212 Comments
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Rey M. Rodríguez's avatar

Best not to fund a dictatorship. Shut it down until he understands that we live in a democracy.

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Thomas Moore's avatar

He doesn't care and he can keep spending money however he wants. Remember the "trillion dollar coin?" Well, doesn't matter because it is just a matter of some keystrokes on a computer in the Treasury Department.

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Betsy Borkiewicz's avatar

He is a professional at bankruptcy & hehas NEVER made billions & in fact he’s been spending other people’s money his whole life. That’s what he’s best at so NOW it’s time to ACT & ENGAGE to take back your Life. He has always been a gangster so WE THE PEOPLE MUST be the “Checks & Balances” Make your signs, calls, texts to the no show MAGA CONGRESS. He is at war on American soil with All Americans and he & his handlers could care less as he spends YOUR TAXES and runs the Nation as HIS BUSINESS🥷😪💩👹👿🏴‍☠️

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CONCERNED FOR USA's avatar

LETS GO PEOPLE!!! WE NEED HIM STOPPED AND OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE... 9 MONTHS AGO!!!

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2FollowHim's avatar

Well explained

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Barb's avatar

Problem with running the government like his own business is that he bankrupted 6 of his businesses and at least 13 others failed into oblivion! Do you suppose that is what he is trying to do with the US Treasury? Just rob it into bankruptcy?

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Barbara (NJ)'s avatar

Has been my thinking from the start--his goal is to loot the US Treasury. Biggest pocketbook he's ever been able to get his hands on

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Betsy Borkiewicz's avatar

He did it in Atlantic City while building his only casino, the Taj Mahal, his alleged 8 th Wonder of the World. Sounds like the huge beautiful Room he’s building for his balls!🥶

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WJB Motown's avatar

Democrats needs to return every AIPAC cent!! Officially denounce the genocide in Gaza. Then officially declare they have put America first over Isreal.

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Barbara Greer's avatar

Maybe try and look at the big picture, just this once. The survival of our democracy is not about AIPAC. Keep up.

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Ruth's avatar

🙏 😊

It’s amazing how many people are threatened by a bunch of American Jews pooling their money to spend in support of a strong US-Israeli relationship, which does include electing people who don’t traffic in antisemitic tropes & conspiracy theories.

Are Jews really corrupting Congress worse than the NRA, fossil fuels, or insurance lobbies? More likely, hatred of Jews makes otherwise normal people totally irrational. Which scares Jews & makes us spend even more money on candidates who don’t want to kill us.

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Bad Bunny's avatar

I was a strong supporter of Israel through the 50s and 60s and right up until the years when it started becoming apparent that the State of Israel was deviating from moral principles by becoming the oppressor.

Unfortunately this trend has continued into the new millennium to the point where the Israeli government unapologetically commits war crimes.

Asymmetric warfare, excessive force and collective punishment are violations I call out irrespective of who commits them, but it's particularly galling that the Israeli government continues to cast itself as an undeserving victim while perpetrating atrocities even against women and children.

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Ruth's avatar
Sep 29Edited

Oppressor/oppressed doesn’t really apply here.

Hamas and everyday Gazans committed barbaric crimes against Israelis & others. They don’t get to choose the outcome. They chose war.

I know it’s hard to be told you can’t believe what you read or pictures you see, but you can’t. Hamas edits terrorists out of photos and hides behind the innocent. The real numbers are very high because Hamas wants it that way. They report all deaths as civilian. That’s on them.

It’s horribly tragic and upsetting, but it is on Hamas, who still holds hostages. There can be no end to this until every hostage, dead or alive, is home.

Why don’t those of you who’ve turned on Israel demand the release of the hostages and the surrender of Hamas? That would actually help the people you want to help. Yelling for an end to Israel (not that you do that), marginalizing Zionist Jews like me, wearing a keffiyah, and waving a hate flag does not help Gazans. It doesn’t bring them closer to getting a state.

What is actually happening is that Hamas is buoyed by the protestors, which I’d like to believe isn’t their intent. The American and other Western protestors are guaranteeing a continuation of the death & destruction by calling for genociding all of Israel instead of calling for the release of hostages.

And I didn’t even get to the serious retraumatization of the world’s Jews. In my 50+ years on earth, I’ve never felt more afraid of what’s to come for the Jews. The verbal attacks are vicious, but it’s the lies (the blood libels) that cut the deepest.

How can anyone justify the sadistic treatment of Jews in America over the way Israel defends itself against genocidal terrorists who don’t even value their own lives or those of their children?

Oops wrote too much, sorry.

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Rachel C's avatar

You didn’t write too much. You made me look at the whole thing again. I have always called for the hostages to be released and the fighting by Hamas to stop. But you must admit that what americans see of the complete destruction of the cities and camps in Gaza is horrific. One can feel grief and sadness for ALL the suffering 👹

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Betsy Borkiewicz's avatar

I have a lot of family in Israel & I worry about them. They didn’t want Netanyahu back as PM again & they’re always in the streets marching. Bibi got back in by picking up a right wing group which gave him the largest for the Knesset so like chump he doesn’t want be tried for his bribery & gifts received as well as his wife pulling off something illegal. His actions surprise me & his connection with many of the U.S. wealthy donors. He did go to school in my hometown Philly & College I think was MIT. I have a friend who knew him back then & thought he was a privileged snob/jerk. He doesn’t like chimp’s idea of building Palestine into a beach resort or being apart of it which was his land originally.

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SeekingReason's avatar

With you, Rey!

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Black Raven's avatar

It should be shut down until we get rid of the orange stain and his entire regime!

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Erin Johnson's avatar

There is another thing that’s not getting enough attention: the constitution forbids either house in Congress from going into recess for more than 3 days without the consent of the other house. It’s been well over 3 days and the senate didn’t consent as far as I know. MAGA Mike violated the constitution

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SeekingReason's avatar

Erin, the Constitution has been shredded. We are in a deep Constitutional Crisis. Have you not noticed SCOTUS has shit all over it as well to help the orange Seditionist/Rapist! We ARE in a FASCIST government. The Constitution is violated repeatedly by trump & fellow Fascists.

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Erin Johnson's avatar

Here’s the thing: unless I am very much mistaken, impeachment cannot be done unless the government is open. Unless I am mistaken, there is only one other way out of this mess, and it’s revolution. I’d prefer the former, wouldn’t you?

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Eva Seifert's avatar

Rs will never vote for it. They folded before he became so powerful. Cowards!

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Erin Johnson's avatar

There are a few republicans with spines. Thomas Massie, for one. Don Bacon, for another (yes, that is his name, as far as I am aware). Greene has made a stand on Epstein, maybe she’ll make a stand on this too. You can’t levy war on the USA as President.

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NanceeM's avatar

Obviously he can levy war on the USA, as he is doing. Bacon isn't running for re-election, but he still tends to toe the party line when he votes. That's IF Johnson would allow a vote on articles. Then you would need 20 GOP votes in the Senate to convict, IF Thune even allowed a trial, AND there were no Democratic detectors (looking at you, Fetterman). Impeachment is not going to happen. It would be a futile battle that would do nothing but give Trump another opportunity to cry witch hunt to persecute him unfairly.

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Erin Johnson's avatar

Discharge petitions are a thing, Nancee. Also, if the government stays open, I suspect Mike won’t be speaker for much longer as he violated the constitution by calling such a long recess .

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NanceeM's avatar

You still need a majority in the House just to get a discharge vote, plus the actual vote on the issue, and then 2/3 of the Senate after the Majority Leader agrees to move a trial forward. Who's going to enforce Constitutional violations at this point? Trump has made them fashionable.

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Elizabeth J. Sampson's avatar

He’s a pathological liar with no medical degrees ever. He doesn’t have a clue what he’s talking about and then he lies about it.

How long can a brain- eating worm take residence inside his head— Not too much longer as his brain has been almost entirely eaten by now. Therefore he has no brain to pontificate on vaccines and medical cures. I hope unvaccinated he gets a combo of RSV, flu, and covid. Then i hope he spends the rest of his life in an iron lung, which-is what people did before a vaccine was invented back in the 50’s.

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Eva Seifert's avatar

The brain worm is RFK Jr, not Donald J Trump AKA POS.

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patti smith's avatar

As long as maga's have control of all 3 branches of govt. I can't see him getting impeached or article 25 happening. We have waited too long to do either of these options I think. If we can keep him busy with lawsuits maybe we will regain enough power during the midterms to impeach or otherwise gain control of one of the three branches.

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SeekingReason's avatar

Fascists don’t negotiate in good faith with kowtower Schumer. When money is lost…we see action…Think Disney! Look at Tesla! Without $$$ list, 13million protesters don’t affect the terrorist Felon Regime.

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Black Raven's avatar

This is why we need to do more strikes! If 80% of the population could sacrifice a week without buying. I think that will get their attention. And then do it again and again. Then go after removing them altogether.

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Elizabeth J. Sampson's avatar

Of course i was talking about the unlikable and untruthful RFK jr.

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REBECCA ORNELAS's avatar

Those fucking bastards. They won’t be happy till we’re dead or just bleeding to death. Trump and his regime is evil.

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patti smith's avatar

Well, yeah.

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Kathy H's avatar

The miserable fucks won't be happy even then, but they'll tell themselves they're winning. It's such an accomplishment to destroy people.

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REBECCA ORNELAS's avatar

You said it. And that it is Trump‘s goal and project 2025 goal. Break it down and then bring it back in their image. Which will be a total failure anyway you look at it. It didn’t work for Hitler and it’s not gonna work for Trump or The one percent richest people in the USA.

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OriginalKaDs🇨🇦's avatar

You’re seriously waiting for ELECTIONS and DEMOCRACY to prevail?!

FFS!! Name one dictatorship that was brought down by diplomacy!

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Protect the Vote's avatar

Cheeto: The Empty Blowhard

Finally a journalist is willing to call Cheeto out for what he is…an empty shell that has a lot of hot air, vindictive rhetoric, but no follow through Like his tariff announcements, nothing but TACO

Karen Tumulty at WaPo(https://bit.ly/4nNFh0E) lays out the lack of philosophy, strategy, and policy that Cheeto consistently portrays while shouting his braggard claims about fictional accomplishments In essence nothing but a fraud and liar

And when he does lay out going after his “enemies” it’s for all the wrong reasons Cheeto is an empty smelly blowhard bully who deserves nothing but laughter What a national disgrace on both the domestic as well as world stage A demented looney tunes!!

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Eva Seifert's avatar

I think you're underestimating him right now. Tariffs are one thing. Firing government employees, which he's threatening is another. Ditto calling out the National Guard. That meeting with the generals may be the final chance we have before Civil War. They need to walk out and show POS who really holds the power.

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Protect the Vote's avatar

Not holding my breath about a walk out

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Eva Seifert's avatar

I'll settle for silence.

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Jumajaju11's avatar

You Are Starting To Sound Like You Are Pandering To Trump!

You say that trump wants to shut Meidastouch down. You say that you will keep standing up for the truth. Lately your titles are suggesting that it's the democrats fault if this shutdown happens. Why? We all know it's the republicans and in the recent past everytime there's a republican in office it happens. All the democrats are asking for is 1 thing; health-care and not even in a crazy way. Vance went on air to say that democrats want health-care for illegal immigrants which is not the issue.

Please, if you do not plan to pander to trump then stop titling things as if it's the democrats fault.

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Coco's avatar

I had the exact same reaction to this article. Short-sighted! Grow some balls. (Pardon lang) this is exactly the typical Dems ‘Cave in after feigning a red line) that the mags are counting on to absurdly blame Dems. Dems need to grow back some respect!

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Debra Rincon Lopez's avatar

WHO cares what Republicans think, they are nothing at all.😂😆

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Jumajaju11's avatar

They have control of all branches of the government. If we can get the ones who aren't corrupted to see what the heck is going on and get them to stand up to this regime then we might have a chance at saving this democracy.

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Kathy H's avatar

I feel a disconnect there, too. IDK who TF is being scolded. I think those of us here are pretty damn clear we need our representatives to do their job & are doing everything we can to support that. It wasn't our 'demand for cheap goods' with manufacturing ..& it isn't our laziness, now, that is causing these problems. I know how bad it is & I want strong, clear voices articulating what can work, not to be more upset & confused.

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Becca's avatar

I see your point and felt it a bit too.

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Debra Rincon Lopez's avatar

He wants to ruin America, so they can buy everything up! How shady & corrupt!🤨

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TEH4Control's avatar

Starting with small midwest family owned farms that are being driven into bankruptcy by the orange clowns tariffs. China has stopped buying US Agricultural products.

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Debra Rincon Lopez's avatar

Exactly, he's doing this in all States they want to buy up LANDS & resources. We are not stupid, we see through your games!😒

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Robin's avatar

Interested to know if the change to people's own livelihoods is enough to make R's change their vote.

Or, is the hatred to own everyone else, stronger and they are willing to be poorer to say they are strong?

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Debra NY's avatar

Many MAGA supporters are happy to sign up for the goon squad at ICE. They are getting paid more money than they have ever earned and outdoing each other in who can be the most violent to please their mad king.

The rest of these people who voted for trump but didn’t think he’d turn against have no one to blame but themselves.

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Debra Rincon Lopez's avatar

Oh it's worth the hatred. They won't change no matter what he does to them. There hate & racism overides everything!

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Katbg57's avatar

Somehow I tend to forget that Cheeto was a real estate developer until someone mentions him/them buying up all the land from those small farmers! GAHHHH! I can genuinely say that hate isn’t usually a word I use when talking about people. BUT I truly do HATE that “…empty smelly blowhard bully who deserves nothing…” (as Protect the Vote described the Cheeto in their post).

✋ IT’S TIME TO WAKE UP AMERICA!!🇺🇸

🛑 STOP THIS AUTHORITARIAN PEDO-DICTATOR POTUS 🛑!!

🇺🇸“…OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE“!🇺🇸

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The Peaceful Solution-Plan B's avatar

This could be the Mother of All Spending Strikes. The looming government shutdown is an opportunity to hold His Royal Heinous accountable and stop his atrocities, and the fascist takeover of the country. We, the People cannot easily withhold our tax dollars from HRH, but the Dems in the Senate have that opportunity.

A U.S. president cannot spend money without an appropriation from Congress, which holds the "power of the purse".

Direct spending is prohibited.

Constitutional power: The Constitution's Appropriations Clause states, "No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law".

The Dems in the Senate must have a list of demands under which they would vote to keep the government running. Such as, the Congress sets tariffs, ICE only goes after violent convicted felons, no one is deported to a third party country, and so forth. And that willingness to fund the government would be on a week to week basis, to prevent HRH from going back on his commitment.

If congress refuses to authorize appropriations, HRH will not have money to operate his corrupt, inept, sadistic government. A chance for the Dems to prove they’re not the feckless cowards they’ve been up until now.

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Robin's avatar

But R's in Congress have rolled over & played dead (as in silent) since his day 1.

There are hundreds of things they could/can do to stop or slow the roll of dictatorship.

" Congress, which holds the "power of the purse"...

They have abdicated power. Which should make them all expendable!!!!!!

as in... a dictator does not need a congress, at all. bye bye you are all out of work... the work they are unwilling to do for their constituents.

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The Peaceful Solution-Plan B's avatar

True, most all of them are worthless, but the R majority gives His Royal Heinous the appearance of legitimacy.

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Geri Cochran's avatar

"a dictator does not need a congress": nor does a dictator need a Supreme Court. A dictator needs some type of loyal military, though: does ICE fit this bill? Seems the National Guard might be applicable? :( I guess we'll see.

:(

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Robin's avatar

well DT, who told the military they are "Suckers" and "Losers"...

now, wants all the top military to traverse the globe (really stupid national security move) to appear at 1 meeting.

Using the military & abusing the military might not be different things!!!

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SeekingReason's avatar

Robin, EXACTLY!

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Becca's avatar

The Federal Reserve has much more power than setting interest rates. Why do you think trump/oligarchs wanted control of Feds. They can print money, give loans to businesses to bepaid back or not, get into stuff at Federal Reserve banks, issue lots more US bonds, debts. This fascist government can keep running but it will be harder and much more controversial. Wall Street will not like exploding national debt, erosion of worth of US dollar. Federal Reserve is so powerful! I never knew until I asked Copilot.

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Robin's avatar

"Federal Reserve is so powerful" ... the reason they are supposed to be outside the executive branch. (Nor in the other 2 branches)

The country is supposed to move along, even while presidents change at 4 year mark.

Didn't Wall St & Corp C suites think DT was all about THEM!

The corp tax cuts... and that NOTHING else bad could ever happen. [Made it through pandemic, but we are in a new kind of pandemic... weapon wars/info wars/trade wars and wrapped in money laundering. =(

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FREDERICK's avatar

Why do people keep saying 2026 is the Dems chance to take back power? Who really believes there's going to be elections in 2026? Better you start speaking truth. There's no guarantee of elections. If you want that to happen, the demented orange menace needs to be taken out, long with Miller and Thiel and little JD.

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Elizabeth J. Sampson's avatar

They are just congressional elections. the dems better do a lot more than they have been. We want dems who fight, fight,FIGHT for us. Our current dems seem lazy and dumb. Or are you too befuddled to do anything? Befuddled will lose every time.

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Lindley's avatar

For the first time since Trumps first disastrous term, I am seeing some fight in democrats.

This is an unprecedented time in American history. Can we please just have little hope, a bit of encouragement, PLEASE.

Can you help with that!?!

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Elizabeth J. Sampson's avatar

The dems in congress sit around and collect their salaries and enormous health care benefits that republicans just took away from medicaid recipients. They don’t do anything.

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Debra NY's avatar

They do plenty, Elizabeth. Turn off Netflix and watch C-Span to see the best of them doing their job. The American people voted in more Republicans than Democrats and in Congress, the majority rules.

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Elizabeth J. Sampson's avatar

When i received my Ivy League degrees,

I knew how to study. I still do. Cspan is fine if you can take the boredom. Personally I’d rather go to a research library.

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Debra Rincon Lopez's avatar

What are Republicans doing turning it down. How the hell is any of this Democrats problem to fix?

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Lindley's avatar

I have an idea, Elizabeth. Run for office in your area. Maybe you can make a difference!

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Lindley's avatar

I think I just got shut up by…what’s his name. 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️

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Amarice's avatar

These maga idiots don't give a damn about this country or the people.

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Steve's avatar

They're zombies 🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️ who only obey the cult leader.

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Wendi Hansen's avatar

I've been through several shut downs and it sucks not having a paycheck. We would eventually get back pay, but that doesn't pay your current bills. Having to tap into savings to survive is ridiculous and not something everyone can do. This entire administration needs booted ASAP

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Becca's avatar

Sorry, but paying for our own destruction, threats, targeting, ICE, military in our streets, buffoons, liars in Congress, White House, every Cabinet, US Supreme Court, is not on my BINGO card! I feel like every person who is targeted, seized, made afraid, losing their jobs, fighting for justice, trying to stay away from gunmen is my responsibility. I PAID FOR MY TAXPAID EMPLOYEE TO DO THAT FOR ME! It makes me very sad and queasy. I can't run away from that fact! Can you?

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Danita Hamilton's avatar

They don’t give a damn about the American people. All they care about is their power and getting more money in their pockets not ours.

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Cheri Hannan's avatar

No one is this administration cares if any of us can pay our bills.

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Elizabeth J. Sampson's avatar

Well their base cares, I am certain. These high prices are unacceptable and the congressional dems should be repeating that 24 hours a day.

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Thomas Moore's avatar

2028 slogan: "Elect a NORMAL President!" I think people might vote for that.

Assuming we get to vote, and the election isn't rigged.

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Barb's avatar

The way I read your message, Michael, is that you believe the Democrats should cave on the funding government issue, giving in to the other side again when important issues are at stake. I couldn't agree less. It sounds like you want the high road of playing it safe when there is no longer a high road to be had. I say shut it down. If Republicans will not negotiate-they can't get what they want without Democrats, so the left has a unique opportunity that may not come again. The administration will gut it's programs and staff whether we cave or don't cave. They have no high road, no respect or compliance with Constitutional norms. So what's the advantage in giving up our position now?

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