Editorials & Other Articles

Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(131,072 posts) Fri Nov 14, 2025, 03:28 PM Friday

Democratic Party was caught between caving and caring

By Sid Schwab / Herald Columnist

I have mixed feelings about the seven Senate Democrats and one independent who gave in to pressure to reopen the government.

It’s always Democrats who do it, and Republicans count on it. Because when people are hurting, Democrats care. In the case of SNAP benefits, aka “food stamps,” Republican Congress-squatters not only didn’t care but delighted in knowing “moochers” weren’t getting them. How they see suffering of ordinary people is the most reliable way to predict a legislator’s party affiliation: If they care, D. If they don’t, R. Maybe some readers can think of exceptions.

The votes happened just as courts had ordered Trump to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, while he was trying hard not to, including threatening states that were providing their own funding. This, after the cerulean outcomes of last week’s elections ought to have made those senators realize they had leverage: voters turning against Trump. Including football fans (YouTube: tinyurl.com/2Bcheered). Had he continued to deny funding despite court orders, millions more would regret and reverse their prior votes. So, considering future outcomes, Democrats’ capitulation was a self-inflicted foot-shot, a case of premature retraculation. And it allowed Republicans to pretend Democrats were the problem all along. Because lying is what he does, Holy Mike Johnson, in constant contact with God, was quick to say so.

The more blatant the lie, the more Trump and his abettors know it’ll be believed by MAGAs and promoted by their media cartel. The truth about Democrats’ till-now refusal to flinch is the opposite of what Trump and his cadre would have you believe. The loss of SNAP benefits seems to have been what broke backbones, despite rightwing lies.

https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/schwab-democratic-party-was-caught-between-caving-and-caring/

5 replies

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Highlight:

Democratic Party was caught between caving and caring (Original Post) Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Friday OP

I, too, have mixed feeling about them caving LogDog75 Friday #1

As an opposition party, we are useless when divided. Intractable Friday #2

The blame isn't on the Democrats and Angus King LogDog75 Saturday #4

Your post seems to not address mine in any way. Intractable Saturday #5

Caring about SNAP but not health care? Bluetus Friday #3

LogDog75

(986 posts)

1. I, too, have mixed feeling about them caving

Reply to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Fri Nov 14, 2025, 03:42 PM

Friday

I didn't think the republican controlled Congress and Senate was going to reinstate the Obamacare subsidiaries because they've voted 21 times to repeal it. They had to have some way to pay for the mega-millionaires and billionaires tax breaks. So basically, the Democrats were fighting a losing cause but what it did show was the Democrats were fighting for Americans who weren't rich and for those who really needed help. The voters understood what was happening and on November 4th, voted for the Democrats.

We'll probably see another shutdown in February and the same fight taking place and once again the Democrats will lose because we don't have the numbers to overcome the republicans in the House and the Senate. But what it will do is help drive voters, especially in the red states, to elect Democrats to the point where we'll control the House and the Senate and then we can do battle with the Orange Turd.

Intractable

(1,399 posts)

2. As an opposition party, we are useless when divided.

Reply to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Fri Nov 14, 2025, 04:04 PM

Friday

I can't say whether or not it would have been best to continue the shutdown. I do know that those seven Dem senators plus Angus King made the whole Dem caucus look weak and foolish.

A fight for nothing. Schumer orchestrating behind the scenes so that none of the dissenters face the voters next time.

Fuck Chuck! I've been calling for his resignation for years.

LogDog75

(986 posts)

4. The blame isn't on the Democrats and Angus King

Reply to Intractable (Reply #2)

Sat Nov 15, 2025, 03:41 PM

Saturday

All the republican Senators voted to approved the bill to the seven Democrats and independent Angus King.

In the House, six Democrats voted with the 216 republicans while only two republicans voted no.

In summary:
272 republican Senators and House of Representatives voted for the continuing resolution.
247 Democratic Senators and House of Representatives voted for the continuing resolution.

The republicans are responsible for the increase in the ACA healthcare premiums.

Intractable

(1,399 posts)

5. Your post seems to not address mine in any way.

Reply to LogDog75 (Reply #4)

Sat Nov 15, 2025, 05:22 PM

Saturday

Bluetus

(1,933 posts)

3. Caring about SNAP but not health care?

Reply to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Fri Nov 14, 2025, 05:04 PM

Friday

No. That is a bogus argument.

There are food kitchens that can keep people from starving, at least for a few months or years. But very few families can deal with a $10,000 increase in HC costs.

So, no. I will not praise anybody who was part of this horrible deal. It was not 3D chess. It was exactly the kind of capitulation that makes people identify as independent instead of Democrat.

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