I’m so aggravated. After Election Day I felt a sense of hope and optimism. Today disgust. This whole shutdown was a huge waste. People had to suffer for absolutely nothing. It was completely pointless. With our party it’s always one step forward and two steps back. The Republicans now know they can hold the American people hostage till they get what they want. They have just blatantly proved they don’t give a damn about us. Why would we, or how could we believe anything they promise. I can’t think of anything they haven’t lied about. What are your thoughts?

I share your aggravation, Lindy, and I agree with you that the shutdown was a waste.

I am not surprised by the news. I was hoping against hope that Democratic congress members would surprise me and "hang tough." But -- incurable pessimist and cynic that I am -- I knew that it would be Democrats who would cave in. None of the Democratic senators and Independent Senator Angus King in Maine who "backed the Republican deal" are up for reelection in 2026; two (Illinois Senator Richard Durbin and New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen) are retiring.

I am a lifelong registered Independent voter. The Democratic party has never failed . . . to disappoint me.

i must disagree with my colleagues on the left. The value is the Republican's rightfully got most of the blame, it helped this election and it will help even more in the next election now that the Dems raised awareness of the issues. And the bonus is the weak links are identified and Democratic voters are more receptive to the progressive wing of the Party.

there is a spotlight on the vote on extending the reduction of premiums next month. It's a no win situation for Republicans.

the Lyin' King is going to play his 2k rebate card for citizens from the goofy tariffs. But all the left has to do is point out that we'd only get back 2k of what consumers paid BECAUSE of the tarrifs, and 2k will only pay for one month of many American's new insurance premium increase.

the Dems can do that. can't they?
can't they???

To be honest I think the majority of people are sick of both parties. With the exception of true MAGA ‘s who are completely hopeless, we have all have had enough of this insanity. Schumer needs to go and we need someone spectacular to run in 2028. Otherwise, we will all be Independents.

yes, to be clear, imo, it helped by further exposing Republicans. But it also further exposed the Dems as impotent. They rose up for a month and eventually flopped. Again.

to be fair. 8 flopped. But to the public it still reflects on the Party. The Senate Minority Leader in particular. An old story for anyone paying attention.

1 hour ago, V.3 said:

. . . The value is the Republican's rightfully got most of the blame, it helped this election and it will help even more in the next election now that the Dems raised awareness of the issues. And the bonus is the weak links are identified and Democratic voters are more receptive to the progressive wing of the Party.

there is a spotlight on the vote on extending the reduction of premiums next month. It's a no win situation for Republicans.

According to a 2025 YouGov survey conducted October 25 to October 27, of the 1,623 adult Americans who participated in the survey, "32% blame Democrats most, 35% [blame] Republicans, and 28% [blame] both equally." More, the Republican share of the blame declined four percentage points compared to an earlier survey conducted by YouGov and The Economist. Polls are always suspect, as far as I'm concerned. But, those numbers don't incline me to share your sunny optimism, Cap'n. I wanna see 90%-10% or 80%-20% results heaping the main blame on Republicans (actually I'd prefer to see the GOP get 100% of the blame . . . but I live in America).

A whole lotta news is gonna happen between now and next November. The future cannot be reliably and definitely predicted. Time will tell, and the thrilling outcome will not be revealed until The Final Act. Stay tuned . . .

. . . and heed the guidance of Margo Channing:

Lol every night is a bumpy night! What shall await us in the morning?

46 minutes ago, Lindy said:

Lol every night is a bumpy night! What shall await us in the morning?

home.
from a nightmare

2 hours ago, macphysto said:

..."32% blame Democrats most, 35% [blame] Republicans, and 28% [blame] both equally."

i'm most concerned that at the start of the shutdown, the gap was 3x as wide
-- about 9% more people blamed Republicans.
It reflects the Republican's superior access and messaging
-- and again, the Democrats' fecklessness.

but that's why we're here, right?
that's why Mamdani won, right?

there's no place like home
there's no place like home
there's no place like home

The Dems winning a lot of the local races in PA, in areas that went red last election, says the pushback is real against the current administration. The Dems derailing the hold the line on the shutdown doesn't do anything for the momentum they might have had going. I have heard that if they can actually hold a vote on the extensions on the subsidies next month, the Republicans will vote against the extensions and will appear to be wholly responsible for the increases and rightly so.

Frustrating

50 minutes ago, cbmomof4 said:

The Dems derailing the hold the line on the shutdown doesn't do anything for the momentum they might have had going...the Republicans will vote against the extensions...

yes. it appears they will vote against it.

ok, i'm flexible enough to admit, at 9pm, that what i said at 5pm was wrong.
i was focused on the blame game, rather than results

the truth is
if what really matters is cutting healthcare costs
this was our only chance (for anything soon).
even if we have a great election in one year
we won't have all 3 branches

we had him, and them, on the ropes.
the voters spoke last week.
they did their part

now all we can do
is brace for the flying monkees...

There’s no place like Rome.

There’s no place like Rome.

Start packing.

lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

i just watched Jon Stewart and he was way ahead of my curve.
he suggests Schumer set up the cave-in with Senators who weren't up for re-election
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFI6MwlLJ08

conspiracy theorists,
or any garden-variety citizen who knows who owns politicians,
could take it one step further.

perhaps the cave-in wasn't because,
as one Senate caver said, "the stand-off wasn't working."
It was precisely because, as the election proved,
the stand-off WAS working!

I’m extremely upset with the Democratic leadership!! We are coming off huge wins!! I need my healthcare yet I understand the gravity of the moment!! I’m angry at those who again are caving? Am I wrong?

Hi Constance. You most definitely are not wrong. The people of this country were willing to give up their paychecks and food money to be able to keep their healthcare. A position we never should have been put in to begin with. We finally had some leverage over the Republicans only to give it up for absolutely nothing.

Yes although federal workers and mothers of infants may feel differently. It shined a bright light on who is fighting for affordability of living for lower income Americans and who is not. We have the opportunity to shine that light again in the next 2 months when healthcare subsidies come up for a vote. If Republicans don't offer sincere debate or renege on their promise we can resume the shutdown on Jan 30. If the Republican and Independent voters never feel the consequences of their misguided vote they will never question the right wing media that controls them. This has been a political win for the Democrats which could backfire if they let it go too far. I say we cash in our political chips now and fight some more over the next 2 months. My greatest concern is winning big in the midterms so we can stop the madness.

Hi Ben. Welcome to Newbl. Truly I feel for all of the federal workers not getting paid and all of the people not getting food money. It's especially difficult this time of year with the holidays upon us. I feel like we finally had some leverage to work with. It would have at least secured ACA . I fear the whole shutdown was for nothing and people suffered needlessly if we get nothing out of it. Unfortunately, we can only assume at this point the Republicans will renege on their promise, as we have learned their promises are just lies to advance whatever outcome they desire. We definitely have more fighting to do. I believe there will be a huge protest at the Capital on 11/22 thru 11/25. On 11/28 the Blackout begins and ends on 12/5. No Black Friday or Cyber Monday participation. (lol that will be difficult but I will do my part). You are right, our focus now has to be on winning the midterms. It's our only hope at this point. Although, I am hoping for an opening of the Epstein Files Christmas miracle.

6 hours ago, Ben said:

If the Republican and Independent voters never feel the consequences of their misguided vote they will never question the right wing media that controls them.

Don't lump Independent voters with Republican voters. I am a registered Independent voter who did not, never has, and never will vote Republican. If Democratic candidates want my vote, they must earn it. Merely selling themselves as Not Republicans is not a good enough reason for me to support the Democratic party.

Until Dems convince me otherwise (which means adopting, supporting, championing, and running on a Progressive-Socialist platform), I shall continue to vote "third party."

16 hours ago, V.3 said:

. . . perhaps the cave-in wasn't because,
as one Senate caver said, "the stand-off wasn't working."
It was precisely because, as the election proved,
the stand-off WAS working!

My take on the seven Democratic senators and one Independent senator who threw in the towel: none were up for reelection in 2026. Two senators are retiring. They did not have any "skin in the game."

I would love to be a fly on the wall in the offices of the remaining thirty-seven Democratic senators and two Independent senators. I'd want to learn how many of them genuinely believe in extending Affordable Care Act subsidies and how many of them care only about keeping their jobs.

I believe it was. There was hardship for many. In the end, healthcare became a national issue, with Democrats fighting for it and Republicans against it. Americans also saw THE LYIN' KING's hands-off approach to the Shutdown, coupled with his Gatsby party, ballroom expansion, challenging court orders to restore SNAP, and attempts to side-step the economic downturn, as an individual who doesn't care for average Americans. For those paying attention and those experiencing hardships or potential hardships, I believe many in the MAGA group's eyes were opened.

1 hour ago, Jimhilltop said:

I believe it was. There was hardship for many...

but, Jim, isn't the resulting hardship worse, for at least 3 years -- before we have an election that would require us to win all three branches to change the law?

You make a good point, but I think the stress on the Republicans will be so great that we will see movement towards reinstating the supplements.

15 hours ago, Jimhilltop said:

“I believe many in the MAGA group’s eyes were opened “

Hi Jimhilltop. Unfortunately, With the possible exception of definite proof of the President’s physical involvement in the Epstein files nothing will change their minds. Their minds are so completely brainwashed after all these years. They want a white wealthy Christian country period. MAGA is based on deep hatred, violence, bigotry and discrimination against anyone who does not fit the mold. That being said normal Republicans who believed the President’s campaign promises are now seeing the truth. We have to win the midterms to survive the next 3 years. We also need to go after the creators of project 2025 and the Heritage foundation. They are the people pulling the strings.

I don't disagree with you at all. The hardcore MAGA is beyond reach, 'bless their hearts.' I do believe some —and, more importantly, those independents who did vote for THE LYIN' KING — are seeing his true colors. YES, we need the midterms. I keep waiting for the young generation to step up loudly and lead.