I haven’t posted about the federal government shutdown and there’s a reason for that. I don’t want to criticize Democrats. Consider this post hortatory.
I think the Democratic leadership needs to get beyond opposing Trump. It’s not enough to hate him and everything he does.
They should propose their solutions for solving the country’s problems, how they’ll work, and why they’re better than the Republicans’ solutions. If it involves cutting federal spending, they should explain what they want to cut. If it involves increasing federal revenue, they should explain how they plan to increase revenue. Vague complaints about “the rich” are not enough. If the plan to increase corporate and personal income tax rates, they need to explain how that will increase revenue rather than, say, impelling companies with large profits and ultra-rich individuals to leave the United States for pastures with lower taxes.
If their solution is increasing economic growth, they need to explain how they’ll encourage that. Historically, that is how the Congress has preferred to operate, i.e. through “stimulus” whether by increasing federal spending or, on the part of Republicans, by cutting taxes. One of the things that was demonstrated rather pointedly during President Biden’s term of office (and continuing into President Trump’s) is that increased federal spending increases inflation and boosts prices.
How do they plan to control our borders and keep illegal immigration at a manageable level?
How do they plan to reduce crime in our cities? Month-to-date in October 18 people have been killed and 57 others shot in Chicago. If that is acceptable they should say so. If they think it is unacceptable, they should propose practical solutions for reducing that number. If they think it’s the best that can be expected, they should say that.
How do they plan to make healthcare more affordable? They have explained that they want to maintain the present level of healthcare subsidies. Increasing subsidies without increasing how much healthcare is provided will cause the price of healthcare to increase farther requiring higher subsidies, etc.
Frankly, I’m not optimistic about any of those solutions or, more specifically, I think that solving our present problems would have been a lot easier if the process had been started 30 years ago.
The standard Dem talking point is that illegals are precluded by law from receiving health care money. Let’s return to that falsity in a second.
The very point at issue in the shutdown is that illegals should receive health care money. To cite current law, while shutting down if you don’t repeal it is nonsense. I’ve seen various estimates of cost. We don’t have the money. We are going broke.
Returning to an earlier point. The states are supposed to administer funds for illegals at heir discretion. Almost never cited is that states access federal matching funds.
The Obamacare so-called “special rule” provides for illegals.
If you show up at an ER, and are illegal, you will get treated.
But better to say Republicans want to kill children, make grandma eat dog food, and then wheel her off a cliff, claim that children are zip tied, and Chicago high rises are closer to The Trump Hotel populated by future leaders of society than acknowledge Venezuelan gang control …………..or to do things Dave cites.
That’s a perplexing issue, Drew. To cite another example WIC by law does not inquire about the immigration status of recipients. Talk about plausible deniability!
Last night I finished watching Chris Williamson interview the CIO at the IRS (long video). After watching the video, I have almost no hope our our government can fix their problems. There are so many perverse incentives in the government structure (Congress is ultimately responsible for these), that I don’t think it can be fixed absent a true national emergency.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4odAXoqRT8
The Democrats don’t hold any power in the political branches except the ability to filibuster “must pass bills” like appropriations; so normal political theory says they focus on “opposing” and not focus on “credible alternatives”.
A credible alternative is only required close to general elections (and only if the electorate is torn over the incumbent, vs a “throw the bums out”).
Anyway, what is happening is “hard bargaining” in the style Trump has popularized. I have my doubts it leads to better negotiated outcomes then traditional negotiations, but lets see.