Earlier quoted context omitted.
Well, they painted the Republicans as "the people who wouldn't stop your medical insurance from becoming unaffordable". If Congress fails to extend the subsidy, that's going to be very painful for a lot of people, and politically, the blame will fall on the Republicans. That could be a major win for the Democrats when 2026 rolls around.
I support subsidies to help low-income citizens who legitimately can't afford health insurance, but some of the temporary ACA subsidies passed in 2021 were ridiculous. They were handing out cash to early retirees as young as age 55 with incomes over 400% of the poverty line. https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/17/aca-enhanced-subsidy-lapse-g... I don't want my tax dollars wasted on subsidizing them. Give the money to someon…
US House approves bill to end longest government shutdown in history
21–30 of 34 posts
Re: US House approves bill to end longest government shutdown in history
#22Correct me if wrong, but this looks like a severe own-goal for the democrats? A long shutdown to try and force something - as a minority party, using the senate 60 vote threshold quirk, that they didn't get?
Absolutely. Party has no leadership. The progressive wing has been organizing their base, protesting, and calling congressional offices, trying to encourage centrist Dems do something. They finally do this but then get fold immediately when the market starts to dip and flights get canceled. The progressive wing will now proceed to spam call their offices, protest book tours, and call for Chuck Schumer to step down. R…
And, to be clear, is why Chuck Schumer is getting called to step down. It's beyond clear this was a coordinated effort orchestrated by leadership. Not only are they ineffective, but they seem to think their voting base is brain dead that such a strategy would work?
But hey, I just saw some of my fellow countrymen asking why child rape is wrong in a debate over Trump's presence in the latest Epstein files leak. So maybe I just have too much faith in people.
Re: US House approves bill to end longest government shutdown in history
#23This country is a brazen, open, corrupt oligarchy with an active distain for its people. I've genuinely lost any hope for recovery if the progressives need to completely overthrow their own party to even start resisting.
Re: US House approves bill to end longest government shutdown in history
#24Earlier quoted context omitted.
Absolutely. Party has no leadership. The progressive wing has been organizing their base, protesting, and calling congressional offices, trying to encourage centrist Dems do something. They finally do this but then get fold immediately when the market starts to dip and flights get canceled. The progressive wing will now proceed to spam call their offices, protest book tours, and call for Chuck Schumer to step down. R…
> They know this, it’s why the fall guys that voted to end the shutdown are not up for reelection during the midterms. And, to be clear, is why Chuck Schumer is getting called to step down. It's beyond clear this was a coordinated effort orchestrated by leadership. Not only are they ineffective, but they seem to think their voting base is brain dead that such a strategy would work? But hey, I just saw some of my fell…
Re: US House approves bill to end longest government shutdown in history
#25Earlier quoted context omitted.
> They know this, it’s why the fall guys that voted to end the shutdown are not up for reelection during the midterms. And, to be clear, is why Chuck Schumer is getting called to step down. It's beyond clear this was a coordinated effort orchestrated by leadership. Not only are they ineffective, but they seem to think their voting base is brain dead that such a strategy would work? But hey, I just saw some of my fell…
I promise I won't criticize your response, but what would you do if you were Schumer and Republicans refused to budge no matter what? Realistically, doing nothing or voting neys means nuking the filibuster, but getting the same outcome, which might be even worse, and in the interim SNAP and others not getting paid.
Anyway, I'd make them either own the shutdown or take responsibility for forcing the bill through. I'm not giving them an out, they will answer for the suffering they create by not negotiating. Negotiating, which I remind everyone, for a single clause to make sure healthcare costs don't go up $100/month or more for half of Americans.
This line of rhetoric is fascinating to me. It's as if someone locked my family in a room, lit it on fire, and is now telling me we can't leave unless we give them permission to shoot one of us in the head. And, to be clear, they very obviously have no intent of opening the door and have already shot one of us in the head.
The democrats have quite literally zero power in the federal government. They have lost every single branch in all meaningful ways. This was the only leverage that exists. And they gave it up for quite literally nothing.
I cannot fathom the line of thought that they just had sweeping election victories across the board, voters are at an all-time low WRT the Trump administration, the mask is starting to slip on MAGA - realizing that Trump and Republicans are the source of pain and that they do rely on the net, Democratic fervor is rising, and with the holidays coming it is about to cause serious pain to America that can finally snap them awake to the reality of...
Actually, you know what? Nah, they didn't fold immediately. Clearly trying to do anything doesn't work, so let's do absolutely nothing and give them everything they want! They'll surely listen to us now!
The short term pain was intended to be a cure. To show how destructive Republicans are. How much they're willing to make people suffer to avoid even a shred of assistance toward normal people's lives. That they'd rather fund Blackhawk helicopters in Chicago than food or healthcare.
But now we're back to the long term pain. Republicans have been justified - it was the Democrats fault for stopping government for no reason. And we're still losing the ACA subsidies in the short term - raising rates at least double digit percents. And Republicans are still gunning to kill SNAP and ACA in general. And progressives have just witnessed their leadership cave, killing voter momentum.
Re: US House approves bill to end longest government shutdown in history
#26Earlier quoted context omitted.
I promise I won't criticize your response, but what would you do if you were Schumer and Republicans refused to budge no matter what? Realistically, doing nothing or voting neys means nuking the filibuster, but getting the same outcome, which might be even worse, and in the interim SNAP and others not getting paid.
I wish I could quote Schumer when he walked down by the river (as he does, since he's a very cool and relatable layperson) as he cursed in front of a camera to say they will not back down. Can't seem to find the video though. Anyway, I'd make them either own the shutdown or take responsibility for forcing the bill through. I'm not giving them an out, they will answer for the suffering they create by not negotiating.…
As far as the filibuster, let the Republicans kill it and make it very clear they're responsible for this anti-Constitutional corporatist agenda being rammed up our asses. When the other party is doing things for which the only check is for them to eventually hang, you don't sign off on it with your own names!
FWIW I'm not a progressive. I'm a libertarian. Pan-party, people are fed up with this fucking government. In fact that's why they voted (again!) for this New York con artist promising to somehow magically fix everything. It was plainly a stupid choice, but the frustrated desperation driving it is understandably real.
Re: US House approves bill to end longest government shutdown in history
#27Earlier quoted context omitted.
The 48 years from 1932 to 1980, maybe. The US has been decidedly conservative since Reagan. SCOTUS hasn't been liberal since Nixon got Rehnquist as chief justice.
The US is conservative? Are we talking about the same place that's been the social justice woke ideology fountainhead since forever? The one where a man can one day declare he's now a woman because he say's so - and that'll get him on the cover of a magazine as a "hero"? What's your starting point for left - Mao?
Re: US House approves bill to end longest government shutdown in history
#28Earlier quoted context omitted.
I support subsidies to help low-income citizens who legitimately can't afford health insurance, but some of the temporary ACA subsidies passed in 2021 were ridiculous. They were handing out cash to early retirees as young as age 55 with incomes over 400% of the poverty line. https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/17/aca-enhanced-subsidy-lapse-g... I don't want my tax dollars wasted on subsidizing them. Give the money to someon…
For reference, 400% of the poverty line is $60k for a single person, or $85k for a couple
The question here is should we continue to subsidize health insurance for that person? Should taxpayers who can work and do work pay for the health insurance of wealthy people who can work and don't work?
It does not sound fair to me, even though I might benefit from it in the near future.
Re: US House approves bill to end longest government shutdown in history
#29Earlier quoted context omitted.
I wish I could quote Schumer when he walked down by the river (as he does, since he's a very cool and relatable layperson) as he cursed in front of a camera to say they will not back down. Can't seem to find the video though. Anyway, I'd make them either own the shutdown or take responsibility for forcing the bill through. I'm not giving them an out, they will answer for the suffering they create by not negotiating.…
Well fucking said. In order to be leaders, you actually have to start trying to lead. Not just putting on a temporary show where you tried "really hard" to stop those big mean Republicans from hurting healthcare, before going back to business as usual. As far as the filibuster, let the Republicans kill it and make it very clear they're responsible for this anti-Constitutional corporatist agenda being rammed up our as…