Wednesday Morning Rant

Which Base?

As the Schumer Shutdown drags on, two things have become increasingly clear:
1. This is shaping up to be yet another example of how the party that initiates a shutdown battle rarely wins it.
2. Schumer has thrust the Democrats into a game of "chicken" with the Party's dual bases.

Trump's approval is hanging on and, depending on which polls you choose to examine, a sizable plurality or outright majority of people lay the blame for the shutdown where it belongs: firmly on the Democrats. This is in part because Trump is outmaneuvering Schumer at every turn. Unlike Obama, he isn't being petty with it. He's getting soldiers paid and working to gut Democrat programs while daring the Party to challenge him.

And the Party can't. They might even be right that Trump can't properly move money around like he is (I've read many analyses and there appears to be little agreement as to the limits of this particular gray area), but they can't come out as fighting to make sure soldiers don't get paid. Jeffries can refuse a funding bill to "reopen the government" and Schumer can refuse to back down on his demands, but the Party is unwilling - for now - to sue over Trump's money movements and turf whatever support it has left among normals. Trump has cornered Schumer so far, and Schumer now has the unenviable task of deciding which of his party's bases will be demanding his scalp.

As Ace covered yesterday, outlets are now beginning to report that the Democrats fear their radical far-left base and are terrified at the prospect of capitulating and passing a ~~budget~~ CR. Even their so-called "centrists" are afraid of the monster babies they've spent a generation cultivating, and are terrified to move. But on the other side of the monster babies is the other Democrat base and that base wants - in fact, desperately needs - the Schumer Shutdown to end.

That base is the government itself. Trump's share of the vote in Washington, DC in 2024 was a staggering 60.6% higher than it was in 2016, and an incredible 19.8% higher than it was in 2020 - and it came to a whopping ... 6.47%. Kamala Harris racked up 92.15% of the vote in the nation's capital. The government is not just a Party stronghold, it is likely the Party's most important and far-reaching stronghold. Not everywhere is thoroughly rotten as DC itself, but nonetheless "federal government employee" is a synonym for "Party member," and there are around three million of them. Three million people, virtually all of whom are Party members and, crucially, who work manfully day in and day out on the Party's business. They are the lubricant that the keep the gears of the Democrat gristmill turning at the federal level.

That base is being hung out to dry, and that probably has the Party at least as terrified as the monster babies do. The longer Schumer drags this out, the more damage Trump and his OMB can do. He will win the lawsuits and after the 30-day mark, I expect him to escalate dramatically. Every cut is a Democrat cut. When so many are Party loyalists, you don't even have to be careful with who you fire. As the scythes start cutting the government workforce in ever-greater swathes, the Party hurts more and more. These aren't just loyal members, they are important members.

The Party base in the federal government doesn't merely vote correctly and send twenty bucks to the candidate every four years. Day in and day out, it advances the agenda and the Party's ambitions. It allocates money. It administers programs as the Party wants it to. It implements policy - or refuses to. It punishes enemies and rewards allies. It smooths the road or obstructs it as needed and it does so automatically as the natural daily process. This Party base is vitally important and gets the daily work of the Party done, while the monster babies handle the street-level terrorism.

Schumer cannot have both. Trump is forcing him to choose. Schumer can satisfy the monster babies or he can satisfy the core workaday functionaries who keep the Party's lights on. The only thing that remains to be seen is which one he will choose to placate, and what the Party will offer to the other as it grovels for forgiveness.

My nickel is on ending the shutdown and defending the functional base of Party operations, probably within a week. Time will tell.

Posted by: Joe Mannix at 11:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Sponge!

Posted by: rickb223 Acehole Extraordinaire coined by JSpicy at October 22, 2025 11:00 AM (Qd7dZ)

2 Munkey!

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at October 22, 2025 11:00 AM (ySpAZ)

3 Aaaah oooooooooooo!

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at October 22, 2025 11:00 AM (yy9ow)

4
ESPONJA!!1!1!!!1

Posted by: AltonJackson at October 22, 2025 11:00 AM (tljrc)

5 Top 10!

Posted by: Crusader at October 22, 2025 11:01 AM (TN0g+)

6 Nickles are racist.

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at October 22, 2025 11:01 AM (qXnAE)

7 Especially the wooden ones.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 22, 2025 11:02 AM (sGHnN)

8 Partner went tto.lunch, trying to finish this door hardware

Posted by: Skip at October 22, 2025 11:03 AM (xatjc)

9 I forgot the government was shutdown, thanks for reminding me.

Posted by: Skip at October 22, 2025 11:03 AM (xatjc)

10 willowed:

Hah- some Senator (Jeff Merkley, Socialist Oregon) talked all night long in a one-man actual filibuster in the Senate, protesting the grave threat of Trump to all human life as we know it.

Or something.

Anyway, glad to see a Senator go old-school and actually stand up for a real filibuster, rather than just mail it in, the way they do nowadays.
Posted by: Huck Follywood at October 22, 2025 10:49 AM (wiLD4)

I wonder what sort of abuse Merkley heaped on Cruz when Cruz did the same?

Posted by: Kindltot at October 22, 2025 11:04 AM (rbvCR)

11 Schumer cannot have both. Trump is forcing him to choose. Schumer can satisfy the monster babies [b[or he can satisfy the core workaday functionaries who keep the Party's lights on. The only thing that remains to be seen is which one he will choose to placate, and what the Party will offer to the other as it grovels for forgiveness.

He placates the workaday functionaries. Where's the whackadoodles going to go?

Posted by: rickb223 Acehole Extraordinaire coined by JSpicy at October 22, 2025 11:04 AM (Qd7dZ)

12 Two more weeks and Schumer will own the longest running FedGov shutdown.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 22, 2025 11:05 AM (Q4IgG)

13 2. Schumer has thrust the Democrats into a game of "chicken" with the Party's dual bases.

---------------

The Satanic Nihilists or The Nihilistic Satanists?

Posted by: ShainS -- Bury My Heart At a Texas MoMe at October 22, 2025 11:05 AM (08TEw)

14 Great topic that was willowed:

The filibuster and cloture vote become unnecessary after every senator have taken their opportunity to speak.

I did not know that. So in theory, the Majority Leader could call out every member by name, ask if they want to speak to the issue at hand, and after calling all 100 (or however many are present) call for a vote? So why doesn't he do that?
Posted by: Oddbob

Posted by: Crusader at October 22, 2025 11:05 AM (TN0g+)

15 Nickles are racist.

Fucker.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at October 22, 2025 11:05 AM (ufSfZ)

16 "My nickel is on ending the shutdown and defending the functional base of Party operations, probably within a week. Time will tell."

Yea, I said this yesterday after the splashy news reports that the Democraps really want to end the shutdown but they're scared of their cannibalistic mutant-monster left. I strongly suspect this was a trial balloon to set up a big cave.

The Democraps forgot the First Rule of Monsters: They always turn on their creator.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 22, 2025 11:06 AM (iFTx/)

17 My nickel is on ending the shutdown and defending the functional base of Party operations, probably within a week.
================
Agree. After all, the Dem leadership has no coherent goal and are acting tactically just because they want to demonstrate "fight". Pretty weird way to fight Trump, by bankrupting your own voters.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at October 22, 2025 11:06 AM (wiLD4)

18 USPS must not be entirely government.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 22, 2025 11:06 AM (sGHnN)

19
Schumer is mainlining by the bushel grilled grey meat burgers topped with processed cheese product still wrapped in plastic about now.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars(TM) - what makes you think you are in charge? at October 22, 2025 11:06 AM (xG4kz)

20 He placates the workaday functionaries. Where's the whackadoodles going to go?
Posted by: rickb223 Acehole Extraordinaire coined by JSpicy at October 22, 2025 11:04 AM

To the barricades.

Posted by: toby928(c) at October 22, 2025 11:06 AM (jc0TO)

21 Nickles are racist.
Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats

Can you back that up?

Posted by: Bulg at October 22, 2025 11:06 AM (77rzZ)

22 That base is being hung out to dry, and that probably has the Party at least as terrified as the monster babies do. The longer Schumer drags this out, the more damage Trump and his OMB can do. He will win the lawsuits and after the 30-day mark, I expect him to escalate dramatically. Every cut is a Democrat cut. When so many are Party loyalists, you don't even have to be careful with who you fire. As the scythes start cutting the government workforce in ever-greater swathes, the Party hurts more and more. These aren't just loyal members, they are important members.

======

Democrats have used patronage, knowing the civil service was not non-partisan, for decades.

Republicans didn't use patronage except at the very highest levels, and even then they were compromised by establishment/donor desires.

This has created a target rich environment for someone like Trump who is sick of the federal government's shit.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 22, 2025 11:06 AM (GBKbO)

23 Schumer has thrust the Democrats into a game of "chicken" with the Party's dual bases.

---------------

The Satanic Nihilists or The Nihilistic Satanists?
Posted by: ShainS -- Bury My Heart At a Texas MoMe at October 22, 2025 11:05 AM

Yes.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at October 22, 2025 11:07 AM (ySpAZ)

24 My youngest has been notified that they have passed their FE exam so one more step accomplished.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 22, 2025 11:07 AM (ExV1e)

25 Nickles are racist.

Fucker.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at October 22, 2025 11:05 AM

ISWYDT.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at October 22, 2025 11:08 AM (ySpAZ)

26 They might even be right that Trump can't properly move money

Or do anything else. It seems that there are all these new laws that prohibit Trump from doing anything other than sitting in the Oval Office. If dems thought that they had the votes to make his existence illegal, it would be done within the hour.

Posted by: NR Pax at October 22, 2025 11:08 AM (99eI0)

27 I suspect he tells the Anarchist Psychopaths to get fucked.

Posted by: XTC at October 22, 2025 11:08 AM (UnA8+)

28 The Satanic Nihilists or The Nihilistic Satanists?

Splitters!

Posted by: Nihilists of Satan at October 22, 2025 11:08 AM (jc0TO)

29 "The government is not just a Party stronghold, it is likely the Party's most important and far-reaching stronghold."

I watched the Fairfax(?) VA school board meeting. Parents were going BALLISTIC over LGBT teachers transing their kids behind their back. I remember thinking most are Federal employees, is Democrats.

Supporting trans issues has been the dumbest political move since Obama taunted Trump with "you'll never be President" at his own roast.

Posted by: Fen at October 22, 2025 11:08 AM (ciYHQ)

30 My youngest has been notified that they have passed their FE exam so one more step accomplished.

Congratulations!

Posted by: NR Pax at October 22, 2025 11:08 AM (99eI0)

31 He's going to drive trains?

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 22, 2025 11:09 AM (sGHnN)

32 And I suspect that Democrats' fear of their base is overblown. I suspect that they somewhat believe it, but I don't think they should.

Incumbency is a very powerful thing, so 99% will survive primary attempts.

The money will end up backing them anyway in a few months when this is forgotten.

Imagine if Schumer had just...avoided the shutdown to begin with, though. We'd be nearly four weeks out from the clean CR passing, and we'd be talking about Trump's ballroom or the effort to get recompense from the DOJ exclusively instead of the shutdown while Vought et al just keep cutting billions in programs.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 22, 2025 11:09 AM (GBKbO)

33 What is an "FE exam?"

Posted by: Bulg at October 22, 2025 11:09 AM (77rzZ)

34 USPS must not be entirely government.
Posted by: Boss Moss

It is but it isn't.

Posted by: rickb223 Acehole Extraordinaire coined by JSpicy at October 22, 2025 11:09 AM (Qd7dZ)

35
Nickles are racist.

Fucker.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at October 22, 2025 11:05 AM

well played

golf clap

Posted by: AltonJackson at October 22, 2025 11:09 AM (tljrc)

36 FE = Fundamentals of Engineering.

Posted by: Seems Legit at October 22, 2025 11:10 AM (PMtkd)

37 I've thought the same thing from the beginning. Think the only thing that may have stayed Darth Vought's hand thus far is the looming VA election, but not so sure about that even- after all, if Schumer's shutdown causes the NoVA dems to lose their jobs, would they all blame Trump? (And even if they do, do we really care, may be a case of lose now to win later win they have to move).

Posted by: Farmer Bob at October 22, 2025 11:10 AM (hlNLQ)

38 FE = Fundamentals of Engineering.
Posted by: Seems Legit

Ah. Thanks.

Posted by: Bulg at October 22, 2025 11:10 AM (77rzZ)

39 Fuckers of Nickel

Posted by: AoSHQ Stylebook at October 22, 2025 11:10 AM (jc0TO)

40 What is an "FE exam?"
Posted by: Bulg

It the exam that comes before the FI exam.

Posted by: rickb223 Acehole Extraordinaire coined by JSpicy at October 22, 2025 11:10 AM (Qd7dZ)

41 I did not know that. So in theory, the Majority Leader could call out every member by name, ask if they want to speak to the issue at hand, and after calling all 100 (or however many are present) call for a vote? So why doesn't he do that?
Posted by: Oddbob
Posted by: Crusader at October 22, 2025 11:05 AM (TN0g+)

Isn't that exactly what a filibuster is? One or more senators takes their allotted turn to speak, and simply doesn't relinquish it?

Posted by: Warai-otoko at October 22, 2025 11:11 AM (06Hmj)

42
Tell us about the bathrooms. Will there be grapfruit-scented foaming soap?
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes

Well, I'm glad you asked, Shadout Mapes.

The bathroom facilities will be the Skelatrine. Located at the far end of the fairgounds behind the ziggurat, the Skelatrine will be a large pit filled with the bones of the enemy dead from the Glorious Restoration.

The runoff will be contained in cisterns which, when filled, will be taken by train to cargo vessel bound for the Persian Gulf, where they will be attached to modified heavy-lift Chinooks, and will vent their effluvia onto the Kaaba in Mecca.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at October 22, 2025 11:11 AM (BI5O2)

43 ( bannable words here )

@libsoftiktok 5m
BREAKING: Democrats are planning to launch a “master ICE tracker” to track the locations of ICE agents and operations.

Posted by: weft cut-loop at October 22, 2025 11:11 AM (mlg/3)

44 Which Base?

octal, naturally.

Posted by: anachronda, pdp-11 fanboi at October 22, 2025 11:11 AM (sGtp+)

45 So a Night of the Long Knives is required. This is gonna be GREAT!

Posted by: Pudinhead at October 22, 2025 11:11 AM (jFCkp)

46 You forgot #3: The Federal government can shut down, and hardly anyone notices.

Posted by: Daniel Simpson Day at October 22, 2025 11:11 AM (aZoCk)

47 Whenever the shutdown ends the media will declare victory for Schumer and the stupid TACO meme will reappear.

Posted by: Northernlurker , Maple Syrup MAGA at October 22, 2025 11:11 AM (kTd/k)

48 Rank in order of heinousness:

Tattoo of Totenkopf

Tattoo of Adolph Hitler

Tattoo of Goblinoid Fauci

Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 22, 2025 11:12 AM (iFTx/)

49 USPS must not be entirely government.
Posted by: Boss Moss

Last I knew they were supposed to be self-supporting.

So what you pay for postage and whatnot directly funds USPS operations, rather than being sent to the feds, having some bureaucrat take their cut and them dole a pittance back out for operations.

But I don't know if that's actually the case or if I'm imagining it.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at October 22, 2025 11:12 AM (a+4eV)

50 So a Night of the Long Knives is required. This is gonna be GREAT!
Posted by: Pudinhead

A regular Rohm-com.

Posted by: Bulg at October 22, 2025 11:12 AM (77rzZ)

51 It the exam that comes before the FI exam.
Posted by: rickb223 Acehole Extraordinaire

Masters of Trade pass the FU exam.

Posted by: weft cut-loop at October 22, 2025 11:12 AM (mlg/3)

52 To speculate an answer to my own question, I can see the Majority Leader going through the roll with every R member saying "Nope, I got nuthin'" and every D member repeating Merkely's act. So it could theoretically take days or weeks to get through. But it would be fun to make them have to put in the effort.

Posted by: Oddbob at October 22, 2025 11:12 AM (3nLb4)

53 Rank in order of heinousness:

Tattoo of Totenkopf

Tattoo of Adolph Hitler

Tattoo of Goblinoid Fauci
Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 22, 2025 11:12 AM

How dare you!

Posted by: Greta on a Shelf at October 22, 2025 11:12 AM (jc0TO)

54 To me, FE exam always meant Flight Engineer.

I took that test in 1989 and passed with a perfect one hundred percent score.

Posted by: one hour sober at October 22, 2025 11:12 AM (Y1sOo)

55 42 The runoff will be contained in cisterns which, when filled, will be taken by train to cargo vessel bound for the Persian Gulf, where they will be attached to modified heavy-lift Chinooks, and will vent their effluvia onto the Kaaba in Mecca.
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at October 22, 2025 11:11 AM (BI5O2)

Dabiq must also be defiled.

Posted by: XTC at October 22, 2025 11:12 AM (UnA8+)

56 I went in to mail a small priority box and almost fell over when they said, "That'll be $12.60."

Then I asked how much a stamp costs and it was $.78 for one.

Ho-lee-shit.

WTF happened?

Posted by: Seems Legit at October 22, 2025 11:13 AM (PMtkd)

57 42 The runoff will be contained in cisterns which, when filled, will be taken by train to cargo vessel bound for the Persian Gulf, where they will be attached to modified heavy-lift Chinooks, and will vent their effluvia onto the Kaaba in Mecca.

so... no dignity canals?

Posted by: anachronda at October 22, 2025 11:13 AM (sGtp+)

58 Schumer cannot have both. Trump is forcing him to choose. Schumer can satisfy the monster babies or he can satisfy the core workaday functionaries who keep the Party's lights on. The only thing that remains to be seen is which one he will choose to placate, and what the Party will offer to the other as it grovels for forgiveness.

I agree, but I still think the old timers have to come to grips with the fact that their day is over, and that is a hard pill to swallow. It's like the Kaiser's minions resenting the takeover by the gutter trash in the 1930s.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 22, 2025 11:13 AM (Riz8t)

59 So a Night of the Long Knives is required. This is gonna be GREAT!
Posted by: Pudinhead

A regular Rohm-com.
Posted by: Bulg

Golf clap.

Posted by: rickb223 Acehole Extraordinaire coined by JSpicy at October 22, 2025 11:13 AM (Qd7dZ)

60 I'm curious who y'all think . . .

Which donk senators change their votes?

Posted by: 2009Refugee at October 22, 2025 11:13 AM (8AONa)

61 I went in to mail a small priority box and almost fell over when they said, "That'll be $12.60."

Then I asked how much a stamp costs and it was $.78 for one.

Ho-lee-shit.

WTF happened?
Posted by: Seems Legit

Pensions.

Posted by: rickb223 Acehole Extraordinaire coined by JSpicy at October 22, 2025 11:14 AM (Qd7dZ)

62 I did not know that. So in theory, the Majority Leader could call out every member by name, ask if they want to speak to the issue at hand, and after calling all 100 (or however many are present) call for a vote? So why doesn't he do that?
Posted by: Oddbob
Posted by: Crusader at October 22, 2025 11:05 AM (TN0g+)

I assume that he sees more value in the government remaining shut down by the Democrat's hand than having it opened.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 22, 2025 11:14 AM (ExV1e)

63 Another note that I think supports the analysis- the brownshirts are, and always have been, disposable useful idiots. The dems have to know that once power is seized, they have to be neutralized, and I'm sure they'd do so ala Beria. Also, idiots are a dime a dozen, they can just re-stock later.

Posted by: Farmer Bob at October 22, 2025 11:14 AM (hlNLQ)

64 Last I knew they were supposed to be self-supporting.

So what you pay for postage and whatnot directly funds USPS operations, rather than being sent to the feds, having some bureaucrat take their cut and them dole a pittance back out for operations.

But I don't know if that's actually the case or if I'm imagining it.
Posted by: FeatherBlade at October 22, 2025 11:12 AM (a+4eV)

=====

You are correct. USPS employees are NF (non-appropriated funds) rather than GS.

Posted by: Jordan61 at October 22, 2025 11:14 AM (DRSnL)

65 I thought FE = Iron?

Posted by: Daniel Simpson Day at October 22, 2025 11:14 AM (aZoCk)

66 The Democraps forgot the First Rule of Monsters: They always turn on their creator.

"Do not call up that which you cannot put down."

Ask me how I know.

Posted by: Joseph Curwen at October 22, 2025 11:14 AM (ufSfZ)

67 Isn't that exactly what a filibuster is? One or more senators takes their allotted turn to speak, and simply doesn't relinquish it?

Yes, but the Leader could make them actually do it instead of just threatening to do it.

Posted by: Oddbob at October 22, 2025 11:14 AM (3nLb4)

68 after all, if Schumer's shutdown causes the NoVA dems to lose their jobs, would they all blame Trump?

The will. It's absurd, but I guarantee you that they will.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 22, 2025 11:15 AM (Riz8t)

69 Archimedes

The old timers were the corrupt, semi-reasonable ones.

New ones are more radical. Sanders an exception.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at October 22, 2025 11:15 AM (u82oZ)

70 Then I asked how much a stamp costs and it was $.78 for one.

Ho-lee-shit.

WTF happened?
Posted by: Seems Legit

As brilliant as the "forever" stamps are, in terms of convenience and not having to think about how much postage is, and the part where the ones you bought ten years ago increase in value over time...

They have made it very easy to the USPS to raise rates with nobody notcing.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at October 22, 2025 11:16 AM (a+4eV)

71 Beef prices are on the menu. DJT has proposed easing import regulations and tariffs to increase the supply of beef for retailers. Big Ag is miffed, stating that drought and screwworm expansion is the cause of domestic price increases.

I think increasing beef imports is a helluva good idea. We can't control the weather, why should the consumers bear the burden? The screwworm problem is far more serious and requires immediate action. There is a call for another sterilized fly facility on US soil. With the cattle imports (not the beef) closed due to screwworm expansion (diseased cattle have been found on the Mexican side of the US-Mexico border), screwworm expansion into the US would be a crisis for US large animals and humans. The 'experts' say it would take 3 YEARS to build the sterilized fly facility. I'd get the Army Corps of Engineers involved if necessary. If emergency funding is unavailable, dump it on the Democrats.

Posted by: mrp at October 22, 2025 11:16 AM (rj6Yv)

72 It’s funny…. In my life I can’t tell the govt is “shut down” except for occasional mutterings at work that our govt customer counterparts are on furlough (which means a useless meeting is cancelled). It’s most instructive to see just how unneeded all the govt is….

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at October 22, 2025 11:16 AM (WnEm5)

73 Yes; Thanks for the anniversary photo of Trump working at the McDonald's. That was a nice reminder!

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at October 22, 2025 11:16 AM (ix8EF)

74 Which donk senators change their votes?
Posted by: 2009Refugee
=========
Those that plan to retire after this term like Shaheen (Durbin, Peters, Smith) and most vulnerable Democrats Ossoff.

Posted by: whig at October 22, 2025 11:16 AM (WDjG6)

75 Isn't that exactly what a filibuster is? One or more senators takes their allotted turn to speak, and simply doesn't relinquish it?

Do they have allotted times? I thought they spoke until they could no longer speak or had to stop, and if they did, they were done.

Posted by: rickb223 Acehole Extraordinaire coined by JSpicy at October 22, 2025 11:17 AM (Qd7dZ)

76 68- I agree, but they were going to vote 90% that way anyway, although I suppose it could drive up turn out.

Posted by: Farmer Bob at October 22, 2025 11:17 AM (hlNLQ)

77 Archimedes

The old timers were the corrupt, semi-reasonable ones.

New ones are more radical. Sanders an exception.

Agreed. That's why they don't want the SA taking over. If the entire system gets overturned, they lose their power, prestige, and money.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 22, 2025 11:17 AM (Riz8t)

78 ‘sizable plurality or outright majority of people lay the blame for the shutdown where it belongs: firmly on the Democrats. ‘

This is where the hokey sombrero meme (and the democrats’ reaction to it) comes into play.
It forces anyone not already locked into a side to ask whether there is anything to Trump’s charge that Schumer shut down the government in order to give money to illegal aliens.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at October 22, 2025 11:18 AM (jbnUc)

79 What is an "FE exam?"
Posted by: Bulg at October 22, 2025 11:09 AM (77rzZ)

Fundamentals of Engineering. It is the professional exam which covers broad aspects of engineering and passing it is required to become an engineer-in-training. Next comes the area specific exam, in their case civil, to get their license as a Professional Engineer.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 22, 2025 11:18 AM (ExV1e)

80 FenelonSpoke

Trump makes Horatio Alger a slacker.
McDonalds, Garbage truck guy to President.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at October 22, 2025 11:18 AM (u82oZ)

81 But I suppose that wouldn't be in The Spirit of Comity which Senators value more than pretty much anything. Certainly more than they value we mere citizens.

Posted by: Oddbob at October 22, 2025 11:18 AM (3nLb4)

82 Can they take turns in a filibuster?

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 22, 2025 11:18 AM (sGHnN)

83 76 68- I agree, but they were going to vote 90% that way anyway, although I suppose it could drive up turn out.
Posted by: Farmer Bob at October 22, 2025 11:17 AM (hlNLQ)

======

I suspect most are super voters who turn out no matter what.

Dispersing just 40,000-80,000 of them across the country because they can't find jobs in the DC Metro area will have material affects on things.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 22, 2025 11:18 AM (GBKbO)

84 Beef prices are on the menu. DJT has proposed easing import regulations and tariffs to increase the supply of beef for retailers. Big Ag is miffed, stating that drought and screwworm expansion is the cause of domestic price increases.

Ok. Fine. But that doesn't change the fact that prices will be screwed for at least a year from of a calf born yesterday.

Posted by: rickb223 Acehole Extraordinaire coined by JSpicy at October 22, 2025 11:19 AM (Qd7dZ)

85 There was a reason the SA got the long knives at a certain point. It may be too late for the Democrats.

The lesson of Gollum is lost on them.

Posted by: Brother Tim (102mm/W59), Keeper of the Tim Continuum at October 22, 2025 11:19 AM (OUMaO)

86 Is the filibuster just political theater? Does it change people's minds? Does the delay make a difference?

Can you give examples of filibusters that "worked?"

Sincere question.

Posted by: Seems Legit at October 22, 2025 11:19 AM (PMtkd)

87 But I suppose that wouldn't be in The Spirit of Comity which Senators value more than pretty much anything. Certainly more than they value we mere citizens.

I would so love it if they'd stop with the "my friend across the aisle" horses*** and just refer to them as "that syphilitic imbecile over there".

Posted by: Archimedes at October 22, 2025 11:20 AM (Riz8t)

88 72 It’s funny…. In my life I can’t tell the govt is “shut down” except for occasional mutterings at work that our govt customer counterparts are on furlough (which means a useless meeting is cancelled). It’s most instructive to see just how unneeded all the govt is….
Posted by: LinusVanPelt
=====
That is the real danger for Democrats. The longer the shutdown lasts without resolution and no disasters occur, then the higher the risk that people see many government workers as not essential to peace and prosperity.

Posted by: whig at October 22, 2025 11:20 AM (WDjG6)

89 Wait, is a filibuster about using the time to bribe the wobbly senators?

Posted by: Seems Legit at October 22, 2025 11:20 AM (PMtkd)

90 MSNBC: Half of Americans are blaming Republicans for the government shutdown, according to new Reuters/IPSOS polling. The Morning Joe panel discusses.

43% blame Democrats. The fact that it's only a 7 point difference shows the power of MAGA's propaganda machine.

They also want to actively destroy the government a la Project 2025, so a shutdown aligns highly with their motives.

they have the majority, so it's their responsibility to write up a bill that gets enough votes. Republicans are failing at their job. They are hell bent on destroying the economy and killing USA citizens and that's not getting them enough votes.

It clicked for me when I realized the Civil War never really ended, it just moved from the battlefield to the core of federal government. This is the confederacy.

They actually have enough votes to pass a bill using the Nuclear option. They just dont want to open the Government.

While that is simple fact, it is actually notable that the Musk-Murdoch-Rogan propaganda machine is failing to confuse Americans out of that fact, like they have so many times in the past.

Posted by: Intercepted Reddit Transmissions brought by the Intrepid AoS Liaison at October 22, 2025 11:20 AM (JCZqz)

91 Godzilla, we turn our lonely eyes to you.
Please smash DC.

He is currently f-ing up Tokyo on TCM.
Monster day today on that channel.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at October 22, 2025 11:20 AM (ufFY8)

92 I got some good news today after the collision I experienced. The insurance company (lady's that hit me) direct deposited money for me waiving a rental car. Neighbor has an old bomb I can use for short errands and even with insurance hoofing the bill a rental was a hassle. The knackerman is hauling off the KIA carcass in the next couple days, the insurance verifies no liens on the title, and I get another check deposited for the car. I have no complaints with her insurance company.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at October 22, 2025 11:20 AM (gm9Sb)

93 82 Can they take turns in a filibuster?

tag team? off the ropes?

Posted by: anachronda at October 22, 2025 11:20 AM (sGtp+)

94 If the Schumer crowd fear the hard leftists in their party, we need to keep an eye on them too. Each morning here lately I read yet another Marxist oriented professor essentially calling for a race/economic/religious war. The best thing Schumer can do for the country now it get these people out. But that is probably too out of character for him.

Posted by: Diogenes at October 22, 2025 11:21 AM (2WIwB)

95 Beef prices are on the menu. DJT has proposed easing import regulations and tariffs to increase the supply of beef for retailers.

See, I'm with Big Ag on this.

We want American producers to be able to make money. If they make money, they expand their operations (or save for the inevitable down turn). If they expand their operations, the supply increases and prices go down. If beef stays expensive, demand drops and prices go down.

It will fix itself.

The government needs to stop interfering in ways that will destroy American ag industries.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at October 22, 2025 11:21 AM (a+4eV)

96 Posted by: NaCly Dog at October 22, 2025 11:18 AM (u82oZ

LOL. I don't know if he came up with the idea or someone else did -as a response Biden calling Trump supporters garbage - but it was brilliant.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at October 22, 2025 11:21 AM (ix8EF)

97 Ok. Fine. But that doesn't change the fact that prices will be screwed for at least a year from of a calf born yesterday.
Posted by: rickb223 Acehole Extraordinaire coined by JSpicy at October 22, 2025 11:19 AM (Qd7dZ)

That's for domestic production. DJT wants to increase beef imports. Australia, Brazil, and Argentina, for instance.

Posted by: mrp at October 22, 2025 11:21 AM (rj6Yv)

98 During a FedGov "shutdown" services deemed "essential" remain funded and open/in operation.

The USPS is a quasi-federal entity and almost always is considered essential. Debatable, but that's the situation with it.

Other essential activities include the National Weather Service, FAA air traffic controllers, some FDA stuff related to foods and so on. The automated stuff like social security payments and some welfare will continue as well.

After 60 days of shutdown I think things start to "get real."

Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 22, 2025 11:21 AM (Q4IgG)

99 11
‘ Where's the whackadoodles going to go?’

To the NY Senate primary voting booth.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at October 22, 2025 11:21 AM (jbnUc)

100 90
They also want to actively destroy the government a la Project 2025, so a shutdown aligns highly with their motives.

Posted by: Intercepted Reddit Transmissions brought by the Intrepid AoS Liaison at October 22, 2025 11:20 AM (JCZqz)

=====

Oh, look. A leftist who has discovered that the right hahtes the federal government and wants to see it shrink.

Give him a prize.

Perhaps Schumer should end the shutdown and prevent anymore destruction.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 22, 2025 11:21 AM (GBKbO)

101 Can they take turns in a filibuster?

-
Like a tag match in wrestling?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at October 22, 2025 11:22 AM (RR3DO)

102 And New Zealand.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 22, 2025 11:22 AM (sGHnN)

103 He placates the workaday functionaries. Where's the whackadoodles going to go?
Posted by: rickb223 Acehole Extraordinaire coined by JSpicy at October 22, 2025 11:04 AM (Qd7dZ)

He gets to stand aside and watch while the whackadoodles and their enablers get rolled up and get called a traitor and a turncoat by what used to be his base.

Posted by: Kindltot at October 22, 2025 11:22 AM (rbvCR)

104 It clicked for me when I realized the Civil War never really ended, it just moved from the battlefield to the core of federal government. This is the confederacy.

Remind me which party freed the slaves.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 22, 2025 11:22 AM (Riz8t)

105 I thought New Zealand was only full of real men and sheep that knew it personally. Do they have cattle too?

Posted by: Farmer Bob at October 22, 2025 11:23 AM (hlNLQ)

106 See, I'm with Big Ag on this.

We want American producers to be able to make money. If they make money, they expand their operations (or save for the inevitable down turn). If they expand their operations, the supply increases and prices go down. If beef stays expensive, demand drops and prices go down.

It will fix itself.

The government needs to stop interfering in ways that will destroy American ag industries.
Posted by: FeatherBlade at October 22, 2025 11:21 AM (a+4eV)

Big Ag sez they can't fix the problem because of drought and the screwworm threat. Those are existential threats outside of capital investments.

Posted by: mrp at October 22, 2025 11:23 AM (rj6Yv)

107 Can you give examples of filibusters that "worked?"

Sincere question.

Posted by: Seems Legit at October 22, 2025 11:19 AM (PMtkd)

IIRC, a filibuster of one of FDR's SCOTUS nominees gave the opposition time to dig up enough dirt to get them to withdraw.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at October 22, 2025 11:23 AM (ExV1e)

108 86 Is the filibuster just political theater? Does it change people's minds? Does the delay make a difference?

Can you give examples of filibusters that "worked?"

Sincere question.

Posted by: Seems Legit
=======
Cloture was created in 1917 as prior to that, the Senate had unlimited debate. If I recall correctly, the Armed Ships Bill going down to defeat was the proximate cause of the rule change.

Posted by: whig at October 22, 2025 11:23 AM (WDjG6)

109 The knackerman is hauling off the KIA carcass in the next couple days, the insurance verifies no liens on the title, and I get another check deposited for the car.
----------------
Are you aware that KIA stands for Killed In Action?

Posted by: Pudinhead at October 22, 2025 11:23 AM (jFCkp)

110 104 It clicked for me when I realized the Civil War never really ended, it just moved from the battlefield to the core of federal government. This is the confederacy.

Remind me which party freed the slaves.
Posted by: Archimedes at October 22, 2025 11:22 AM (Riz8t)

=======

Eh, tensions around the proper scope of government, a question that's always up but especially in America, is as old as the taxation to pay for the French and Indian War.

Dude just has to make it...Republicans want slaves. Because braindead leftist.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 22, 2025 11:23 AM (GBKbO)

111 Filibuster < filled bustier

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at October 22, 2025 11:24 AM (RR3DO)

112 Mr Mannix, great work.

You described the warts on the monster really well.

But really i don't care how small the creature's dick is.

Posted by: dreamingrobot at October 22, 2025 11:25 AM (EyfuW)

113 The USPS is a quasi-federal entity and almost always is considered essential. Debatable, but that's the situation with it.

Oh no! I might not get my begging letters from politicians and charities I donated to, once, 20 years ago.

Posted by: Archimedes at October 22, 2025 11:25 AM (Riz8t)

114 New Zealand got into cattle by accident. Dairy cows. Perfect climate for cows year round. Water everything. Then they learned you could do beef cows on purpose.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 22, 2025 11:25 AM (sGHnN)

115 Mexican farmers might be more amenable to a free market for agricultural products than US farmers.

Posted by: Oglebay at October 22, 2025 11:26 AM (GPa4z)

116 109 Heh. Heard that at least once a week for the thirteen years I had the car.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at October 22, 2025 11:26 AM (gm9Sb)

117 IIRC, a filibuster of one of FDR's SCOTUS nominees gave the opposition time to dig up enough dirt to get them to withdraw.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic
=======
LBJ's twin nominations of Abe Fortas for chief justice (from his associate justice seat) and Homer Thornberry to replace Fortas. Fortas went down because he took money from a foundation on the down low that had business before Scotus plus Southern Democrats did not want him on the court so a combination of GOP senators looking for a win in 1968 for Nixon and Southern Democrats who wanted an end to the Warren Court liberalism combined to block Fortas. Fortas eventually had to resign his seat and Nixon got his first two picks for Scotus--Warren Burger and Harry Blackmun.

Posted by: whig at October 22, 2025 11:26 AM (WDjG6)

118 Who is not passing the government funding bill approved in the House?

That’s who is to blame for the government shutdown.

Whether the reason not to pass it is justified or not is the real question .

Posted by: the way I see it at October 22, 2025 11:27 AM (EYmYM)

119 Oh no! I might not get my begging letters from politicians and charities I donated to, once, 20 years ago.
Posted by: Archimedes

THAT WOULD BE A CATASTROPHE!!!!

Posted by: Uniparty Grifterd controlling the National levers of power at October 22, 2025 11:27 AM (JCZqz)

120 Trump makes Horatio Alger a slacker.
McDonalds, Garbage truck guy to President.

Alger's books are interesting pulp trash. The most famous series was called Luck and Pluck, and its heroes are what we generally think of as the typical Alger rags-to-riches story.

Almost always, however, no matter how industrious the hero is and no matter how upstanding and manly, he only gets up on to the ladder of prosperity by luck - saving a rich man's child, foiling a bank robbery, and so on.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at October 22, 2025 11:27 AM (ufSfZ)

121 Filibuster

Hey wait, how did you get a less-than sign without Minx mistaking it for a tag? Maybe Pixy smartened up the filters. Cool.

Posted by: Oddbob at October 22, 2025 11:29 AM (3nLb4)

122 Hey MPPP- haven't seen you here in awhile- maybe I just missed you, but if not, welcome home!

Posted by: Farmer Bob at October 22, 2025 11:29 AM (hlNLQ)

123 Big Ag sez they can't fix the problem because of drought and the screwworm threat. Those are existential threats outside of capital investments.
Posted by: mrp

Drought will fix itself in a couple of years maybe. Unless you want to get the government cloud-seeders in on the action of course.

Drought means that feed is more expensive, but drought doesn't happen everywhere all at the same time. Somebody somewhere is growing food that should be available for sale.

Assuming they're not shipping it to China. The number of feed warehouses with Chinese writing all over them in Central Washington does not fill me with hope in that regard.

As far as screwworm... that's the USDA's job.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at October 22, 2025 11:29 AM (a+4eV)

124 Filibuster
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at October 22, 2025 11:24 AM

Drindl über alles!

Posted by: You Know Who at October 22, 2025 11:29 AM (0sNs1)

125 The issue with FDR and Congress was the Judicial Procedures Reform Bill of 1937 which aimed at packing the courts. Roosevelt's legislative initiative ultimately failed.

"Henry F. Ashurst, the Democratic chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, held up the bill by delaying hearings in the committee, saying, "No haste, no hurry, no waste, no worry—that is the motto of this committee." As a result of his delaying efforts, the bill was held in committee for 165 days, and opponents of the bill credited Ashurst as instrumental in its defeat. The bill was further undermined by the untimely death of its chief advocate in the U.S. Senate, Senate Majority Leader Joseph T. Robinson." from wiki

Posted by: whig at October 22, 2025 11:29 AM (WDjG6)

126 118 Who is not passing the government funding bill approved in the House?

That’s who is to blame for the government shutdown.

Whether the reason not to pass it is justified or not is the real question .
Posted by: the way I see it at October 22, 2025 11:27 AM (EYmYM)

=====

Most polls on this issue ultimately just come down to confirmation bias tied up with partisanship.

"The other guys are to blame, not my guys."

With some minor fluctuation about which party gets the majority blame because of a variety of reasons.

Heck, an internal Dem poll leaked. "Republicans are being blamed more than Democrats!" By 1%.

This even-handed blame ends up being an actual outright failure on the part of the aggressors, those trying to make a political point of it to begin with.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 22, 2025 11:29 AM (GBKbO)

127 See, I'm with Big Ag on this.

We want American producers to be able to make money. If they make money, they expand their operations (or save for the inevitable down turn). If they expand their operations, the supply increases and prices go down. If beef stays expensive, demand drops and prices go down.

It will fix itself.

The government needs to stop interfering in ways that will destroy American ag industries.
Posted by: FeatherBlade

They aren't the ones making money though.
Live cattle prices are $2.42/lb.

Ribeyes are going for $18.98 at Sam's.
Someone in the middle is making a killing.

Posted by: rickb223 Acehole Extraordinaire coined by JSpicy at October 22, 2025 11:29 AM (Qd7dZ)

128 Hah. Not so cool. OK, AW, spill the secret.

Posted by: Oddbob at October 22, 2025 11:29 AM (3nLb4)

129 And New Zealand.
Posted by: Boss Moss at October 22, 2025 11:22 AM (sGHnN)

No beef imports from Canada? It's right there, and I live in the middle of cow country. You can truck 'em in live to the packing plants.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 22, 2025 11:30 AM (8zz6B)

130 Ribeyes are $21/lb here.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 22, 2025 11:31 AM (sGHnN)

131 You described the warts on the monster really well.
Posted by: dreamingrobot at October 22, 2025 11:25 AM

For her pleasure, of course.

Posted by: The Monster at October 22, 2025 11:31 AM (0sNs1)

132 But hey, if you want the government to do the US beef industry what they did to the US sheep industry in the mid 20th century, be my guest.

Then we can import all our meat from other countries.

That'll be safe.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at October 22, 2025 11:31 AM (a+4eV)

133 Is there a deal with Canadia yet?

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 22, 2025 11:32 AM (sGHnN)

134 Mexican farmers might be more amenable to a free market for agricultural products than US farmers.
Posted by: Oglebay at October 22, 2025 11:26 AM (GPa4z)
>>

Mexico exported over 1,000,000 (live) cattle annually to the US before the screwworm crisis. Now, the border is closed to cattle importation due to the crisis. No wonder prices are going up. It's my understanding that the majority of cattle from Mexico are calves sent to El Norte feedlots.

Posted by: mrp at October 22, 2025 11:32 AM (rj6Yv)

135 They also want to actively destroy the government a la Project 2025, so a shutdown aligns highly with their motives.

Posted by: Intercepted Reddit Transmissions brought by the Intrepid AoS Liaison at October 22, 2025 11:20 AM (JCZqz)
_________

It's incredible to me that these DU scabs seem to be obsessed political junkies that keep up all the Current Things, and some seem semi-intelligent, but they seem to think conservatives only very recently decided that big government is bad. I mean, that's only been a prime directive for the right for 100 years.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 22, 2025 11:32 AM (iFTx/)

136 Thx Joe.
I really , really , really feel bad for Schumer and his Dem geriatrics. A defenestration of the oldsters would make me feel much better. Then on to watching the commies, Antifa, BLM, Social Democrats etc rip each other apart

Posted by: Smell the Glove at October 22, 2025 11:32 AM (8RjCi)

137 115 Mexican farmers might be more amenable to a free market for agricultural products than US farmers.
Posted by: Oglebay

Depends on the crop we are discussing. Produce often benefits Mexican producers especially during winter months in the states because of frost. Mexico though has never really been much of a row crop farming hotbed in crops like corn, wheat, etc. IIRC, Mexico has a high tariff on corn because it wants to maintain a domestic supply of such as a key to tortillas and other derivative food.

Posted by: whig at October 22, 2025 11:32 AM (WDjG6)

138 440 lbs on average per beef carcass. Meat that is.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 22, 2025 11:33 AM (sGHnN)

139 135 It's incredible to me that these DU scabs seem to be obsessed political junkies that keep up all the Current Things, and some seem semi-intelligent, but they seem to think conservatives only very recently decided that big government is bad. I mean, that's only been a prime directive for the right for 100 years.
Posted by: Elric The Blade at October 22, 2025 11:32 AM (iFTx/)

========

"It's a huge secret! Republicans want to shrink the size of government!"

"Yeah, Mitt Romney lied about that, too. He said it to Republicans to get the Republican nomination in 2012."

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 22, 2025 11:33 AM (GBKbO)

140 Hey MPPP- haven't seen you here in awhile- maybe I just missed you, but if not, welcome home!
Posted by: Farmer Bob at October 22, 2025 11:29 AM (hlNLQ)

Thank you!

I'm around on Tuesdays and Wednesdays because I work those days. I have to work this Friday morning, so I'll be around for a bit then.

Hope you have a lovely day!

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at October 22, 2025 11:34 AM (ufSfZ)

141 Talk about bad timing. JPMorgan officially opened its new, $3B HQ in Nuuu York City yesterday, just in time for Mamdani to destroy it lol.

Ooops. Oooopsie.

Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at October 22, 2025 11:34 AM (PGEno)

142 Mexico exported over 1,000,000 (live) cattle annually to the US before the screwworm crisis. Now, the border is closed to cattle importation due to the crisis.

If they wanted to continue exporting to us, they should have controlled their pests better.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at October 22, 2025 11:34 AM (a+4eV)

143 I have noticed fewer cattle trucks going by and a feed lot a few miles away has been pretty empty. Stockmen holding out for highest price or just hanging it up and getting out of the business?

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at October 22, 2025 11:34 AM (gm9Sb)

144 Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 22, 2025 11:29 AM (GBKbO)

Partisanship rarely has a basis in logic.

If a Republican Senate didn’t vote to pass a funding bill that had 100% medical coverage for transitions and it shut down the government , I would say the Republicans shut down the government but rightly so.

Of course the Dems can’t do that here because they shut it down to continue funding illegal aliens so they just illogically claim the Republicans shut it down.

Posted by: the way I see it at October 22, 2025 11:35 AM (EYmYM)

145 Romney killed KayBee Toys. Corporate Raidering.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 22, 2025 11:35 AM (sGHnN)

146 ... and what the Party will offer to the other as it grovels for forgiveness.

-------------

"FREE Monster Cybertrucks for ALL Monster Babies!

Wait, that'll make Musk even RICHER -- Crap, Scratch That ..."

Posted by: ShainS -- Bury My Heart At a Texas MoMe at October 22, 2025 11:35 AM (zQlkF)

147 I suspect that Trump might wait until after the upcoming Governor's elections to really do major personal cuts, if the shutdown lasts that long. I can see it harming Spears' campaign if he does too much before hand.

I'm not sure that Schumer is ever going to cave - this may have become a pure suicide mission for him.

Posted by: Tom Servo at October 22, 2025 11:35 AM (uWKK8)

148

you too!

Posted by: Farmer Bob at October 22, 2025 11:36 AM (hlNLQ)

149 It's incredible to me that these DU scabs seem to be obsessed political junkies that keep up all the Current Things, and some seem semi-intelligent, but they seem to think conservatives only very recently decided that big government is bad. I mean, that's only been a prime directive for the right for 100 years.
Posted by: Elric The Blade
=======
Conservatives to them are non-persons not worth discussing much or you might risk contamination. Politics to leftists is akin to religion, on the right, it is more transactional for most.

So it would be similar to evangelists spending their time discussing Islamic doctrine rather than preaching about their own values.

Posted by: whig at October 22, 2025 11:36 AM (WDjG6)

150 If they wanted to continue exporting to us, they should have controlled their pests better.
Posted by: FeatherBlade at October 22, 2025 11:34 AM (a+4eV)

That's the story of immigration in general, ain't it?

Posted by: Tom Servo at October 22, 2025 11:36 AM (uWKK8)

151 At this point, a big bargaining chip is the back pay for those actually furloughed.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at October 22, 2025 11:36 AM (W7XSX)

152 I have noticed fewer cattle trucks going by and a feed lot a few miles away has been pretty empty. Stockmen holding out for highest price or just hanging it up and getting out of the business?
Posted by: bill in arkansas

Possible slowdown due to time of year. Calves are usually born in spring and go to market at 1 year.

Posted by: rickb223 Acehole Extraordinaire coined by JSpicy at October 22, 2025 11:37 AM (Qd7dZ)

153 144 Partisanship rarely has a basis in logic.

If a Republican Senate didn’t vote to pass a funding bill that had 100% medical coverage for transitions and it shut down the government , I would say the Republicans shut down the government but rightly so.

Of course the Dems can’t do that here because they shut it down to continue funding illegal aliens so they just illogically claim the Republicans shut it down.
Posted by: the way I see it at October 22, 2025 11:35 AM (EYmYM)

======

I only note that this shutdown is just following normal partisan lines. A lot like the 2019 shutdown.

It's not the 2013 shutdown that Democrats were able to use the media successfully to get even a large section of Republican voters to blame the GOP for.

Which provides the GOP with no incentive to bend or break, especially when the head of the party is head of the executive branch and wants to maximize the effects in ways that hurt his political opposition.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 22, 2025 11:37 AM (GBKbO)

154 Talk about bad timing. JPMorgan officially opened its new, $3B HQ in Nuuu York City yesterday, just in time for Mamdani to destroy it lol.

Ooops. Oooopsie.
Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at October 22, 2025 11:34 AM

Can't wait until they tax the ever-loving shit out of that.

Posted by: Minnfidel at October 22, 2025 11:37 AM (ewjUl)

155 I've always thought that in the end-

It's the Democrats who have to go nuclear on the monster babies, dispense hickory shampoos, and lock them up for a long long time.

Why?

They're murdering the Dims politically with the normals, and will start murdering insufficiently radical Democrats to "motivate " them.

Deep blue shitholes like Portland, Chicago will be begging for Trump to send in the NG.

Posted by: naturalfake at October 22, 2025 11:38 AM (gH8ss)

156 Possible slowdown due to time of year. Calves are usually born in spring and go to market at 1 year.
Posted by: rickb223 Acehole Extraordinaire coined by JSpicy at October 22, 2025 11:37 AM (Qd7dZ)

The calve and calvenots.

Posted by: Minnfidel at October 22, 2025 11:38 AM (ewjUl)

157 I have noticed fewer cattle trucks going by and a feed lot a few miles away has been pretty empty. Stockmen holding out for highest price or just hanging it up and getting out of the business?

Posted by: bill in arkansas,

My cattle rancher neighbor sold off a good chunk of his herd. Drought and cost of feed. He keeps just enough to maintain ag exemption on land.

Posted by: BarelyScaryMary at October 22, 2025 11:38 AM (F2xQR)

158 Yes.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at October 22, 2025 11:07 AM (ySpAZ)

---------------

Really enjoyed meeting, chatting, & laughing you and your wonderful mom -- please give her my best!

[O/T and Apropos of that -- This video video looks like it could be a TX MiniMoMe, amirite?

]

Benny Johnson
@bennyjohnson

My politics is whatever this

[video]

https://is.gd/HIq5k6

Posted by: ShainS -- Bury My Heart At a Texas MoMe at October 22, 2025 11:38 AM (zQlkF)

159 138 440 lbs on average per beef carcass. Meat that is.
Posted by: Boss Moss at October 22, 2025 11:33 AM (sGHnN)

I saw one of those on a motorized scooter in Walmart yesterday.

Posted by: Tom Servo at October 22, 2025 11:38 AM (uWKK8)

160 If they wanted to continue exporting to us, they should have controlled their pests better.
Posted by: FeatherBlade at October 22, 2025 11:34 AM (a+4eV)

Before the sterile fly project in Central America, screwworm infestation was endemic in the US. Those little flies have wings, they don't need no stinkin' green cards.

Posted by: mrp at October 22, 2025 11:38 AM (rj6Yv)

161 90
‘ They are hell bent on destroying the economy and killing USA citizens’

Just some of them.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at October 22, 2025 11:38 AM (jbnUc)

162 I’m sure the climate activists also have had their had in trying to destroy the cattle industry.

Corn fed beef would be less expensive if not for ethanol. Unfortunately farmers like their subsidies.

Posted by: the way I see it at October 22, 2025 11:38 AM (EYmYM)

163 They aren't the ones making money though.
Live cattle prices are $2.42/lb.

Ribeyes are going for $18.98 at Sam's.
Someone in the middle is making a killing.
Posted by: rickb223

I bet that's because the packing plants can't use foreign slave labor anymore and haven't figured out how to change their operations model yet.

I'm not sure importing fresh beef from other countries will solve that... Hopefully the threat will be incentive enough.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at October 22, 2025 11:38 AM (a+4eV)

164 Flies stop screw worms?

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 22, 2025 11:39 AM (sGHnN)

165 155 They're murdering the Dims politically with the normals, and will start murdering insufficiently radical Democrats to "motivate " them.

Deep blue shitholes like Portland, Chicago will be begging for Trump to send in the NG.
Posted by: naturalfake at October 22, 2025 11:38 AM (gH8ss)

=======

If Section 2 of the VRA gets struck down, Democrats will enter into a deathmatch between their radicals and more moderate members.

Democrats would have to win the "popular House vote" by about 7 points to get a majority in the House based on the current partisan makeup of the country.

They're...really concentrated both in cities and across about a dozen states.

If they can never get a trifecta again, no matter what happens in the Senate and the Presidency, they have to change...somehow.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 22, 2025 11:40 AM (GBKbO)

166 I agree, but I still think the old timers have to come to grips with the fact that their day is over, and that is a hard pill to swallow.

"I work for the people!"
"OK, grandpa. Take your pills and sit here so you can watch Matlock."

Posted by: NR Pax at October 22, 2025 11:40 AM (99eI0)

167 MATLOCK!

Posted by: toby928(c) at October 22, 2025 11:41 AM (jc0TO)

168 Every few months some people set up a huge tent at the local mall parking lot, selling "rib eyes" at ridiculously low prices. So low I think they might be the folks that clean up after a zoo tragedy.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at October 22, 2025 11:41 AM (gm9Sb)

169 Splitters!

Posted by: Nihilists of Satan at October 22, 2025 11:08 AM (jc0TO)

-------------

Well-played and -socked, toby!

Posted by: ShainS -- Bury My Heart At a Texas MoMe at October 22, 2025 11:41 AM (zQlkF)

170 I don't think ethanol is necessary anymore. Shale oil expanded.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 22, 2025 11:41 AM (sGHnN)

171 Calves are usually born in spring and go to market at 1 year.
Posted by: rickb223

A bunch of the ranchers in this area have gone to fall calving.

But I'm not sure how that affects the timing of taking them to market.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at October 22, 2025 11:41 AM (a+4eV)

172 Two weeks for the shutdown record?
Let's go for 3 at least

Posted by: Skip at October 22, 2025 11:42 AM (xatjc)

173 A bunch of the ranchers in this area have gone to fall calving.

How do they get the cows to go along with that?

Posted by: toby928(c) at October 22, 2025 11:42 AM (jc0TO)

174 To hell with a CR.

Why - for YRS - haven't the American people been pounded with the "Impact of Key Provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 COVID-19 Relief on Market place Premiums," KFF, March 21, 2021?

It's limited! There's no money sitting in safes to back it up!

Also, KFF, "Key Facts on Health Coverage of Immigrants"
Published: Jan 15, 2025

In part, "The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that these coverage restrictions will result in 1.4 million lawfully present immigrants becoming uninsured with $131 billion in reduced federal spending and $4.8 billion in increased federal revenues by 2034.

Undocumented immigrants are not eligible to enroll in federally funded coverage including Medicaid, CHIP, or Medicare or to purchase coverage through the ACA Marketplaces. Medicaid payments for emergency services may be made to hospitals on behalf of individuals who are otherwise eligible for Medicaid but for their immigration status. These include lawfully present immigrants who are subject to a five-year bar for Medicaid and undocumented immigrants. ... Much of Emergency Medicaid spending goes towards labor and delivery costs. (more)

ACA's NOT affordable.

Posted by: L - No nic, another fine day at October 22, 2025 11:43 AM (NFX2v)

175 Only one year for such a big animal?

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 22, 2025 11:43 AM (sGHnN)

176 Every few months some people set up a huge tent at the local mall parking lot, selling "rib eyes" at ridiculously low prices. So low I think they might be the folks that clean up after a zoo tragedy.
Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at October 22, 2025 11:41 AM (gm9Sb)

That’s why I’ll never eat at Golden Corral.

All you can eat ribeye $2.99.

( I exaggerate for effect😀

Posted by: the way I see it at October 22, 2025 11:43 AM (EYmYM)

177 Last time I checked, both Ivermectin and Pyrethrin are good for screwworm.

Posted by: Kindltot at October 22, 2025 11:43 AM (rbvCR)

178 Corn fed beef would be less expensive if not for ethanol. Unfortunately farmers like their subsidies.
Posted by: the way I see it at October 22, 2025 11:38 AM (EYmYM)

I am seeing more fields planted to feed corn here in Alberta. Used to be quite a rarity; now it is commonplace. Maybe the seed companies developed a field corn that tolerates our climate and growing season better.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 22, 2025 11:43 AM (8zz6B)

179 I *used* to be *with it*, but then, they changed what *it* was, so what I was *with*, was no longer *it*, and *it* had become was suddenly scary to me.

AND IT WILL HAPPEN TO YOOOOOO.

Posted by: Abraham J. Simpson at October 22, 2025 11:44 AM (PiwSw)

180 147 I suspect that Trump might wait until after the upcoming Governor's elections to really do major personal cuts, if the shutdown lasts that long. I can see it harming Spears' campaign if he does too much before hand.

I'm not sure that Schumer is ever going to cave - this may have become a pure suicide mission for him.
Posted by: Tom Servo
======
I just looked at 2026 and 2028 seats, there simply are not that many competitive Senate seats anymore with the current blue-red splits. AZ, NH, GA (Warnock) and NV in 2028. GA (Ossoff), NV (retiree), and mebbe MI in 2026. AZ's seat is Mark Kelly and he may be running for VP or Prezzie in 2028--voting for cloture is a no go for him right now. The other retiring Dems like Smith in MN or Durbin in IL are unlikely to be flipped to Red absent big changes in the electorate.

Right now, I see Schumer not feeling pressure from swing state D senators to end this and Ossoff (GA) apparently has raised 3 million bucks since the shutoff began which undoubtedly incentivizes him to continue the shutdown.

Posted by: whig at October 22, 2025 11:44 AM (WDjG6)

181 Stop growing all those soybeans.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 22, 2025 11:44 AM (sGHnN)

182 Possible slowdown due to time of year. Calves are usually born in spring and go to market at 1 year.
Posted by: rickb223 Acehole Extraordinaire coined by JSpicy at October 22, 2025 11:37 AM (Qd7dZ)

The calve and calvenots.
Posted by: Minnfidel at October 22, 2025 11:38 AM (ewjUl)

Why do heifers sleep so well after giving birth?
They've been decalffeinated.

Posted by: Be here all week at October 22, 2025 11:44 AM (TbWk/)

183 Only one year for such a big animal?
Posted by: Boss Moss at October 22, 2025 11:43 AM

My mother lived on a farm as a little girl and tried the 'pick up a calf everyday and you will be able to pick up a cow eventually' thing.

It didn't work.

Posted by: toby928(c) at October 22, 2025 11:45 AM (jc0TO)

184 Posted by: Farmer Bob at October 22, 2025 11:14 AM (hlNLQ)

Exactly. Which is why I've said for a while that I'm sure all those Maoist professors aren't informing their dupes as to the fate of the Red Guard.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at October 22, 2025 11:45 AM (lFFaq)

185 Dems create Ponzi scheme programs like programs like Obamacare, Medicare, Social Security. Then when they inevitably collapse, they blame Republicans for not wanting to “fix” the programs.

It’s a neat trick.

Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at October 22, 2025 11:46 AM (PGEno)

186 A bunch of the ranchers in this area have gone to fall calving.

But I'm not sure how that affects the timing of taking them to market.
Posted by: FeatherBlade

They would go the next fall. No one really wants winter calves. Even though, that's when obstinate cows drop them.

No one, other than someone with a tiny boutique herd puts their beef cattle up in barns over winter.

Posted by: rickb223 Acehole Extraordinaire coined by JSpicy at October 22, 2025 11:46 AM (Qd7dZ)

187 How do they get the cows to go along with that?
Posted by: toby928(c)

Breed 'em at a different time of year?

Gestation takes as long as it takes, so you either artificially inseminate them or let the bulls in with them that amount of time before you want the calves.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at October 22, 2025 11:46 AM (a+4eV)

188 What are the New World Screwworms and why are they a threat?

This video helps explain the threat and countermeasures:

(YT) LINK: https://tinyurl.com/43snhppz

Posted by: mrp at October 22, 2025 11:47 AM (rj6Yv)

189 Who would want to feed them for another winter?

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 22, 2025 11:47 AM (sGHnN)

190 Posted by: rickb223 Acehole Extraordinaire coined by JSpicy at October 22, 2025 11:46 AM (Qd7dZ)

That’s what longhorns were created for😀

Posted by: the way I see it at October 22, 2025 11:47 AM (EYmYM)

191 A bunch of the ranchers in this area have gone to fall calving.

How do they get the cows to go along with that?
Posted by: toby928(c) at October 22, 2025 11:42 AM (jc0TO)

***

*looks in mirror*
Shines horns and hooves.
*smiles*

Posted by: Ferdinand the Bull at October 22, 2025 11:47 AM (2WIwB)

192 “Do I own three residences? Yes I do.”
A beautiful home in Burlington.
A place in Washington.
And a “summer camp”.
“That’s it!”
-No King Sanders

-
He's held it at three!

You know who else had three houses? The Three Little Pig. Of course, Comrade Bernie is more a big pig. Incidentally, how exactly does that to each according to his need work?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at October 22, 2025 11:47 AM (RR3DO)

193 Gestation takes as long as it takes, so you either artificially inseminate them or let the bulls in with them that amount of time before you want the calves.
Posted by: FeatherBlade at October 22, 2025 11:46 AM

But don't they go into season at particular times of the year, ie, Spring?

Posted by: toby928(c) at October 22, 2025 11:47 AM (jc0TO)

194 In Soviet Russia worms screw YOU!

Posted by: worms worms worms at October 22, 2025 11:48 AM (TbWk/)

195 If decisions to RIF get made, I assure you that 6% or so that voted for Trump will be among the unfortunates who get whacked. The people that run these agencies will inflict as much pain as possible on the citizens they "serve," and that probably means the competent people will go, and that means the Trump voters.

Posted by: Ex Rex Reeder at October 22, 2025 11:48 AM (MZ+PY)

196 Continued -

Healthcare and state working provisions include new federal Medicaid work requirements, which will require certain enrollees to work or volunteer for at least 80 hours a month STARTING IN 2027, with exemptions for individuals like the medically frail or parents of young children. In addition, some states have specific laws for healthcare workers, such as Pennsylvania's Act 102, which prohibits requiring nurses and other direct care staff to work overtime beyond their regular, agreed-upon schedule. (Emphasis added.)

Federal subsidies for ACA health insurance premiums are set to be cut at the end of 2025, meaning enhanced financial assistance will expire starting in January 2026.

Posted by: L - No nic, another fine day at October 22, 2025 11:48 AM (NFX2v)

197 Nobody but the politically "engaged" gives a shit that the government is shut down unless they are directly affected by it. Not one person.

Posted by: ... at October 22, 2025 11:48 AM (lonsH)

198 I guess one could artificially hormone the cows up.

Modern Technology.

Posted by: toby928(c) at October 22, 2025 11:48 AM (jc0TO)

199 Why do heifers sleep so well after giving birth?
They've been decalffeinated.
Posted by: Be here all week at October 22, 2025 11:44 AM (TbWk/)

A heifer is a female that hasn't birthed a calf yet. Once she drops a calf she is no longer considered a heifer.

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at October 22, 2025 11:48 AM (2J/Lj)

200 No one, other than someone with a tiny boutique herd puts their beef cattle up in barns over winter.
Posted by: rickb223

I don't know what to tell you and I don't know how they overwinter them. That's just what my cattle rancher uncle says his cattle rancher neighbors are doing.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at October 22, 2025 11:49 AM (a+4eV)

201 They aren't the ones making money though.
Live cattle prices are $2.42/lb.

Ribeyes are going for $18.98 at Sam's.
Someone in the middle is making a killing.
Posted by: rickb223 Acehole Extraordinaire coined by JSpicy at October 22, 2025 11:29 AM

Between the live cattle and the steak, I certainly hope a killing is being made.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at October 22, 2025 11:49 AM (ySpAZ)

202 If Section 2 of the VRA gets struck down, Democrats will enter into a deathmatch between their radicals and more moderate members.

Democrats would have to win the "popular House vote" by about 7 points to get a majority in the House based on the current partisan makeup of the country.

They're...really concentrated both in cities and across about a dozen states.

If they can never get a trifecta again, no matter what happens in the Senate and the Presidency, they have to change...somehow.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
=======
Not sure that they can. Tammany Hall urban style governance is key to how the Dems run things now and as I said earlier, VRA lawsuits over majority minority districts in state legislatures is likely to change the complexion literally of those as well.

And EV vote shifts in 2030 may make it very difficult for any Dem to win the presidency. If the House is also out of reach, then the Senate firewall is likely to start crumbling either by workarounds to the filibuster and/or by rotten borough urban centers losing their grip on statewide races in places like MN.

Posted by: whig at October 22, 2025 11:49 AM (WDjG6)

203 Federal subsidies for ACA health insurance premiums are set to be cut at the end of 2025, meaning enhanced financial assistance will expire starting in January 2026.
Posted by: L - No nic, another fine day at October 22, 2025 11:48 AM (NFX2v)

And we will be at the same place we were before ACA. I note it wasn’t the end of the world and insurance was less expensive.

Posted by: the way I see it at October 22, 2025 11:50 AM (EYmYM)

204
Assuming they're not shipping it to China.

Or using food supplies as a weapon. See Stalin and the Holodomor; the Limeys in the Boer War; post-colonial civil wars in Congo, Biafra, Ethiopia; feeding MREs to US troops etc.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at October 22, 2025 11:50 AM (y9nCu)

205 A heifer is a female that hasn't birthed a calf yet. Once she drops a calf she is no longer considered a heifer.
Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at October 22, 2025 11:48 AM (2J/Lj)

Well aren't you a bundle of killjoy. And I'll have you know heifer cow is better than none.

Posted by: Rough audience at October 22, 2025 11:50 AM (TbWk/)

206 130 Ribeyes are $21/lb here.
Posted by: Boss Moss

Have you considered chicken? Or how about pork...the other white meat? Fill your tank with some E85. Mwahaha!!!

Posted by: Iowa, national producer of pork, poultry AND ethanol at October 22, 2025 11:50 AM (JCZqz)

207 If decisions to RIF get made, I assure you that 6% or so that voted for Trump will be among the unfortunates who get whacked. The people that run these agencies will inflict as much pain as possible on the citizens they "serve," and that probably means the competent people will go, and that means the Trump voters.
Posted by: Ex Rex Reeder at October 22, 2025 11:48 AM (MZ+PY)

I don’t think k many if any of the 6% work for the government. Most people in DC are govt employees but not everyone. There’s a lot of economic activity in MD and VA not related to govt directly.

And some people want to live in Georgetown even if they don’t work in DC.

If you’re a Republican in DC chances are you’re a consultant or own a business or something. You’re not a fedgov parasite.

Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at October 22, 2025 11:50 AM (PGEno)

208 202 Not sure that they can. Tammany Hall urban style governance is key to how the Dems run things now and as I said earlier, VRA lawsuits over majority minority districts in state legislatures is likely to change the complexion literally of those as well.

And EV vote shifts in 2030 may make it very difficult for any Dem to win the presidency. If the House is also out of reach, then the Senate firewall is likely to start crumbling either by workarounds to the filibuster and/or by rotten borough urban centers losing their grip on statewide races in places like MN.
Posted by: whig at October 22, 2025 11:49 AM (WDjG6)

=======

They either moderate like Clinton in the 90s, or the follow the path of the Italian Democrat Party and just continue to cling to open borders as a core concept and grow increasingly irrelevant.

I'd bet on the latter, to be honest.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 22, 2025 11:51 AM (GBKbO)

209 Sold my NASDAQ shorts for the day. Hopefully the market is turning.

*crosses fingers*

Posted by: toby928(c) at October 22, 2025 11:51 AM (jc0TO)

210 Three companies handle 75% of the beef processing. Two are Brazillian.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 22, 2025 11:51 AM (sGHnN)

211 I would so love it if they'd stop with the "my friend across the aisle" horses*** and just refer to them as "that syphilitic imbecile over there".
------

That "blue slip" nonsense would be a good place to start. IF a Democratic senator opposes a judicial nomination, that means they're a GREAT judicial nomination and should be confirmed into office.

Posted by: Crusader at October 22, 2025 11:51 AM (TN0g+)

212 Trump is outmaneuvering Schumer at every turn.

I pray he keeps it up. Screw the Dems. But I also hope he has a team war-gaming the hard left. If/when Mamdani wins, that will be replicated in at least three other major cities. (True, many are already Marxist, but that little shit in NY has come out of the closet and making it OK to say it.) This movement needs to be ended quickly before it gets a lot more ugly than it already is.

Posted by: Ferdinand the Bull at October 22, 2025 11:52 AM (2WIwB)

213 The neighbor who leases our pasture collects his calves every year and runs them to market. According to Wiki:

Feeder calves are less than 1 year old; feeder yearlings are between 1 and 2 years old. Both types are often produced in a cow-calf operation. After attaining a desirable weight, feeder cattle become finished cattle that are sold to a packer (finished cattle are also called fattened cattle, fat cattle, fed cattle, or, when contrasted with carcasses, live cattle). Packers slaughter the cattle and sell the meat in carcass boxed form.

Feedlots producing live cattle for slaughter will typically purchase 500–850 pounds (230–390 kg) feeder cattle calves and feed to grow the animals into 850–1,400 pounds (390–640 kg) cattle.[3][2] Backgrounding operations will typically purchase 300–600 pounds (140–270 kg) feeder cattle calves and feed to grow the animals into 650–875 pounds (295–397 kg) backgrounded cattle. Backgrounding cattle that achieve weights of 650–700 pounds (290–320 kg) are suitable for sale to grass feeding operations, whereas those achieving weights of 800–825 pounds (363–374 kg) are suitable for sale to feedlot operators.

Posted by: rickb223 Acehole Extraordinaire coined by JSpicy at October 22, 2025 11:52 AM (Qd7dZ)

214 203 Federal subsidies for ACA health insurance premiums are set to be cut at the end of 2025, meaning enhanced financial assistance will expire starting in January 2026.
Posted by: L - No nic, another fine day at October 22, 2025 11:48 AM (NFX2v)

And we will be at the same place we were before ACA. I note it wasn’t the end of the world and insurance was less expensive.
Posted by: the way I see it at October 22, 2025 11:50 AM (EYmYM)

======

Actually, what it will be will be where we would be if temporary COVID subsidies for ACA plans had never become law in 2021.

The government is still covering something like 90% of the cost on average right now. It'll fall back in line with the pattern pre-covid and will be about 2/3 of the cost instead.

Which will blow up prices for the individual consumer by thousands of dollars. Because the ACA sucks.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 22, 2025 11:52 AM (GBKbO)

215 A heifer is a female that hasn't birthed a calf yet. Once she drops a calf she is no longer considered a heifer.
Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at October 22, 2025 11:48 AM (2J/Lj)

Well aren't you a bundle of killjoy. And I'll have you know heifer cow is better than none.
Posted by: Rough audience at October 22, 2025 11:50 AM (TbWk/)

OK folks. Nothing to see here. Lets just moooove along with these puns.

Posted by: Diogenes at October 22, 2025 11:53 AM (2WIwB)

216 But don't they go into season at particular times of the year, ie, Spring?
Posted by: toby928(c)

As far as I know, they're in season whenever they aren't pregnant or nursing.

Same reason deer can have late fawns if they don't get mated, or miscarry, or lose their young to predators.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at October 22, 2025 11:53 AM (a+4eV)

217 I am happy for the bureacrats being let go to pursue those private sector jobs that wiil pay four times as much for their considerable skills, according to them.

Posted by: SloPitch Whiffer at October 22, 2025 11:53 AM (/f/TE)

218 They either moderate like Clinton in the 90s, or the follow the path of the Italian Democrat Party and just continue to cling to open borders as a core concept and grow increasingly irrelevant.

I'd bet on the latter, to be honest.
-------

I too think it will be the latter because they still intend to *steal* every election they are allowed to. And also because if they "moderate", they'd have to concede that at least some of Vance's policies aren't stone cold crazy.

Posted by: Crusader at October 22, 2025 11:54 AM (TN0g+)

219 Trump might do something.He never does make a national TV address, a short one. Whatever looney the left puts up to respond will look ridiculous

Posted by: JM in Illinois at October 22, 2025 11:54 AM (NTdv6)

220 You expect me to pay 1/3 of my health insurance cost? That’s straight up fascism bro!

Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at October 22, 2025 11:54 AM (PGEno)

221 Don't be cowed by heifer knowledge.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 22, 2025 11:54 AM (sGHnN)

222 Powerline reports an Alabama women was arrested at her local No Kings rally for wearing an overly realistic penis costume festooned with a sign saying "No Dicks!", which I believe is her life motto.

Anyway, if you'd enjoy some fun video...

https://tinyurl.com/3w6hkb8h

Posted by: Huck Follywood at October 22, 2025 11:55 AM (GcJvH)

223 They either moderate like Clinton in the 90s, or the follow the path of the Italian Democrat Party and just continue to cling to open borders as a core concept and grow increasingly irrelevant.

I'd bet on the latter, to be honest.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison

I simply do not know. A lot depends on what the GOP does---if Trumpism, MAGA, populism becomes a core and they can get their peeps to turn out plus fair elections, then the GOP will be the dominant party for awhile. If they decline back to the older GOPe style, then continued narrow elections as the country falls apart giving space to a new party. Sort of like what the UK has done and France plus Germany. Then the dying existing parties try to keep the newer parties out of office by any means possible.

Posted by: whig at October 22, 2025 11:55 AM (WDjG6)

224 The rental house beside my son's place has squatters that the cops won't evict. My son refers to them as "the crackheads".

At 5:30 this morning, he was awakened by all of the fire trucks. The crackheads finally managed to burn "their" place down!

"Equity" for squatters from our Blue city government just turned a valuable house into ashes.

Is Democrat governance always a source of destruction?

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at October 22, 2025 11:55 AM (HlyYF)

225 “Do I own three residences? Yes I do.”
A beautiful home in Burlington.
A place in Washington.
And a “summer camp”.
“That’s it!”
-No King Sanders

-
He's held it at three!

You know who else had three houses? The Three Little Pig. Of course, Comrade Bernie is more a big pig. Incidentally, how exactly does that to each according to his need work?
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at October 22, 2025 11:47 AM (RR3DO)
***

Summer Camp is how they say Dacha in the US, right Bernie?

Posted by: Diogenes at October 22, 2025 11:55 AM (2WIwB)

226 All large governments work on lines of credit. And of course, JPMorgan is the largest most influential creditor there is. I wonder what would happen in NYC if the banks all decided to suspend credit to the city, "pending review of their liquidity and ability to repay"

Posted by: Kindltot at October 22, 2025 11:55 AM (rbvCR)

227 218
I too think it will be the latter because they still intend to *steal* every election they are allowed to. And also because if they "moderate", they'd have to concede that at least some of Vance's policies aren't stone cold crazy.
Posted by: Crusader at October 22, 2025 11:54 AM (TN0g+)

=====

Obama killed the base knowledge of how to appeal to voters, and the Democrat Party is full of people who don't have that knowledge.

They know that the only way to win is to say radical things, collect large checks from donors, and fortify elections like Chicago.

A change of direction will require a personnel change at every level of the Democrat party. That either happens naturally over time (decades) or through a hostile takeover (like Obama in 2008 or Trump in 2016).

We'll see.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 22, 2025 11:56 AM (GBKbO)

228 Powerline reports an Alabama women was arrested at her local No Kings rally for wearing an overly realistic penis costume festooned with a sign saying "No Dicks!", which I believe is her life motto.

Anyway, if you'd enjoy some fun video...

https://tinyurl.com/3w6hkb8h
Posted by: Huck Follywood at October 22, 2025 11:55 AM

And these people wonder why no one takes them seriously?

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at October 22, 2025 11:56 AM (ySpAZ)

229 A heifer is a female that hasn't birthed a calf yet. Once she drops a calf she is no longer considered a heifer.
Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at October 22, 2025 11:48 AM (2J/Lj)

Well aren't you a bundle of killjoy. And I'll have you know heifer cow is better than none.
Posted by: Rough audience at October 22, 2025 11:50 AM (TbWk/)

OK folks. Nothing to see here. Lets just moooove along with these puns.

Posted by: Diogenes at October 22, 2025 11:53 AM (2WIwB)

Trying to steer the conversation?

Posted by: BarelyScaryMary at October 22, 2025 11:56 AM (F2xQR)

230 Good juxtaposition of the party members and monster babies there. Well done again, Mannix.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 22, 2025 11:56 AM (i24o9)

231 Powerline reports an Alabama women was arrested at her local No Kings rally for wearing an overly realistic penis costume festooned with a sign saying "No Dicks!", which I believe is her life motto.

Anyway, if you'd enjoy some fun video...

https://tinyurl.com/3w6hkb8h
Posted by: Huck Follywood at October 22, 2025 11:55 AM

That's my town, albeit, right at the city limits. Weird spot for the protest. I guess the city wouldn't let them use downtown.

Posted by: toby928(c) at October 22, 2025 11:56 AM (jc0TO)

232 Well aren't you a bundle of killjoy. And I'll have you know heifer cow is better than none.
Posted by: Rough audience at October 22, 2025 11:50 AM (TbWk/)

OK folks. Nothing to see here. Lets just moooove along with these puns.

Posted by: Diogenes at October 22, 2025 11:53 AM (2WIwB)

Trying to steer the conversation?

Posted by: BarelyScaryMary at October 22, 2025 11:56 AM (F2xQR)

We are on the horns of a dilemma here.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 22, 2025 11:57 AM (i24o9)

233 A notell hotel around these parts had two deputies and two plain clothes around this morning.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 22, 2025 11:57 AM (sGHnN)

234 Well aren't you a bundle of killjoy. And I'll have you know heifer cow is better than none.
Posted by: Rough audience at October 22, 2025 11:50 AM (TbWk/)

OK folks. Nothing to see here. Lets just moooove along with these puns.
Posted by: Diogenes at October 22, 2025 11:53 AM

Look, I have no beef with you. make no bones about it.

Posted by: Minnfidel at October 22, 2025 11:57 AM (ewjUl)

235 If they can never get a trifecta again, no matter what happens in the Senate and the Presidency, they have to change...somehow.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison

Texas Democrats faced a similar problem after the Anne Richards regime fell apart (it was a lot more corrupt than the media will ever acknowledge, but voters knew it)

Instead of reforming, they tried doing the same thing for a while, then the Texas Dem chairman said that it was now the Brown and Black People's Party, and they didn't want or need any white voters in it.

Texas Dems have not won a statewide race in 30 years now, and they're not getting better, they're increasingly falling apart. State level orgs are bankrupt; all efforts rely on out of state money. The only real political competition in Texas is between the MAGA wing, led by Paxton and Lt. Governor Patrick, and the Bush Family Org/CofC Republicans, who control the Texas House and most of the GOP Party apparatus. Actual democrats are irrelevant.

all that to say that yes, a party can make such bad choices that it ends up committing suicide. Texas Dems have.

Posted by: Tom Servo at October 22, 2025 11:57 AM (uWKK8)

236 The rental house beside my son's place has squatters that the cops won't evict. My son refers to them as "the crackheads".

At 5:30 this morning, he was awakened by all of the fire trucks. The crackheads finally managed to burn "their" place down!

"Equity" for squatters from our Blue city government just turned a valuable house into ashes.

Is Democrat governance always a source of destruction?
Posted by: Pillage Idiot at October 22, 2025 11:55 AM (HlyYF)

Now government can swoop in with one of their crony developers and take the property to build section 8 housing

Posted by: destruction on top of destruction at October 22, 2025 11:57 AM (TbWk/)

237 213 That post is the reason I have always admired AG students. It's not just dig a hole and put some seeds in it as a midget prezzy candidate once said. Mentioned here before, I was a member of a VFW post in MD and one of the regulars was a former Intel officer and at the time a CIA recruiter. He had this thing about AG majors due to common sense and usually coming from a work ethic home. Also, he said they could be put in the field, travelling about the host country pretty easy.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at October 22, 2025 11:57 AM (gm9Sb)

238 These cow puns are bullshit.

Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at October 22, 2025 11:58 AM (PGEno)

239 @224/Pillage Idiot: "Is Democrat governance always a source of destruction?"

See: "Eventualities of Communism"

In other words: Yes.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at October 22, 2025 11:58 AM (O7YUW)

240 Don't be cowed by heifer knowledge.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 22, 2025 11:54 AM (sGHnN)

Heifer? I hardly knew her.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 22, 2025 11:58 AM (i24o9)

241 170 I don't think ethanol is necessary anymore. Shale oil expanded.
Posted by: Boss Moss

The spice must flow to the Senators and Congresspeoples, comrade.

Posted by: Auspex at October 22, 2025 11:58 AM (Y8DZL)

242 205 A heifer is a female that hasn't birthed a calf yet. Once she drops a calf she is no longer considered a heifer.
Posted by: Madamemayhem

So, I can fuck a heifer as much as I want after shocking my dog, and she's still a heifer? It's like super virginity!

(After all the digging into his past due to the dog shocking event, some very odd statements have come out... https://tinyurl.com/4ucwx93c )

Posted by: Hasan Abi Piker at October 22, 2025 11:58 AM (JCZqz)

243 I am not friends with, but I do know, the poor cops that had to arrest The Prick.

Posted by: toby928(c) at October 22, 2025 11:59 AM (jc0TO)

244 Summer Camp is how they say Dacha in the US, right Bernie?
Posted by: Diogenes at October 22, 2025 11:55 AM

Yep, and he says it to make it sound like it's some tent pad with an outhouse.

Posted by: Minnfidel at October 22, 2025 11:59 AM (ewjUl)

245 They may never live this down.

Posted by: toby928(c) at October 22, 2025 11:59 AM (jc0TO)

246 https://tinyurl.com/3w6hkb8h
Posted by: Huck Follywood at October 22, 2025 11:55 AM

That's my town, albeit, right at the city limits. Weird spot for the protest. I guess the city wouldn't let them use downtown.
Posted by: toby928(c) at October 22, 2025 11:56 AM (jc0TO)

That's almost as good as the Reno 911 cops chasing the Milkshake guy.

Posted by: Tom Servo at October 22, 2025 11:59 AM (uWKK8)

247 Don't consign a good running KIA to the shipbreakers. Flextape and you're good to go!

Posted by: Phil Swift at October 22, 2025 11:59 AM (oftw2)

248 If they can never get a trifecta again, no matter what happens in the Senate and the Presidency, they have to change...somehow.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 22, 2025 11:40 AM (GBKbO)

They will have to re-invent themselves as a populist party, and not just a party of government and rich special interests.

Posted by: Kindltot at October 22, 2025 11:59 AM (rbvCR)

249 Kinda weird that’s it against the law to wear a dick costume. I can see something like this becoming a 1A issue.

Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at October 22, 2025 12:00 PM (PGEno)

250 Well aren't you a bundle of killjoy. And I'll have you know heifer cow is better than none.
Posted by: Rough audience at October 22, 2025 11:50 AM (TbWk/)

OK folks. Nothing to see here. Lets just moooove along with these puns.

Posted by: Diogenes at October 22, 2025 11:53 AM (2WIwB)

Trying to steer the conversation?

Posted by: BarelyScaryMary at October 22, 2025 11:56 AM (F2xQR)

We are on the horns of a dilemma here.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon

These puns are udderly entertaining.

Posted by: Tuna at October 22, 2025 12:00 PM (lJ0H4)

251 Now government can swoop in with one of their crony developers and take the property to build section 8 housing

Posted by: destruction on top of destruction at October 22, 2025 11:57 AM (TbWk/)

----------

* Pacific Palisades, Califzuela has entered the chat *

Posted by: ShainS -- Bury My Heart At a Texas MoMe at October 22, 2025 12:00 PM (zQlkF)

252 248 If they can never get a trifecta again, no matter what happens in the Senate and the Presidency, they have to change...somehow.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 22, 2025 11:40 AM (GBKbO)

They will have to re-invent themselves as a populist party, and not just a party of government and rich special interests.
Posted by: Kindltot at October 22, 2025 11:59 AM (rbvCR)

======

"A shit ton of welfare, but only for Americans."

There, I fixed the Democrat Party's populism problem.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 22, 2025 12:00 PM (GBKbO)

253 As far as I know, they're in season whenever they aren't pregnant or nursing.

... I mean... I'm sure it's more complicated than that because it always is, but it's to a rancher's benefit to have all the calves about the same age and stage of development.

And they're the ones who control when or whether their cows get bred, so...

Posted by: FeatherBlade at October 22, 2025 12:00 PM (a+4eV)

254 You expect me to pay 1/3 of my health insurance cost? That’s straight up fascism bro!
Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at October 22, 2025 11:54 AM (PGEno)

Destroying certain health insurance products by government diktat then forcing everyone to purchase a health insurance product the coverage and nature of which the government dictates (at the cost to the consumer of a new car every year) is fascist.

Posted by: ACA is a fascist enactment at October 22, 2025 12:01 PM (TbWk/)

255 I thought Scotus picks went through unimpeded, until the Democrats decided to be asshoe. Clifford Haynesworth or some good ole boy name like that. ‘Jes regler folks

Posted by: Common Tater at October 22, 2025 12:01 PM (Ft/w+)

256 There is a lot of bodywork being done in these parts with ducktape. Sometimes they just remove the crushed panel.

Posted by: Boss Moss at October 22, 2025 12:01 PM (sGHnN)

257 https://tinyurl.com/3w6hkb8h
Posted by: Huck Follywood at October 22, 2025 11:55 AM

That's my town, albeit, right at the city limits. Weird spot for the protest. I guess the city wouldn't let them use downtown.
Posted by: toby928(c) at October 22, 2025 11:56 AM (jc0TO)

I am guessing all those inflatable costumes are made in Chy-nah.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 22, 2025 12:01 PM (8zz6B)

258 Mandani will turn NY into a big squatters camp.

Posted by: Skip at October 22, 2025 12:01 PM (xatjc)

259 212
‘ This movement needs to be ended quickly before it gets a lot more ugly than it already is.’

I’m glad to see someone besides me saying this , Mr. Bull.
Not only would I hate seeing and hearing from that muzzie communist , I think he’ll give the ‘Rats a rallying point. Even if he burns down their party in the process, there’ll be collateral damage to the country.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at October 22, 2025 12:02 PM (jbnUc)

260 I am seeing more fields planted to feed corn here in Alberta. Used to be quite a rarity; now it is commonplace. Maybe the seed companies developed a field corn that tolerates our climate and growing season better.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 22, 2025 11:43 AM (8zz6B)

They are planting feed corn here in the Willamette Valley, which used to be unheard of. Oregon was wheat country forever, corn was for canneries.

Posted by: Kindltot at October 22, 2025 12:02 PM (rbvCR)

261 These cow puns are bullshit.
Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at October 22, 2025 11:58 AM (PGEno)

------

Theres something in the way she mooooos,
That makes me love her like no udder lover...

Posted by: The Poster Formerly Known As . . . at October 22, 2025 12:02 PM (hrOf9)

262 If god forbid the Ds win everything, they will make DC and PR states and expand scotus. They were pretty close to doing that in 2021 and luckily Sinema and what’s his face from W. VA were there as a voice of sanity.

They’re gone. Is there someone to replace them? Maybe Fetterman. But that’s it I think. If they get 52 senate seats and the house and pres in ‘28 we are fuuuuuuucked.

Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at October 22, 2025 12:02 PM (PGEno)

263 Well aren't you a bundle of killjoy. And I'll have you know heifer cow is better than none.
Posted by: Rough audience at October 22, 2025 11:50 AM (TbWk/)

OK folks. Nothing to see here. Lets just moooove along with these puns.

Posted by: Diogenes at October 22, 2025 11:53 AM (2WIwB)

Trying to steer the conversation?

Posted by: BarelyScaryMary at October 22, 2025 11:56 AM (F2xQR)

We are on the horns of a dilemma here.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon

These puns are udderly entertaining.
Posted by: Tuna at October 22, 2025 12:00 PM (lJ0H4)

-------------

Cattletales! There are several Gary Larson Far Side cartoons in there somewhere ...

Posted by: ShainS -- Bury My Heart At a Texas MoMe at October 22, 2025 12:02 PM (zQlkF)

264 https://tinyurl.com/3w6hkb8h
Posted by: Huck Follywood at October 22, 2025 11:55 AM

Something amusing about a cop leaning on the balls of a she-penis, while bystanders are yelling leave her alone.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 22, 2025 12:03 PM (i24o9)

265 They will have to re-invent themselves as a populist party, and not just a party of government and rich special interests.
Posted by: Kindltot at October 22, 2025 11:59 AM

Considering that their radical base has no problem shooting Dems who stray and vote with Repubs, that option could get...sporty.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at October 22, 2025 12:03 PM (ySpAZ)

266 I don’t think k many if any of the 6% work for the government. Most people in DC are govt employees but not everyone. There’s a lot of economic activity in MD and VA not related to govt directly.

And some people want to live in Georgetown even if they don’t work in DC.

If you’re a Republican in DC chances are you’re a consultant or own a business or something. You’re not a fedgov parasite.
Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at October 22, 2025 11:50 AM (PGEno)

Maybe so, but my larger point remains- Not everyone who works for the feds is a Leftist. Chances are, they are the ones who make the trains run on time, to the extent they do. They will get the axe if the agency heads have a choice, because they do not want the trains to run on time to screw Trump.

Posted by: Ex Rex Reeder at October 22, 2025 12:03 PM (MZ+PY)

267 258 Mandani will turn NY into a big squatters camp.
Posted by: Skip

So he and the other millions of third world invaders will feel right at home.

Posted by: Moron Analyst at October 22, 2025 12:03 PM (JCZqz)

268 265 Considering that their radical base has no problem shooting Dems who stray and vote with Repubs, that option could get...sporty.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at October 22, 2025 12:03 PM (ySpAZ)

=======

Kristen Sinema voted for them 100% of the time, but she insisted that men were men and women were women.

She was hounded out of the party.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 22, 2025 12:03 PM (GBKbO)

269 Kinda weird that’s it against the law to wear a dick costume. I can see something like this becoming a 1A issue.
Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at October 22, 2025 12:00 PM (PGEno)

Maybe the cops were concerned she might get eaten.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 22, 2025 12:03 PM (8zz6B)

270 I thought Scotus picks went through unimpeded, until the Democrats decided to be asshoe. Clifford Haynesworth or some good ole boy name like that. ‘Jes regler folks
Posted by: Common Tater at October 22, 2025 12:01 PM

Previous judicial filibusters were bipartisan. I believe that the first partisan only judicial filibuster was Miguel Estrada in 2001.

The Democrats are always the innovators in destruction of traditions.

Posted by: toby928(c) at October 22, 2025 12:04 PM (jc0TO)

271 Boy, you people are really milking these cow puns.

Posted by: Bulg at October 22, 2025 12:04 PM (XSXrN)

272 255 I thought Scotus picks went through unimpeded, until the Democrats decided to be asshoe. Clifford Haynesworth or some good ole boy name like that. ‘Jes regler folks
Posted by: Common Tater

Nope. See Fortas and Thornberry. Even George Washington had one of his nominees rejected by the Senate. And Congress reduced the number of Scotus justices post Civil War to prevent Andy Johnson from being able to appoint a justice.

Posted by: whig at October 22, 2025 12:04 PM (WDjG6)

273 Theres something in the way she mooooos,
That makes me love her like no udder lover...

Posted by: The Poster Formerly Known As . . . at October 22, 2025 12:02 PM (hrOf9)

Now you're just milking it.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 22, 2025 12:04 PM (i24o9)

274 They will have to re-invent themselves as a populist party, and not just a party of government and rich special interests.
Posted by: Kindltot at October 22, 2025 11:59 AM (rbvCR)

Trump beat them to it.

Posted by: Tom Servo at October 22, 2025 12:04 PM (uWKK8)

275 Grabbing the bull by the horns they are

Posted by: Skip at October 22, 2025 12:04 PM (xatjc)

276 See Fortas and Thornberry. Even George Washington had one of his nominees rejected by the Senate. And Congress reduced the number of Scotus justices post Civil War to prevent Andy Johnson from being able to appoint a justice.

Posted by: whig at October 22, 2025 12:04 PM (WDjG6)

This place.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 22, 2025 12:05 PM (i24o9)

277 >>That's my town,

Thought of you when I saw that video yesterday, although, for some reason, I thought you were in Daphne.

Posted by: one hour sober at October 22, 2025 12:06 PM (Y1sOo)

278 Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 22, 2025 11:43 AM (8zz6B)

----------------

REALLY great to meet and hang out with you, AOP!

AZ Deplorable and blake as well ...

Posted by: ShainS -- Bury My Heart At a Texas MoMe at October 22, 2025 12:06 PM (zQlkF)

279 227
‘ That either happens naturally over time (decades) or through a hostile takeover (like Obama in 2008 or Trump in 2016).’

I think that we’re going to see more frequent ‘hostile takeovers’ of political parties, both here and worldwide.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at October 22, 2025 12:06 PM (jbnUc)

280 Thought of you when I saw that video yesterday, although, for some reason, I thought you were in Daphne.
Posted by: one hour sober at October 22, 2025 12:06 PM

A different Moron lives in Daphne.

We have about a half dozen in the county but we have not had a Meet Up.

Posted by: toby928(c) at October 22, 2025 12:07 PM (jc0TO)

281 Cow puns, official abuse of she-penii, history lessons, and more, all in one thread.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 22, 2025 12:07 PM (i24o9)

282 My nickel is on ending the shutdown and defending the functional base of Party operations, probably within a week. Time will tell.

Posted by: Joe Mannix at 11:00 AM

Am I wrong or is this not a CR that expires Nov. 22?

Do we then get to do this all again, for a few more months of spending?
This is theater and nothing more, although I do want to see how it goes.
Tune in tomorrow for another episode of raw dogging the public

Posted by: OneEyedJack at October 22, 2025 12:07 PM (Hx0tZ)

283 262 If god forbid the Ds win everything, they will make DC and PR states and expand scotus. They were pretty close to doing that in 2021 and luckily Sinema and what’s his face from W. VA were there as a voice of sanity.

They’re gone. Is there someone to replace them? Maybe Fetterman. But that’s it I think. If they get 52 senate seats and the house and pres in ‘28 we are fuuuuuuucked.
Posted by: Its Go Time Donald
=====
DC takes a constitutional amendment to become a state so much of the talk about that is blather. PR is more of a threat. But then again, Texas technically has the rare ability to turn into 4 states by its accession to the Union as an formerly independent and sovereign country.

I don't worry as much about the future because frankly the more assumptions one makes about future events, the less reliable the analysis becomes. And there is always black swan events that NO one see coming.

Posted by: whig at October 22, 2025 12:08 PM (WDjG6)

284 279 227
‘ That either happens naturally over time (decades) or through a hostile takeover (like Obama in 2008 or Trump in 2016).’

I think that we’re going to see more frequent ‘hostile takeovers’ of political parties, both here and worldwide.
Posted by: Dr. Claw at October 22, 2025 12:06 PM (jbnUc)

======

2008 was more of a technical hostile takeover than a hostile hostile one.

The DNC wanted Obama's Chicago machine to come in and run things. It just represented a sweeping change in personnel all at once.

Trump's hostile takeover was actually hostile, and the party resisted. Most will end up with that kind of resistance.

The DNC is populated with people who eat because the DNC pays them. They don't want an outsider coming in and replacing them.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 22, 2025 12:08 PM (GBKbO)

285 Maybe so, but my larger point remains- Not everyone who works for the feds is a Leftist. Chances are, they are the ones who make the trains run on time, to the extent they do. They will get the axe if the agency heads have a choice, because they do not want the trains to run on time to screw Trump.
Posted by: Ex Rex Reeder at October 22, 2025 12:03 PM (MZ+PY)

Trump supporters that get RIF'ed can contact the Trump people, and get re-hired after the shutdown ends.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 22, 2025 12:08 PM (8zz6B)

286 I think that we’re going to see more frequent ‘hostile takeovers’ of political parties, both here and worldwide.
Posted by: Dr. Claw

Like the far far far left wackos have the demoncrat party.

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at October 22, 2025 12:08 PM (2J/Lj)

287 >>but we have not had a Meet Up.

Well, if you do at some point, I'm in. Just a short drive down I-10 for me.

Posted by: one hour sober at October 22, 2025 12:09 PM (Y1sOo)

288 The Democrats are going through their version of the MAGA influence on the GOP.

Except instead of MAGA it's straight up commies.

Neither party's Olde Guard is taking it well.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at October 22, 2025 12:09 PM (Q4IgG)

289 285 Maybe so, but my larger point remains- Not everyone who works for the feds is a Leftist. Chances are, they are the ones who make the trains run on time, to the extent they do. They will get the axe if the agency heads have a choice, because they do not want the trains to run on time to screw Trump.
Posted by: Ex Rex Reeder at October 22, 2025 12:03 PM (MZ+PY)

Trump supporters that get RIF'ed can contact the Trump people, and get re-hired after the shutdown ends.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 22, 2025 12:08 PM (8zz6B)

=======

"You can't attack this 94% target because of the 6%," is how you never pick a hill to fight on.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 22, 2025 12:09 PM (GBKbO)

290 Mandani will turn NY into a big squatters camp.

--

That, but I also see it permanently transformed into a Dearbornistan or Minneapolistan. Once his muslim bretheren are entrenched, they're not leaving. Others will follow suit and more there, too. And boy, what a conquering they will think that is. To take over NYC.

Posted by: Lady in Black at October 22, 2025 12:09 PM (qBdHI)

291 NOOD

Ace is up

NOOD!

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at October 22, 2025 12:10 PM (O7YUW)

292 Texas technically has the rare ability to turn into 4 states by its accession to the Union as an formerly independent and sovereign country.

Posted by: whig at October 22, 2025 12:08 PM

There is a good argument that Texas lost it's special privileges after being readmitted at the end of the Late Unpleasantness.

So, probably no Texas Navy either.

Posted by: toby928(c) at October 22, 2025 12:10 PM (jc0TO)

293 Am I wrong or is this not a CR that expires Nov. 22?

Do we then get to do this all again, for a few more months of spending?
This is theater and nothing more, although I do want to see how it goes.
Tune in tomorrow for another episode of raw dogging the public
Posted by: OneEyedJack

The clean CR would expire in Nov 2026 as you mention but currently no spending authorizations for discretionary spending exist outside of teh Veteran's funding bill and that of the BBB bill.

Senate has not been moving budget bills through committee markup nor the House regarding committee work nor floor votes on budget bills with its members out of district. The NDAA is an exception to that (House version passed) and the Senate did take a vote on its own NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) this week I think.

Posted by: whig at October 22, 2025 12:11 PM (WDjG6)

294 Theres something in the way she mooooos,
That makes me love her like no udder lover...

Posted by: The Poster Formerly Known As . . . at October 22, 2025 12:02 PM (hrOf9)

Now you're just milking it.
Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at October 22, 2025 12:04 PM (i24o9)

~~Boobs~~ Teats!!!

Posted by: Diogenes at October 22, 2025 12:11 PM (2WIwB)

295 Since the space shuttle was given to NYC by Obama, and since none of the statues in the city of Houston have been torn down - give the 250 year statue to us. Antifa during 2020 announced it was going to tear down some statues at night in Houston, but a sheriff went on the radio and reminded them that in TX, criminal mischief after dark is grounds for the use of deadly force. Yes, you can get shot for painting graffiti on a fence after dark here.

Posted by: An Observation sez Trump is my President at October 22, 2025 12:11 PM (Da7Vv)

296 If any of the current/former federal employees think there is *anything* they can say to get the pitiless federal government's subject classes to pity them, they're totally delusional.

This is a hostile, adversarial relationship. They hate us, and we reciprocate. That's it.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at October 22, 2025 12:12 PM (fwTGI)

297 Someone here has been in Daphne besides me? I always knew that bitch was trouble.
— Fred

Posted by: Bulg at October 22, 2025 12:12 PM (XSXrN)

298 Thought of you when I saw that video yesterday, although, for some reason, I thought you were in Daphne.
Posted by: one hour sober at October 22, 2025 12:06 PM

Sigh. I've always wanted to be in Daphne.

Posted by: Velma at October 22, 2025 12:14 PM (y9ksN)

299 The Democrats are always the innovators in destruction of traditions.
Posted by: toby928(c) at October 22, 2025 12:04 PM (jc0TO)

We are teatering on the edge of the precipice!

Posted by: mrp at October 22, 2025 12:17 PM (rj6Yv)

300 Boy, you people are really milking these cow puns.
Posted by: Bulg

You have to make hay when the time is right.

Posted by: rickb223 Acehole Extraordinaire coined by JSpicy at October 22, 2025 12:18 PM (Qd7dZ)

301 Thought of you when I saw that video yesterday, although, for some reason, I thought you were in Daphne.
Posted by: one hour sober

Sigh. I've always wanted to be in Daphne.
Posted by: Velma

Me too.
Posted by: Niles Crane

Posted by: rickb223 Acehole Extraordinaire coined by JSpicy at October 22, 2025 12:19 PM (Qd7dZ)

302 207 If decisions to RIF get made, I assure you that 6% or so that voted for Trump will be among the unfortunates who get whacked. The people that run these agencies will inflict as much pain as possible on the citizens they "serve," and that probably means the competent people will go, and that means the Trump voters.
Posted by: Ex Rex Reeder at October 22, 2025 11:48 AM (MZ+PY)

Go the an agency's personnel office and FOIA for employees who've gotten letters of disciplinary action for insubordination.

Those are/were the competent employees who, sooner or later, put their foot down and were - at the minimum - disciplined. Further, disciplined for three years with a letter in their personnel file, affecting their potential for any promotions, bonuses, training, etc. for that period of time - at the very minimum - and/or suspended for weeks and then a letter of disciplinary action previously described put in their personnel file.

Knew & still know of so many placed under PIPs, given letters and suspensions - none of which were for EAP issues such as drugs or drinking on the job - and most we good to excellent employees.

It'll be better under The Donald.

Posted by: L - No nic, another fine day at October 22, 2025 12:29 PM (NFX2v)

303 Which will blow up prices for the individual consumer by thousands of dollars. Because the ACA sucks.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, seeing dreamlike horrors with Mario Bava at October 22, 2025 11:52 AM (GBKbO)

Which will cause us to be in same position before ACA where people just went uninsured.

Posted by: the way I see it at October 22, 2025 12:42 PM (EYmYM)

304 Democrats fear their radical far-left base. And I don't think that is just electoral fear, it is physical fear. They fear the monster babies will stalk, attack, and murder them and their families.

Either choice spells doom for Schumer. I just don't see how Dems win this fight. It was pointless and hopeless.

By the by, one thing this has exposed is how deeply stupid Hakim Jeffries actually is. I mean, he's literally dumb as a log, and in interviews people talk circles around him. I always thought he wasn;t that bright...but...wooof.

Posted by: El Mariachi - Attorney at Law at October 22, 2025 01:20 PM (D1vbu)

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