I always found either/or thinking an obstacle to clear, rational thinking…..but I am in that camp now…..You either find Trump and his cronies like Vance, Biondi, Johnson and Hegseth thugs and scoundrels or you don’t.
I'm with you. Sad but true. Seeking out rationals to justify "scoundrelism" feels like the rational way to see complex issues...but, How long a list of immoral, unkind, devious, deranged acts does one need before seeing your point?
Unironically I think trump ramming through a short term partisan version of healthcare subsidies is the most divisive thing he could do towards dems (bait them to divide on taking a win).
I can’t really follow this. I experienced both RIFS and furloughs in MA long ago. I think it is a mistake to guarantee back pay to furloughed employees up front since it reduces what should be a legitimate push back from citizens who depend on government services. The whole concept of “essential” employees is flawed because, as we see, it can mean anything to anyone. (How many government employees does it take to screw in a light bulb?) Some government employees live paycheck to paycheck and suffer the stress of juggling payments. Higher paid employees get a paid vacation (although they have a catch-up scramble when they return.) RIFs ideally should be done with consideration of the job that needs to be done. In my experience they were governed as much by seniority (as compared with competence) and favoritism (of many types, some illegal, such as romantic connection.) IS this any way to run a railroad? Both Republicans and Democrats know that Obamacare needs radical reform and has for years. Why hold out for another costly band aid when the deficit is glowing red.
I'm curious if they've put forward a legal basis yet for them saying that they can "move money around" or "prioritize payments" to pay military. That type of language usually applies during a debt limit, but the issue here isn't a lack of cash, it's a lack of appropriations.
I always found either/or thinking an obstacle to clear, rational thinking…..but I am in that camp now…..You either find Trump and his cronies like Vance, Biondi, Johnson and Hegseth thugs and scoundrels or you don’t.
I'm with you. Sad but true. Seeking out rationals to justify "scoundrelism" feels like the rational way to see complex issues...but, How long a list of immoral, unkind, devious, deranged acts does one need before seeing your point?
Replying to myself...to start a list...just for Trump (and then there are the cast of characters that hold other seats of power in our government):
$400+M fraud judgement
$93 M in sexual abuse judgements
$2M fake charity Judgement
1 fake charity shutdown
1 fake university shutdown
2 impeachment
5 draft deferments
6 bankruptcies
26 sexual assault allegations
91 liminal charges
34 felony convictions
97 times pleading the 5th
64 mentions in the Epstein Report...
(of course we are living with an inability to even know what a "fact" is but these numbers do appear to check out)
Unironically I think trump ramming through a short term partisan version of healthcare subsidies is the most divisive thing he could do towards dems (bait them to divide on taking a win).
I can’t really follow this. I experienced both RIFS and furloughs in MA long ago. I think it is a mistake to guarantee back pay to furloughed employees up front since it reduces what should be a legitimate push back from citizens who depend on government services. The whole concept of “essential” employees is flawed because, as we see, it can mean anything to anyone. (How many government employees does it take to screw in a light bulb?) Some government employees live paycheck to paycheck and suffer the stress of juggling payments. Higher paid employees get a paid vacation (although they have a catch-up scramble when they return.) RIFs ideally should be done with consideration of the job that needs to be done. In my experience they were governed as much by seniority (as compared with competence) and favoritism (of many types, some illegal, such as romantic connection.) IS this any way to run a railroad? Both Republicans and Democrats know that Obamacare needs radical reform and has for years. Why hold out for another costly band aid when the deficit is glowing red.
Because there is no real alternative on the table?
Well dang, looks like the trick used to pay the military was illegal. Not that I expect someone to challenge it in court 🤷♂️
Yeah, I thought the same thing when Biden used the Defense Production Act to build ventilators
Yes, like Worcester vs Georgia (1832) with Andrew Jackson and the Cherokees
The Bluesky app - I looked for you on Bluesky- didn't find you.
Only found you on X Twitter 😞
I'm curious if they've put forward a legal basis yet for them saying that they can "move money around" or "prioritize payments" to pay military. That type of language usually applies during a debt limit, but the issue here isn't a lack of cash, it's a lack of appropriations.
This was always the danger of allowing a shutdown, the administration simply gains more power.
Articles of Impeachment have been filed. Pile on everyone.
We need to scare him. Dem Party, figure it out.