You're right of course - - besides, Trump doesn't drive ANYTHING! But Musk is still hoping to be CEO of the Network State. This is a concept that is far beyond Trump's comprehension, so Trump is only focused on being King, wearing a gold crown and all ...
He is my senator too, and I would rather write in my 23-year-old nephew than vote for that doddering fool again. He has voted for the demise of the USA. The only thing that can save anything now is a Blue State Secession. The Democratic States of America should leave the UnUnited States behind.
I am thinking that might be the only way to save any shred of Democracy is for Blue States to officially secede, or to unofficially secede, and start pooling monies to start that own health agency with shared information that contradicts what Kennedy is saying when he is wrong, and ignores him and releases their own information. They should also have their own media, and perhaps join with the other countries of NATO that are thinking of eschewing collaborating with the US for defense and intelligence. Also, that funds health care research. Then, to fund primary and secondary educational research.
Where will the money come from? There might be a tax escrow account that holds federal taxes from Blue States in investments, preferably in Blue State economies, and is willing to pay them to the Federal government when we see a return on these taxes in the way of federal services. The largest being Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. In fact, conditionally. Isn't this what we are doing to Putin's assets that we have? Blue States have assets that could be withheld until things are fixed. A new Project 2025 called 2025 Blue State Solution.
If you keep DOGE and Musk,
You’ll get NO tax money from us.
I like the Blue State secession ideas of Gary Whittenberger, although I would prefer to call a secession The Democratic States of America. There would be a 1 year period to decide which side you are on, with money to move in either case. I say the target year should be 2026.
I agree with seceding, the only flaw is that the orange maniac would absolutely use the military against us. The Blue States keep the nonfunctional red states alive. He won’t willingly give up that wealth, and the opportunity to totally eliminate us because we oppose him.
Sadly, Linda, that is a fools' dream - - Musk has ALL the data on you, and everybody else in the USA, red, blue or purple. He has your information no matter where you go, or who you align with. If you thought money was power, just wait and see...
Yes. Schumer and 7 other Dems joined Republicans with blood on their hands. For every bad thing that happens, I will be writing my caved, failed senator Dick Durbin, this is on you, you should resign.
The worst case scenario is that Trump and his oligarchs for whom he serves, will steal so much money from us, and take out even more debt in our names for which we will get zero services, and then when there is no government in any department, and there is no money, the USA will be a failed state like Haiti.
As Prof. Ruth Ben-Ghiat has pointed out today in her Substack weekly zoom meeting with subscribers, a country with no oversights for things like food, water, air quality, product safety, or any business, there are no protections and it will attract a lot of bad actors like money launderers, and drug dealers, illegal gun traders, human trafficking, smuggling migrants, environmental crime, cyber crime etc
How 'bout we have a shutdown and DOGE (since it is NOT an agency - - yeah, I know, jury's still out) as non-essential employees are PROHIBITED from entering ANY government facilities!!! The shutdown would then become the BEST thing for the preservation of DEMOCRACY!
Jesus. Schumer did not cave.. there is nothing terminally damaging in the bill to keep government open.... There are no winners losers. You people are hysterical fucking sheep morons
1) I am not a moron. However, I might have more imagination than you or more information than you on how this can play itself out.
2) You clearly are into your Pollyanna phase.
3) There are no winners, but there are losers. Even the oligarchs destroying the planet so that it is unlivable are not really winners in a big picture sense.
Whether you see it or not, the Dems gave up the absolutely last shred of anything they have to hold over the Republicans. And for what? They will get nothing from it. The government will be shut down, because everyone will be fired and even if the courts tell Trump and Musk they cannot do that, what enforcement will they have for a president that the Supreme Court said could do whatever he wants?
5) I have read Project 2025. Have you?
6) I have read several books on fascism and had family members live under a fascist regime. Have you?
Pete, YOU are the moron with wool over your eyes. There is NOTHING in the CR that is in any way a firm commitment or statement of funding objectives: Just wishy-washy statements and the assertion that the Executive Office (the President in case you don't know) can decide as he goes along what to fund and for how much. Congress signed it. Congress signed that it is giving the power to the purse to the President (and rewriting the Constitution in the process.) It is still illegal, and unconstitutional but how do YOU (you "fucking sheep moron)" think the Supreme Court will decide? Read the damned thing - - oh, that's right sheep can't read
Absolutely! I've responded to multiple requests today for contributions from the DNC. I have responded to all--not one red cent until Schumer is replaced. I did, however, give $100 today to Sen. Jon Ossoff from GA for taking a courageous stand to vote against no. I will continue to give to Democrats who have courage, but nothing to the DNC, DSCC, or DCCC.
Don’t shoot me but Schumer may have another plan. Frankly, closing the government gives Trump more power in the end. Keep the government open and we keep a foot in the game.
I'm sure he does 'have another plan.' And I'm even more certain that it's very like his 2016 plan - you remember that one, don't you? When Chuck said 'For every blue-collar Democrat we lose in western Pennsylvania, we will pick up two moderate Republicans in the suburbs in Philadelphia, and you can repeat that in Ohio and Illinois and Wisconsin'?
Yeah, how did that one work out?? Once again, Schumer's giving up something - what little leverage he has - for nothing. Or even less than nothing, in abdicating Congress's power of the purse.
Replace the gerontocracy with a functional leadership. NOW.
Schumer really has no other plan. He is an old style Democrat who believes he is dealing with rational people who will defend our Constitution. He is out of touch with reality. Nancy Pelosi has even chastised him. What a disappointment. I will forever remember the Democrats who cave. How can he be the Democratic leader if he only got 8 other Democrats to vote with him and 38 to vote against him. We need a new leader.
Of the 9 Democrats and 1 Independent who voted for the CR, only 3 are up for reelection in 2026: two have already stated they will not run again, and the other is 80 years old, and not expected to run again either. 6 would be up for reelection in 2028: one is 80 and not expected to run again; Schumer is 74 (and hopefully will have skulked away by then) leaving 4 that need to be primaried the hell out of town. 1 is up in 2030 and obviously hopes the electorate has a short memory (Maybe she can be in Musk's Network State on Mars!).
I should have written in my 23-year-old nephew, who just graduated from chef school, like I wanted to in place of Dick Durbin. I cannot see voting for him again. If he runs unopposed, I will try to start a write in campaign. I am sure I can find someone more qualified to stand up for the people than him. I have a few people in mind. I have been furious with him since he did not do anything about SCOTUS although I contacted his office many times saying he should start impeachment proceedings so that they would know it could not just continue to be business as usual.
However, I do not vote in a state where a senator can be recalled. So, Durbin is safe from that. I hope no one sends a penny to him again.
Thank you for your measured reporting and analysis. We are certainly learning who is on side to resist and protest about the rule of law, balance of power among the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches, and many other fronts where we are losing our constitutional rights. We the People need to research our options to resist the regime legally and take action in spite of the fear and concerns demonstrated by our elected representatives. Remember the advice we got in Kindergarten do not capitulate to bullying, it only worsens things for you.
Schumer needs to step down from Democrat leadership. We need someone who’s going to get HARD on maga republicans. We need a new generation of leadership. We can no longer govern by rules and play nice like it’s 1970s. It’s 2025 we need to get tough on MAGA because these people are sick radical right wings who have no morals.
Schumer was too lazy and irresponsible to take this on. Could it be because he has a book tour scheduled for his book on antisemitism in America? Who buys a book on antisemitism written by a Jew who empowers a Nazi? Protest at his book events.
Schumer was in a no win position. Who’s to say Trump would’ve ordered Thune to nuke the filibuster if Senate Ds held tight on “no”? And Ds would’ve had zero leverage since Rs could pass everything on a party line vote with the filibuster gone.
Schumer should’ve done a better job communicating the reasons why he was voting for the CR as opposed to the negative.
So what is evil and frightening about the continuing resolution (CR) that Schumer just handed to Musk? This CR was NOT a "clean" CR like those in our past. It does NOT simply continue funding at the existing levels for a specified period of time. There is NOTHING in this CR that is in any way a firm commitment or statement of funding objectives: Just wishy-washy statements and the assertion that the Executive Branch (the President) can decide as he goes along what to fund and for how much. Congress signed it. Congress signed that it is giving the power of the purse to the President (and rewriting the Constitution in the process.) It is still illegal, and unconstitutional but how do you think the Supreme Court will decide?
Schumer just handed Trump the keys to the kingdom!
Actually, he just bought himself a share of Tesla and handed THAT clown the keys.
Co-president Musk is driving this clown car.
You're right of course - - besides, Trump doesn't drive ANYTHING! But Musk is still hoping to be CEO of the Network State. This is a concept that is far beyond Trump's comprehension, so Trump is only focused on being King, wearing a gold crown and all ...
These senators voted for cloture:
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer
Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada
Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii
Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York
Senator Gary Peters of Michigan
Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire
Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire
Senator Angus King of Maine, an independent who frequently caucuses with Democrats.
I was surprised to learn that Dick Durbin, my senator, prefers tyrants.
He is my senator too, and I would rather write in my 23-year-old nephew than vote for that doddering fool again. He has voted for the demise of the USA. The only thing that can save anything now is a Blue State Secession. The Democratic States of America should leave the UnUnited States behind.
I am thinking that might be the only way to save any shred of Democracy is for Blue States to officially secede, or to unofficially secede, and start pooling monies to start that own health agency with shared information that contradicts what Kennedy is saying when he is wrong, and ignores him and releases their own information. They should also have their own media, and perhaps join with the other countries of NATO that are thinking of eschewing collaborating with the US for defense and intelligence. Also, that funds health care research. Then, to fund primary and secondary educational research.
Where will the money come from? There might be a tax escrow account that holds federal taxes from Blue States in investments, preferably in Blue State economies, and is willing to pay them to the Federal government when we see a return on these taxes in the way of federal services. The largest being Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. In fact, conditionally. Isn't this what we are doing to Putin's assets that we have? Blue States have assets that could be withheld until things are fixed. A new Project 2025 called 2025 Blue State Solution.
If you keep DOGE and Musk,
You’ll get NO tax money from us.
I like the Blue State secession ideas of Gary Whittenberger, although I would prefer to call a secession The Democratic States of America. There would be a 1 year period to decide which side you are on, with money to move in either case. I say the target year should be 2026.
https://secularhumanism.org/exclusive/secession/
Thank you for sharing that with me.
I agree with seceding, the only flaw is that the orange maniac would absolutely use the military against us. The Blue States keep the nonfunctional red states alive. He won’t willingly give up that wealth, and the opportunity to totally eliminate us because we oppose him.
Sadly, Linda, that is a fools' dream - - Musk has ALL the data on you, and everybody else in the USA, red, blue or purple. He has your information no matter where you go, or who you align with. If you thought money was power, just wait and see...
Yes. Schumer and 7 other Dems joined Republicans with blood on their hands. For every bad thing that happens, I will be writing my caved, failed senator Dick Durbin, this is on you, you should resign.
The worst case scenario is that Trump and his oligarchs for whom he serves, will steal so much money from us, and take out even more debt in our names for which we will get zero services, and then when there is no government in any department, and there is no money, the USA will be a failed state like Haiti.
As Prof. Ruth Ben-Ghiat has pointed out today in her Substack weekly zoom meeting with subscribers, a country with no oversights for things like food, water, air quality, product safety, or any business, there are no protections and it will attract a lot of bad actors like money launderers, and drug dealers, illegal gun traders, human trafficking, smuggling migrants, environmental crime, cyber crime etc
https://www.un.org/en/peace-and-security/transnational-crime
As a failed state people will have no nationality and will have to figure out where to go if they want any protection from total lawlessness.
How 'bout we have a shutdown and DOGE (since it is NOT an agency - - yeah, I know, jury's still out) as non-essential employees are PROHIBITED from entering ANY government facilities!!! The shutdown would then become the BEST thing for the preservation of DEMOCRACY!
Jesus. Schumer did not cave.. there is nothing terminally damaging in the bill to keep government open.... There are no winners losers. You people are hysterical fucking sheep morons
1) I am not a moron. However, I might have more imagination than you or more information than you on how this can play itself out.
2) You clearly are into your Pollyanna phase.
3) There are no winners, but there are losers. Even the oligarchs destroying the planet so that it is unlivable are not really winners in a big picture sense.
Whether you see it or not, the Dems gave up the absolutely last shred of anything they have to hold over the Republicans. And for what? They will get nothing from it. The government will be shut down, because everyone will be fired and even if the courts tell Trump and Musk they cannot do that, what enforcement will they have for a president that the Supreme Court said could do whatever he wants?
5) I have read Project 2025. Have you?
6) I have read several books on fascism and had family members live under a fascist regime. Have you?
Pete, YOU are the moron with wool over your eyes. There is NOTHING in the CR that is in any way a firm commitment or statement of funding objectives: Just wishy-washy statements and the assertion that the Executive Office (the President in case you don't know) can decide as he goes along what to fund and for how much. Congress signed it. Congress signed that it is giving the power to the purse to the President (and rewriting the Constitution in the process.) It is still illegal, and unconstitutional but how do YOU (you "fucking sheep moron)" think the Supreme Court will decide? Read the damned thing - - oh, that's right sheep can't read
Do you really think we'll have free and fair elections in six months?
So do we call the DNC and tell them they don’t get a nickel until Schumer is removed from leadership? How do we do this?
Absolutely! I've responded to multiple requests today for contributions from the DNC. I have responded to all--not one red cent until Schumer is replaced. I did, however, give $100 today to Sen. Jon Ossoff from GA for taking a courageous stand to vote against no. I will continue to give to Democrats who have courage, but nothing to the DNC, DSCC, or DCCC.
Don’t shoot me but Schumer may have another plan. Frankly, closing the government gives Trump more power in the end. Keep the government open and we keep a foot in the game.
I'm sure he does 'have another plan.' And I'm even more certain that it's very like his 2016 plan - you remember that one, don't you? When Chuck said 'For every blue-collar Democrat we lose in western Pennsylvania, we will pick up two moderate Republicans in the suburbs in Philadelphia, and you can repeat that in Ohio and Illinois and Wisconsin'?
Yeah, how did that one work out?? Once again, Schumer's giving up something - what little leverage he has - for nothing. Or even less than nothing, in abdicating Congress's power of the purse.
Replace the gerontocracy with a functional leadership. NOW.
I stand corrected.
Schumer really has no other plan. He is an old style Democrat who believes he is dealing with rational people who will defend our Constitution. He is out of touch with reality. Nancy Pelosi has even chastised him. What a disappointment. I will forever remember the Democrats who cave. How can he be the Democratic leader if he only got 8 other Democrats to vote with him and 38 to vote against him. We need a new leader.
Of the 9 Democrats and 1 Independent who voted for the CR, only 3 are up for reelection in 2026: two have already stated they will not run again, and the other is 80 years old, and not expected to run again either. 6 would be up for reelection in 2028: one is 80 and not expected to run again; Schumer is 74 (and hopefully will have skulked away by then) leaving 4 that need to be primaried the hell out of town. 1 is up in 2030 and obviously hopes the electorate has a short memory (Maybe she can be in Musk's Network State on Mars!).
Polls don’t matter but power does. Give up your power and watch Trump run amuck.
I should have written in my 23-year-old nephew, who just graduated from chef school, like I wanted to in place of Dick Durbin. I cannot see voting for him again. If he runs unopposed, I will try to start a write in campaign. I am sure I can find someone more qualified to stand up for the people than him. I have a few people in mind. I have been furious with him since he did not do anything about SCOTUS although I contacted his office many times saying he should start impeachment proceedings so that they would know it could not just continue to be business as usual.
However, I do not vote in a state where a senator can be recalled. So, Durbin is safe from that. I hope no one sends a penny to him again.
Thank you for your measured reporting and analysis. We are certainly learning who is on side to resist and protest about the rule of law, balance of power among the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches, and many other fronts where we are losing our constitutional rights. We the People need to research our options to resist the regime legally and take action in spite of the fear and concerns demonstrated by our elected representatives. Remember the advice we got in Kindergarten do not capitulate to bullying, it only worsens things for you.
Schumer needs to step down from Democrat leadership. We need someone who’s going to get HARD on maga republicans. We need a new generation of leadership. We can no longer govern by rules and play nice like it’s 1970s. It’s 2025 we need to get tough on MAGA because these people are sick radical right wings who have no morals.
This could be the phase where they divide us? Both choices were absolute shit. I think we should hold off blasting the Yes folks. I want to hear more.
Will these weekly conversations be released on other platforms like the monthly ones were?
Schumer was too lazy and irresponsible to take this on. Could it be because he has a book tour scheduled for his book on antisemitism in America? Who buys a book on antisemitism written by a Jew who empowers a Nazi? Protest at his book events.
I wondered if Trump's declaring that Schumer 'is a Palestinian - - he used to be Jewish, but he isn't anymore' contributed to Schumer's caving...
I don't know but I also don't care. He needs to step aside for someone more imaginative and willing to take action.
Schumer was in a no win position. Who’s to say Trump would’ve ordered Thune to nuke the filibuster if Senate Ds held tight on “no”? And Ds would’ve had zero leverage since Rs could pass everything on a party line vote with the filibuster gone.
Schumer should’ve done a better job communicating the reasons why he was voting for the CR as opposed to the negative.
Agree. Both options are shit. The shut down sounds terrifying too. We don’t know what the maniac would do.
So what is evil and frightening about the continuing resolution (CR) that Schumer just handed to Musk? This CR was NOT a "clean" CR like those in our past. It does NOT simply continue funding at the existing levels for a specified period of time. There is NOTHING in this CR that is in any way a firm commitment or statement of funding objectives: Just wishy-washy statements and the assertion that the Executive Branch (the President) can decide as he goes along what to fund and for how much. Congress signed it. Congress signed that it is giving the power of the purse to the President (and rewriting the Constitution in the process.) It is still illegal, and unconstitutional but how do you think the Supreme Court will decide?