrated how much more work we have to do. And how much fortitude we must continue to have.
I am thoroughly disgusted with my 2 senators from NH: Hassan and Shaheen, 2 people I was once proud to have representing NH in Congress. Shame on them for apparently getting little or nothing. Shaheen is retiring in 2026, so there's no blowback for her.
I will be calling their offices in the morning to register my disapproval.
I used Megan's spreadsheet and emailed every single one of them. I had to be creative with Catherine Cortez- Masto but finally used Health assistance to get an email through. I also included SNAP in all emails.
I always look for silver linings, but this doesn't do it for me. If we do everything we can and miraculously take back the Senate in 26, and the House, before that is gerrymandered out of reach, then I have no faith that these senators will do what needs to be done on voting rights, statehood for DC, SCOTUS reform.... they are not seizing the moment. It hurts.
I totally get that, Laurie, and I take little comfort in TPM's post, apart from the points that he made saying there should be and will be a reckoning. I'm done with the current geriatric generation of Dem leaders (apart from a few -- Warren, Sanders, etc.). As much as I want to see a change of parties controlling the executive and legislative branches (and by extension, the judicial), I also want to see a change *within* the Dem party, to which I've been a loyal voter for 50 years.
"We’re in a battle for at least the rest of this decade that will require a very different kind of Democratic Party — not one that is more right or left but one that is both comfortable using power and knows how to do it."
Thank you, very much, for this article. It's really clear on things.
I don’t pretend to know whether Sen. Schumer was in on the deal. The 60–40 split was ... interesting in its “perfection.” I’m waiting to see how it turns out. Will it pass the House? They have to come back, as I understand it, and the implications of that will be fascinating. All I know is voters need to vote for the Democratic Party, with all its imperfections, if they want to keep their democratic republic. Circular firing squads won’t help.
This is a complicated situation for sure. It will take a while to unravel. Telling people to essentially shut up and get in line is a bad symptom in a situation where we are all fighting to maintain our freedom of speech. To all the voices saying these things it is ironic that you think you have the agency to say these things, but other people should shut up.
In a vital Party all voices are heard, dissent is welcomed, heard and solutions are reached. In a Democracy all voices are heard. A strong Party can withstand change.
In summary. To all the free speech monitors in this forum. Please stop suppressing free speech. Please stop trying to control my vote. You can block people if you want or even report them.
I don’t really disagree with most of what you say, Barbara. “In a Democracy all voices are heard.” The problem is I’m not sure you have a democracy anymore. At crisis moments like the US is in, people need to come together. But by all means, vote as you wish. My hope for the US is that enough people come together to elect the saner party so that afterwards they can get on with debating how to improve the party and the country.
Robert Hubbell has reported the details of the Democratic senators’ capitulation — at least I believe he has in a Substack post. If he’s correct, Trump has gotten everything he wants. I’ve called Schumer and left a message telling him I am appalled! That’s the nicest word I could think of.
''In the end, eight broke off on Sunday night to side with Republicans and allow the measure to advance: Mr. King, Mr. Kaine and Senators Dick Durbin of Illinois; John Fetterman of Pennsylvania; Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen, both of New Hampshire; and Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen, both of Nevada.'' NYT
Nancy had the majority, she didn't need to get every Democrat on board. And often she didn't.
Nancy was Speaker of the House, she could only be speaker by having the majority. Chuck is the minority leader in the Senate. He doesn't have the advantage she did.
Traitors? By fighting for SNAP and refusing to play the GOP's game of taking away ALL public services, one after the other, while keeping the government shut down indefinitely... ?
I’m way beyond appalled. I wish Independents had a better rep, but Angus King is as bad as any Dem traitor. The people spoke loud and clear, the democrats think there is no other choice for us. Can we resurrect Bernie, or elevate Newsom and Mamdani. Yes, I’m desperate, but people will get more desperate as we seek sanity AND competence.
It will require people to think instead of treating democracy as a spectator sport based on instant strong emotions.
Because this is obviously, SO obviously, NOT a capitulation at all.
WHEN will people finally get it?
The GOP is a neofascist party that wants to destroy ALL public services. What those 8 did is making it impossible for them to do so as fast as the GOP would want.
That's not being a traitor, that means truly caring about the people... !!
The time to wake up and STOP the cynical Dem bashing is now, before it's entirely too late.
The crux of our problem. The universal “trust” has been fractured before, and it has been a primary goal of both parties after WW2. This current crew of vipers, and anyone who capitulates, has taken trust off the table.
Did I say that, fight for the future. It’s always up to Dems to cave since they “care.” It’s why blackmail has always worked in the short term. But I thought we learned to never give in to bullies and blackmailers. You’re just trading victims. Chamberlain avoided conflict and pain, didn’t he.
When "we the people" vote out Democrats and give all levels of government to the GOP, it's the GOP that will dictate the agenda.
In a normal democratic process, the majority party cares about (1) the American people, and (2) negotiating a compromise in Congress with the minority party.
But the GOP is a neofascist party. So they care about neither. Once that's the case, Democrats have no bargaining chips at all anymore, so the only choice for them is between either no Obamacare and no SNAP or no Obamacare and SNAP.
That that is the only choice is not Democrats' fault, it's the fault of the American people. If each time we punish those who fight for us, we'll never obtain the progress that most Western countries already achieved half a century ago.
Yes, it is capitulation -- to blackmail, of course. You should be angry at the BLACKMAIL first and foremost. Your anger should be bubbling over that every Republican in the Senate is too chickenshit to take a stand for their own constituents, for common sense, for the privileges of billionaires, rather than anger a demented baby in the White House motivated solely by cruelty and sadism.
Arithmetic meant that Senate Democrats were always going to have to play a mixture of chess and poker, using both strategy and bluff to intimidate their opponents. Arithmetic also meant that maybe they would still lose no mater how deftly they played the game. Still, even those who broke away from Schumer's majority did so out of genuine fear -- for some yet-to-occur air disaster involving non-paid, over-worked, over-stressed air traffic controllers, furloughed government employees who weren't going to get paid, or fired outright. Those aren't trivial reasons, whatever you may think.
Thune did say he will put the vote for ACA subsidies up to a vote in December. And it's only for 2 months at best. It would be very tough for those Democrats to go back to their constituents and say 'we turned this all down right before Thanksgiving and Christmas, knowing what might happen as a result.' Mark Warner and Elise Slotkin feel differently, as do the majority of their fellow Democrats. But they will get the chance to re-state their case at the end of January.
A rock and a hard place. It describes so succinctly what all of us face right now.
I think you have misplaced sympathy for the 8 who capitulated. Two are retiring and the other six are not up for reelection in 2026. For me, that says a lot about their YES vote and their breaking from the Democratic line. Moreover, once more they gave into the bully in chief, showing him once again that he always gets what we wants.
I have no sympathy for them. I do empathize with their constituents -- tens of millions of people in harm's way because of Trump and his Toads in the Senate who value cruelty as policy.
But yes, at the same time, the appeasement also sends a very discouraging message. I think both of these things can be true at the same time.
??? He voted NO. He also took to the Floor to explain why. And he did not "broker" anything. Angus King does not take orders from Schumer, nor do any of them. They are free to pursue their own deals -- for better or worse.
Are you on the inside? Do you know someone on the inside? If not and you were not there, how do you know for sure? All politicians lie. Literally all of them. There are things that happen behind closed doors constantly that none of them would reveal to the public. Schumer was behind this almost surely. You'll notice the cast of characters chosen to vote yes are either nuts, retiring or not up for election next year. The other cast members will pretend to be shocked and appalled. Some of them might actually be but we won't know the innocent ones from those who are just acting. This was the reason the Real World Guy cancelled those flights--to put more pressure on the Dems to cave in time for the lucrative holiday season so they get their corporate airline blood money, too. You can believe what you want but I trust Elizabeth Warren completely (to always act in *our* best interests and not hers). AOC and Bernie 99% of the time. Every other politician is suspect and I have found incidents of "slimy lying pol" for even those I agree with most of the time.
That brand of conspiracy-uber-alles, plus $4.50, will get you a mediocre cup of coffee someplace. They'll even throw in a swizzle stick for free if you like. I don't know what else it gets you.
Interesting read from the ex-Republican Congressman who has literally been in the room when these reality tv shows have been written in the past. Even he thinks Schumer is in on it. The Democrats: snatching defeat from the jaws of victory once again!
And your naivete is why we have a country where 80% of Americans can want something to happen and it doesn't. Trump was "genius" at one thing: he realized that politics is mostly just a reality tv show and we only see what they want us to. He does do reality tv better than most. It's funny. This is not the first time in the last nine + months that Schumer has been unable to wrangle his flock and claims to be shocked and dismayed but he NEVER faces any challenges despite his completely ineffectual leadership. Hmmm. I wonder why that is? Because they are in on it.
They may not take orders but Schumer sure as hell could put pressure on them to hold the line. Did he do that? Did he even TRY? Nancy Pelosi would never have let this happen!
Either he brokered the deal for those eight to vote Yes ( 2 retiring/ 6 not up for reelection until 2028) or he was unable to wrangle his own caucus. Either way - Schumer has consistently NOT met the moment. He should not continue as leader IMO.
He held his own caucus for 40 days. That's longer than any shutdown in history. He met an unprecedented moment with unprecedented amounts of solidarity -- for a while. It was never clear how any of this would end. It still isn't. AND, we get to do it all again in January, even if this succeeds.
He is the Minority Leader. Last week he floated the proposed deal that reportedly has been reached to allow the vote to proceed in return for allowing a stand alone vote to proceed on extending the ACA enhanced credits Democrats say fairness requires and are crucial to the system's survival. Is there such a deal ? Who really knows. It's an empty promise. The Senate can not bind the House and Johnson will not allow it to come to the floor. He referred to it as being impossible and unprincipled when Schumer proposed it. And it was instantly dismissed by Thune. But it makes no difference. By merely suggesting this old style horse trade no longer possible, Schumer signalled two things. He signaled to Thune that his position was weak. That the resolve of Senate Democrats was beginning to soften and certain members were getting ready to jump ship. The second thing he signaled is that so far as he was concerned they had leave to do so. So long as it could be claimed that the deal he proposed was reached. That is what is now being reported. But who really knows ? It could all be lies. But in any case it is illusory. And Chuck Schumer is responsible for it.
He is responsible for it because it was he who back in July voted to allow Trump's BBB to go to a vote in the Senate without getting anything in exchange for it, and detailed to this same leadership clique more or less the dirty job of defecting. He abandoned the party position that this extention was necessary then, leaving the majority of his caucus holding their positions. And there was to me no getting it back now. That is, unless Schumer went to the mat and challenged Thune to void the Cloture Rule. He obviously has not done that. He has signaled "every man for himself". Quite the "profile in courage" A regardless of how he voted this time he is responsible fir this result.
Johnson does not bring to the floor bills his caucus does not support. And he will not bring a bill to extend the benefits to the floor for two reasons. It is the longstanding aim of Republicsns to dismantle the ACA. And it just might pass given his slim majority.
A complete Reoublican win. A Democratic loss. With attendant disastrous consequences for the nation. Rampant cowardice, dereliction of duty and betrayal by the lot of them.
Where was his leadership? They only needed eight. The vulnerable ones could hide. Most of the eight are retiring or not up for election until 28 or 30.
The Democrats in the Senate who are caving on the shutdown are insanely misguided (stupid if you prefer). Chuck Schumer is incompetent for not holding the caucus together.
Senators were faced with TWO existential threats to their constituents. An immediate threat of hunger by Trump withholding SNAP benefits, and the longer-term threat of unaffordable health care. Senators needed to hold the line to stop both.
There was a way to stop the immediate hunger threat—utilize the millions of people who participated in No Kings and are itching for an active way to fight the Trump administration. Ask them to donate food and volunteer to restock food banks, rev up GoFundMes for every food bank in America, and call for donations directly to them, and call on wealthy Democratic donors to step in. Have Democratic representatives who are all back in their districts during the shutdown, working at food banks, and rallying to raise money.
In other words, show the American people, by their ACTIONS, that Democrats have their backs. You also gain an enormous boost to the No Kings movement in terms of cohesiveness and sense of purpose, and a way of shaming the Republican so-called Christian Nationalists by actually being Christian by feeding the hungry. Great visuals to contrast with Trump’s weekend partying and golfing at Mar-a-Lago, too.
In late-breaking news, the appeals court is backing full payment of SNAP benefits, but Trump can still appeal to SCOTUS or claim that it will take time to straighten out the payment process. So it is unclear when SNAP recipients will actually receive payments.
Nonetheless, the eight Democratic senators who caved just when the Democratic caucus had maximum bargaining power made a serious mistake, and Schumer looks weak because he was unable to stop them.
The question now is, will enough of the eight back away after the debate in the Senate, and vote no on the actual bill? None of them is up for election in 2026, so they can afford to own up to the egg on their faces for breaking ranks.
Relying on promises from Thune to bring up a separate ACA bill, and relying on the House to pass it, is a figment of the caucus breakers' imagination. It has to be part of the CR.
The Dems should be exorcised fm the party and the Independent excoriated. Two of the Dems are not running for re-election yet ruined the future for their own Party. Appalling and infuriating.
We took a significant step forward with the resistance with the November 4 victories. It appears Schumer may have given all of our gains away. Joann Freeman in conversation with Dr. Richardson stated Saturday the small "d" Democrats (the voter) won the election and the big "D" Democrats (the politicians) did not.
Schumer is minority leader. His voting no is irrelevant in the matter of doing his job which is to lead the caucus and keep them in line. Last week when we were calling for him to step down the Schumer apologists were cheering him saying he was holding his caucus together...
This is a very, very bad turn of events which will cost millions of people losing their health insurance, close hospitals, effect the economies of countless communities and exact extreme pain and some deaths. Sanders has said this is a very, very bad thing. He was extremely upset.
Defend him all you want. I wouldn't be shouting it from the rooftops today. AOC is starting the movement to demand he step down.
Bill. The most important job of a Majority or Minority Leader is to maintain Party unity within their caucus. Pelosi was a master at this. A disciplined caucus leader presents a formidable front to the opposition, is more in line with the voters want and is able to hold the Party's wishes together. Then that Leader negotiates with the Administration.
Schumer has proven weak all along. The Administration laughs in his and Jeffries face and won't even them the respect of talking together in the White House.
Schumer's weakness has severely hurt the gains we achieved in October's 7 million people march and the November 4 vote. Most importantly millions of American's health and futures will suffer.
Schumer is not the person for this job. He must go.
In fact, I understand that none of the seven Democrat senators come up for re-election next year so their principled stand on wanting to end the suffering of their constituents might not be all that it seems. In any event, they've handed a significant PR victory to Trump in return for the uncertain prospect of a vote on the ACA subsidies; the payment of SNAP benefits through 2026, which the Republicans were likely to agree to anyway; and the temporary reversal of federal employee lay-offs which could be imposed later on.
The Republicans were over a barrel after the recent elections and the Democratic party was energised after a long period in the doldrums. Republicans were in turmoil because they were being blamed for the shutdown. Trump was reduced to demanding an end to the filibuster and making rash promises to end Obamacare and replace it with a free-for-all that would be an invitation for insurance scammers. All that energy is just going to dissipate now into the usual in-fighting because of yet another humiliating climbdown.
Let’s keep the blame where it belongs, squarely on the cowardly, complicit Republicans. It would be great if all Democrats could hold out, but have some awareness of how at least some of them must be being pressured by constituents with real needs and hungry families.
And the blithe declaration that there would be no air transport to get them to see their families at Thanksgiving and Christmas. No turkey, and you won't even be able to see each other. All stops pulled out. The so-called "capitulation" followed hot on its heels.
What we are witnessing is, historically speaking, the literal end of the American experiment, not with the proverbial bang or whimper, but with absolutely predictable – and intentionally ecogenocidal – betrayal. It is also the undeniable revelation and fulfillment of the ultimate purpose of the anti-New-Deal, post-JFK "Democratic" (sic) Party, its malignancy now proven beyond debate by the fact that in its Constitution-nullifying, nationally terminal, morally imbecilic, "change-we-can-believe-in" capitalist-owned deceptiveness, it has fulfilled its (suicidal) post-JFK obligation to betray us all by functioning as the Fifth Column of the "Republican" (sic) Christonazi/Neoconfederate/RepubliKlan Party, the ultimate intent of which is to reduce all remaining true humans to abject slavery. Clearly for us this nation has been forever reduced to an open-air Auschwitz, irremediably shrunken to a Failed State by its infinitely hateful electorate, their bottomless sadism eternally enabled by the Democrats' wholly predictable, ultimately defining treachery. Trump has not only won; he has triumphed, awarded his obscene crown-of-emperorship by traitors whose vileness and wanton embrace of Evil far exceeds that of Benedict Arnold and Judas Iscariot combined. Thus rule-by-law is slain forever. Now we have no redress save rebellion -- in which we will be quickly nuked to oblivion by our now-forever-omnipotent slavemasters. (When this story broke, I was finishing an exceptionally positive edition of the monthly newsletter that serves the 40-unit senior housing community wherein I dwell. Now all I can do is stare at the computer monitor literally trembling with fury.)
230 years seems rather a long time for 'experimenting'. What you have is the result of placing too much faith in your sclerotic Constitution which no longer serves to protect your fragile democracy and in your institutions of government (the exectuive branch, Congress and the Supreme Court) which have been slowly but surely corrupted by big money.
The Constitution has not lost the ability to adapt. Article V outlines a two-step process of proposal and ratification required for amendments. “I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and Constitutions. But laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors.” ― Thomas Jefferson.
Such is the case today. We need a Big Beautiful Article of Amendment; 1, an all inclusive Equal Rights Amendment; 2, which Repeals corporate personhood and Citizens United; 3, ends gerrymandering; 4, limits money in politics to be only from citizens who can vote for the particular candidate or ballot issue in their districts; 5, secures our Federal Departments by diversification of the executive branch into eight autonomous executive Offices; 6, led by specialized executives; 7, elected by We the Citizens of the United States in a nationwide “Citizens of the United States Election,” thus no more electors selecting our President which in reality amounts to taxation of U.S. citizens by IRS without representation.
Well, in a nutshell Albert you need a new Constitution written in language that does not provide any foundation for obscure jurisprudence like the doctrine of Originalism and the Unitary Executive Theory. It also needs to remove the aura around the office of the president and relegate that role to a primus inter pares as we see with other world leaders in democratic states.
But first you need to dispel the myths of American exceptionalism and Manifest Destiny that has seeped into your foreign policies in successive presidencies.
My Thanks for your excellent advice. I am going to block and paste your reply as a check list to assure I cover each issue in the body of my project revamping the Constitution. All our eggs in one basket is our problem right now. Imagine a repeal of Article II, the executive branch allowing for each mention of the word President in the document to be re-written around eight executives thus less risk to our major Departments. Plus repeals of the worst opinions of the Supreme Court over the last 125 years and blocking Congress from their shenanigans. Again, thanks for the list.
A new Constitution is a dangerous path. In a time when money equals speech, you assume you will be able to convene a Constitutional Convention made up of delegates who have the people's interests uppermost in mind.
Our first challenge - even before they convene - is to arrive at a national consensus about what "the people's interests" are. This needs to be done while those who currently hold power - political or economic - do everything they can to put their thumbs on the scale to assure that the outcome will be favorable to their personal interests. If they succeed, a new Constitution will just make the current status quo official.
There is nothing wrong with our current Constitution. The structure it lays out, defined by a band of revolutionary intellectuals in thrall to the Enlightenment, would be hard to improve on in today's political climate. What we truly need is representatives who treat politics as a means of improving the lives of the represented citizens. Since the days of Gingrich and Reagan, at least, one party has treated it as a team sport in which their victory is more important than running the country.
All the points Mr. Killackey made are important, and necessary for setting our government back on a sane course. They should - and can - be implemented through the current process of Constitutional amendments, once we have again elected a body of representatives and a President who actually govern in the interests of the people.
I don't underestimate the difficulty. But you can't solve a problem unless and until you recognise what that problem is. Meryl Streep puts it very well
Now I don't if she reached the same conclusion as I have but I'm afraid your Constitution is very much the problem. In 230 years you've only amended it 27 times and most of those amanedments were ratified decades ago. Most of the progress that has been made in your country has come from a sort of judicial activism in response to changing societal mores and that has entailed interpreting the provisions of the Constitution in a broadly liberal way.
Now, we have new sheriffs in town with a whole different and stricter construction of the terms of that document and they are intent on rolling back those progressive reforms. The problem, put simply, is that your Constitution can be interpreted either way because it's written too broadly.
You are too dependent on the goodwill of those in power - your President and his government and the agencies over which he's now assumed unfettered control; your Congress which has allowed this to happen and even at times enthusiastically supported it; and your highest court, deeply complicit in this enterprise of extending executive power. It doesn't even seem to matter that much of it is unlawful or unconstitutional because it's happening despite the reservations of many federal judges in the lower courts.
You want to wait this out and hope for better days ahead when bipartisanship will resume in your Congress and some shining knight will appear to assume of the office of the President. My advice is don't hold your breath.
You nailed Gingrich and Reagan. The GOP feels like a group of spoiled high school brats who only want home team to win no matter what. Yes, the Framers were a band of revolutionary intellectuals. Yet they were also all wealthy powerful white men who quickly wrote the document in response to Shays' Rebellion. Just like the greedy rich today they were focused on creating a national standing army to secure their power and wealth; hence the words "...insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence,'' in it's preamble.
Indeed, Mr. Killackey; you're missing the fact that in the future of electronically enforced zero-tolerance Christonazi theocracy now inescapably imposed on us by the Democrats' change-we-can-believe-in betrayal, any such effort as you describe -- or for that matter, any expression of any opposition what so ever -- will surely get you imprisoned, and in all probability killed.
Loren Bliss, you sound a lot like Lorne Greene, aka "Voice of Doom." Even if what you fear is rational, as the signers of the Declaration of Independence said as their final statement, "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor." We face the same greed for money and power they did. The lives of our posterity is what is on the line here. Lets hope this does not go to civil war. Yet I do believe it would be wise for all progressives to enjoy our Amendment II and become well regulated.
Well said, RJN. Somewhat differently expressed diagnosis than mine, but I cannot possibly disagree. And however expressed, the irrefutable proof of a permanently Failed State.
No; my reading comprehension is at least adequate. After most of a lifetime in print journalism, my professional swan song is working as the community-drafted "volunteer" founding editor/photographer/art director of the newsletter I was putting to bed when I was interrupted by the Democrats' Pearl-Harbor-caliber atrocity. (For those of us for whom journalism is a way of life rather than just a job, it is rather like organized crime in that the only exit is death.) Indeed were I not so twisted by rage and horror, I'd have thought to thank you for what I took as a compliment. Ergo, belated thanks.
I have a feeling that his time on Earth is limited. His physical and mental health appears to be a major problem. One example is his right hand. Stop the video at 56 seconds and compare the size of his hands. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHvW2kvPXuY
Good question. Were we still governed by law, by arrest, indictment, conviction and many years in prison. But since we're not so governed -- and nevermore shall be -- I'd suggest careful study of Marx, Engels, Lenin, Trotsky, Guevara, Giap and most especially Sun Tzu, Meanwhile I'd also be burning incense to the Morrigan...
I recall over a decade ago, maybe two decades, Schumer and Pelosi agreed to sever a demand for a path toward citizenship for Dreamers from the budget or some other major bill for a promise to have a "vote" in the near future. The problem is too many "Democrats" have no grasp of the word "vote" or the fact they are being lied to by omission. No matter how it is worded these eight stand with Trump on the most important bill of their careers. When I was a kid the saying was "Their names are Mudd."
But people cheered when he returned from Munich. That’s why he and Daladier did it: the British and French people weren’t ready for war again, so soon after the hecatomb of the Great War. They were only ready once bombs started falling on their heads. You can’t ignore the key reason behind Munich, which was that the 1914-1918 war traumatised Europeans and led to a significant pacifist movement, alongside a revanchist German feeling that crystallised in Nazism. In fact, most Germans didn’t want war either: it’s only when the Wehrmacht won the early battles that they supported the war effort.
While I agree with you about fighting fascism, you have to remember that fascists always fight dirty and make the fight a massacre of innocents. They are experts at dividing the other side and blaming the victims; ask the Spaniards. That’s why fighting fascism is always a long haul, and harms many people.
Same song, second verse. Or why do we even record history if we can’t read. Oh, republicans have an answer, we can be told what to do. No need to read, vote, or think…
Fascism, in its most basic form, never disappears. It endlessly renews itself. The Fascisti gave it its modern name, but it’s existed a long time, this mix of populism, lawless weaponising of institutions and authoritarian thuggery. We can force it back in its retrenchments for a while but it was a mistake to believe it disappeared with the deaths of Franco or the overthrow of Pinochet, far less with the fall of Nazi Germany or Fascist Italy.
It’s been thriving in the corporate world, and has now recaptured the political sphere (not only in the US). Like I said: fighting it is a long haul. It demands organisation, discipline - and knowing when to retreat and regroup.
Actually -- and with the absolute respectfulness earned by your other comments here tonight -- the only reason for nazism's perpetuity is the capitalists invariably resurrect it. (It is in fact capitalism's only logical outcome.) Get rid of capitalism, we git rid of nazism. Forever. But to accomplish that, we have to get rid of the source of capitalism, which is patriarchy -- the cosmic, planet-killing equivalent of smallpox-infected blankets.
"It is nine years since men of my generation have had Spain within their hearts. Nine years that they have carried it within them like an evil wound. As it was in Spain that one can be right and yet to be beaten. That force can vanquish spirit. And there are times when courage is not it's own recompense." Albert Camus
"..no men ever entered earth more honorably than those who died in Spain" -- Ernest Hemingway's tribute to the defenders of the nazi-slain Spanish Republic, in tribute to which, and in tribute to Hemingway himself, I offer a song by Paul Robeson, part of the music of my childhood and now but a eulogy for what we once were: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5fbWV3sQtI
We don’t know yet if or who may appear. I remember Heather saying this in one of her newsletter or podcasts when she talked of Abraham Lincoln and others. And we can become “united” again (E Pluribus Unum) if we can stop being divisive and unite against a common cause - the defeat of fascism and a cruel dictator. We the People.
You can’t pick only the bits of history that you like and ignore the rest. In 1938, Britain wasn’t yet ready for war (either in terms of firepower or psychologically). It used those 20 months, until the invasion of France, to accelerate its arms production and prepare the people for war. But Germany would have gone to war in September 1938. Hitler had nobody in the country to tell him no.
Democrats must use the next year to prepare to win the midterms and retake the presidency.
I'm afraid that the Democrats have lost pretty much any legitimacy they had in the eyes of voters. The historical context is very different. The US was in an extended economic upswing a year ago, and Harris had a clear vision of how to continue to strengthen US democracy. ACA and SNAP aren't just the Sudetenland. They are Poland and Czechoslovakia. This inability to maintain discipline in the face of Trump's naked authoritarianism will greatly encourage him, as well as the craven majority on the Supreme Court, and discourage the millions who turned out for No Kings Day. It is capitulation, not some sort of strategic retreat.
Given the near 100-percent probability that mass murder by cancellation of SNAP and ACA will now not only continue but escalate, it is not just capitulation; it is unconditional surrender. We the People are as defeated and enslaved as Poland was in 1939 -- and this time there is no force on this planet that can save us.
All the academic scholars who have studied authoritarianism/fascism (Timothy Snyder, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, etc.) that I have seen say that to give in to dictators just gives them more power over you and doesn’t stop their cruelty and power grabs. Capitulating Senators may have felt they were in a “double bind”, a Sophie’s choice situation, but even so, they made a Faustian bargain that they will have to eventually pay for. You can’t make “agreements” with a devil (a sociopathic, malignant, personality disordered narcissist) who has a track record of compulsively lying.
I waited up to read this, unsure if you would post it, given the wind storm you were having. I am so, so, so, so, so angry. If they don't have principles, or guts, or courage, to do what Americans want, and what the Tuesday elections and the #NoKings2 events showed we want, they don't deserve to keep their jobs. Angry enough to puke.
I don't have much defense to offer anyone here, but I would urge you simply to take literally the words of some who spoke to the media, that the pain and length of this particular shutdown (brimming with Republican cruelty and sadism as the only real policy) caused a few to change their minds. No, that's not comforting, but neither is it unreasonable.
Too many here assume Senate Democrats were a united monolith, like their Republican counterparts. That has never been the case. Schumer held his own disparate coalition together for 40 days -- longer than any other shutdown we've ever had, as our sadistic, demented president played Great Gatsby re-enactments at Mar-A-Lardo. That, also, has never happened before.
In any case, the agreement -- even if it passes -- authorizes government activity only to January. Then we have to do this all over again. Lucky us.
My comment on Hubbell's substack. The quote at the end is from Hubbell's post tonight:
So it turns out that the half life of the Democrats' "brilliant strategy" of Friday is about 48 hours. It turns out that far from being a brilliant strategy, Friday's offer was the last, desperate, dying gasp of a party in disarray, in mid-collapse, having lost its compass, its mojo, its moral center and its raison d'etre.
Nothing, not even the horribly disappointing results of the '24 election made me doubt the sacrifices my wife and I made to support the Biden/Harris campaign. Until tonight. The Democrats have made a mockery of those sacrifices and that commitment.
I sincerely hope that the Democrats have the self-awareness, common sense and common courtesy to stop the never-ending begging for money for at least a day or two. Because if I wake up to the usual clutter in my in box I may actually throw ketchup against the wall.
I may have no choice but to continue to vote for Democrats given the alternative. But they have seen the last of my money, my time, my energy, my effort and my enthusiasm. What a bunch of losers.
Thank God for the grassroots.
"The Sellout Caucus has taken the moral high ground of a shutdown opposing a lawless regime and turned it into a Democratic miscalculation, a pointless folly that inflicted pain with no gain.
This collapse is also a failure of Democratic leadership. Senators Schumer and Durbin should resign from their leadership positions on Sunday evening, as they are obviously incapable of leading the Democratic caucus."
One of Heather’s podcasts yesterday featured her and her friend Joanne Freeman.
They agreed as to the great disconnect we face – that Republicans in power are over and over saying to us, the people, “Eff you.”
And Dems in power continually cave to those Republicans, as U.S. Senate Dems have caved again today.
Why? What is it that holds Dems impotent even while last Tuesday’s voting across the country showed great majorities of Americans do not cotton to Republicans, big money, and dark money ever more saying “Eff you”?
The hidden, relentless force floating our elites is that guided by the habits enshrined in standardized testing. These are neutered and neutering conceits by which elites scorn actual people. They serve the depersonalized rationality that shapes all our corporate moneyed and all their elite managers.
This machinery needs to go. Teachers K-12 need to take central and centrally human roles. They alone should be free to choose their texts. Write their own curricula. Center essaying, humanities, and civics at highest standards, by performances no machines can grade.
Unlike the Republicans under Trump, who are now wholly aligned with their malignant master, the Democratic Party isn’t a monolith, it’s a coalition. And coalitions have a tendency to fracture at the edges when under extreme pressure.
Dems could bestir themselves to read the massive outpourings of Oct 18, Sophie.
That is, they could if they possessed acquaintance with any of our great resources putting us in touch with the people.
These are novels, memoirs, histories, films, songs, and other arts. If our schools were human-centric, if they valued people as actual individuals, with personal investments in wider communities, they could teach these humanities.
But they do not. They test. Fine for careerists who will play any games authorities put before them to careen up into their out-of-touch meritocracy.
I’m sorry, I know you think that’s a big deal, but when you compare with how East Europeans got rid of their authoritarian regimes, or how African-Americans claimed their civil rights (and how long it took both of these), a one-day demo doesn’t cut it. You’re in it for the duration and you’re going to have to deploy many more actions of civil disobedience. The Poles brought their country to a standstill. African-Americans used targeted economic pressure. And importantly, they both realised that it would be a long, exhausting fight. You’ll prevail, but not if you divide or think that putting food security first is a loss.
There are valuable lessons to be learned from the Polish Resistance during the Nazi occupation. It was a clandestine government formed complete with a judiciary which held trials in-absentia. it was not just the Warsaw Uprising only. Later the yoke of Soviet totalitarian oppression was thrown off with a strike in the Gdansk shipyard. The Berlin wall started to crumble as a result of that strike.
Again -- and most regretfully -- I must differ. Every humanitarian achievement We the People ever gained is now permanently lost -- the true meaning of the Trump/Christonazi pledge there will be no more elections.
Well, Anne-Louise, I guessed JD meant "but they do not."
But doesn't this yet beg the question of how could testing have such a hold on all as it does?
Do people like testing's humanly hollow, empty vulgarity? Its only "value" being that of, look, people: your job is just to submit to authority? You, mere serfs, may ask no questions. Just take the test. Pick from bubbles A-B-C-D.
Worse, all testing adheres only to linear logic, as if life were but chronological. This is good for molecular biology, which by its relentless causalities forecloses on any imagination that may also invite serendipity, complication, paradox, contradiction, or analogy.
And what good is biology reduced to the molecular? It sells pills. So U.S. medicine reduces to the sales of pills.
Since the Powell memo originally started this deliberate destruction, testing has helped in the setting up of the alternative universe.
I don't think most Americans want what our elites are pushing. Most do not want the monotone, metronome, machined, stereotyped, assembly-lined, consumer-demo-packaged.
Is that world one of life, Bruce, or one of assembly lines?
And not only that, but run by elites who, for bottom lines, entitle themselves to lie. And rape underage girls knowing that other elites who exist to protect the moneyed will reliably turn justice into a farce.
Spineless wimp Democrats in the Senat do it again (I'm retiring so, "après moi la déluge")! What we need is massive peaceful resistence to shut the country down in order to stop Trumpolino. We had it going on...the GOP shooting itself, and what do those old F**ks in the Senate do? You know what. Maybe Congress:people still have a spine? Look at history! The only way to effectively shut down a wanna-be dictator (other than military coup) is massive peaceful resistance by the majority...SOLIDARITY is not a new or difficult concept.
Damn, I remember that in Poland, I think. Dems have never suffered from that very much. Well, with Obama, and then the repubs used every dirty trick to hobble him.
The battle between ruthless and empathy. Muskrat already decided that empathy is the bane of Western Civilization. Is he right. So why did the powers that used to be decide that negotiating with terrorists is a nono
ALWAYS, FIRST GO AROUND TOO. the cult don’t care. Is there something between cult ignorance and democrat stupidity. We, in the middle, need to become the Democratic Socialist Party. There I said the scare word. Things can’t get scarier than the current crop of fools have made them.
“But in October, the administration said it would not use the emergency funds, essentially starving Americans to get Democrats to do as Republicans want and dramatically weaken the Affordable Care Act. Multiple groups sued.”
For those purported Christians in this administration, go read Matthew 25:35-40 or consult with your new WH Faith Office.
Christians in name only (CINO). MAGA Evangelicals keep the title of Christians but practice heresy by violating all the moral principles and teachings of the founder of the religion.
Actually, they're the Real Christians. True Christians. Christians as exemplified by their endless centuries of crusades, inquisitions, witch-burning, persecutions, and let us not forget they provided all the doctrinal mandates for the genocide against the First Nation peoples of both Americas. And the ecocidal war against our Mother Earth.
Thank you for the reply. This a misunderstanding that is quite common. Most of what you mention is authoritarians using religion for power. For example: Pope Urban II, Pope John XXII, Pope Gregory IX ordered the Crusades. Pope Gregory IX along with numerous other Popes established the Inquisition. And so on. Christianity is defined by the teachings of Jesus as described in the New Testament of the Bible: the Sermon on the Mount, the parable of the “Good Samaritan”, his commandment to “Love your neighbor as yourself”, to “Remove the log from your own eye before you remove the speck from your neighbor’s eye”, “That it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven”, “That a penny given to the Temple by a poor woman has more value than a large sum from a rich man”, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”, etc.. (I’m not advocating for Christianity - just trying to state the facts.) Historically Jesus was anti-establishment/anti-authoritarian. He was seen as a threat by the religious hierarchy. He overturned the tables of the money makers at the Temple that was a source of income for them. He had a large following. He had 12 disciples symbolizing the 12 tribes of Israel. He came to Jerusalem at Passover, the Jewish holiday that celebrates the 12 tribes of Israel’s escape and freedom from slavery in Egypt. He rode as a conqueror (on a donkey rather than a horse to show humility) with his disciples in tow proclaiming that he was “the true way” to salvation. Feeling threatened the Sanhedrin used the military to arrest him and after interrogation had the authoritarian Roman occupiers execute him. He was a nonviolent person.
The things you attribute to “Christianity” are the opposite of his teachings and therefore heretical. Authoritarians were able to co-opt the religion for centuries because the Bible was written in Latin or Greek and only the priests knew how to read it. And due to the lack of universal public education very few people could read. When Martin Luther revolted by translating the Bible to German and refusing the requirement that even the poor pay indulgences to raise money to pay for St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Pope Leo X had him excommunicated and issued what was essentially a Catholic fatwa calling for his death. Thus began the Protestant Reformation. Now we have Trump, after trying unsuccessfully to get the military to shoot nonviolent demonstrators in the legs but then using them to clear Lafayette Square, so he could stand in front of St. John’s Church symbolically holding a Bible UPSIDE DOWN. The archetype of apostasy to Christianity. The experts on authoritarianism say that a key aspect of the authoritarian game plan is to take over religious and other societal institutions and use them to augment their power. Thanks again for your reply.
The contours are now clear. Senate Dems have caved. The ones who actually voted no and the ones - we don’t know who yet, but for sure Schumer - who were complicit. The Dem party will be torn apart by this. Our victories Tues, No Kings, our hard work feels like a mirage. We’ve been betrayed. . . again .
Sadly Schumer has been ineffective for years. He is my Senator - and for years I have wished he would retire. He writes 'strongly worded letters' that do nothing. He is completely uninspiring. Yes, he once was good - but those days are long gone.
SO WHAT! The Minority or majority leader's job (an extremely important job) is to hold their caucus in line. This is what Mike Johnson is very good at. Meanwhile Schumer is weak and lets these Democrats wander off and betray millions and millions of people.
Why do you say that? No Kings and the election victories on Tuesday weren't achieved by anyone in Congress. What was awakened was the power of the people.
It’s demonstrated that Trump, and his puppet Reps, are prepared to shut down government indefinitely and let Trump rule by decree. This has already benefited Democrats in elections.
I added a calendar on my spreadsheet so we can target our calls/letters/emails/faxes to flood offices in an organized manner.
Use/share this spreadsheet (bit.ly/Nokings) as a resource to call/email/write members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Call. Write. Email. Protest. Unrelentingly. We deserve better ❤️🩹🤍💙
Reach out (beyond your own) to as many in the Senate and House as you can. All of this is bigger than “I only represent my constituents” issues.
Add a reaction or comment to help keep this bumped ✊
Direct Google link if you prefer: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13lYafj0P-6owAJcH-5_xcpcRvMUZI7rkBPW-Ma9e7hw/edit?usp=drivesdk
Many Congressional Republicans privately admit Trump is nuts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNzVt7q0W5A
I keep posting. According to Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA) Trumpepstein may cause an "Epstein bomb" causing over 100 Republican members to "jailbreak" from Trump.
Massive Congressional visits November 18.
https://www.instagram.com/flare.usa/p/DP_mdOyjdiG/
Visit CongressionalRepublicans.
https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/851451/
I think that if we play our cards right, many can be convinced by the election outcome to come forward.
I've always put my eggs in the Epstein basket, mostly because the victims won't let this go....
The convict in chief would rather declare martial law than allow for that damning document.
However, Sophia I hope you are right:
If it’s leaked, he’s sunk!
Those wack head Republicans are just figuring this out NOW? Wow. Just Wow.
Some of them fear for their lives.....
Weren't at least SOME of them war veterans? And TRUMP scares them worse than the Taliban?!?!?
(oh insert a slew of really bad words!!)
Miselle, who knows what the threats have been....probably in some cases to their families or some scandal. The most likely one is actually running someone nuttier against them. All it would take is a few of them to stand up together and they could break this. Some of them actually believe the same tripe as well. I have run out of really bad words.
!X&%))!
Well that's not great. But they do need to wake the hell up. They have been sleeping with their heads up orange anus' behind.
We don't need them to convert. Just give us the subpoena power.
Then they need to hire private protection, speak up and rest if they’re too afraid to do their jobs. We cannot govern by fear.
And rightly so, BUT- how about their constituents and the rest of the country. We are all in fear now.
May be the straw that breals the camel's back.
Brendan Boyle is a shining star not just for PA but for all of us. His knowledge about the economy is immense and the fact that 15,000 people came to listen to him, says a lot.
Damn the torpedoes! FULL SPEED AHEAD!
Trump will eventually turn on the Republicans anyway. He's turned on their base. It's his nature. Republicans may as well speak now because it will only get worse. It's their only call. Trump and his handlers are sucking up power like a vucumn cleaner and they're only in the way whether they know it or not. Move it or lose it. Clear the oval office now or more will get hurt or killed.
When things get bad enough for Trump he will be tempted to flood the subway. So stay out of the subway.
( Take a fast Mamdani bus, just to be safe. )
Daniel, it is certain there is something seriously dangerous to Trump and his cadre of handlers that will be even further revealed in the Epstein Files, which is why they are fighting so hard to keep them secret. I keep wondering if Mikey Johnson has something in them that he is so willing to cheat the American people of funds for a House that is not present, mostly Republicans not even holding townhalls at home, in short, We the People are paying for a 7 week vacation after 8+ months of getting nothing positive done for the American people. Shameful, but just what everyone should expect of a bought and paid for set of Republican members of congress.
Thanks for pulling all this together! I just tried to leave a voicemail for “Strikebreaker” Shaheen and her mailbox is full—no surprise. So I sent an email but I know her staff will junk it as soon as they see I’m not in NH. I really wonder what big money is pressuring her to lead such a blatantly misguided effort. And does she really believe this is the way to get re-elected? Spoiler alert: it almost guarantees not.
It's a lose/lose situation so I am torn on this one. The republicans were not going to budge so by the democrats refusing to open the government people couldn't get SNAP and federal employees could't work. By voting to open up the government people won't be able to afford health insurance and some will die. One thing's for sure--people are waking up. The democratic sweep in the elections and trump getting booed by tens of thousands at the football game is heartening....
Andrew Egger, of the Bulwark, summed it up in his post this morning -
"[Trump] is willing to shoot the hostage, and the Democrats are not."
That's about as good a description as I've yet heard.
I'm going to swim against the tide here and agree. The Democrats completely changed the political narrative with this shutdown. Republicans now solidly own the issues of health insurance costs and affordability. The country's consciousness is raised and people know exactly who to blame. And there was a risk that if the shutdown continued there would be diminishing returns and possible blowback as we approach the holidays. The Repubs were never going to cave. This shutdown was a victory.
Lisa, although I appreciate your efforts, it's obvious you are not a NH resident (as I am, lifelong.) Jeanne Shaheen decided earlier this year not to run for re-election, and that has opened up a slew of candidates. I'm hoping Chris Pappas wins it next year -- he's younger, with the experience of a couple terms in the House.
I've long admired both Sens Shaheen and Hassan, each of whom served successful multiple terms as NH governor and are both women. I am, though, greatly disappointed in them with this vote.
Josh Marshall has a much more upbeat take on the end of the shutdown:
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/a-quick-take-on-team-caves-big-win successful,
Yes, and she still won’t stand up for her constituents.
Thanks for speaking up! When I send an email I use an office address of their own and then at the end I say something like, “while I might not be a constituent, what I’m reaching out about is related to ___ committee which ___ is on and therefore he/she does represent me” or “while I might not be a constituent, I will be sure to donate to ____ opponent who cares and acts in a way to protect the average American”
She’s not running for re-election
This direct link is terrific and terrifically useful. Thank you!
wow! Thanks for this spreadsheet!
You’re welcome! I’m hoping it helps us be extra loud!
You’re welcome! Thanks for being aware and active right now!
Thank you!
You’re welcome! Thanks for speaking up right now!
Thanks, I sent missives to both my Senators and both Congressional Reps re: this matter with the subject DO NOT CAVE. Excellent spreadsheet!
Steve, both my senators in Oregon have said they will not cave. Health insurance is already a mess even for those of us who are not using Obamacare. We have the third insurer for Medadvantage for next year. Just found out my chiro does not use that one. She said some companies issue a card with some money on it for out of system places. The one we had for years could not reach an agreement with the local hospital. This whole health care thing is just disgusting. Our neighbors said some insurance person they visited said she has never seen anything like it.
I, too, am on my third insurer for Med Adv. I had Wellcare for 20 years!! then their plans changed(according to my agent)so now on number 3!
Every plan appears to have less coverage.
Disgusting sure is the word.
I've had medical people leave some insurances because they wanted to tell the docs how & who to treat, how much more $ to charge. My dentist also.
Here is a useful Instagram post: all is not lost (I didn't realize that at first - it was very early when I first read about the caving-in):
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQ3KNQoAPY6/
PHEW! Governing is so damn difficult- especially when some office holders can't/ won't see the light of day regarding the real cost to their constituents. Wish all who have lost food & medical benefits would go camp out @ State Houses & march (peacefully) by their homes.
This is so helpful. Thank you.
I have it open on my laptop, available all dayy, everyday.
You’re welcome! Thank you for being aware and active right now!
☎️ THE DEAL IS NOT DONE. CALL YOUR SENATORS and THESE 8 - TELL THEM NOT TO CAVE, AND GET A REAL DEAL ON THE ACA SUBSIDIES.
John Fetterman (PA) - (202)224-4254
Dick Durbin (IL) - (202) 224-2152
Tim Kaine (VA) - (202) 224-4024
Angus King (ME) - (202) 224-5344
Catherine Cortez-Masto (NV) - (202) 224-3542
Jacky Rosen (NV) - (202) 224-6244
Jeanne Shaheen (NH) - (202) 224-2841
Maggie Hassan (NH) - (202) 224-3324
Chuck Schumer - (202) 224-6542 (He’s supposedly a no but he’s the Senate Dem leader and isn’t leading.)
Thanks to Donuts + Democracy for this!
https://donutsanddemocracy.substack.com/
As HCR noted importantly, Senior, Massachusetts, Judge Mark Wolff has resigned to fight autocracy outside the system after 50 years at the DOJ & on the Bench.
Online now, The Atlantic has juste posted: "The Judge's Mission Statement, loud & clear : "Why I am Resigning".
Much more needs to be made of this. Both Heather and Joyce Vance will probably do some deep diving here. Important move to be highlighted.
His last name is Wolf
Paywall.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/11/federal-judge-resignation-trump/684845/
"My reason is simple: I no longer can bear to be restrained by what judges can say publicly or do outside the courtroom. President Donald Trump is using the law for partisan purposes, targeting his adversaries while sparing his friends and donors from investigation, prosecution, and possible punishment. This is contrary to everything that I have stood for in my more than 50 years in the Department of Justice and on the bench. The White House’s assault on the rule of law is so deeply disturbing to me that I feel compelled to speak out. Silence, for me, is now intolerable."
Why? You forgot to add that.
What the neofascist GOP has just shown is that is will close the government forever, go on paid vacations, and dismantle one public service after the other. All illegally, and yet, they couldn't care less.
So why do you imagine that continuing to give the GOP what they want would be actually be helpful here, as you seem to assume... ?
V.P. Chaney liked the Unitary Executive idea. Keeping the House from its work seems to be promoting the Unitary Executive idea.
Dems are losers, no strategy, no cohesion, no plans just weak, impotent losers...prove me wrong.
So that’s the reason Democrats swept the elections at every level last week - because they are losers? Republicans were the losers- read about it. I dare you.
Democrats who negotiated are wrong, I agree, and will be calling those who sold us down river today. but the alternative party is armageddon incarnated. Prove me wrong.
Actually what the treachery of the "Democratic" (sic) Party means -- beyond the final phase of its suicidal fulfillment of its post-JFK role as the Fifth Column of the "Republican" (sic) Christonazi/Neoconfederate/RepubliKlan Party -- is that all of Tuesday's elections are now meaningless. The Democrats have just proved the popular will is no more significant to them than it is to the Christonazis and their ilk.
Respectfully, all those Democrats were elected to state and local offices. And ALL politics is local. If uour back yard has Christo fascists in it, vote them out. That’s your job as a citizen in a democracy. A Democracy- if we can keep it.
I plan on keeping it. You?
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/a-quick-take-on-team-caves-big-win?
(two sides to this move... not over)
Life is not a sitcom. The answer is not magically there at the end of the hour.
Which white Christian nationalist AI did you have write this gibberish for you?
exactly they had a big win and threw it away...losers
I agreee the retrumpians are nazis calling for ww3 but the dems are just useless they always bring their heart on their sleeve to a gun fight. Compromising with the rethugs...you know they never keep their word. Hell my cats know it.
I don’t need to prove your point because you haven’t made one. You’ve made a declaration with no facts to back them up. Republicans have been circumventing the law for decades only this time it’s out in the open and their base who wouldn’t read a piece of legislation to find out facts is why they get away with it.
We need Schoolhouse Rock to play during every sports event or reality TV show MAGA watches. It might be the only way to educate them.
A MAGA complaining about how insurance works in California yesterday on Twitter disliked that I asked for receipts of her assertion instead of Republican talking points retorted with she didn’t believe I lived in California. I was a nurse, spent 10 years in health insurance. I think I know how to read insurance laws and coverages, but she couldn’t let facts get in the way of her narrative.
Just like I say to all the people parroting talking points instead of reading legislation, show me the receipts, read the documents.
Please educate yourself.
TROLL - Terry is a troll.
And uses a tagline from a Gish galloping racist.
I actually gave hundreds of dollars to Biden and then Harris - never again. If the dems had let Bernie run the felon child rapist would not be president twice!
Nope. You’re right. We’re not in lock step with each other, or with anything else. And that’s a good thing.
Democracy is messy. Authoritarianism is brutishly simple.
And while we’re talking about losers, let’s mention the stupendous losers the RepugnantKlans like to align themselves with, like Nazi Germany and the Southern Confederacy.
So we should throw our lot with the Republicans then?
No, we should recognize our cause is hopeless and flee this accursed realm before it exterminates us for opposition to its now utterly omnipotent zero-tolerance Christonazi theocracy. Trump has won; the Democrats have surrendered unconditionally. The RepubliKlan ptromises are naught but lies. There will be no more food stamps, no more ACA, and by the time they are finished, no more Social Security or Medicare. In fact, were I a gambler, I'd bet big money the regime cancels next year's Social Security cost-of-living increase just as it has -- thanks to Democratic treachery -- forever killed SNAP and ACA.
You are a drag....Despair kills and you traffic in that... thankfully it's obvious. I will not respond to you.
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/a-quick-take-on-team-caves-big-win?
We need the old farts dragon us down to retire shummer is too old and only cares about money - he stands for nothing! We need two new parties not one.
Terry, I have been pushing my senators not to cave, but they (Shaheen and Hassan) represent 25% of the 8 Dems who buckled. I feel a bit better about it after reading Josh Marshall's post:
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/a-quick-take-on-team-caves-big-win
Terry is a TROLL
Oh. Thank you.
Trolls still need to be pushed back on.
No. Ignored. Block them to avoid falling into thd trap oc redponding.
spend your energy pushing back at a weak party that has not represented the people who voted them in for 40+ years - then it might mean something...
listen to Bernie, Pitzker, Warren. Newcome
not so fast...and btw despair is a killer....
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/a-quick-take-on-team-caves-big-win?
Intelligence has been chasing you all of your life but you have always managed to stay one step ahead.
Schumer didn't cave, others did, so much for solidarity.
🤬😩🤬
It didn't happen without his knowledge and approval.
They ALL took donations from AIPAC ‼️
I have never been encouraged to write to Sens and Reps other than my own. In fact we were told that any out-of-staters were deleted or round-filed by staffers.
Susan Collins hasn't responded to an email I have sent in several years. Once McConnell became SML she started working closely with him and started ignoring the needs of her constituents.
But, I keep writer her nonetheless. Many of us live in rural areas covered by small town newspapers that will publish letters. I'm sure many of you have submitted letters to your local papers and/or commented in the comment section provided.
Since all Republican politicians are cruel and hateful assholes, it may be a better option than contacting your Senators and Congresscritters.
As a life long Mainer. My husband & I write & call Collins weekly. We rarely receive anything answers other than a form letter about nothing! She is s completely out of touch with most Mainers. Lately her campaign for re-election has been showing television ads with people thanking her what she brings to Maine. They never mention all the losses of funding that her votes with her party have taken away from Maine!
We live in Hancock County which is where Graham Platner lives and Shenna Bellows and Matthew Dunlap. Dunlap is running to replace Jared Golden announced his retirement last week as you know.
There are lots of Platner signs and none for Collins. It is time for her to go.
She is an ungrateful twit. Years ago, my wife and I were on the same flight as her and Olympia Snow. We were in the waiting area in Portland for almost an hour. They never spoke a word to each other or even looked at each other. I really like Snowe but she was way too moderate for the Maine Republicans and they treated her badly.
Karen, I target members of committees; as someone on (for instance) the Judiciary Committee, they influence matters that apply nationwide, along with the Armed Services Committee.
Besides, I have a very poor handwriting. We all have different approaches. Mine are songs and performances.
My Senators are Schumer and Gillibrand, and it feels as if I’m just shouting into the wind. I write and call anyway. 😏
Mine are Ben Ray Lujan and Martin Heinrich. Both good Democrats who care deeply about New Mexico. I have met with and talked to both of them. They want to hear from us. And I want to thank them for their tireless work not only on the current stale mate but on other issues near and dear to my heart - like preserving our public lands.
I keep sending messages to Schumer NOT TO SURRENDER.
Perhaps you could try to explain WHY he would be surrendering here, instead of just writing stuff that, frankly speaking, makes no sense (since when is voting NO all while understanding that the only choice on the table is either no SNAP and no Obamacare or no Obamacare and still having SNAP) somehow "surrendering"... ???).
Have you just joined this forum?
He didn't, good work
He didn't but enough Dems did.
Perhaps stop shouting and start thinking... ?
What they did here was refusing to allow the GOP to cut SNAP. It was that (restoring SNAP) or no SNAP and no Obamacare.
Don't like that choice? Stop the obsessive, emotional Dem bashing and learn to engage in real debates, so that we can finally convince GOP voters to vote for Democrats, the ONLY ones who care about them.
It was a metaphor for not being heard, E…B. After hundreds of calls/emails/postcards to Schumer/Gillibrand and many other D & R politicians, I’ve received no responses from Schumer and only one from Gillibrand. I expected no responses from any Rs, but I did receive responses from other Ds.
Schumer denounced the agreemt.
Mine too. Schumer has become useless.
Are you working for the GOP?
Are you kidding me? I do not bash the Democrats. I have been saying this about this particular Senator for years.
Mine are Trump sycophants and I feel I am shouting into the void. But what else have I got.
My rep is tom emmer and I shout up his void daily. Reps and Senators do not read their constituent emails. Maybe a few hand picked ones but it isn't possible to read what are probably hundreds if not thousands of them. That is why they have staff.
But I have begun to add comments that are aimed squarely at those reading the emails. If tom emmer is a coward then isn't it safe to assume that those who work for him are also? As EUWDTB put it..'convince GOP voters to vote for Democrats'. Peal them off one at a time, where ever you can find them.
Schumer and Gillibrand both denounced the agreement, you are making a difference.
Schumer is trying to have it both ways. He could not keep his caucus in line now he is playing another game. He needs to go.
What would you have him do?
I use all and every take action email link possible because of my dysgraphia or chicken scratch writing as the nuns would call it. Every organized relation and every type of group is now getting involved with these types of communications. And they do if a constituent have to record abd label the call or letter. I also individually write and call.
The other way is to get any group you are linked to and get them to travel to the state capitol and state legislatures. Your state rep and state senator also play a role. Parishes and counties wards and neighborhood political or name a concern- environmental, social justice, peace, spiritual , schools of all kinds and sorts, music and theater, art areas. Every type of group is important in its own way. Victory gardens in WWI and WWII were another way. So all the community gardens and programs essential. The Hollywood Canteen and their efforts. Will Rogers and his role. I still like the mimes! Whatever works to change this.
Yes, that was always my impression as well.
See Megan’s spreadsheet.
I never had been drawn to either, but I feel like we’re in a major moment where we have to be extra loud. I don’t think we’ll see many big waves (like a major MAGA Congress member changing their opinions), however I think we can cause little ripples. I’m thinking staff members who hear the same thing over and over via voicemail, phone calls, letter after letter, email after email - maybe they’ll be a little more receptive each time they hear from us. Maybe they’ll talk more about our talking points to friends and family, maybeeee they’ll vote differently. As a collective, our volume matters. And, at the end of the day, if we just annoy and overwhelm some staffers working for people hurting the average American, I’m ok with that too 🙃
I just wrote Fetterman. I can’t stand what a sell out he is. I am spitfire angry right now. 😡
Connection, Brandy. Fetterman has sided with the Republicans and isn't changing his mind or his vote. He is a bitter disappointment to many of his constituents.
I think it might be time to get him recalled! His behaviors show him to be a bit off center! Or off his meds.
I supported John Fetterman during his campaign for the Senate, voted for him, and encouraged others to support him too. I once called him the real deal in this forum. In hindsight, my enthusiasm for him was misguided, to put it mildly. I won't be making the same mistake again.
I, for one, respect your honesty here. Thanks for that. As Will Rogers once said " If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging."
Thanks, Gregg. Fool me once....
Yes, he has become the new Joe Manchin.
The comparison of Fetterman to Manchin is apt. Fetterman is a "rich kid" from York County in southeast Pennsylvania, a predominantly Republican area. His parents were staunch Republicans.
The reason Pennsylvania is a "swing state" is that, like many states in the U.S., it is largely rural, where people typically have less education and are resultantly poorly informed and more prejudiced. This widespread ignorance is offset by better educated citizens in the cities, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The power struggle between the cities and the boondocks has been going on for generations.
Fetterman won his Senate seat mainly because he wasn't Mehmet Oz, a non-resident of PA. Like Manchin, from another "hillbilly state," Fetterman is a "DINO" (Democrat in name only). He's a declared Democrat only to get the urban vote. Philosophically, he's a Republican, and he will always disappoint Democrats.
Dale, while I agree with some of your points, I caution you about painting all rural residents of PA., or any state, with the same paintbrush. We're not all less educated, poorly informed, and prejudiced nor are we ignorant. It's well past time for the "hillbilly state" trope to die. It serves nothing and no one.
Kamila, I choose my words carefully. I used the word "typically" to allow for those ever-present exceptions. I grew up in several PennsylvaniaI towns, and now live in THE hillbilly state because that's where my career took me, not by choice. Most of my neighbors – but not all of them – are poorly educated and prejudiced. More than you or anyone, I wish Arkansas (and Pennsylvania) wasn't a hillbilly state. But the majority of residents here continue to earn the nickname.
I'm a member of several minority groups, all of whom are painted with numerous unflattering brushes. But until my peers stop doing what they do – even though I don't – I'm stuck with the stereotypes.
Hello, Dale. Thank you for your reply. I'm sorry for the bad experiences you've had at the hands of your neighbors and perhaps colleagues. It's wrong and shameful and shouldn't happen anywhere. At some point in the future, I hope you will be able to relocate to an area where you will be happy. I send my support and kindest regards to you.
I called Senator Tim Kaine . I am so angry and disgusted that he would cave . After standing together this long, it makes the Democrats seem weak and divided and, even more than that, makes this compromise so foolish. It will only help Trump.
Yes and suddenly Republicans have no complaints about his unprofessional attire or mental health issues. As long as he votes with them he could come in wearing a diaper or a clown costume.
F is sick in the head. He's irrational.
Let Them Eat Tax Cuts
The Trump administration has found a new way to make America great again, by making sure millions of Americans can’t afford groceries. It’s bold, it’s strategic, and it’s perfectly in character. Why feed the hungry when you can weaponize starvation to score political points?
SNAP, the program that helps 42 million people eat actual food, apparently didn’t make the MAGA menu this month. There is $29 billion sitting in reserves for exactly this purpose, but the administration decided to lock the pantry and swallow the key. Nothing says fiscal discipline like letting kids go hungry so the president can win a game of legislative chicken.
When a federal judge said, “Feed the people,” the administration replied, “We’d rather not.” They appealed, stalled, and begged the Supreme Court for help, proving that no amount of judicial intervention can force compassion into a budget meeting. Meanwhile, a few defiant states went ahead and issued the benefits, prompting the USDA to clutch its pearls and demand they take the money back. Nothing says “family values” quite like telling governors to repossess dinner.
While all this unfolded, Trump was at Mar-a-Lago hosting another luxury dinner of scallops, filet, and the sweet taste of irony, before heading to an NFL game where the crowd did what Americans do best: boo him like he just fumbled democracy. Somewhere between the salad course and the second quarter, he promised every American a mysterious $2,000 dividend. Treasury had no idea what he meant, which suggests the payout might come in the form of “thoughts and prayers.”
This, of course, is the same man who vows to defend “real Americans,” though his definition apparently excludes anyone shopping at Aldi. The White House insists this is about forcing Democrats to pass a spending bill, but it looks more like performance art titled Starvation as Leverage.
So now we wait, as millions wonder whether the turkey will arrive before the eviction notice, while the president carves another steak and calls it leadership. In this America, hunger is policy, cruelty is strategy, and compassion is socialism.
“Let them eat cake” is too classy for this crowd. The new slogan fits the era perfectly: Let them eat tax cuts. https://essayx.substack.com/p/let-them-eat-tax-cuts
Bravo!
Anything relevant to Dr Richardson's essay here?
EDIT P.S., Megan, please excuse my 'snittitude'; late night grumpiness. My apologies.
The confusion within government itself, all caused by a demented baby demanding his rattle, has reached the screaming decibel level. Still, I am heartened by a federal judge who basically retired himself in order to denounce the administration's daily attacks against the rule of law. Small acts of courage beget further acts by others and so on. It's not much, but it's what I've chosen to feel positive about. The rest? Not so much...
As always, I value what you write, and I appreciate that with unsheathed.
HCR gives us the info and perspective we need to resist.
Megan's spread sheet helps us translate that knowledge into political action.
And Joyce Vance gives us legal contexts and background that flesh out the contemporary details. I subscribed to Richardson and Vance before I was introduced to Substack.
Same with me. They are both terrific. Also subscribe to Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Tim Snyder, and a few others I find very important.
Scathing, hilarious, political cartoons.
Steve Brodner includes political commentary, resistance opportunities, and sometimes interactive cartooning.
The Greater Quiet | Steve Brodner | Substack
.https://stevebrodner.substack.com/.
THE deEP STATE : The political artwork of Michael de Adder | Substack
.https://deadder.substack.com/.
And we should use as able, all day, every day
I feel I am receiving a BC College education without the high price tag. I wish I had had teachers like HCR when I was in school!
Good point. I was chafing at seeing the same info. all of the time. I now regret that attitude. I am older and lazier, so Megan's prodding me along is just what the Doctor (Richardson, that is) would order.
"In 2019, she started publishing Letters from an American, a nightly newsletter that chronicles current events in the larger context of American history. Richardson focuses on the health of American democracy. As of July 2025, the newsletter had over 3.2 million subscribers, making it one of the most popular Substack publications.[1]"
Dr. Richardson, being a historian, started Letters From An American as a historical record of these times.
I didn't find out until early this morning that 8 Democratic senators caved last night. By Dr Richardson's last line she published before the decision was made. Leaves with lots of questions. Main one ? What is Mike Johnson going to do now? Can he be forced back to doing his job in Washington now? Where is the lawsuit going that Adrlita Grijalva sued johnsom for not swearing her in. I want to scream from the top of the roof tops about this absolute failure of a human being, representative in the house and especially majority leader ( that term being used very loosely). I wonder what it's like to be him knowing how spineless, anti Christian and an absolute trump lackey he is? Release the Epstein files. Also he has NO intention of talking about ACA funding nor any intention of an alternative to health care funding.
I will say, contrary to some other comments I've read I think there are inspiring moves in the Democratic party around the country. One is the judge in Oregon that kept Federalized troops from going in to Oregon. The two women, while I have not studied their campaigns closely seemed to have won by revealing the failing economy as their main platform. Among other things.
Oooooh, excellent point! Imagine how sweeeeet! it will be if this forces johnson back to work and is instrumental in forcing the vote on the epstein files!!
My initial comment is extremely relevant. I’m providing a tool to help people speak up to Congress about SNAP, the emergency funds we should be demanding be used (especially after a judge order), the government shutdown, we can send our ideas to help problem solve cutting flights, question Congress why a district judge should need to resign in order to speak out and ask if they’re also not speaking up publicly for reasons like Wolf said some judges can’t.
If we’re not using the knowledge Professor Richardson gives us to DO something and speak up (like she encourages us to do in videos and talks with people), what are we doing? Just sitting, doom scrolling and complaining to the wrong people?
Action takes guidance. I am more knowledgeable when I reach out to Congress because of Professor Richardson and this letter of hers is a prime example. I then help encourage action from others by sharing a spreadsheet (that is completely free…or actually costs me money to share because of paid subscriptions I’ll pop around on in order to be able to comment).
Megan, I was out-of-bounds. My apologies. Relevant to me as well, since I need some prodding these days.
EDIT P.S., Megan, what people like you are doing is effective. These days, I either get no response or a generic one to my e-mails to my District's (MD-3) Representative as well as my State's Senators and Governor. I suspect the through-put of correspondence from concerned citizens is overwhelming these offices.
No worries. I do 100% worry that I’m “riding on coattails” of others and don’t know if I should comment my sheet over and over. But we have to take action and not just let fear about what’s happening spiral us ❤️🩹
Yes, Megan, you should ABSOLUTELY keep posting. It chips away at the resistance of people like me, Apathy is too easy and almost complicit. You are right about the fear's fatal consequence. 🙏🏾
Megan, I would have the same misgivings you do now about posting every day; I am not sure I would have your strength to persevere. President Jefferson would join me in saluting your republican virtue.🗽
Just remember, s.v.p., that, quite fittingly, the responses to my initial comment drew many more likes than did my whining in the wee-hours.⚖️
For myself, I would have a feeling of consternation followed by disappointment if you were not here doing what you have been doing. Keep putting one foot in front of the other forward!
Thanks 💙✊
Use it to contact the Democrats who are bending nicely to the GOP. Especially if they are your senators
"Use/share this spreadsheet (bit.ly/Nokings) as a resource to call/email/write members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations." Contacting our representatives is needed work, just as Judge Wolf's resignation so that he has the freedom to speak openly and freely is a signal that our democratic system is under serious attack. While Trump is a buffoon, even buffoons can wreck the ship of state. My experience is that the hearts and minds of the MAGATs in impenetrable. While votes still count, if they do, we need to out vote them. There can now be no doubt that there is a Nazi mentality in this country that has seized control of the minds of many of us, democracy be damned. Let's make those calls, write those letters. It's a way for us to answer "the call to arms." This is as serious as it can get. No foreign invasion - Trump is right, there is an "enemy within," and he's that enemy.
kane and rosen seem to be two to lean on just a bit harder.
AOC for speaker. release the epstein files!
I cannot bring myself into affinity with farmers. They voted for Trump. No doubt farmers would be a lot smarter had they gone to Trump University. Let farmers eat soybeans. Soybeans are a great source of protein.
“All of us who are dismayed by the present state of the union, this is no time to give up,” Biden declared. “It’s time to get up. Get up now, get up.”
If you have become overwhelmed, rely on my 2 buckets to sanity. 2 buckets says stay in the fight. We are winning with a year to midterms. If you stay in, we will shut them down.
https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/too-much-two-buckets-to-sanity?r=3m1bs
Thank you for excellent work!
Thank you so much for this - I appreciate your work! 🤗
Megan. Thank You
Thank you. Inspirational and very helpful.
thank you!
This is a GENIUS document thank you so much! Trying to get Aftyn Behn Tennessee 07 into Congress! Last Election of 2025! Early voting starts tomorrow and Election is on Dec 2nd! Anyone from TN 07 Spread the word!
You’re welcome! Thank you for working hard with voting!!
"I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat."
- Will Rogers
Well, you're a member of a party that at least held its shit together for 40 days in the Senate, longer than any other shutdown in American history, while a demented baby played Great Gatsby re-enactments in Florida and Senate Republicans were too chickenshit to do the right thing by their own constituents -- so great is their terror of Trump and being primaried, doxed, threatened. Against fascism, I don't know, maybe we are disorganized. But we've been learning a lot of lessons and starting to act on them at the same time.
The intensity, scale and cruelty of these events are unprecedented in our history. Every flaw in our constitutional and institutional arrangements is seemingly coming home to roost -- from a Supreme Court granting a demented President unprecedented power and freedom from accountability, a Senate that refused to convict him for obstruction of justice and attempted blackmail TWICE when it could, a deeply flawed Electoral College that continues to grant excessive power to less populated states against the will of the majority, a hugely gerrymandered House, and virtually unlimited amounts of black money fueling the status quo.
And above all? An electorate too indifferent or too influenced by poison to figure out right from wrong, sense from nonsense, last November. This November, we got clear evidence that the needle has begin its march back to common sense and real fear fear for what they are trying to do to this country. It may yet turn out that all this awfulness actually gives that movement toward sanity and accountability a great push forward. It's certainly something to keep working toward.
It’s Come To This, you have succinctly and accurately listed the flaws and when we regain power maybe we will actually take action to correct at least some of them. I am particularly concerned about “unlimited amounts of black money fueling the status quo”. I wonder if both parties in Congress are more answerable to their donors than to their constituents. That is why we need to relentlessly and loudly let them know what we expect. For example, if we are unhappy with the action the eight Democrats and one Independent took to compromise with the Republicans without health care guarantees, we should let them know, and support Jeffries and representatives in refusing to cave.
Money in our politics is the biggest problem. At this point, it seems that there is so much money flowing into our government officials, that it is all they care about. I don’t think we will ever see a society that leans on the fair side and has logical taxation, social programs (healthcare, childcare, elderly care, education, etc.), wage profiles (min wage that actually keeps up with inflation) and benefits that actually help all Americans. It seems like both parties simply want Americans over the barrel. I for one, have followed all the rules and feel like there is not much benefit in the long run - especially watching my adult children struggle in a system that is rigged to induce stress.
I agree. My adult son can’t find a job and has had to move back in with me. It’s not easy, and I dont know how we’ll get out of this.
We just spent 12 days off line in Florida as the tide seems to have started changing. The most pleasant dreams started immediately after Nov 4th results started looking solid, imagining some of my old party actually listening to us independent and Democratic constituents more than their party leaders.
Those three nights of good dreams for our country and the world came after a more personal pleasant dream following the 15th annual Memorial Celebration at the Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery near Gainesville, FL, remembering those lost with about 175 others who's friends and families chose a natural burial that conserves land and reunites people with the Earth (or as Wendell Berry would say, replenishes the Earth). That ceremony started with a Cherokee Peace Chant and was a great introduction to us with its proximity to All Saints Day, All Souls Day, and Dia de los Muertos (the last of which we knew of in California but had never participated in), altogether a heartwarming convergence of many different people and beliefs.
The delays flying back the night of the 8th did nothing to discourage a renewed commitment to press harder than ever for the government to realign with the will of the people.
Itmwill being the House back to session. Jeffries says he'll hold the line. May lead to further negotiations.
Hopefully it'll be Emstein time.
I so hope you are right. I am depressed after the democratic cave last night. I know what their aim was, I fear they missed the target.
Arithmetic probably determined that outcome from the beginning. There's only so much you can do with a losing hand, if your opponents are bent on lockstep cruelty.
It Comes to This. I not only like what you’re saying. I have hope that the Majority of the people can step up and Vote For Democracy, not party but for the good of the people and Country
Another point I want to understand is How in hell did we allow a person in the White House to have such extravagant parties and birthday parades on tax payers money???
The intensity, scale and cruelty of these events are unprecedented in our history.
Just one small point...German Shepherd's and lynchings.
Yes, thank you. There is that.
And within memory.
Thank you.
Perhaps those Senators from less populated states should have their votes rated by the population they actually represent. In other words maybe Montana’s Senator only gets 1/3 of a vote.
Discouraged? 🫤 Please listen to Brian Tyler Cohen explain in great detail the negative implications of this vote. BUT please stay with him until the end when he outlines 4 positive outcomes.
It’s time to stay engaged and keep focused on the goal of prevailing in the midterms.
Expose the Epstein files! Protect folks from ICE and new imposters posing as ICE! Keep up our work!
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16U23c557k/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Or
https://youtu.be/AIXAJSj4UvU?si=4Vx_1FY5pHcAtERP
Could you summarize the four positive outcomes Cohen sees here, please?
Reductions in force will be reversed and SNAP benefits restored, ACA vote in December where republicans will have to go on record not supporting a popular plan, Adelita Grijalva will be sworn in to expose the Epstein files, and finally we will have an opportunity to redefine the Democratic Party by listening to the candidates who are bringing new ideas and voices to make the party even stronger.
No one will ever convince me that Mike Johnson will allow any vote that opens up the Epstein Files.
I think enough votes can force his hand. And they have been using the shut down government as an excuse. What the Dems want is to force Republicans to go on record with their votes. No avoiding accountability and excuses.
Watching Allison Gill’s breakdown on Meidas yesterday, the files sound way worse than we’ve heard. Agents were deeply affected by what they saw during the haphazard review directed by Trump, bondi and Patel. Also, the security of these files were greatly compromised throughout the process. I’m hoping that carelessness will lead to leaks.
Worth the watch:
https://www.youtube.com/live/hEi77Ibr7r8?si=zBOtX5F8QLPwdjBj
i fear you may be right. they must be worse than we can imagine.
Thanks very much, there’s only so much time to watch/read everything going on.
Thanks a lot!
What does he mean by redefining the Democratic Party here though? Does he mean that too many people will be disgusted by the outcome and blame Democrats for having chosen the best of two horrible options on the table, so now they need to ignore "experience" and instead go for "new faces" once again... ? Just to keep us all entertained... ?
EU, good questions. I encourage you to watch/listen to BTC to hear his explanation. You can find it 1/2 way through his post.
Ok, will do, thanks!
But will Johnson call another recess to avoid doing his job? It’s the holidays, they will barely be in session. His first excuse will be that reps can’t get flights to conduct business. They have been out almost the entire time of the initial CR which means they haven’t started the work the CR was meant to give them time for. Why isn’t this being hammered into the public’s heads? Where is the media? That CR wasn’t meant to give them a paid vacation. This pisses me off more than any of their other shenanigans.
I fear that the senate’s passing the CR by enticing Dems with false promises to negotiate the ACA subsidies will lead to nothing. I hope that someone will ask for a vote to remove The Felon President’s Johnson will lead to a schism in the SNOW FLAKE REPUBLICAN caucus and an appointment of a more moderate Speaker …(pipe dream). Whatever happens, the resolution to the rampant Administration’s RAPE of the country is dependent upon removing the republicans from office in such a deep manner as to be able to overturn any Veto the fat waste of air in the White House makes. We must be able to impeach the SOB and his administration over Roberts’ objections. While they are at it, Roberts must be impeached as well.
These Dems have been working with the GOP for decades, so they know better than anyone else that a GOP promise doesn't mean anything.
So they didn't do it because they believed those promises either.
And THE problem is that they have NO power to ASK for anything ("we the people" took it away from them).
As to the GOP caucus: under Biden, any pro-democracy Republican has been replaced by a pro-MAGA one, so either the new Reps are corrupt or pro-fascism or both...
And indeed, the only solution is a massive blue wave, with Democrats having a 60+ majority in the Senate, as well as controlling the House and the WH.
That will allow us to add more Justices, and then the pro-fascism ("Unitary Executive Theory", in their Newspeak) Justices will become a minority and the law enforced again...
Term limits as well!
So that we never have people with a solid experience inside Congress? No thanks!
I actually listened to Brian Taylor Cohen, but it was so depressing that I quit halfway through. Thank you for suggesting staying until the end.
Good one Karen. Today proved that! I am mystified. All that work for election wins and prop 50. Today’s actions are angrifying. New voters, getting young people to cast votes, giving the party a second look- disillusioned.
I read today that “democrats get caught up in procedure and republicans can’t govern”.
Mystified? Really?
First we take away all the power from Democrats (after historians ranked Biden near the top of all US presidents in terms of achievements). Then we give a neofascist GOP full control over DC. Then they start dismantling all crucial public services - goal they can achieve much faster during a shutdown.
And your idea is that this is a normal party, interested in the normal democratic process where you compromise to keep the government OPEN?
What are Democrats' bargaining ships here?
NOTHING that the GOP cares about. So basically nothing.
The election wins and Prop 50 were crucial, but the left in the US has been systematically rejecting the only ones who are serious about making progress for "the people": Democrats. So it will decades to restore a semblance of democracy again. And it's Democrats who, as always, are and will be the only ones fighting for it. No matter how many times we fail to think and then turn against them again.
I want to sail on a Democratic bargaining “ship.” Can we go where it’s warmer? ☺️
15 million Americans who lose healthcare. 40 million Americans, including many children, who no longer have food.
That's what we're talking about here.
So... any comments on substance, by chance?
So what's your time horizon here? Is 7 weeks now the long term? Because in 7 weeks, the same 15 million people who were going to lose healthcare on 1/1 are still going to lose their healthcare on 1/1. I assume you'd at least agree that there is no prospect, NONE, of those subsidies coming back by then, right? So what did the Dems do for those 15 million people?
SNAP is absolutely a harder case. But again, what's your time horizon here and what's your scenario? You do know that if there is ever an actual budget it needs only a majority to pass under budget reconciliation, right? What's your calculation on the SNAP program making it through the budget process funded more, less or the same as now?
What cruelties will the administration NOT inflict on the country now that they face no opposition? Now that there's nobody standing up to it? I hope your answer is not that we can try again at the end of January because (1) the Dems have lost all credibility over their staying power and commitment and (2) the only things the Dems would even have a chance of stopping are those that the R's can't force into a budget reconciliation bill. The R's have shown that they will stop at nothing, including starving children and coming close to shutting down the economy by shutting down airports. Who knows what additional cruelties they'll come up with next time w/ the full knowledge that the D's will cave?
Appeasing a bully never works. Yes, the Dems had a bad hand. But for a while there, they stood up to the bully and had a chance to do some good. What do we do now? Wait for 357 days hoping we still have a country by then?
Those are the wrong questions.
All too often, we ask what Dems did for us AFTER we took away all power to work for us in the first place. Then we refuse to vote for them because they don't achieve anything for us.
It's the main reason why progress in the US is so extremely slow, compared to most other Western countries.
It's BECAUSE a neofascist GOP will inflict ALL kinds of cruelties on the country, regardless of what Dems do or the courts decide, that the only thing Dems can do is to at least keep the government open, because destroying public services happens much faster during a shutdown.
Conclusion: the GOP wants a shutdown and Democrats forced them to end it. That's not "appeasing a bully", it's forcing him to slow down. And that is all the power that "we the people" gave Dems in the first place... .
Don't throw the tea overboard, MLM
Yes. So please calll your representative from the House. Tell them to vote no.
Why? You forgot to add that.
More than mystified, I am angrified. (Good one).
hear hear!
The fact that the Democrats are NOT 'organized' is why I am a Democrat.
The GOP is too lockstep for my tastes. I want my party leaders to be allowed to think for themselves, not forced to vote the way they are told to vote by someone higher up the food chain.
James Fallows posted today that he has spoken with senior ATCs and other people who are knowledgeable about the flight restrictions, and they ALL agree that this is a purely political step by Maladministration II to make things more difficult for people, just like the denial of SNAP benefits, that there is no crisis needing this "fix."
Every single one of Maladministration II's vampires need stakes driven through them and the bodies left for the sun, come 2029.
Sadism as state policy.
Repubs make things worse, deliberately and with malice. Dems make things worse with spineless ignorance and what they think are good intentions.
Kinzinger pretty much said that today too. About the flight restrictions not the stakes... although he'd probably agree with that too.
Restrict private jets, problem solved.
They did that today. Let the sugar britches take the Grayhound!
I’d love to see that
Good one!
Stole it from somebody…
Quit bragging -- you merely nationalized it for the good of the people . . . . 😉
l am a BIG fan of Adam Kinzinger. https://www.c-span.org/clip/january-6-hearings/user-clip-brav-rep-kinzinger-1minvid/5021441
Absolutely. Trump ran another shutdown in 2019 that lasted 34 days. There were no flight delays. But this hurts the educated people who don’t need SNAP and cruelty is the point.
Perspective from ALPA President Capt. Jason Ambrosi:
https://www.instagram.com/alpapilots/reel/DQxP-7PCrlH/
Thanks for the clip. R.
And we need to keep hammering the fact that the problems that people are having is purely due to the Rethugs playing vicious politics with their lives. Dems are trying to reach some agreement that will lessen the pain for people who are the pawns in this standoff. Not flying home for Thanksgiving is an inconvenience, not having food to eat on Thanksgiving is a National disgrace.
My Trumper neighbor ( devoted Fauxnooz watcher) tried to tell me yesterday that the shutdown is all the Dems fault. I asked how that was when the Dems had offered to vote for their CR if they would extend the current tax relief for the ACA for one year and negotiated a solution so that millions did not lose health insurance…….
Crickets
The deal is clear. Lead by Maine Independent Sen. Angus King, the Sell-Out Caucus has gained nothing. The GOP promise of a bound to fail ACA vote? Seriously?
King voted MAGA in March and has spent the past month lobbying for other sell-outs. And fresh off Tuesday's Big Tent Blue Wave, King et al have given Trump this big win. It is a gut punch to all of us who have united to work so hard. King and the Sell-Out Caucus just demonstrated how much more work we have to do. And how much fortitude we must continue to have.
We need to repeat who is in sell-out caucus ad nauseam. It’s not just Schumer
Bernie Sanders has said this is very, very bad. "We have lot of work to do, but to be honest with you tonight was not a good night."
Tim Kaine - Virginia
Catherine Cortez Masto - Nevada
John Fetterman - Pennsylvania/Israel
Maggie Hassan - New Hampshire
Dick Durbin - Illinois
Angus King - Maine
Jeanne Shaheen - New Hampshire
Jack Rose - Nevada
I am thoroughly disgusted with my 2 senators from NH: Hassan and Shaheen, 2 people I was once proud to have representing NH in Congress. Shame on them for apparently getting little or nothing. Shaheen is retiring in 2026, so there's no blowback for her.
I will be calling their offices in the morning to register my disapproval.
I posted a podcast from a person listing each Senators PAC money received. Check it out. I am heartsick.
Where did you post this podcast?
Yes, Barbara, please provide the link.
Senators retiring show their true colors.
I used Megan's spreadsheet and emailed every single one of them. I had to be creative with Catherine Cortez- Masto but finally used Health assistance to get an email through. I also included SNAP in all emails.
Kaine may not be up for reelection for a while, but I have a long memory. I eagerly await the opportunity to support his primary opponent.
The cretins have mail boxes full, and phone lines busy. Modern day version of “m’lady is not in.” Screw you…
Schumer is NOT one of them. King, Kaine, Cortez Mastro, Rosen, Fetterman, and 3 others I can’t remember, but not Schumer.
Schumer has failed as the leader, or there would not be eight sell outs. He just gave himself covet.
And who could have done better??
Laurie, I'm not fan of Schumer, but I feel a tiny bit better about things this morning after reading this post from Josh Marshall:
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/a-quick-take-on-team-caves-big-win
I always look for silver linings, but this doesn't do it for me. If we do everything we can and miraculously take back the Senate in 26, and the House, before that is gerrymandered out of reach, then I have no faith that these senators will do what needs to be done on voting rights, statehood for DC, SCOTUS reform.... they are not seizing the moment. It hurts.
I totally get that, Laurie, and I take little comfort in TPM's post, apart from the points that he made saying there should be and will be a reckoning. I'm done with the current geriatric generation of Dem leaders (apart from a few -- Warren, Sanders, etc.). As much as I want to see a change of parties controlling the executive and legislative branches (and by extension, the judicial), I also want to see a change *within* the Dem party, to which I've been a loyal voter for 50 years.
He voted no but he remains totally ineffectual. He is my Senator and he is well past his sell-by date.
It is Schumer's job to see this does not happen. This is a very, very serious matter if he can't even hold his caucus in line.
Barbara, I encourage you to read this (and I fully supported a continued shutdown):
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/a-quick-take-on-team-caves-big-win
"We’re in a battle for at least the rest of this decade that will require a very different kind of Democratic Party — not one that is more right or left but one that is both comfortable using power and knows how to do it."
Thank you, very much, for this article. It's really clear on things.
The fix was in. You can try to convince me that Schumer was not in on the deal. His whip (not running in 2026) was a leader in the GOP CR passing. https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/pieces-of-8-shit?r=3m1bs
I don’t pretend to know whether Sen. Schumer was in on the deal. The 60–40 split was ... interesting in its “perfection.” I’m waiting to see how it turns out. Will it pass the House? They have to come back, as I understand it, and the implications of that will be fascinating. All I know is voters need to vote for the Democratic Party, with all its imperfections, if they want to keep their democratic republic. Circular firing squads won’t help.
This is a complicated situation for sure. It will take a while to unravel. Telling people to essentially shut up and get in line is a bad symptom in a situation where we are all fighting to maintain our freedom of speech. To all the voices saying these things it is ironic that you think you have the agency to say these things, but other people should shut up.
In a vital Party all voices are heard, dissent is welcomed, heard and solutions are reached. In a Democracy all voices are heard. A strong Party can withstand change.
In summary. To all the free speech monitors in this forum. Please stop suppressing free speech. Please stop trying to control my vote. You can block people if you want or even report them.
I don’t really disagree with most of what you say, Barbara. “In a Democracy all voices are heard.” The problem is I’m not sure you have a democracy anymore. At crisis moments like the US is in, people need to come together. But by all means, vote as you wish. My hope for the US is that enough people come together to elect the saner party so that afterwards they can get on with debating how to improve the party and the country.
I just saw the list, surprise that the leadership can’t lead.
Robert Hubbell has reported the details of the Democratic senators’ capitulation — at least I believe he has in a Substack post. If he’s correct, Trump has gotten everything he wants. I’ve called Schumer and left a message telling him I am appalled! That’s the nicest word I could think of.
''In the end, eight broke off on Sunday night to side with Republicans and allow the measure to advance: Mr. King, Mr. Kaine and Senators Dick Durbin of Illinois; John Fetterman of Pennsylvania; Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen, both of New Hampshire; and Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen, both of Nevada.'' NYT
Durbin's phone lines appear to be turned off. Cowards and traitors, all 8 of them. And no leadership from Schumer, or this vote would never happen.
Schumer has GOT TO GO! He’s not only not leading, he’s a whimpy loser! HOW could they waste all that energy Dems had mustered by backing down?!!!
Why?
You forgot to add that.
Anger is easy.
Understanding what is going on requires calm thinking. I'd invite you to give it a try, once in a while. America's democracy depends on it.
Schumer didn't back down, he denounced the deal. A few rouge Dems caved.
Why do you call it "caving"?
Because it is...
A competent Speaker would have met with each of them and negotiated them out of voting with the R’s ! Nancy successfully did this all the time!
Nancy had the majority, she didn't need to get every Democrat on board. And often she didn't.
Nancy was Speaker of the House, she could only be speaker by having the majority. Chuck is the minority leader in the Senate. He doesn't have the advantage she did.
But, "It's not over until it's over" ~Yogi
Let's hope something good comes of this.
Traitors? By fighting for SNAP and refusing to play the GOP's game of taking away ALL public services, one after the other, while keeping the government shut down indefinitely... ?
Imho, you fail to see who the real enemy here is.
It's always the same problem with America's left.
Durbin's lines are almost always off, I've discovered. He's retiring so he probably doesn't give a poop.
Thanks for getting the names.
☎️ THE DEAL IS NOT DONE. CALL YOUR SENATORS and THESE 8 - TELL THEM NOT TO CAVE, AND GET A REAL DEAL ON THE ACA SUBSIDIES.
John Fetterman (PA) - (202)224-4254
Dick Durbin (IL) - (202) 224-2152
Tim Kaine (VA) - (202) 224-4024
Angus King (ME) - (202) 224-5344
Catherine Cortez-Masto (NV) - (202) 224-3542
Jacky Rosen (NV) - (202) 224-6244
Jeanne Shaheen (NH) - (202) 224-2841
Maggie Hassan (NH) - (202) 224-3324
Chuck Schumer - (202) 224-6542 (He’s supposedly a no but he’s the Senate Dem leader and isn’t leading.)
Thanks to Donuts + Democracy for this!
https://donutsanddemocracy.substack.com/
Thank you for the numbers and the list!
WTAF
The interview with Masto on NPR this morning was very instructive. The surgical removal of a spine AND a brain has happened to the Dem coalition that finds its own food bowl more important than anything else. https://www.npr.org/2025/11/10/nx-s1-5603638/sen-catherine-cortez-masto-talks-about-efforts-to-end-the-government-shutdown
We will ALL remember what you did!
I’m way beyond appalled. I wish Independents had a better rep, but Angus King is as bad as any Dem traitor. The people spoke loud and clear, the democrats think there is no other choice for us. Can we resurrect Bernie, or elevate Newsom and Mamdani. Yes, I’m desperate, but people will get more desperate as we seek sanity AND competence.
It will be difficult to come back from a capitulation to Trump by the Democrats. Trust is not easily regained once it is lost through a betrayal.
It will require people to think instead of treating democracy as a spectator sport based on instant strong emotions.
Because this is obviously, SO obviously, NOT a capitulation at all.
WHEN will people finally get it?
The GOP is a neofascist party that wants to destroy ALL public services. What those 8 did is making it impossible for them to do so as fast as the GOP would want.
That's not being a traitor, that means truly caring about the people... !!
The time to wake up and STOP the cynical Dem bashing is now, before it's entirely too late.
The crux of our problem. The universal “trust” has been fractured before, and it has been a primary goal of both parties after WW2. This current crew of vipers, and anyone who capitulates, has taken trust off the table.
Hm... so you want to call anyone who fights for SNAP a "traitor"?
In that case, what do YOU actually stand for.. ?
Did I say that, fight for the future. It’s always up to Dems to cave since they “care.” It’s why blackmail has always worked in the short term. But I thought we learned to never give in to bullies and blackmailers. You’re just trading victims. Chamberlain avoided conflict and pain, didn’t he.
It's called the "democratic process".
When "we the people" vote out Democrats and give all levels of government to the GOP, it's the GOP that will dictate the agenda.
In a normal democratic process, the majority party cares about (1) the American people, and (2) negotiating a compromise in Congress with the minority party.
But the GOP is a neofascist party. So they care about neither. Once that's the case, Democrats have no bargaining chips at all anymore, so the only choice for them is between either no Obamacare and no SNAP or no Obamacare and SNAP.
That that is the only choice is not Democrats' fault, it's the fault of the American people. If each time we punish those who fight for us, we'll never obtain the progress that most Western countries already achieved half a century ago.
Why write Schumer? He's one of those voting NO.
Yes, it is capitulation -- to blackmail, of course. You should be angry at the BLACKMAIL first and foremost. Your anger should be bubbling over that every Republican in the Senate is too chickenshit to take a stand for their own constituents, for common sense, for the privileges of billionaires, rather than anger a demented baby in the White House motivated solely by cruelty and sadism.
Arithmetic meant that Senate Democrats were always going to have to play a mixture of chess and poker, using both strategy and bluff to intimidate their opponents. Arithmetic also meant that maybe they would still lose no mater how deftly they played the game. Still, even those who broke away from Schumer's majority did so out of genuine fear -- for some yet-to-occur air disaster involving non-paid, over-worked, over-stressed air traffic controllers, furloughed government employees who weren't going to get paid, or fired outright. Those aren't trivial reasons, whatever you may think.
Thune did say he will put the vote for ACA subsidies up to a vote in December. And it's only for 2 months at best. It would be very tough for those Democrats to go back to their constituents and say 'we turned this all down right before Thanksgiving and Christmas, knowing what might happen as a result.' Mark Warner and Elise Slotkin feel differently, as do the majority of their fellow Democrats. But they will get the chance to re-state their case at the end of January.
A rock and a hard place. It describes so succinctly what all of us face right now.
Just by the way: has everybody actually seen/listened to this? Click on
"Chuck Schumer ERUPTS As Senate VOTES to END U.S Government Shutdown | Schumer VOTES ‘No’
Thanks I will. But he is still responsible for this defeat. See below.
I think you have misplaced sympathy for the 8 who capitulated. Two are retiring and the other six are not up for reelection in 2026. For me, that says a lot about their YES vote and their breaking from the Democratic line. Moreover, once more they gave into the bully in chief, showing him once again that he always gets what we wants.
I have no sympathy for them. I do empathize with their constituents -- tens of millions of people in harm's way because of Trump and his Toads in the Senate who value cruelty as policy.
But yes, at the same time, the appeasement also sends a very discouraging message. I think both of these things can be true at the same time.
SCHUMER VOTED NO!!!
Sure. He brokered the deal then avoided being a part of it.
??? He voted NO. He also took to the Floor to explain why. And he did not "broker" anything. Angus King does not take orders from Schumer, nor do any of them. They are free to pursue their own deals -- for better or worse.
Thank you, ICTT. That's the way I see it.
Are you on the inside? Do you know someone on the inside? If not and you were not there, how do you know for sure? All politicians lie. Literally all of them. There are things that happen behind closed doors constantly that none of them would reveal to the public. Schumer was behind this almost surely. You'll notice the cast of characters chosen to vote yes are either nuts, retiring or not up for election next year. The other cast members will pretend to be shocked and appalled. Some of them might actually be but we won't know the innocent ones from those who are just acting. This was the reason the Real World Guy cancelled those flights--to put more pressure on the Dems to cave in time for the lucrative holiday season so they get their corporate airline blood money, too. You can believe what you want but I trust Elizabeth Warren completely (to always act in *our* best interests and not hers). AOC and Bernie 99% of the time. Every other politician is suspect and I have found incidents of "slimy lying pol" for even those I agree with most of the time.
That brand of conspiracy-uber-alles, plus $4.50, will get you a mediocre cup of coffee someplace. They'll even throw in a swizzle stick for free if you like. I don't know what else it gets you.
The very definition of 'negotiate' is to make a deal. Is it not?
Interesting read from the ex-Republican Congressman who has literally been in the room when these reality tv shows have been written in the past. Even he thinks Schumer is in on it. The Democrats: snatching defeat from the jaws of victory once again!
https://adamkinzinger.substack.com/p/republicans-made-this-mess-democrats?
And your naivete is why we have a country where 80% of Americans can want something to happen and it doesn't. Trump was "genius" at one thing: he realized that politics is mostly just a reality tv show and we only see what they want us to. He does do reality tv better than most. It's funny. This is not the first time in the last nine + months that Schumer has been unable to wrangle his flock and claims to be shocked and dismayed but he NEVER faces any challenges despite his completely ineffectual leadership. Hmmm. I wonder why that is? Because they are in on it.
They may not take orders but Schumer sure as hell could put pressure on them to hold the line. Did he do that? Did he even TRY? Nancy Pelosi would never have let this happen!
Either he brokered the deal for those eight to vote Yes ( 2 retiring/ 6 not up for reelection until 2028) or he was unable to wrangle his own caucus. Either way - Schumer has consistently NOT met the moment. He should not continue as leader IMO.
He held his own caucus for 40 days. That's longer than any shutdown in history. He met an unprecedented moment with unprecedented amounts of solidarity -- for a while. It was never clear how any of this would end. It still isn't. AND, we get to do it all again in January, even if this succeeds.
Maybe he has another book tour coming up? He needed those planes in the air!
I am certain he did. But Senators don't behave like House members. The Senate has always had its own rules.
How can yiu be sure? Are you an insider ?
Neither would McConnell
Schumer is my senator and it is well past time for him to retire.
LBJ would have held his caucus together. Pelosi would have held her caucus together. That’s what the leader HAS to do to lead!
He is the Minority Leader. Last week he floated the proposed deal that reportedly has been reached to allow the vote to proceed in return for allowing a stand alone vote to proceed on extending the ACA enhanced credits Democrats say fairness requires and are crucial to the system's survival. Is there such a deal ? Who really knows. It's an empty promise. The Senate can not bind the House and Johnson will not allow it to come to the floor. He referred to it as being impossible and unprincipled when Schumer proposed it. And it was instantly dismissed by Thune. But it makes no difference. By merely suggesting this old style horse trade no longer possible, Schumer signalled two things. He signaled to Thune that his position was weak. That the resolve of Senate Democrats was beginning to soften and certain members were getting ready to jump ship. The second thing he signaled is that so far as he was concerned they had leave to do so. So long as it could be claimed that the deal he proposed was reached. That is what is now being reported. But who really knows ? It could all be lies. But in any case it is illusory. And Chuck Schumer is responsible for it.
He is responsible for it because it was he who back in July voted to allow Trump's BBB to go to a vote in the Senate without getting anything in exchange for it, and detailed to this same leadership clique more or less the dirty job of defecting. He abandoned the party position that this extention was necessary then, leaving the majority of his caucus holding their positions. And there was to me no getting it back now. That is, unless Schumer went to the mat and challenged Thune to void the Cloture Rule. He obviously has not done that. He has signaled "every man for himself". Quite the "profile in courage" A regardless of how he voted this time he is responsible fir this result.
Johnson does not bring to the floor bills his caucus does not support. And he will not bring a bill to extend the benefits to the floor for two reasons. It is the longstanding aim of Republicsns to dismantle the ACA. And it just might pass given his slim majority.
A complete Reoublican win. A Democratic loss. With attendant disastrous consequences for the nation. Rampant cowardice, dereliction of duty and betrayal by the lot of them.
Right on all counts
Their favorite position is a circular firing squad, it seems. The foe is ruthless, get ready for worse
Why do you hate him so much that you never ever fact-check and just take over the GOP's fake news about him blindly?
After they all decided who would be the 'fall guys'. He is complicit 100% but will lie and pretend to be appalled. They lie to us ALL THE TIME!
Beware. You're falling into Trump's hands.
And that, truly, is the watchword : Beware. It gets tossed aside by bitter disappointment.
By ackowledging the TRUTH which is something Trump never does?
Where was his leadership? They only needed eight. The vulnerable ones could hide. Most of the eight are retiring or not up for election until 28 or 30.
He ARRANGED the deal using the safe seat Dem Senators not up for reelection. This is Schumer’s deal!
But he is in charge of all the democrats! He didn’t get the 8 in line. And he voted YES last time.
Yes, Hubbell has a very succinct post on this matter which lines out why the so-called concessions will clearly gain us nothing. Infuriating!
Link to Hubbell: https://open.substack.com/pub/roberthubbell/p/the-sellout-caucus?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
The Democrats in the Senate who are caving on the shutdown are insanely misguided (stupid if you prefer). Chuck Schumer is incompetent for not holding the caucus together.
Senators were faced with TWO existential threats to their constituents. An immediate threat of hunger by Trump withholding SNAP benefits, and the longer-term threat of unaffordable health care. Senators needed to hold the line to stop both.
There was a way to stop the immediate hunger threat—utilize the millions of people who participated in No Kings and are itching for an active way to fight the Trump administration. Ask them to donate food and volunteer to restock food banks, rev up GoFundMes for every food bank in America, and call for donations directly to them, and call on wealthy Democratic donors to step in. Have Democratic representatives who are all back in their districts during the shutdown, working at food banks, and rallying to raise money.
In other words, show the American people, by their ACTIONS, that Democrats have their backs. You also gain an enormous boost to the No Kings movement in terms of cohesiveness and sense of purpose, and a way of shaming the Republican so-called Christian Nationalists by actually being Christian by feeding the hungry. Great visuals to contrast with Trump’s weekend partying and golfing at Mar-a-Lago, too.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/us/politics/government-shutdown-senate-vote.html
In late-breaking news, the appeals court is backing full payment of SNAP benefits, but Trump can still appeal to SCOTUS or claim that it will take time to straighten out the payment process. So it is unclear when SNAP recipients will actually receive payments.
Nonetheless, the eight Democratic senators who caved just when the Democratic caucus had maximum bargaining power made a serious mistake, and Schumer looks weak because he was unable to stop them.
The question now is, will enough of the eight back away after the debate in the Senate, and vote no on the actual bill? None of them is up for election in 2026, so they can afford to own up to the egg on their faces for breaking ranks.
Relying on promises from Thune to bring up a separate ACA bill, and relying on the House to pass it, is a figment of the caucus breakers' imagination. It has to be part of the CR.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/11/10/snap-payments-ruling-first-circuit
YES, every person I personally know who protested at NO KINGS donated food to food pantries.
I am so tired of being so discouraged.
I told Schumer months ago to Resign & go run a Tesla dealership in Tel Aviv.
yes he does - I just read it. Here's the link: https://open.substack.com/pub/roberthubbell/p/the-sellout-caucus?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
Tonight I am sad to say. I have an entirely new understanding of the term “yellow dog Democrat”..
The Dems should be exorcised fm the party and the Independent excoriated. Two of the Dems are not running for re-election yet ruined the future for their own Party. Appalling and infuriating.
We took a significant step forward with the resistance with the November 4 victories. It appears Schumer may have given all of our gains away. Joann Freeman in conversation with Dr. Richardson stated Saturday the small "d" Democrats (the voter) won the election and the big "D" Democrats (the politicians) did not.
I will wait and see for now.
Schumer voted no.
Schumer is minority leader. His voting no is irrelevant in the matter of doing his job which is to lead the caucus and keep them in line. Last week when we were calling for him to step down the Schumer apologists were cheering him saying he was holding his caucus together...
This is a very, very bad turn of events which will cost millions of people losing their health insurance, close hospitals, effect the economies of countless communities and exact extreme pain and some deaths. Sanders has said this is a very, very bad thing. He was extremely upset.
Defend him all you want. I wouldn't be shouting it from the rooftops today. AOC is starting the movement to demand he step down.
Then why would he vote no he should have voted yes? In any event, I’m not in favor of this no gain compromise.
Bill. The most important job of a Majority or Minority Leader is to maintain Party unity within their caucus. Pelosi was a master at this. A disciplined caucus leader presents a formidable front to the opposition, is more in line with the voters want and is able to hold the Party's wishes together. Then that Leader negotiates with the Administration.
Schumer has proven weak all along. The Administration laughs in his and Jeffries face and won't even them the respect of talking together in the White House.
Schumer's weakness has severely hurt the gains we achieved in October's 7 million people march and the November 4 vote. Most importantly millions of American's health and futures will suffer.
Schumer is not the person for this job. He must go.
In fact, I understand that none of the seven Democrat senators come up for re-election next year so their principled stand on wanting to end the suffering of their constituents might not be all that it seems. In any event, they've handed a significant PR victory to Trump in return for the uncertain prospect of a vote on the ACA subsidies; the payment of SNAP benefits through 2026, which the Republicans were likely to agree to anyway; and the temporary reversal of federal employee lay-offs which could be imposed later on.
The Republicans were over a barrel after the recent elections and the Democratic party was energised after a long period in the doldrums. Republicans were in turmoil because they were being blamed for the shutdown. Trump was reduced to demanding an end to the filibuster and making rash promises to end Obamacare and replace it with a free-for-all that would be an invitation for insurance scammers. All that energy is just going to dissipate now into the usual in-fighting because of yet another humiliating climbdown.
Let’s keep the blame where it belongs, squarely on the cowardly, complicit Republicans. It would be great if all Democrats could hold out, but have some awareness of how at least some of them must be being pressured by constituents with real needs and hungry families.
And the blithe declaration that there would be no air transport to get them to see their families at Thanksgiving and Christmas. No turkey, and you won't even be able to see each other. All stops pulled out. The so-called "capitulation" followed hot on its heels.
What we are witnessing is, historically speaking, the literal end of the American experiment, not with the proverbial bang or whimper, but with absolutely predictable – and intentionally ecogenocidal – betrayal. It is also the undeniable revelation and fulfillment of the ultimate purpose of the anti-New-Deal, post-JFK "Democratic" (sic) Party, its malignancy now proven beyond debate by the fact that in its Constitution-nullifying, nationally terminal, morally imbecilic, "change-we-can-believe-in" capitalist-owned deceptiveness, it has fulfilled its (suicidal) post-JFK obligation to betray us all by functioning as the Fifth Column of the "Republican" (sic) Christonazi/Neoconfederate/RepubliKlan Party, the ultimate intent of which is to reduce all remaining true humans to abject slavery. Clearly for us this nation has been forever reduced to an open-air Auschwitz, irremediably shrunken to a Failed State by its infinitely hateful electorate, their bottomless sadism eternally enabled by the Democrats' wholly predictable, ultimately defining treachery. Trump has not only won; he has triumphed, awarded his obscene crown-of-emperorship by traitors whose vileness and wanton embrace of Evil far exceeds that of Benedict Arnold and Judas Iscariot combined. Thus rule-by-law is slain forever. Now we have no redress save rebellion -- in which we will be quickly nuked to oblivion by our now-forever-omnipotent slavemasters. (When this story broke, I was finishing an exceptionally positive edition of the monthly newsletter that serves the 40-unit senior housing community wherein I dwell. Now all I can do is stare at the computer monitor literally trembling with fury.)
230 years seems rather a long time for 'experimenting'. What you have is the result of placing too much faith in your sclerotic Constitution which no longer serves to protect your fragile democracy and in your institutions of government (the exectuive branch, Congress and the Supreme Court) which have been slowly but surely corrupted by big money.
The Constitution has not lost the ability to adapt. Article V outlines a two-step process of proposal and ratification required for amendments. “I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and Constitutions. But laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors.” ― Thomas Jefferson.
Such is the case today. We need a Big Beautiful Article of Amendment; 1, an all inclusive Equal Rights Amendment; 2, which Repeals corporate personhood and Citizens United; 3, ends gerrymandering; 4, limits money in politics to be only from citizens who can vote for the particular candidate or ballot issue in their districts; 5, secures our Federal Departments by diversification of the executive branch into eight autonomous executive Offices; 6, led by specialized executives; 7, elected by We the Citizens of the United States in a nationwide “Citizens of the United States Election,” thus no more electors selecting our President which in reality amounts to taxation of U.S. citizens by IRS without representation.
Am I missing anything?
Well, in a nutshell Albert you need a new Constitution written in language that does not provide any foundation for obscure jurisprudence like the doctrine of Originalism and the Unitary Executive Theory. It also needs to remove the aura around the office of the president and relegate that role to a primus inter pares as we see with other world leaders in democratic states.
But first you need to dispel the myths of American exceptionalism and Manifest Destiny that has seeped into your foreign policies in successive presidencies.
Your prescription is a fine start.
My Thanks for your excellent advice. I am going to block and paste your reply as a check list to assure I cover each issue in the body of my project revamping the Constitution. All our eggs in one basket is our problem right now. Imagine a repeal of Article II, the executive branch allowing for each mention of the word President in the document to be re-written around eight executives thus less risk to our major Departments. Plus repeals of the worst opinions of the Supreme Court over the last 125 years and blocking Congress from their shenanigans. Again, thanks for the list.
All power to you, Albert. There are others of the same mind.
https://democracybillofrights.org/time-for-a-new-constitution-the-case-for-replacement-over-amendment/
https://thefulcrum.us/civic-engagement-education/ua-constitution-revisions
Let's face it - Trump is already doing it with his executive order on birthright citizenship.
Unless we get rid of MAGA, no hope for any reform.
A new Constitution is a dangerous path. In a time when money equals speech, you assume you will be able to convene a Constitutional Convention made up of delegates who have the people's interests uppermost in mind.
Our first challenge - even before they convene - is to arrive at a national consensus about what "the people's interests" are. This needs to be done while those who currently hold power - political or economic - do everything they can to put their thumbs on the scale to assure that the outcome will be favorable to their personal interests. If they succeed, a new Constitution will just make the current status quo official.
There is nothing wrong with our current Constitution. The structure it lays out, defined by a band of revolutionary intellectuals in thrall to the Enlightenment, would be hard to improve on in today's political climate. What we truly need is representatives who treat politics as a means of improving the lives of the represented citizens. Since the days of Gingrich and Reagan, at least, one party has treated it as a team sport in which their victory is more important than running the country.
All the points Mr. Killackey made are important, and necessary for setting our government back on a sane course. They should - and can - be implemented through the current process of Constitutional amendments, once we have again elected a body of representatives and a President who actually govern in the interests of the people.
I don't underestimate the difficulty. But you can't solve a problem unless and until you recognise what that problem is. Meryl Streep puts it very well
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gu_R0rG9sRQ
Now I don't if she reached the same conclusion as I have but I'm afraid your Constitution is very much the problem. In 230 years you've only amended it 27 times and most of those amanedments were ratified decades ago. Most of the progress that has been made in your country has come from a sort of judicial activism in response to changing societal mores and that has entailed interpreting the provisions of the Constitution in a broadly liberal way.
Now, we have new sheriffs in town with a whole different and stricter construction of the terms of that document and they are intent on rolling back those progressive reforms. The problem, put simply, is that your Constitution can be interpreted either way because it's written too broadly.
You are too dependent on the goodwill of those in power - your President and his government and the agencies over which he's now assumed unfettered control; your Congress which has allowed this to happen and even at times enthusiastically supported it; and your highest court, deeply complicit in this enterprise of extending executive power. It doesn't even seem to matter that much of it is unlawful or unconstitutional because it's happening despite the reservations of many federal judges in the lower courts.
You want to wait this out and hope for better days ahead when bipartisanship will resume in your Congress and some shining knight will appear to assume of the office of the President. My advice is don't hold your breath.
You nailed Gingrich and Reagan. The GOP feels like a group of spoiled high school brats who only want home team to win no matter what. Yes, the Framers were a band of revolutionary intellectuals. Yet they were also all wealthy powerful white men who quickly wrote the document in response to Shays' Rebellion. Just like the greedy rich today they were focused on creating a national standing army to secure their power and wealth; hence the words "...insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence,'' in it's preamble.
Indeed, Mr. Killackey; you're missing the fact that in the future of electronically enforced zero-tolerance Christonazi theocracy now inescapably imposed on us by the Democrats' change-we-can-believe-in betrayal, any such effort as you describe -- or for that matter, any expression of any opposition what so ever -- will surely get you imprisoned, and in all probability killed.
Loren Bliss, you sound a lot like Lorne Greene, aka "Voice of Doom." Even if what you fear is rational, as the signers of the Declaration of Independence said as their final statement, "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor." We face the same greed for money and power they did. The lives of our posterity is what is on the line here. Lets hope this does not go to civil war. Yet I do believe it would be wise for all progressives to enjoy our Amendment II and become well regulated.
Well said, RJN. Somewhat differently expressed diagnosis than mine, but I cannot possibly disagree. And however expressed, the irrefutable proof of a permanently Failed State.
I'm relieved that you didn't think that I was in any way disagreeing with you!
No; my reading comprehension is at least adequate. After most of a lifetime in print journalism, my professional swan song is working as the community-drafted "volunteer" founding editor/photographer/art director of the newsletter I was putting to bed when I was interrupted by the Democrats' Pearl-Harbor-caliber atrocity. (For those of us for whom journalism is a way of life rather than just a job, it is rather like organized crime in that the only exit is death.) Indeed were I not so twisted by rage and horror, I'd have thought to thank you for what I took as a compliment. Ergo, belated thanks.
Trump is a blackmailer. How do you handle that?
I have a feeling that his time on Earth is limited. His physical and mental health appears to be a major problem. One example is his right hand. Stop the video at 56 seconds and compare the size of his hands. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHvW2kvPXuY
Good question. Were we still governed by law, by arrest, indictment, conviction and many years in prison. But since we're not so governed -- and nevermore shall be -- I'd suggest careful study of Marx, Engels, Lenin, Trotsky, Guevara, Giap and most especially Sun Tzu, Meanwhile I'd also be burning incense to the Morrigan...
Yes, especially Sun Tzu and apply his wisdom to everyday life and political rallies too. My son and I both have a statuette of him on our desks.
I recall over a decade ago, maybe two decades, Schumer and Pelosi agreed to sever a demand for a path toward citizenship for Dreamers from the budget or some other major bill for a promise to have a "vote" in the near future. The problem is too many "Democrats" have no grasp of the word "vote" or the fact they are being lied to by omission. No matter how it is worded these eight stand with Trump on the most important bill of their careers. When I was a kid the saying was "Their names are Mudd."
I thought Neville Chamberlain pretty much proved the cost of making "deals" with fascists.
But people cheered when he returned from Munich. That’s why he and Daladier did it: the British and French people weren’t ready for war again, so soon after the hecatomb of the Great War. They were only ready once bombs started falling on their heads. You can’t ignore the key reason behind Munich, which was that the 1914-1918 war traumatised Europeans and led to a significant pacifist movement, alongside a revanchist German feeling that crystallised in Nazism. In fact, most Germans didn’t want war either: it’s only when the Wehrmacht won the early battles that they supported the war effort.
While I agree with you about fighting fascism, you have to remember that fascists always fight dirty and make the fight a massacre of innocents. They are experts at dividing the other side and blaming the victims; ask the Spaniards. That’s why fighting fascism is always a long haul, and harms many people.
Same song, second verse. Or why do we even record history if we can’t read. Oh, republicans have an answer, we can be told what to do. No need to read, vote, or think…
Yes 😞
Fascism, in its most basic form, never disappears. It endlessly renews itself. The Fascisti gave it its modern name, but it’s existed a long time, this mix of populism, lawless weaponising of institutions and authoritarian thuggery. We can force it back in its retrenchments for a while but it was a mistake to believe it disappeared with the deaths of Franco or the overthrow of Pinochet, far less with the fall of Nazi Germany or Fascist Italy.
It’s been thriving in the corporate world, and has now recaptured the political sphere (not only in the US). Like I said: fighting it is a long haul. It demands organisation, discipline - and knowing when to retreat and regroup.
Actually -- and with the absolute respectfulness earned by your other comments here tonight -- the only reason for nazism's perpetuity is the capitalists invariably resurrect it. (It is in fact capitalism's only logical outcome.) Get rid of capitalism, we git rid of nazism. Forever. But to accomplish that, we have to get rid of the source of capitalism, which is patriarchy -- the cosmic, planet-killing equivalent of smallpox-infected blankets.
Nice analogy, Loren. Smallpox infected blanket, indeed.
Thank you.
"It is nine years since men of my generation have had Spain within their hearts. Nine years that they have carried it within them like an evil wound. As it was in Spain that one can be right and yet to be beaten. That force can vanquish spirit. And there are times when courage is not it's own recompense." Albert Camus
"..no men ever entered earth more honorably than those who died in Spain" -- Ernest Hemingway's tribute to the defenders of the nazi-slain Spanish Republic, in tribute to which, and in tribute to Hemingway himself, I offer a song by Paul Robeson, part of the music of my childhood and now but a eulogy for what we once were: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5fbWV3sQtI
Exactly. Churchill had a hard time overcoming the sell out by Neville Chamberlain.
But he did it. And redeemed himself.
Alas there are no Churchills -- nor for that matter any FDRs nor even JFKs -- in today's former United States.
Ike would be welcome, well, more than welcome
We don’t know yet if or who may appear. I remember Heather saying this in one of her newsletter or podcasts when she talked of Abraham Lincoln and others. And we can become “united” again (E Pluribus Unum) if we can stop being divisive and unite against a common cause - the defeat of fascism and a cruel dictator. We the People.
Agreed - those Democrats will be remembered as Neville Chamberlain is remembered!
Seems that was his claim to fame. But who pays attention to historical catastrophes when we can make our own.
You can’t pick only the bits of history that you like and ignore the rest. In 1938, Britain wasn’t yet ready for war (either in terms of firepower or psychologically). It used those 20 months, until the invasion of France, to accelerate its arms production and prepare the people for war. But Germany would have gone to war in September 1938. Hitler had nobody in the country to tell him no.
Democrats must use the next year to prepare to win the midterms and retake the presidency.
I'm afraid that the Democrats have lost pretty much any legitimacy they had in the eyes of voters. The historical context is very different. The US was in an extended economic upswing a year ago, and Harris had a clear vision of how to continue to strengthen US democracy. ACA and SNAP aren't just the Sudetenland. They are Poland and Czechoslovakia. This inability to maintain discipline in the face of Trump's naked authoritarianism will greatly encourage him, as well as the craven majority on the Supreme Court, and discourage the millions who turned out for No Kings Day. It is capitulation, not some sort of strategic retreat.
Given the near 100-percent probability that mass murder by cancellation of SNAP and ACA will now not only continue but escalate, it is not just capitulation; it is unconditional surrender. We the People are as defeated and enslaved as Poland was in 1939 -- and this time there is no force on this planet that can save us.
All the academic scholars who have studied authoritarianism/fascism (Timothy Snyder, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, etc.) that I have seen say that to give in to dictators just gives them more power over you and doesn’t stop their cruelty and power grabs. Capitulating Senators may have felt they were in a “double bind”, a Sophie’s choice situation, but even so, they made a Faustian bargain that they will have to eventually pay for. You can’t make “agreements” with a devil (a sociopathic, malignant, personality disordered narcissist) who has a track record of compulsively lying.
Wonder if preparation for war was what Chamberlain had in mind…
That has been debated in the U.K. in recent times. Churchill did bring Chamberlain into his cabinet after becoming PM.
Did Chamberlain ever admit that he had been played, or was he like the traitorous eight, who still haven’t figured it out.
Some things never change.
I waited up to read this, unsure if you would post it, given the wind storm you were having. I am so, so, so, so, so angry. If they don't have principles, or guts, or courage, to do what Americans want, and what the Tuesday elections and the #NoKings2 events showed we want, they don't deserve to keep their jobs. Angry enough to puke.
I don't have much defense to offer anyone here, but I would urge you simply to take literally the words of some who spoke to the media, that the pain and length of this particular shutdown (brimming with Republican cruelty and sadism as the only real policy) caused a few to change their minds. No, that's not comforting, but neither is it unreasonable.
Too many here assume Senate Democrats were a united monolith, like their Republican counterparts. That has never been the case. Schumer held his own disparate coalition together for 40 days -- longer than any other shutdown we've ever had, as our sadistic, demented president played Great Gatsby re-enactments at Mar-A-Lardo. That, also, has never happened before.
In any case, the agreement -- even if it passes -- authorizes government activity only to January. Then we have to do this all over again. Lucky us.
My comment on Hubbell's substack. The quote at the end is from Hubbell's post tonight:
So it turns out that the half life of the Democrats' "brilliant strategy" of Friday is about 48 hours. It turns out that far from being a brilliant strategy, Friday's offer was the last, desperate, dying gasp of a party in disarray, in mid-collapse, having lost its compass, its mojo, its moral center and its raison d'etre.
Nothing, not even the horribly disappointing results of the '24 election made me doubt the sacrifices my wife and I made to support the Biden/Harris campaign. Until tonight. The Democrats have made a mockery of those sacrifices and that commitment.
I sincerely hope that the Democrats have the self-awareness, common sense and common courtesy to stop the never-ending begging for money for at least a day or two. Because if I wake up to the usual clutter in my in box I may actually throw ketchup against the wall.
I may have no choice but to continue to vote for Democrats given the alternative. But they have seen the last of my money, my time, my energy, my effort and my enthusiasm. What a bunch of losers.
Thank God for the grassroots.
"The Sellout Caucus has taken the moral high ground of a shutdown opposing a lawless regime and turned it into a Democratic miscalculation, a pointless folly that inflicted pain with no gain.
This collapse is also a failure of Democratic leadership. Senators Schumer and Durbin should resign from their leadership positions on Sunday evening, as they are obviously incapable of leading the Democratic caucus."
Agree with every syllable.
This!!
One of Heather’s podcasts yesterday featured her and her friend Joanne Freeman.
They agreed as to the great disconnect we face – that Republicans in power are over and over saying to us, the people, “Eff you.”
And Dems in power continually cave to those Republicans, as U.S. Senate Dems have caved again today.
Why? What is it that holds Dems impotent even while last Tuesday’s voting across the country showed great majorities of Americans do not cotton to Republicans, big money, and dark money ever more saying “Eff you”?
The hidden, relentless force floating our elites is that guided by the habits enshrined in standardized testing. These are neutered and neutering conceits by which elites scorn actual people. They serve the depersonalized rationality that shapes all our corporate moneyed and all their elite managers.
This machinery needs to go. Teachers K-12 need to take central and centrally human roles. They alone should be free to choose their texts. Write their own curricula. Center essaying, humanities, and civics at highest standards, by performances no machines can grade.
Unlike the Republicans under Trump, who are now wholly aligned with their malignant master, the Democratic Party isn’t a monolith, it’s a coalition. And coalitions have a tendency to fracture at the edges when under extreme pressure.
If so, there's no hope Sophie.
Dems could bestir themselves to read the massive outpourings of Oct 18, Sophie.
That is, they could if they possessed acquaintance with any of our great resources putting us in touch with the people.
These are novels, memoirs, histories, films, songs, and other arts. If our schools were human-centric, if they valued people as actual individuals, with personal investments in wider communities, they could teach these humanities.
But they do not. They test. Fine for careerists who will play any games authorities put before them to careen up into their out-of-touch meritocracy.
I’m sorry, I know you think that’s a big deal, but when you compare with how East Europeans got rid of their authoritarian regimes, or how African-Americans claimed their civil rights (and how long it took both of these), a one-day demo doesn’t cut it. You’re in it for the duration and you’re going to have to deploy many more actions of civil disobedience. The Poles brought their country to a standstill. African-Americans used targeted economic pressure. And importantly, they both realised that it would be a long, exhausting fight. You’ll prevail, but not if you divide or think that putting food security first is a loss.
There are valuable lessons to be learned from the Polish Resistance during the Nazi occupation. It was a clandestine government formed complete with a judiciary which held trials in-absentia. it was not just the Warsaw Uprising only. Later the yoke of Soviet totalitarian oppression was thrown off with a strike in the Gdansk shipyard. The Berlin wall started to crumble as a result of that strike.
Thank you, Sophie.
Again -- and most regretfully -- I must differ. Every humanitarian achievement We the People ever gained is now permanently lost -- the true meaning of the Trump/Christonazi pledge there will be no more elections.
They should be, but they cannot in many places. Texas is well on the way to destroying public education.
JD, I don't get the "but they not not."
Well, I managed to understand it.
Well, Anne-Louise, I guessed JD meant "but they do not."
But doesn't this yet beg the question of how could testing have such a hold on all as it does?
Do people like testing's humanly hollow, empty vulgarity? Its only "value" being that of, look, people: your job is just to submit to authority? You, mere serfs, may ask no questions. Just take the test. Pick from bubbles A-B-C-D.
Worse, all testing adheres only to linear logic, as if life were but chronological. This is good for molecular biology, which by its relentless causalities forecloses on any imagination that may also invite serendipity, complication, paradox, contradiction, or analogy.
And what good is biology reduced to the molecular? It sells pills. So U.S. medicine reduces to the sales of pills.
Got it now, JD.
Since the Powell memo originally started this deliberate destruction, testing has helped in the setting up of the alternative universe.
I don't think most Americans want what our elites are pushing. Most do not want the monotone, metronome, machined, stereotyped, assembly-lined, consumer-demo-packaged.
Thanks
Follow the $$$, Phil
Is that world one of life, Bruce, or one of assembly lines?
And not only that, but run by elites who, for bottom lines, entitle themselves to lie. And rape underage girls knowing that other elites who exist to protect the moneyed will reliably turn justice into a farce.
99.99999% of the time in politics, it's about the money.
The SNAP situation is basically an abusive husband beating the children to get his wife to comply.
Spineless wimp Democrats in the Senat do it again (I'm retiring so, "après moi la déluge")! What we need is massive peaceful resistence to shut the country down in order to stop Trumpolino. We had it going on...the GOP shooting itself, and what do those old F**ks in the Senate do? You know what. Maybe Congress:people still have a spine? Look at history! The only way to effectively shut down a wanna-be dictator (other than military coup) is massive peaceful resistance by the majority...SOLIDARITY is not a new or difficult concept.
Damn, I remember that in Poland, I think. Dems have never suffered from that very much. Well, with Obama, and then the repubs used every dirty trick to hobble him.
The party that won’t let kids go hungry will always be at a disadvantage against cynics that don’t care, which is why they must fight smart.
The battle between ruthless and empathy. Muskrat already decided that empathy is the bane of Western Civilization. Is he right. So why did the powers that used to be decide that negotiating with terrorists is a nono
Cruelty is the point. Yet again.
ALWAYS, FIRST GO AROUND TOO. the cult don’t care. Is there something between cult ignorance and democrat stupidity. We, in the middle, need to become the Democratic Socialist Party. There I said the scare word. Things can’t get scarier than the current crop of fools have made them.
I'm coming around to the view that power is the point; cruelty is the means.
Good point, but to Trump, cruelty is an added bonus.
“But in October, the administration said it would not use the emergency funds, essentially starving Americans to get Democrats to do as Republicans want and dramatically weaken the Affordable Care Act. Multiple groups sued.”
For those purported Christians in this administration, go read Matthew 25:35-40 or consult with your new WH Faith Office.
They’re christians in the same way Christian Scientists are scientists.
Christians in name only (CINO). MAGA Evangelicals keep the title of Christians but practice heresy by violating all the moral principles and teachings of the founder of the religion.
Actually, they're the Real Christians. True Christians. Christians as exemplified by their endless centuries of crusades, inquisitions, witch-burning, persecutions, and let us not forget they provided all the doctrinal mandates for the genocide against the First Nation peoples of both Americas. And the ecocidal war against our Mother Earth.
Thank you for the reply. This a misunderstanding that is quite common. Most of what you mention is authoritarians using religion for power. For example: Pope Urban II, Pope John XXII, Pope Gregory IX ordered the Crusades. Pope Gregory IX along with numerous other Popes established the Inquisition. And so on. Christianity is defined by the teachings of Jesus as described in the New Testament of the Bible: the Sermon on the Mount, the parable of the “Good Samaritan”, his commandment to “Love your neighbor as yourself”, to “Remove the log from your own eye before you remove the speck from your neighbor’s eye”, “That it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven”, “That a penny given to the Temple by a poor woman has more value than a large sum from a rich man”, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”, etc.. (I’m not advocating for Christianity - just trying to state the facts.) Historically Jesus was anti-establishment/anti-authoritarian. He was seen as a threat by the religious hierarchy. He overturned the tables of the money makers at the Temple that was a source of income for them. He had a large following. He had 12 disciples symbolizing the 12 tribes of Israel. He came to Jerusalem at Passover, the Jewish holiday that celebrates the 12 tribes of Israel’s escape and freedom from slavery in Egypt. He rode as a conqueror (on a donkey rather than a horse to show humility) with his disciples in tow proclaiming that he was “the true way” to salvation. Feeling threatened the Sanhedrin used the military to arrest him and after interrogation had the authoritarian Roman occupiers execute him. He was a nonviolent person.
The things you attribute to “Christianity” are the opposite of his teachings and therefore heretical. Authoritarians were able to co-opt the religion for centuries because the Bible was written in Latin or Greek and only the priests knew how to read it. And due to the lack of universal public education very few people could read. When Martin Luther revolted by translating the Bible to German and refusing the requirement that even the poor pay indulgences to raise money to pay for St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Pope Leo X had him excommunicated and issued what was essentially a Catholic fatwa calling for his death. Thus began the Protestant Reformation. Now we have Trump, after trying unsuccessfully to get the military to shoot nonviolent demonstrators in the legs but then using them to clear Lafayette Square, so he could stand in front of St. John’s Church symbolically holding a Bible UPSIDE DOWN. The archetype of apostasy to Christianity. The experts on authoritarianism say that a key aspect of the authoritarian game plan is to take over religious and other societal institutions and use them to augment their power. Thanks again for your reply.
The contours are now clear. Senate Dems have caved. The ones who actually voted no and the ones - we don’t know who yet, but for sure Schumer - who were complicit. The Dem party will be torn apart by this. Our victories Tues, No Kings, our hard work feels like a mirage. We’ve been betrayed. . . again .
SCHUMER VOTED NO!
Sadly Schumer has been ineffective for years. He is my Senator - and for years I have wished he would retire. He writes 'strongly worded letters' that do nothing. He is completely uninspiring. Yes, he once was good - but those days are long gone.
SO WHAT! The Minority or majority leader's job (an extremely important job) is to hold their caucus in line. This is what Mike Johnson is very good at. Meanwhile Schumer is weak and lets these Democrats wander off and betray millions and millions of people.
Is Mike Johnson any good at anything except obeying his master? He knows what will happen to him if he doesn't.
this is why i miss nancy
Why do you say that? No Kings and the election victories on Tuesday weren't achieved by anyone in Congress. What was awakened was the power of the people.
Not Schumer.
There were 8 of them not including Schumer that voted yes including shaheen king fetterman and I believe Tim Caine
It appears that the stand off / shutdown has been for naught?
It’s demonstrated that Trump, and his puppet Reps, are prepared to shut down government indefinitely and let Trump rule by decree. This has already benefited Democrats in elections.
Will the newly-elected rep be seated at last? And do as she said she would?