My friend's sister has vital medication that keeps her alive that costs 50% of her monthly earnings with insurance. You can imagine how terrified they are for the insurance spikes.
Hold on, Dems. This is where you become either heroes or collaborators.
I am disgusted, but not particularly surprised, by the three defectors. I hope for your friend's sister and so many other people out there that the rest find their spines and stand strong on this.
Thanks so much for this explanation, Jay. You are truly a national treasure with your incredible wisdom and clear and concise explanation. It helps in ways beyond description. Thank you! 💙
I read today that Trump was playing the AI video of Jeffries in a sombrero on a loop over and over at the WH and a statement was made that they would quit if the Democrats ended the shut down.
I mean, how utterly immature and childish. Trump has brought shame to the WH and the entire U.S.
As a history lover, this hurts, but I think they should totally restore the entire WH after Trump leaves. Shut it down and scrub it back to historic condition.
All that tacky gold plated stuff has got to go. He’ll probably take it with him when he leaves. I’m still wondering what happened to Jackie Kennedy’s roses.
I had read that at the time they were removed some long-time grounds keepers took clippings of ones that were trashed to preserve the species that were collected there.
EXACTLY. Get congress to pass a "Remove the tacky, classless crap" bill.
Also, EVERY government worker hired under Cheetolini should be fired day one, and if they can prove they did NOT participate in any partisan, illegal crap while in office, be allowed to re-apply. Purge the government of these scumwads.
Surely, we can think of a better use for the space than a ballroom larger than the White House itself. And although he claims to be using his own funds for it, I doubt it. Unless, of course, he pays with crypto currency.
It's not just ACA costs. Medicare costs, too. Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans have begun sending notices of plan changes. Normally, we ignore them. I'd suggest reading yours this time if you get one. Costs are rising across the board.
I’ve written several times today about Vought. None of it good. Since early adulthood I’ve judged intelligence by being able to evaluate the consequences of one’s actions. Republicans don’t think Democrats will check them.
Historically they maybe correct, but those days are gone.
One party cuts healthcare to its citizens. Women are treated without compassion. Their laws cause increase in measles, covid, untreated miscarriages increase in sepsis.
RFKjr is essentially a serial killer.
Only one party supports unfettered gun access.
Democrats could address those things if we’d quit fighting amongst ourselves.
I think a tax revolt is almost inevitable. Yes the consequences will be Trump threats of violence, but I think the people will get tired of paying fed tax to ppl who use the money for their discretionary funds. I think Vought will end up in prison.
What’s the charge for buying judges. Withholding allocated funds.
It’s so important to note that allowing the premium tax credits to expire will increase premium costs for everyone, not just those eligible for the tax credits. We are small business owners, we buy our health insurance through the Marketplace. We pay $1800/mo with a $28,000 deductible. We have received multiple mailings about the fact that our premiums are going to increase, up to 75%. We are not eligible for the premium tax credits.
Our insurance system is set up based on shared risk pools. When healthy Americans are no longer able to afford their premiums and drop out of the market, the costs go up for everyone. Even those who are income-ineligible for the tax credits. Even those with employer-sponsored health insurance.
I wrote about this recently and hope others understand the ramifications for us all. Well, perhaps not the top 1% who do not need to care but certainly the rest of us.
Very good point. Sadly, the GQP does not understand even the basics of how insurance works. We saw this years ago when they whined incessantly about the (very minor) penalty for folks that opted to be uninsured.
I can say “ stay united democrats!” But some, maybe enough, will fold and this death of America by1000 cuts will resume. Republicans in my state are silent, maybe because they know what trump’s doing is wrong and they want to appear surprised when the collapse happens. Little do they know that trump isn’t a party man, he’s out to destroy our country and he’ll walk away king in his own mind. Stay strong and united Dems you really are our only hope.
Thanks, Jay! As always, your "common" language explanation helps those who are hurting and think the Democrats are missing in action and left them behind. It gets frustrating when those who identify with the left side of the aisle feel and then publicly state that the Democratic party is falling apart and doing nothing, when that truly isn't the case. They are fighting every day in many ways that are not visible to people everywhere. It is hard being in the minority when you want your team to know you are working your butts off for them and the greater good of our country, but when you can't pass a bill or even get one introduced beyond committee, very little gets publicized for those who are so scared and yearning for a win. People, please, never give up on the team! When we know the situation and help those on the front line, we just might get a win!
The very issue is that what the Dems are doing IS NOT visible. How do we know they're doing anything if we never hear about it? Certainly, I read reports that so-and-so Dem spoke out, but by-and-large, anything they're working on is done out of sight. If they don't publicize their actions, 24/7, it's their fault that we think they're simply cowering in closets.
The Democrats messaging (as poor as it is at times) and accomplishments are essentially gagged by corporate media. I get emails from my Democrat Congresswoman noting introduced legislation, which goes no where in the House, the rare bipartisan bill that does pass, progressive legislation she introduces or cosponsors, and efforts to stand strong against tRumpf and the Rethuglicans in Congress. But I also know she’s preaching to the choir and I’m willing to bet 98% of her email list are to people that voted for her.
I agree. Michael. It's exactly the same situation with my somewhat progressive Dem congresswoman. My senators are MAGA, so totally worthless.
The point being, though, that yes, Dem officeholders do indeed need to constantly reach out to their constituents, BUT they also need to be on the national stage, every day. Every. single. day. They need to get a simple, powerful message out to the entire country, taking turns to speak, passing along the same info in their own ways. Only a completely consistent, straightforward message will work, and only if it's repeated until the country (all those who aren't orange cult members) gets it.
I, too, live in Ohio...NW, very red Ohio, and not because of the Ohio State color. It is horrible! (Maybe you are in my area as well?) I too, have a strong Congresswoman (met with her last night at a Town Hall!) and we have the nastiest trumplican fools as the other reps and Senators. (Husted, and Morino!) But, I do see movement and as hard as it is to be seen and definitely heard or understood, we are trying on the home front in red country, and they are trying to be visible. But, I do agree their PR people need to be working three shifts a day to get that bit of news out to us. Our local paper, and several others around rural Ohio, is owned by a trump-loving family corp, and they would more than love to trample the First Amendment rights of anyone not writing or saying what they like.
When we lose our newspapers, we are in big trouble. Hang in there Denise, I am, and I will continue to support and work for the party that I knew was mine ever since I was a dozen years old. I was born a Democrat.
Are you represented by Marcy Kaptur, then? She was our representative in Cleveland for several years, via the snake-on-the-lake gerrymander. She's good, very solid. Now our neighborhood is represented by Shontel Brown, who's a real fighter.
And do you mean the Toledo Blade? I haven’t seen for years. I used to read it occasionally when I lived on PIB.
Husted and Moreno are total losers. I'm doubting there will be mid-terms next year, but if there are, our only hope is that Sherrod wins. It will be a very steep uphill battle again, because Peter Thiel will likely support Sherrod's opponent, like last year with the odious Moreno.
My larger point, though, is that the Dems need to present a united front across the country, not just in their districts. They need to be very public and very loud. Speeches from the Capitol steps and the House and Senate floors. For now, they should each adopt a mindset that they represent the United States, not Massachusetts or Chicago. Take Jamie Raskin, AOC, Cory Booker, and a handful of others as their examples, because those people speak FOR and TO the nation.
Yes! Marcy is ours now. 💙 I live in Defiance...my town and my attitude! (50 miles from Toledo) I was talking about the rural newspapers such as the one we have here.
I agree with you that a united front is needed, no matter what the House or Senate is doing. It sounds simpler than it is when there are horrors going on in different places that those Reps and Senators have to address for the home vote. And yes, Sherrod (whom I have spoken with many times) is fantastic, and he is running against Husted next year. My hope, prayer and wish is that next year is a complete wipe-out, going all blue, but then we have been in that position before and got the shock of our lives....and I know trump is not above doing criminal work to win. Just look at the gerrymandering going on in Texas and Missouri and even here in Ohio.
Indeed, ALL Dems in Congress need to hold the line and not buckle. Period.
Additionally, the "mainstream" corporate media needs to get off its ass. This is not a both sides thing going on here. The mentally ill FOTUS and his MAGAt minions are illegally fleecing Americans' tax dollars from every corner of the government and illegally firing thousands of workers, to say nothing of imposing cristofascist dictates. This is not a series of distractions and flooding the zone and making ill-worded headlines. It is a concerted effort to dismantle our democratic republic. Media needs to do its job so we can keep it.
Thanks, Jay. Took a screen shot of Sen. Warnock's post to share on Facebook. Makes it simpler there for people to take in at a glance, although I don't think they're showing most of my political commentators' posts in anyone's feeds.
There is something very wrong with a "health system" where insurance would cost so much without substantial governmental subsidies. The Democrats need to be talking about a public system", such as "medicare for all".
Many of us in the health care and public health sector have been pushing this idea for years. Many countries with universal health care have very successful models - not perfect but at least the entire population is served. Congress should be put on public health care to understand what our underserved population is experiencing.
The Democrats need to hammer the fact that illegals DO NOT get healthcare. The Reps tell this lie and lie over and over again and it must be corrected. Yes, if someone walks into an ER they will be treated BY LAW. This administration has absolutely no compassion for anyone that’s not white.
True. By law all people, including lawfully detained people and people from other countries in the U.S. without documentation or with expired documentation will receive care in a hospital ER. I believe, but not certain, this may be tied to the same rules that tie hospitals to accepting Medicare and Medicaid. During my last ER visit in July, the Hispanic man in the exam room next to me (actually same room with a curtain down the center) would not answer the nurse when she tried to verify his country of birth. His wife was trying to translate, but her English was poor. I sensed he was in the country legally, because I could over hear the nurse reading back his hospital record, previous visits, medical history, country and city of birth (central Mexican state) and places of residence. The couple were clearly too scared to answer, fearing ICE and possible deportation. In California, ICE cannot legally enter an acute care facility. They must wait outside.
Thank you for this. I was not aware of all the other punitive measures the Nazi party was inflicting. I hope the democrats will hang in there despite the suffering because I see this as their Alamo. If they concede without any concessions, that’s pretty much the end!
Thank you Jay, a clear eyed assessment of the reality of this shutdown and the ongoing lies on the part of the GOP and those responsible in the Oval Office.
I agree, and I wish the Dems had added more conditions like the unmasking of ICE agents, removing the National Guard from cities where they are not wanted, a stop to the illegal withholding of federal funding, and an end to tariffs that don't have congress' approval. Yes it's a laundry list but there's a laundry list of crazy illegal shit going on and this is an opportunity to make it clear that it's NOT business as usual and Dems will NOT work with a governing party that is completely corrupt.
I'm sure that's true, I guess healthcare affordability is not one of my worries right now, and in that I'm fortunate. As far as an endgame goes, if Dems cave without their demands being met, it will make them look even weaker. If the Republicans won't compromise, then Dems should just say okay then get rid of the filibuster and take all the responsibility yourselves. We will not vote to fund a government that acts illegally.
Bob, “If the Republicans won't compromise, then Dems should just say okay then get rid of the filibuster and take all the responsibility yourselves.” I completely agree. Although Jay is correct on the healthcare issues being of the most importance, what almost everyone misses is basic tactics of negotiating and game theory. Bring forward more issues and negotiating points as you suggest, stick with your few most important and one that you don’t play up the most (hidden agenda tactic), give in on others letting the other side think they’ve won something, and walk away with some wins on your side.
The dems are also calling for drUmpf to stop his illegal impoundments of federal funds. That is their second demand. But Schumer and Jeffries are highlighting the healthcare subsidies because the illegal impoundment matter is more complex and less understood by poorly educated voters who watch corporate media.
Unfortunately the “supreme” court just issued another shadow docket ruling that temporarily legalized drUmpf illegal impoundments, pending a federal hearing on that matter. I hope I have that right. I believe that was in Robert Hubbell’s Substack this week.
My friend's sister has vital medication that keeps her alive that costs 50% of her monthly earnings with insurance. You can imagine how terrified they are for the insurance spikes.
Hold on, Dems. This is where you become either heroes or collaborators.
I am disgusted, but not particularly surprised, by the three defectors. I hope for your friend's sister and so many other people out there that the rest find their spines and stand strong on this.
Thanks so much for this explanation, Jay. You are truly a national treasure with your incredible wisdom and clear and concise explanation. It helps in ways beyond description. Thank you! 💙
I read today that Trump was playing the AI video of Jeffries in a sombrero on a loop over and over at the WH and a statement was made that they would quit if the Democrats ended the shut down.
I mean, how utterly immature and childish. Trump has brought shame to the WH and the entire U.S.
As a history lover, this hurts, but I think they should totally restore the entire WH after Trump leaves. Shut it down and scrub it back to historic condition.
And a sage ceremony to cleanse it.
After the pest-control company does the fumigation, of course.
Sage isn't enough. Need an exorcism.
Do like the ancient Egyptians did and wipe their presence away.
I surely would not want to live there in its present condition. Or EW! touch anything Trump touched.
All that tacky gold plated stuff has got to go. He’ll probably take it with him when he leaves. I’m still wondering what happened to Jackie Kennedy’s roses.
I had read that at the time they were removed some long-time grounds keepers took clippings of ones that were trashed to preserve the species that were collected there.
Hooray! Maybe we can plant a new rose garden. And add a vegetable section in honor of Michelle Obama.
I hope the pedo- patio gets bulldozed and the rose garden made bigger than ever along with vegetables.
Maybe he’ll be buried in gold leaf with his most precious treasures like the pharaohs did
EXACTLY. Get congress to pass a "Remove the tacky, classless crap" bill.
Also, EVERY government worker hired under Cheetolini should be fired day one, and if they can prove they did NOT participate in any partisan, illegal crap while in office, be allowed to re-apply. Purge the government of these scumwads.
I’d add to that- have some seasoned FBI guys sweep thru the entire place looking for bugs in every room.
Very good point (and it would REALLY annoy Cheetolini's best-bud Putin . . .).
Surely, we can think of a better use for the space than a ballroom larger than the White House itself. And although he claims to be using his own funds for it, I doubt it. Unless, of course, he pays with crypto currency.
And please destroy the ballroom and bring back the rose garden
It's not just ACA costs. Medicare costs, too. Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans have begun sending notices of plan changes. Normally, we ignore them. I'd suggest reading yours this time if you get one. Costs are rising across the board.
And Part D (prescription coverage) premiums for 2026 doubled in a lot of plans, Aetna among them.
Yep, my Medicare Advantage cost hike goes into effect next month. My supplemental health insurance went up even more than Medicare.
And a few rural hospitals have already announced closures, MANY more are coming.
Yep, got my notice today, and several coverage sectors are going to be changed for the worse.
I’ve written several times today about Vought. None of it good. Since early adulthood I’ve judged intelligence by being able to evaluate the consequences of one’s actions. Republicans don’t think Democrats will check them.
Historically they maybe correct, but those days are gone.
One party cuts healthcare to its citizens. Women are treated without compassion. Their laws cause increase in measles, covid, untreated miscarriages increase in sepsis.
RFKjr is essentially a serial killer.
Only one party supports unfettered gun access.
Democrats could address those things if we’d quit fighting amongst ourselves.
I think a tax revolt is almost inevitable. Yes the consequences will be Trump threats of violence, but I think the people will get tired of paying fed tax to ppl who use the money for their discretionary funds. I think Vought will end up in prison.
What’s the charge for buying judges. Withholding allocated funds.
Vought is an arrogant ass.
It’s so important to note that allowing the premium tax credits to expire will increase premium costs for everyone, not just those eligible for the tax credits. We are small business owners, we buy our health insurance through the Marketplace. We pay $1800/mo with a $28,000 deductible. We have received multiple mailings about the fact that our premiums are going to increase, up to 75%. We are not eligible for the premium tax credits.
Our insurance system is set up based on shared risk pools. When healthy Americans are no longer able to afford their premiums and drop out of the market, the costs go up for everyone. Even those who are income-ineligible for the tax credits. Even those with employer-sponsored health insurance.
I wrote about this recently and hope others understand the ramifications for us all. Well, perhaps not the top 1% who do not need to care but certainly the rest of us.
https://open.substack.com/pub/danismart/p/the-ripple-effect-how-one-law-is?r=1c5095&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Very good point. Sadly, the GQP does not understand even the basics of how insurance works. We saw this years ago when they whined incessantly about the (very minor) penalty for folks that opted to be uninsured.
I can say “ stay united democrats!” But some, maybe enough, will fold and this death of America by1000 cuts will resume. Republicans in my state are silent, maybe because they know what trump’s doing is wrong and they want to appear surprised when the collapse happens. Little do they know that trump isn’t a party man, he’s out to destroy our country and he’ll walk away king in his own mind. Stay strong and united Dems you really are our only hope.
Thanks, Jay! As always, your "common" language explanation helps those who are hurting and think the Democrats are missing in action and left them behind. It gets frustrating when those who identify with the left side of the aisle feel and then publicly state that the Democratic party is falling apart and doing nothing, when that truly isn't the case. They are fighting every day in many ways that are not visible to people everywhere. It is hard being in the minority when you want your team to know you are working your butts off for them and the greater good of our country, but when you can't pass a bill or even get one introduced beyond committee, very little gets publicized for those who are so scared and yearning for a win. People, please, never give up on the team! When we know the situation and help those on the front line, we just might get a win!
The very issue is that what the Dems are doing IS NOT visible. How do we know they're doing anything if we never hear about it? Certainly, I read reports that so-and-so Dem spoke out, but by-and-large, anything they're working on is done out of sight. If they don't publicize their actions, 24/7, it's their fault that we think they're simply cowering in closets.
The Democrats messaging (as poor as it is at times) and accomplishments are essentially gagged by corporate media. I get emails from my Democrat Congresswoman noting introduced legislation, which goes no where in the House, the rare bipartisan bill that does pass, progressive legislation she introduces or cosponsors, and efforts to stand strong against tRumpf and the Rethuglicans in Congress. But I also know she’s preaching to the choir and I’m willing to bet 98% of her email list are to people that voted for her.
I agree. Michael. It's exactly the same situation with my somewhat progressive Dem congresswoman. My senators are MAGA, so totally worthless.
The point being, though, that yes, Dem officeholders do indeed need to constantly reach out to their constituents, BUT they also need to be on the national stage, every day. Every. single. day. They need to get a simple, powerful message out to the entire country, taking turns to speak, passing along the same info in their own ways. Only a completely consistent, straightforward message will work, and only if it's repeated until the country (all those who aren't orange cult members) gets it.
What state do you live in Denise?
Ohio
I, too, live in Ohio...NW, very red Ohio, and not because of the Ohio State color. It is horrible! (Maybe you are in my area as well?) I too, have a strong Congresswoman (met with her last night at a Town Hall!) and we have the nastiest trumplican fools as the other reps and Senators. (Husted, and Morino!) But, I do see movement and as hard as it is to be seen and definitely heard or understood, we are trying on the home front in red country, and they are trying to be visible. But, I do agree their PR people need to be working three shifts a day to get that bit of news out to us. Our local paper, and several others around rural Ohio, is owned by a trump-loving family corp, and they would more than love to trample the First Amendment rights of anyone not writing or saying what they like.
But we cannot give up on our end either. We need to write letters to the editor and spread the word that Democrats are fighting for us in the areas we need. They are all over social media, which seems to be the only thing people read any longer, and the national news are caving to trump. Did you see this morning's news about CBS (https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/10/03/cbs-news-bari-weiss-skydance-paramount/?utm_source=alert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=wp_news_alert_revere&location=alert)
When we lose our newspapers, we are in big trouble. Hang in there Denise, I am, and I will continue to support and work for the party that I knew was mine ever since I was a dozen years old. I was born a Democrat.
Are you represented by Marcy Kaptur, then? She was our representative in Cleveland for several years, via the snake-on-the-lake gerrymander. She's good, very solid. Now our neighborhood is represented by Shontel Brown, who's a real fighter.
And do you mean the Toledo Blade? I haven’t seen for years. I used to read it occasionally when I lived on PIB.
Husted and Moreno are total losers. I'm doubting there will be mid-terms next year, but if there are, our only hope is that Sherrod wins. It will be a very steep uphill battle again, because Peter Thiel will likely support Sherrod's opponent, like last year with the odious Moreno.
My larger point, though, is that the Dems need to present a united front across the country, not just in their districts. They need to be very public and very loud. Speeches from the Capitol steps and the House and Senate floors. For now, they should each adopt a mindset that they represent the United States, not Massachusetts or Chicago. Take Jamie Raskin, AOC, Cory Booker, and a handful of others as their examples, because those people speak FOR and TO the nation.
And yes, it's a damn shame where CBS is going.
Yes! Marcy is ours now. 💙 I live in Defiance...my town and my attitude! (50 miles from Toledo) I was talking about the rural newspapers such as the one we have here.
I agree with you that a united front is needed, no matter what the House or Senate is doing. It sounds simpler than it is when there are horrors going on in different places that those Reps and Senators have to address for the home vote. And yes, Sherrod (whom I have spoken with many times) is fantastic, and he is running against Husted next year. My hope, prayer and wish is that next year is a complete wipe-out, going all blue, but then we have been in that position before and got the shock of our lives....and I know trump is not above doing criminal work to win. Just look at the gerrymandering going on in Texas and Missouri and even here in Ohio.
Thank you for saying that.
Indeed, ALL Dems in Congress need to hold the line and not buckle. Period.
Additionally, the "mainstream" corporate media needs to get off its ass. This is not a both sides thing going on here. The mentally ill FOTUS and his MAGAt minions are illegally fleecing Americans' tax dollars from every corner of the government and illegally firing thousands of workers, to say nothing of imposing cristofascist dictates. This is not a series of distractions and flooding the zone and making ill-worded headlines. It is a concerted effort to dismantle our democratic republic. Media needs to do its job so we can keep it.
Considering the media's ownership, don't hold your breath, Beth.
Thanks, Jay. Took a screen shot of Sen. Warnock's post to share on Facebook. Makes it simpler there for people to take in at a glance, although I don't think they're showing most of my political commentators' posts in anyone's feeds.
Spreading that also. It’s a great visual.
Mr Hillybilly Elegy is absolutely soulless
There is something very wrong with a "health system" where insurance would cost so much without substantial governmental subsidies. The Democrats need to be talking about a public system", such as "medicare for all".
One battle at a time…
Many of us in the health care and public health sector have been pushing this idea for years. Many countries with universal health care have very successful models - not perfect but at least the entire population is served. Congress should be put on public health care to understand what our underserved population is experiencing.
They've had that chance for decades, and never followed through on it.
The Democrats need to hammer the fact that illegals DO NOT get healthcare. The Reps tell this lie and lie over and over again and it must be corrected. Yes, if someone walks into an ER they will be treated BY LAW. This administration has absolutely no compassion for anyone that’s not white.
They are hammering this everywhere I look
But is it where the magat's look?
Excellent point, Michela.
True. By law all people, including lawfully detained people and people from other countries in the U.S. without documentation or with expired documentation will receive care in a hospital ER. I believe, but not certain, this may be tied to the same rules that tie hospitals to accepting Medicare and Medicaid. During my last ER visit in July, the Hispanic man in the exam room next to me (actually same room with a curtain down the center) would not answer the nurse when she tried to verify his country of birth. His wife was trying to translate, but her English was poor. I sensed he was in the country legally, because I could over hear the nurse reading back his hospital record, previous visits, medical history, country and city of birth (central Mexican state) and places of residence. The couple were clearly too scared to answer, fearing ICE and possible deportation. In California, ICE cannot legally enter an acute care facility. They must wait outside.
Thank you for this. I was not aware of all the other punitive measures the Nazi party was inflicting. I hope the democrats will hang in there despite the suffering because I see this as their Alamo. If they concede without any concessions, that’s pretty much the end!
Thank you Jay, a clear eyed assessment of the reality of this shutdown and the ongoing lies on the part of the GOP and those responsible in the Oval Office.
I agree, and I wish the Dems had added more conditions like the unmasking of ICE agents, removing the National Guard from cities where they are not wanted, a stop to the illegal withholding of federal funding, and an end to tariffs that don't have congress' approval. Yes it's a laundry list but there's a laundry list of crazy illegal shit going on and this is an opportunity to make it clear that it's NOT business as usual and Dems will NOT work with a governing party that is completely corrupt.
The problem with too many more demands is that it muddles the clarity of a single one about healthcare
I'm sure that's true, I guess healthcare affordability is not one of my worries right now, and in that I'm fortunate. As far as an endgame goes, if Dems cave without their demands being met, it will make them look even weaker. If the Republicans won't compromise, then Dems should just say okay then get rid of the filibuster and take all the responsibility yourselves. We will not vote to fund a government that acts illegally.
Bob, “If the Republicans won't compromise, then Dems should just say okay then get rid of the filibuster and take all the responsibility yourselves.” I completely agree. Although Jay is correct on the healthcare issues being of the most importance, what almost everyone misses is basic tactics of negotiating and game theory. Bring forward more issues and negotiating points as you suggest, stick with your few most important and one that you don’t play up the most (hidden agenda tactic), give in on others letting the other side think they’ve won something, and walk away with some wins on your side.
The dems are also calling for drUmpf to stop his illegal impoundments of federal funds. That is their second demand. But Schumer and Jeffries are highlighting the healthcare subsidies because the illegal impoundment matter is more complex and less understood by poorly educated voters who watch corporate media.
Unfortunately the “supreme” court just issued another shadow docket ruling that temporarily legalized drUmpf illegal impoundments, pending a federal hearing on that matter. I hope I have that right. I believe that was in Robert Hubbell’s Substack this week.