House of Representatives: Democrats in da house!

[Audrey2]

1 hour ago, mamallama said:

Not only that but the original budget was put on dumpy's desk by a republican House and Senate.  If dumpy wanted to negotiate he could have done it before the end of the year.  Democrats did not get us here.  

But, Trump knew if he waited until after the beginning of the year, he could blame the shutdown on the new Democratic House, and his followers would eat it up with a spoon.

Yes, I know he needed a few Democrats to support the funding proposal in the Senate with a Republican House and Senate, but this makes the dots much larger and closer together for his followers to connect.

[formergothardite]

The democrats are in a damned if they do, damned if they don't. If they give into Trump then this will cause long term problems and just set it up for him to do this again and again and again whenever Russia tells him to do something. If he can't shut down the government he will find some group of people to hurt until he gets what he wants because he will learn from this that hurting people gets him his way. 

If they don't give in then countless people suffer and instead of placing the blame on Trump, people will blame them. 

We are in a situation where there are no good options. 

[SilverBeach]

2 hours ago, formergothardite said:

But what can they do at this point? This is not a regular political shut down where both sides can give and take to finally reach a compromise. This is a situation in which Trump is saying no compromise, just give in to him. If he gets what he wants, he will learn that if he hurts enough people for enough time he will get whatever whim he wants, no matter how ridiculous or awful his desire is. And the next time he doesn't get what he wants, he will fall back on this and he will find someone to hurt until he gets what he wants. 

For the sake of our country Trump, who is almost certainly a Russian agent, can't have a complete win. He has to compromise something or he will have learned a terrible, terrible lesson on how to manipulate the democrats to push his Russian policy. 

This isn't just on the democrats, The Republicans can easily veto Trump and get the government started. They are sitting there doing nothing. 

I understand all of this. We know the rethuglicans and Dump don't care.  It's on the democrats to prevent regular people like me from being screwed out of our pay checks, and for some of us, having to work while being screwed. It is a hell of a position to be in, being employed but having to collect unemployment, which is just a small portion of your actual pay. How long are we expected to go with no money? It starts to wear on us psychologically too, being in limbo like this.  We need food, and have bills to pay like everybody else. Nobody hates Dump more than me, but solving the problem of him being president should not be done on the back of hapless federal employees, it's just not an acceptable solution. It's hard to know what this feels like unless you are in our shoes. 

I've been in the federal service thirty-two years. Appropriations are just the beginning of a long and arduous process in actually spending federal money. Appropriations can be rescinded, never obligated, expire, any number of things. It' s just funny money at this point.

I said it in a different thread, but laws need to be changed to prevent situations like this from happening.  Dump will never compromise, he doesn't know what the word means.

I ask all FJ members, and those reading who are not,  to call or email their congresspeople and express support for federal workers.  We need you.

[AmazonGrace]

Why aren't Americans protesting on the streets yet

[formergothardite]

35 minutes ago, SilverBeach said:

t's on the democrats to prevent regular people like me from being screwed out of our pay checks

I understand, but what can they do that isn't just giving in? If they give in then the next time, which will be coming soon, he will do something just as awful as this to get his way and we will be right back to the democrats having to give him what he wants. 

43 minutes ago, SilverBeach said:

ask all FJ members, and those reading who are not,  to call or email their congresspeople and express support for federal workers.  We need you.

I do do that, but unluckily my representatives are nothing but Trump stooges so they won't change. 

I don't know how this is going to end but I think the democrats will eventually give in and Trump will get what he wants. Attempts to change laws to prevent this will fail and we will be right back where we are in short notice stuck in a cycle where Trump hurts Americans until he gets his way. 

[GreyhoundFan]

Both my senators and my representative are strongly democratic. My area is home to a huge number of federal employees, contractors, and support people.

Here's some of the statements made my my rep (he's said the same things and more on the news):

 

While I am distraught that so many are suffering needlessly, I completely agree with @formergothardite that the dems are in a no-win position. If they cave now, things will be thousands times worse later. But unlike the repugs, who don't care, most of the dems actually care about the American people. What is needed most is McTurtle to actually do his job and bring forth the many bills that have been submitted for a vote. I am just trying to fathom how much blackmail material Russia must have on McTurtle.

[formergothardite]

28 minutes ago, GreyhoundFan said:

I am just trying to fathom how much blackmail material Russia must have on McTurtle.

A shit ton. 

The quote from your congressman about how Trump just waits people out until they have to give in to him is exactly right. He wants people to hurt. He wants to cause as much pain as possible because this is what he does to get his way. He hurts and hurts and hurts until people finally give in and if he gets his way this time he is going to do this again and again and again. It isn't going to stop. 

[mamallama]

Personally I think the only route is to fight the blaming of Democrats.  As long as the dialogue is the Democrats need to compromise so the workers can get paid they will have to fold.  Demand McTurtle bring bills to keep the government open to the floor.   Ask over and over why Trump isn't compromising.  

[SilverBeach]

7 hours ago, formergothardite said:

I understand, but what can they do that isn't just giving in?

I don't have the answer to the shitshow that is now the US Federal government, I just know that it is immoral to hold innocent people hostage as pawns in a political fight, no matter what the fight is. Appropriating funds doesn't mean shit, it is a long way from any contract being awarded to actually build anything. Democrats need to be strategic. Plus, they would certainly look angelic by taking a hit to get federal employee paychecks flowing again. I didn't sign up to be a sacrificial lamb, I didn't vote for Dump, I'm not responsible for him being in office (the Russians are) and wielding an excessive amount of power. At this point, I don't care if they give in or not, we need our pay, most feds are just average. We weren't even given a chance to hunker down and prepare for missing paychecks. It's abominable. People work to take care of themselves, not to have to accept charity. Ridiculous.

3 hours ago, mamallama said:

Personally I think the only route is to fight the blaming of Democrats.  As long as the dialogue is the Democrats need to compromise so the workers can get paid they will have to fold.  Demand McTurtle bring bills to keep the government open to the floor.   Ask over and over why Trump isn't compromising.  

The problem is McTurtle doesn't give a damn. Dump doesn't give a damn. And from where I sit the democrats don't give a damn either. I'm not blaming the democrats for starting this mess, but at this point I'm blaming them for not ending it. We need our paychecks. 

[onekidanddone]

37 minutes ago, SilverBeach said:

The problem is McTurtle doesn't give a damn. Dump doesn't give a damn. And from where I sit the democrats don't give a damn either. I'm not blaming the democrats for starting this mess, but at this point I'm blaming them for not ending it. We need our paychecks. 

Exactly right. I was telling my husband just a little while ago that somebody needs to be the fucking adult in the room

[fraurosena]

Yes, the presidunce started this shutdown. But he isn't the one keeping it in place. McTurtle is.

The conversation should constantly and continuously be on why he refuses to put a bill to the floor of the Senate. He is the sole reason why there is still a shutdown. If the bill were put to the floor, everyone knows it will be agreed upon with a veto-proof majority. If anyone is to blame, it is McTurtle. (I love the AOC hashtag #wheresMitch. People should be going after him, and pressuring him to end the shutdown. He can't hide forever.)

@SilverBeach, I feel for you, I really do. I understand your anger (well, as much as anyone can who is not in your position). You are being hurt for no reason and there is nothing you can do about it. So I get that you wish the Dems would cave. In the short term that would indeed solve your problem. You could retire and be done with it, if the Dems give the presidunce what he wants.

But it won't solve the real problem in the long run, and all those federal workers who aren't able to retire, or who can't simply go work somewhere else, will be held hostage again, and again, and again. Because you can bet that shutdowns will happen at the drop of a hat every time the presidunce feels he needs to blackmail the country into giving him what he wants. You will be giving a would-be tyrant ammunition to use against you. That can't be right. 

I have no ready answer to solve this dilemma between solving personal hardship and serving the good of the whole. I wish I did. Maybe it's time for the American public (not only feds, but everyone) to flood the streets. Show solidarity and demand change.

You could do it for women, you could do it for the kids. You can do it for the federal workers too.

 

Edited January 18, 2019 by fraurosena

[GreyhoundFan]

 

[fraurosena]

You mean they didn't have a sense of urgency before???

 

[AmazonGrace]

 

[AmazonGrace]

 

[AmazonGrace]

 

[fraurosena]

Well, that's... creative. 

Republican state lawmaker introduces bill that would tax porn to fund Trump's border wall

Quote

Arizona state Rep. Gail Griffin (R) introduced a bill this week that would tax porn use to fund President Trump’s border wall, Fox News reportedTuesday.

Under the proposed legislation, also known as House Bill 2444, electronic devices sold in the state would be required to include porn blockers by law.  However, those who wish to view pornography would be required to request the block be deactivated from the company that distributed the device and pay a deactivation fee of $20 to the Arizona Commerce Authority.

According to the publication, the fees would then be transferred to John McCain Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Fund. The fund reportedly provides support to a number of efforts by way of grants, including the president’s proposed border wall.

In order to pass, two thirds of the Arizona State House would need to vote yes on the measure, which reportedly only has one sponsor at present: Griffin.

The report comes as the government enters its 32nd day of a partial shutdown, which was spurred largely by Trump’s demand for $5 billion in funding for a wall along the US-Mexico border.

Democratic lawmakers have demanded the president end the impasse and have rejected his calls for wall funding.

 

[LeftCoastLurker]

Looks like there is a glimmer of hope that the shutdown will end, at least long enough for backpay to be issued!

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/22/1828511/-McConnell-caving-Senate-to-hold-vote-to-reopen-government-along-with-Trump-white-supremacist-bill

[AmazonGrace]

 

[fraurosena]

Bitch McRussianTurtle won't put it to the floor though. Putin wouldn't stand for it.

 

[fraurosena]

Remarkable, isn't it, that it's only Democrats who seem to be helping and giving aid to people in need.

 

[fraurosena]

I'm guessing he doesn't want to perjure himself, and he's refusing to come because truthful answers will implicate him (and others).

 

[47of74]

Meanwhile in the latest AOC inspired freakout

Quote

New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) has raised the ire of the entire Republican Party. She has been criticized for everything from what she chooses to wear to dance video she made in college. Crackpot preacher Lance Wallnau claimed Ocasio-Cortez’s success is due to witchcraft.

In an interview with Charisma magazine, Wallnau claimed Ocasio-Cortez’s success is due to demonic power.

“After watching that video, I suspect she was conjuring up demons from hell,” said Wallnau. “I mean, she came out of nowhere, and now she’s a national figure. Satan must have been involved with that.

Wallnau’s views are shared by several other Christians, according to Right Wing Watch.

Fuck you Lance.

The only demons summoned here are the ones the Republicans summoned to Washington. 

[fraurosena]

5 minutes ago, 47of74 said:

Meanwhile in the latest AOC inspired freakout

Fuck you Lance.

The only demons summoned here are the ones the Republicans summoned to Washington. 

Really? There are still people who believe in witches and demons in this day and age?

Sweet Rufus, I'm actually gobsmacked. 

[47of74]

I like this Representative

Quote

New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries is standing by remarks he made Monday in which he called President Donald Trump "the Grand Wizard of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue."

In an interview Wednesday on CNN's "New Day," the House Democratic Caucus chairman said he had no regrets about the comment, which he made at a Martin Luther King Jr. Day event in New York City.

"We've got to have an opportunity for at least one day a year to have a candid if sometimes uncomfortable conversation about race," Jeffries told CNN. "It seems to me that we can't have that conversation on Valentine's Day, we can't have that conversation on Saint Patrick's Day. It's perhaps appropriate for us to be able to have that difficult discussion on MLK Day, when we're celebrating the life and legacy of a champion for racial and social justice."

Monday was not the first time Jeffries labeled Trump as such. But he told CNN that he "absolutely" does not think Trump is a Ku Klux Klan member. "Grand Wizard" is the title that was given to leaders of the white supremacist group.

Of course Fornicate Face is too stupid to be a member of the Klan.  The Klan, after all, has standards.