Propaganda and lack of concern for ending government shutdown

[Tradd]

2018 shutdown was about 34 days. Military went unpaid.

[bae]

2018 shutdown was about 34 days. Military went unpaid.

Machiavelli suggests this is poor practice.

[Tradd]

Orange Man is now proposing that non-essential fed employees don’t deserve back pay. Saw that on the NYT tonight.

[catherine]

Orange Man is now proposing that non-essential fed employees don’t deserve back pay. Saw that on the NYT tonight.

He's just turning the screws on the Democrats. Like the gangster movie where the bad guy grabs the girl, holds a gun to her head and tells the good guy that he'll blow her brains out if he doesn't hand over the money.

[Alan]

He's just turning the screws on the Democrats. Like the gangster movie where the bad guy grabs the girl, holds a gun to her head and tells the good guy that he'll blow her brains out if he doesn't hand over the money.

Actually, I think that's a pretty good description of how the Democrats are handling their shutdown. Give us everything we want and our underlings in the press will back off for a day or two.

[Rogar]

Orange Man is now proposing that non-essential fed employees don’t deserve back pay. Saw that on the NYT tonight.

That seems to be highly illegal. I suspect it's one of Trump's bluffs to get his way, or something he plans to tie up in a legal quagmire for a long time, like he tends to do.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-...senate-bill/24

[Rogar]

Actually, I think that's a pretty good description of how the Democrats are handling their shutdown. Give us everything we want and our underlings in the press will back off for a day or two.

I wonder if the dems accepted a rule that illegals could not receive medicaid benefits, if that would satisfy the GOP. That seems like it's their main arguing point, even thought it's already illegal.

[Alan]

I wonder if the dems accepted a rule that illegals could not receive medicaid benefits, if that would satisfy the GOP. That seems like it's their main arguing point, even thought it's already illegal.

I doubt it. The Medicaid issue is their dominant talking point (and almost certainly the only issue the average voter is aware of) but it's only a small part of their goal. Outside of Medicaid the Dems also want an additional $1.1 Trillion or so in spending.

I think the Senate will be voting again today so we'll see if the Democrats will be able to successfully keep the government closed for at least another day.

[frugal-one]

I guess the point is what the spending will be used for… helping working class folks or cutting taxes for the wealthiest among us.

[Alan]

I guess the point is what the spending will be used for… helping working class folks or cutting taxes for the wealthiest among us.

I've been working class my entire life, certainly not one of the wealthiest among us, and the Democrats want to increase my taxes. Did you know that in retirement my biggest monthly expense by far is taxes encompassing local, state and federal?

Interestingly enough, locally we have an election coming up next month where there will be 3 new tax levies on the ballot. If they pass my local tax burden will increase by an additional $2000 or so. On top of that, if the Democrats wishes are fulfilled I'm anticipating another couple of thousand dollar federal tax increase. I'm not sure how anyone can expect working class people to live under these onerous tax burdens.