Government Shutdown - September, 2025 Editiion

[Anonymous]

Let's see, with his government shut down and people angrily taking to the streets, Trump is...checks notes...in Palm Beach for a million-dollar-a-plate fundraiser plus golf.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My unpopular opinion..

As a Dem I think their shutdown strategy of holding the line on premiums is a losing one.

Like it or not, the GOO has the upper hand with Trump at the helm. Sooner or later, the govt needs to reopen. The shut down creates a distraction for Trump and proj 2025 to leverage opportunities. A lot can happen in the shutdown with him as Pres, legally or not.

The better strategy is to use the leverage of anger when GOP increases costs to bring more folks to the Dem side. If you are a Dem, you support what they are doing but those independents and GOP folks are who you want to convince. The way to do that is not to inflict more pain and ultimately lose this fight but to jet the pain happen and say - hey vote for us instead!

The only thing happening now is pain for all. This is nothing but a damn show out in by the Dems to court public favor- to say hey - aren't we cool?! They are not. I put money on the fact that the only people who will be backing down to reopen the govt will be Dems as GOP are clearly anti gov. This is exactly what they want. As long as the right people get paid - those in their side - they win.

This whole mess is the Dem debacle and I'm a Dem. This is just not the right fight to have. Not at all. They will end up in a weaker position than the start because they won't have gained anything.

This is how Trump win the Presidency - they built a org, a momentum, a team, a cause. It's what the Dems should be doing. What's going on now is the people working separately from political leadership and that's what the Dems need to fix.

I agree somewhat. The Dems are in a losing position like the GOP was during the Obama administration when the ACA passed. The GOP offered no better ideas and the Dems came out looking good. Now the shoe is on the other BUT the Dems could drop the rope in this tug of war and let the GOP land on its keester. Instead, hardline partisan politics on both sides will hurt the electorate by holding up the budget. SMH

While the GOP got the blame for the 2013 shutdown, they did quite well in the 2014 midterms. I suppose today's Dems are looking toward a similar outcome.

I think continuing to dig in will backfire on the Dems. They will be seen more like MAGA / GOP on this one. Bity will be seen as focusing too much on the feud between them and forgetting they are supposed to working for the American people.

The Democrats have been very clear that this is about healthcare access and the ACA subsidies. People are finding out now (see the article on Idaho below) and through the next couple of weeks why this matters.

This is exactly the right time for them to hold fast, both morally and politically.

Idaho kicks off Affordable Care Act open enrollment as premiums are set to rise nationwide
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/idaho-kicks-affordable-care-act-open-enrollment-premiums-are-set-rise-rcna237298

Many Idahoans will have to decide whether they’ll be able to afford coverage once the enhanced subsidies that kept premiums lower for many middle-class families expire at the end of the year.

Bob McMichael, 63, and his wife, Leslie, 62, already know they won’t.

Both are retired and make about $42,000 a year. They currently pay $51 a month for their ACA plan. Late last month, they got a notice that their monthly premium would increase to $2,232 next year without the subsidies.

Gideon Lukens, a senior fellow and director of research and data analysis on the health policy team at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonpartisan research group, said that a 60-year-old couple earning $85,000 a year in Idaho could see about a $1,500 increase in their monthly out-of-pocket premiums.

As a reminder, THIS is what it's about ⬆️

It's NOT about "free shit for illegals." Never was. That's been a GOP lie from the start, as illegals are SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDED.

Nor is it "an additonal $1.5 trillion in spending for Democrat programs." It's not "new" - it's an extension of existing programs, nor is it for "Democrats."

And it's not just some leftist hyperbole. It's real and it's already starting to hit - in red states like Idaho.



Snap out of it, Republicans. You are being lied to. That's now a proven fact, just look at Idaho.

So as the Tweet says, for this particular person/plan, the cost is going from $51 to $2,232.

That's a $2,181 increase in cost. WHO subsidized that $2,181 previously?

Answer: It was coming out of the income tax payer's hide.

Now those taxpayers are funding tax cuts for billionaires.

The problem you have is you come at it from the angle that it was the government's money to begin with. It never was.

It becomes the government’s money when the people vote for that.

The real problem is that you want an oligarchy not a democracy. Most of us already know the Constitution is being shredded and know this is a now or never situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get it - I think Dems should be angry about this topic in raising insurance prices. The Republicans suck. They are evil. They should be stopped from raising ACA min. I'm not sure who does not agree with this except anyone who isn't affected?

But in the context of battle - what will you win and what will you lose over this, you have to think hard and deep. It cannot just be - hey - this sucks - let's go fight! In every battle, there must be a....strategy. What are your options in how best to win this battle?

The Dems seem to never have a strategy, beyond, we won't cave! And everytime, the Dems cave. Maybe this time it goes on for longer but essentially, they operate the same way. every. time.

A govt shutdown is not a strategy. It's a bargaining chip to leverage their position but it's not a strategy.

You didn't notice the times they compromised like adults, then? Because Schumer is still smarting from that last time he kept the government open with the Republicans.

The truth is that we have reached the point where Democrats now have nothing to lose. Zip. They can keep it shut down forever. At the end, it will be on Trump and his horde of monsters.

I didn't say anything about compromise? J said win the damn war. And the Dens may not have anything to kids but the people? This affected by the shutdown!??? Are they winning? You think they don't have anything to lose? It's a damn CR. It's not even a perm fix! It's the ACA premium subsidies. Pick a fight that they can win. It's not about losing and compromising / go win a fight!

You still don't get it. Republicans have got all three levers of power AND, unlike in Trump's first term, he and his cabinet and department heads are not heeding any laws or the Constitution. The Constitutional crisis is at the door. This term, the Trumpian mandate is "let's do all the illegal things and overwhelm and intimidate all the judges who aren't already on our side". It has worked, up to a point. Plenty of irreversible harm has been done with that unpardonable approach.

The only response possible is out-an-out brinkmanship. The MAGAs are terrorists. You don't negotiate with terrorists.

Shut it down.

How's that going?

Day 17. I pretty much guarantee you that at day 22 or 33 or 46 - the only ones shut down will be the Democrats who had to cave in order to get a govt running in this country.

-signed a frustrated Dem who barfs at how foolish the Dem leadership are

I think it will all catch up to the Republicans soon enough... the Dems cave, and millions of Americans, many of whom are Trump supporters are left scratching their heads over why their healthcare costs doubled, tripled, quadrupled... or went away altogether. Or why everything else has continued to get so much more expensive.

Can't blame the Dems for any of it anymore.

Of course they can. The Dems shutdown the govt! Even I as a Dem will say that as the Chuck admits it. He doesn't but of course their whole platform is about explaining the impasse - clearly they don't want to sign off on the CR so yes, the Dems want this shutdown.

The premiums are up but when you're sitting home not working ur working and not making anything, you won't look at bills you'll be wondering what to do with your day or why you are working fir no $$!!!

If the Dems just let things be, the premiums would make people mad but now everything is about the shutdown drama thanks to the Dems. And it was only a CR to Nov. in a couple wks the Dems would have had more firepower and leverage when people focused on spending more money on premiums.

You cannot win the game if you sit out. You gotta be playing to have any chance of scoring. Havent they learned anything from previous shutdowns where they had no endgame but to cave? They always do this stuff and always fail. OMG it's like the Dem leadership are all brain dead...

[Anonymous]

Medicare payments to health care facilities and providers have stopped as a result of the shut down.

If this goes on a long time, facilities and providers who rely heavily on these payments will permanently close.

Not sure the Dems realize this is what they are actually doing to healthcare right now by keeping the government shut…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get it - I think Dems should be angry about this topic in raising insurance prices. The Republicans suck. They are evil. They should be stopped from raising ACA min. I'm not sure who does not agree with this except anyone who isn't affected?

But in the context of battle - what will you win and what will you lose over this, you have to think hard and deep. It cannot just be - hey - this sucks - let's go fight! In every battle, there must be a....strategy. What are your options in how best to win this battle?

The Dems seem to never have a strategy, beyond, we won't cave! And everytime, the Dems cave. Maybe this time it goes on for longer but essentially, they operate the same way. every. time.

A govt shutdown is not a strategy. It's a bargaining chip to leverage their position but it's not a strategy.

You didn't notice the times they compromised like adults, then? Because Schumer is still smarting from that last time he kept the government open with the Republicans.

The truth is that we have reached the point where Democrats now have nothing to lose. Zip. They can keep it shut down forever. At the end, it will be on Trump and his horde of monsters.

I didn't say anything about compromise? J said win the damn war. And the Dens may not have anything to kids but the people? This affected by the shutdown!??? Are they winning? You think they don't have anything to lose? It's a damn CR. It's not even a perm fix! It's the ACA premium subsidies. Pick a fight that they can win. It's not about losing and compromising / go win a fight!

You still don't get it. Republicans have got all three levers of power AND, unlike in Trump's first term, he and his cabinet and department heads are not heeding any laws or the Constitution. The Constitutional crisis is at the door. This term, the Trumpian mandate is "let's do all the illegal things and overwhelm and intimidate all the judges who aren't already on our side". It has worked, up to a point. Plenty of irreversible harm has been done with that unpardonable approach.

The only response possible is out-an-out brinkmanship. The MAGAs are terrorists. You don't negotiate with terrorists.

Shut it down.

How's that going?

Day 17. I pretty much guarantee you that at day 22 or 33 or 46 - the only ones shut down will be the Democrats who had to cave in order to get a govt running in this country.

-signed a frustrated Dem who barfs at how foolish the Dem leadership are

I think it will all catch up to the Republicans soon enough... the Dems cave, and millions of Americans, many of whom are Trump supporters are left scratching their heads over why their healthcare costs doubled, tripled, quadrupled... or went away altogether. Or why everything else has continued to get so much more expensive.

Can't blame the Dems for any of it anymore.

Of course they can. The Dems shutdown the govt! Even I as a Dem will say that as the Chuck admits it. He doesn't but of course their whole platform is about explaining the impasse - clearly they don't want to sign off on the CR so yes, the Dems want this shutdown.

The premiums are up but when you're sitting home not working ur working and not making anything, you won't look at bills you'll be wondering what to do with your day or why you are working fir no $$!!!

If the Dems just let things be, the premiums would make people mad but now everything is about the shutdown drama thanks to the Dems. And it was only a CR to Nov. in a couple wks the Dems would have had more firepower and leverage when people focused on spending more money on premiums.

You cannot win the game if you sit out. You gotta be playing to have any chance of scoring. Havent they learned anything from previous shutdowns where they had no endgame but to cave? They always do this stuff and always fail. OMG it's like the Dem leadership are all brain dead...

You conveniently omit the part about this being about funding the BBB, which was passed unilaterally by the GOP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get it - I think Dems should be angry about this topic in raising insurance prices. The Republicans suck. They are evil. They should be stopped from raising ACA min. I'm not sure who does not agree with this except anyone who isn't affected?

But in the context of battle - what will you win and what will you lose over this, you have to think hard and deep. It cannot just be - hey - this sucks - let's go fight! In every battle, there must be a....strategy. What are your options in how best to win this battle?

The Dems seem to never have a strategy, beyond, we won't cave! And everytime, the Dems cave. Maybe this time it goes on for longer but essentially, they operate the same way. every. time.

A govt shutdown is not a strategy. It's a bargaining chip to leverage their position but it's not a strategy.

You didn't notice the times they compromised like adults, then? Because Schumer is still smarting from that last time he kept the government open with the Republicans.

The truth is that we have reached the point where Democrats now have nothing to lose. Zip. They can keep it shut down forever. At the end, it will be on Trump and his horde of monsters.

I didn't say anything about compromise? J said win the damn war. And the Dens may not have anything to kids but the people? This affected by the shutdown!??? Are they winning? You think they don't have anything to lose? It's a damn CR. It's not even a perm fix! It's the ACA premium subsidies. Pick a fight that they can win. It's not about losing and compromising / go win a fight!

You still don't get it. Republicans have got all three levers of power AND, unlike in Trump's first term, he and his cabinet and department heads are not heeding any laws or the Constitution. The Constitutional crisis is at the door. This term, the Trumpian mandate is "let's do all the illegal things and overwhelm and intimidate all the judges who aren't already on our side". It has worked, up to a point. Plenty of irreversible harm has been done with that unpardonable approach.

The only response possible is out-an-out brinkmanship. The MAGAs are terrorists. You don't negotiate with terrorists.

Shut it down.

How's that going?

Day 17. I pretty much guarantee you that at day 22 or 33 or 46 - the only ones shut down will be the Democrats who had to cave in order to get a govt running in this country.

-signed a frustrated Dem who barfs at how foolish the Dem leadership are

I think it will all catch up to the Republicans soon enough... the Dems cave, and millions of Americans, many of whom are Trump supporters are left scratching their heads over why their healthcare costs doubled, tripled, quadrupled... or went away altogether. Or why everything else has continued to get so much more expensive.

Can't blame the Dems for any of it anymore.

Of course they can. The Dems shutdown the govt! Even I as a Dem will say that as the Chuck admits it. He doesn't but of course their whole platform is about explaining the impasse - clearly they don't want to sign off on the CR so yes, the Dems want this shutdown.

The premiums are up but when you're sitting home not working ur working and not making anything, you won't look at bills you'll be wondering what to do with your day or why you are working fir no $$!!!

If the Dems just let things be, the premiums would make people mad but now everything is about the shutdown drama thanks to the Dems. And it was only a CR to Nov. in a couple wks the Dems would have had more firepower and leverage when people focused on spending more money on premiums.

You cannot win the game if you sit out. You gotta be playing to have any chance of scoring. Havent they learned anything from previous shutdowns where they had no endgame but to cave? They always do this stuff and always fail. OMG it's like the Dem leadership are all brain dead...

Every shutdown before has happened at the hands of the GOP. The GOP could change the rules (again) and pass their bill. Why won't they? Because then they own everything bad that results, and they want the Dems to bail them out (again)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Medicare payments to health care facilities and providers have stopped as a result of the shut down.

If this goes on a long time, facilities and providers who rely heavily on these payments will permanently close.

Not sure the Dems realize this is what they are actually doing to healthcare right now by keeping the government shut…

The country is being financially raided anyway, with cuts to Medicaid and all sorts of "democrat programs." First $20 billion in US taxpayer dollars was being sent to Argentina, and now $40 billion. Why? It doesn't benefit the taxpayers, and that would have covered the ACA subsidies for another 2 years.

The country is being looted. NOT shutting down the government wasn't stopping it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Medicare payments to health care facilities and providers have stopped as a result of the shut down.

If this goes on a long time, facilities and providers who rely heavily on these payments will permanently close.

Not sure the Dems realize this is what they are actually doing to healthcare right now by keeping the government shut…

The GOP was dismantling Medicare anyhow, don't you get it? Look at the BBB.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get it - I think Dems should be angry about this topic in raising insurance prices. The Republicans suck. They are evil. They should be stopped from raising ACA min. I'm not sure who does not agree with this except anyone who isn't affected?

But in the context of battle - what will you win and what will you lose over this, you have to think hard and deep. It cannot just be - hey - this sucks - let's go fight! In every battle, there must be a....strategy. What are your options in how best to win this battle?

The Dems seem to never have a strategy, beyond, we won't cave! And everytime, the Dems cave. Maybe this time it goes on for longer but essentially, they operate the same way. every. time.

A govt shutdown is not a strategy. It's a bargaining chip to leverage their position but it's not a strategy.

You didn't notice the times they compromised like adults, then? Because Schumer is still smarting from that last time he kept the government open with the Republicans.

The truth is that we have reached the point where Democrats now have nothing to lose. Zip. They can keep it shut down forever. At the end, it will be on Trump and his horde of monsters.

I didn't say anything about compromise? J said win the damn war. And the Dens may not have anything to kids but the people? This affected by the shutdown!??? Are they winning? You think they don't have anything to lose? It's a damn CR. It's not even a perm fix! It's the ACA premium subsidies. Pick a fight that they can win. It's not about losing and compromising / go win a fight!

You still don't get it. Republicans have got all three levers of power AND, unlike in Trump's first term, he and his cabinet and department heads are not heeding any laws or the Constitution. The Constitutional crisis is at the door. This term, the Trumpian mandate is "let's do all the illegal things and overwhelm and intimidate all the judges who aren't already on our side". It has worked, up to a point. Plenty of irreversible harm has been done with that unpardonable approach.

The only response possible is out-an-out brinkmanship. The MAGAs are terrorists. You don't negotiate with terrorists.

Shut it down.

How's that going?

Day 17. I pretty much guarantee you that at day 22 or 33 or 46 - the only ones shut down will be the Democrats who had to cave in order to get a govt running in this country.

-signed a frustrated Dem who barfs at how foolish the Dem leadership are

I think it will all catch up to the Republicans soon enough... the Dems cave, and millions of Americans, many of whom are Trump supporters are left scratching their heads over why their healthcare costs doubled, tripled, quadrupled... or went away altogether. Or why everything else has continued to get so much more expensive.

Can't blame the Dems for any of it anymore.

Of course they can. The Dems shutdown the govt! Even I as a Dem will say that as the Chuck admits it. He doesn't but of course their whole platform is about explaining the impasse - clearly they don't want to sign off on the CR so yes, the Dems want this shutdown.

The premiums are up but when you're sitting home not working ur working and not making anything, you won't look at bills you'll be wondering what to do with your day or why you are working fir no $$!!!

If the Dems just let things be, the premiums would make people mad but now everything is about the shutdown drama thanks to the Dems. And it was only a CR to Nov. in a couple wks the Dems would have had more firepower and leverage when people focused on spending more money on premiums.

You cannot win the game if you sit out. You gotta be playing to have any chance of scoring. Havent they learned anything from previous shutdowns where they had no endgame but to cave? They always do this stuff and always fail. OMG it's like the Dem leadership are all brain dead...

You keep posting this but have not put forth what you think they should be doing. It’s really easy to complain about what people are doing wrong.

Tell us specific action that you would do now. Not what you would have done but if you were a leader right now in this situation how would you pivot?

Until you do that, you’re just an armchair, pundit pontificating

[Anonymous]

At least wait till Nov and when public focus puts the rise in premiums in the spotlight, there more attention on the Rep being monsters. That's when there's more options for the blame game..

Most Americans aren't that educated or observant. People put food in the table - politics is not what they care about most - the food is. All you Dem fans that list out all these terrible Rep actions- no one knows! I just want my DH to get paid while working! One prob at a time! The only thing everyone knows is there's a shutdown and no money coming in.

As the opposing party to the ones in control, it's an uphill fight all the way. It's messy, hard, complex and requires a lot of patience to win. It is not just oh! Let's show everyone how noble we are that we want to keep insurance premiums low! In actuality, there's so much more than just that. It's not that easy, simple or clear to stop.

The premiums were on their way up anyway. Find a fresh issue to motivate the people and swing public opinion away from the Rep who are truly the monsters. That's what I would do as a Dem - the goal is to rally Americans to not let Trump and gang have their way. It can be the smallest thing but it has to be easy, clear and simple. There's a strong sentiment v Trump already but the people and the Dem leadership aren't aligned. The politicians would be wiser to earn people's support for a cause where nobody loses - a shutdown does not fit that description!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At least wait till Nov and when public focus puts the rise in premiums in the spotlight, there more attention on the Rep being monsters. That's when there's more options for the blame game..

Why? There would be no leverage then, but there was now.

Plus the rise in premiums was already being spotlighted because people were already getting notices in the mail about it.

In late September, Laurel Vincenty got a letter from Blue Cross Blue Shield informing her that the subsidies that covered a big chunk of her health insurance would be expiring at the end of the year, sending her monthly premiums soaring.

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-care/obamacare-subsidies-couples-insurance-premiums-are-set-go-almost-2000-rcna236478

And rural healthcare sites were already closing due to Trump's upcoming Medicaid cuts. There wasn't more time to waste.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get it - I think Dems should be angry about this topic in raising insurance prices. The Republicans suck. They are evil. They should be stopped from raising ACA min. I'm not sure who does not agree with this except anyone who isn't affected?

But in the context of battle - what will you win and what will you lose over this, you have to think hard and deep. It cannot just be - hey - this sucks - let's go fight! In every battle, there must be a....strategy. What are your options in how best to win this battle?

The Dems seem to never have a strategy, beyond, we won't cave! And everytime, the Dems cave. Maybe this time it goes on for longer but essentially, they operate the same way. every. time.

A govt shutdown is not a strategy. It's a bargaining chip to leverage their position but it's not a strategy.

You didn't notice the times they compromised like adults, then? Because Schumer is still smarting from that last time he kept the government open with the Republicans.

The truth is that we have reached the point where Democrats now have nothing to lose. Zip. They can keep it shut down forever. At the end, it will be on Trump and his horde of monsters.

I didn't say anything about compromise? J said win the damn war. And the Dens may not have anything to kids but the people? This affected by the shutdown!??? Are they winning? You think they don't have anything to lose? It's a damn CR. It's not even a perm fix! It's the ACA premium subsidies. Pick a fight that they can win. It's not about losing and compromising / go win a fight!

You still don't get it. Republicans have got all three levers of power AND, unlike in Trump's first term, he and his cabinet and department heads are not heeding any laws or the Constitution. The Constitutional crisis is at the door. This term, the Trumpian mandate is "let's do all the illegal things and overwhelm and intimidate all the judges who aren't already on our side". It has worked, up to a point. Plenty of irreversible harm has been done with that unpardonable approach.

The only response possible is out-an-out brinkmanship. The MAGAs are terrorists. You don't negotiate with terrorists.

Shut it down.

How's that going?

Day 17. I pretty much guarantee you that at day 22 or 33 or 46 - the only ones shut down will be the Democrats who had to cave in order to get a govt running in this country.

-signed a frustrated Dem who barfs at how foolish the Dem leadership are

I think it will all catch up to the Republicans soon enough... the Dems cave, and millions of Americans, many of whom are Trump supporters are left scratching their heads over why their healthcare costs doubled, tripled, quadrupled... or went away altogether. Or why everything else has continued to get so much more expensive.

Can't blame the Dems for any of it anymore.

Of course they can. The Dems shutdown the govt! Even I as a Dem will say that as the Chuck admits it. He doesn't but of course their whole platform is about explaining the impasse - clearly they don't want to sign off on the CR so yes, the Dems want this shutdown.

The premiums are up but when you're sitting home not working ur working and not making anything, you won't look at bills you'll be wondering what to do with your day or why you are working fir no $$!!!

If the Dems just let things be, the premiums would make people mad but now everything is about the shutdown drama thanks to the Dems. And it was only a CR to Nov. in a couple wks the Dems would have had more firepower and leverage when people focused on spending more money on premiums.

You cannot win the game if you sit out. You gotta be playing to have any chance of scoring. Havent they learned anything from previous shutdowns where they had no endgame but to cave? They always do this stuff and always fail. OMG it's like the Dem leadership are all brain dead...

Worse, it appears now that MTG is leading the charge on Obamacare premium increases. The world is upside down. The narrative is getting away from the Dems and they look more out of touch than ever even as they claim they won’t negotiate bc of premiums. AAAARRRRGGGHHHH

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get it - I think Dems should be angry about this topic in raising insurance prices. The Republicans suck. They are evil. They should be stopped from raising ACA min. I'm not sure who does not agree with this except anyone who isn't affected?

But in the context of battle - what will you win and what will you lose over this, you have to think hard and deep. It cannot just be - hey - this sucks - let's go fight! In every battle, there must be a....strategy. What are your options in how best to win this battle?

The Dems seem to never have a strategy, beyond, we won't cave! And everytime, the Dems cave. Maybe this time it goes on for longer but essentially, they operate the same way. every. time.

A govt shutdown is not a strategy. It's a bargaining chip to leverage their position but it's not a strategy.

You didn't notice the times they compromised like adults, then? Because Schumer is still smarting from that last time he kept the government open with the Republicans.

The truth is that we have reached the point where Democrats now have nothing to lose. Zip. They can keep it shut down forever. At the end, it will be on Trump and his horde of monsters.

I didn't say anything about compromise? J said win the damn war. And the Dens may not have anything to kids but the people? This affected by the shutdown!??? Are they winning? You think they don't have anything to lose? It's a damn CR. It's not even a perm fix! It's the ACA premium subsidies. Pick a fight that they can win. It's not about losing and compromising / go win a fight!

You still don't get it. Republicans have got all three levers of power AND, unlike in Trump's first term, he and his cabinet and department heads are not heeding any laws or the Constitution. The Constitutional crisis is at the door. This term, the Trumpian mandate is "let's do all the illegal things and overwhelm and intimidate all the judges who aren't already on our side". It has worked, up to a point. Plenty of irreversible harm has been done with that unpardonable approach.

The only response possible is out-an-out brinkmanship. The MAGAs are terrorists. You don't negotiate with terrorists.

Shut it down.

How's that going?

Day 17. I pretty much guarantee you that at day 22 or 33 or 46 - the only ones shut down will be the Democrats who had to cave in order to get a govt running in this country.

-signed a frustrated Dem who barfs at how foolish the Dem leadership are

I think it will all catch up to the Republicans soon enough... the Dems cave, and millions of Americans, many of whom are Trump supporters are left scratching their heads over why their healthcare costs doubled, tripled, quadrupled... or went away altogether. Or why everything else has continued to get so much more expensive.

Can't blame the Dems for any of it anymore.

Of course they can. The Dems shutdown the govt! Even I as a Dem will say that as the Chuck admits it. He doesn't but of course their whole platform is about explaining the impasse - clearly they don't want to sign off on the CR so yes, the Dems want this shutdown.

The premiums are up but when you're sitting home not working ur working and not making anything, you won't look at bills you'll be wondering what to do with your day or why you are working fir no $$!!!

If the Dems just let things be, the premiums would make people mad but now everything is about the shutdown drama thanks to the Dems. And it was only a CR to Nov. in a couple wks the Dems would have had more firepower and leverage when people focused on spending more money on premiums.

You cannot win the game if you sit out. You gotta be playing to have any chance of scoring. Havent they learned anything from previous shutdowns where they had no endgame but to cave? They always do this stuff and always fail. OMG it's like the Dem leadership are all brain dead...

Worse, it appears now that MTG is leading the charge on Obamacare premium increases. The world is upside down. The narrative is getting away from the Dems and they look more out of touch than ever even as they claim they won’t negotiate bc of premiums. AAAARRRRGGGHHHH

Power down, space cowboy.

The Dems are doing just fine without you.

[Anonymous]

Trump shows no inclination to encourage the Republican representatives to come back to DC and actually do their jobs.

He's hosting a million dollar per plate fundraiser this weekend at Mar A Largo.

[Anonymous]

Trump is golfing, holding fundraiser dinners, and sending tens of billions of dollars to another country.

Meanwhile, the ACA subsidies are expiring, rural hospitals are closing, grocery prices are increasing, and we can't access our own government services that we paid for.

NO KINGS.