What Is The Point?

[Supsalemgr]

I see Hakeem is still speaking delaying the final vote on the "Big Beautiful Bill. I ask all the sages on this forum - What is the point?

[O Really]

So that every Dem running for office in mid-terms can go out and say "we did absolutely everything we could to prevent this travesty. We're really sorry you lost your health insurance and have no help cleaning up your natural disaster mess, but the Republicans were determined to do Trump's bidding no matter the cost to you. Vote for me and we'll work as hard to fix it as we did trying to prevent it."

[GoCubsGo]

So that every Dem running for office in mid-terms can go out and say "we did absolutely everything we could to prevent this travesty. We're really sorry you lost your health insurance and have no help cleaning up your natural disaster mess, but the Republicans were determined to do Trump's bidding no matter the cost to you. Vote for me and we'll work as hard to fix it as we did trying to prevent it."

And to expose this to the full light of day, SPINO would have tried to pass it in the wee hours of the morning and then everyone could run out of town.

[Supsalemgr]

So that every Dem running for office in mid-terms can go out and say "we did absolutely everything we could to prevent this travesty. We're really sorry you lost your health insurance and have no help cleaning up your natural disaster mess, but the Republicans were determined to do Trump's bidding no matter the cost to you. Vote for me and we'll work as hard to fix it as we did trying to prevent it."

Thai is a thoughtful response. Time will time will tell if it is accepted.

[Vrede too]

What was the point of laughably so-called "moderate" House RepuQs pretending they care about 12M poor Americans being thrown off Medicaid or care about ripping food from the mouths of hungry children, hungry veterans and hungry seniors if they were going to cower like abused puppies and vote for TACO DonOLD's wishes?

What was the point of laughably so-called "very conservative" House RepuQs pretending they care about adding $3.3 trillion to the deficit if they were going to cower like abused puppies and vote for Dementia DonOLD's wishes?

What was the point of laughably so-called "chauvinist" House RepuQs pretending they care about the Senate RepuQs making such massive changes to their bill if they were just going to bend over and let the Senate RepuQs spank them like little bitches?

What was the point of spineless Lisa Murkowski pretending the Big Ugly Bill would return to conference with House changes when smart observers knew that it would either be passed intact or it was starting all over again?

What was the point of laughably so-called "practical" House RepuQs pretending they care about the Midterms unless the plan is to manufacture some excuse to cancel them?

[O Really]

It's not a popular bill - not with the public, and not with several factions of Republicans. There's something in there for everybody to hate, and not much for anybody to like except the wealthy tax-avoiders. Republicans have people who say it didn't cut enough, and people who say Medicaid cuts are not acceptable. If it weren't for fear of Trump, probably up to a quarter of Republicans or so would vote against it. The public doesn't like it and by mid-term elections some of the worst effects will become apparent. Sure people think it's great to deport granny and their yard guy, but do they really want to see pics of bodies being hauled away from Alligator Auschwitz dead of heat or disease? Hate FEMA because they didn't your temp trailer to you soon enough? Wait until the next Hurricane hits and they're nowhere around. Think cutting Medicaid is a good thing because of the "waste and fraud"? Wait until your little hospital in East Bumphuque closes or no longer has emergency or maternity services because of loss of funds. A lotta people are going the reach the "and then they came for me..." part well before 11/26.

As to the point of Hakeem's marathon speech? It's political theatre, just like the examples Vrede offered. That's what you get when you (collectively) keep electing people for whom the show is more important than the substance.

[GoCubsGo]

What was the point of laughably so-called "moderate" House RepuQs pretending they care about 12M poor Americans being thrown off Medicaid or care about ripping food from the mouths of hungry children, hungry veterans and hungry seniors if they were going to cower like abused puppies and vote for TACO DonOLD's wishes?

What was the point of laughably so-called "very conservative" House RepuQs pretending they care about adding $3.3 trillion to the deficit if they were going to cower like abused puppies and vote for Dementia DonOLD's wishes?

What was the point of laughably so-called "chauvinist" House RepuQs pretending they care about the Senate RepuQs making such massive changes to their bill if they were just going to bend over and let the Senate RepuQs spank them like little bitches?

What was the point of spineless Lisa Murkowski pretending the Big Ugly Bill would return to conference with House changes when smart observers knew that it would either be passed intact or it was starting all over again?

What was the point of laughably so-called "practical" House RepuQs pretending they care about the Midterms unless the plan is to manufacture some excuse to cancel them?

I have to wonder how they got the holdouts to flip so easily, it makes no sense.


Bribery or do they just threaten their families?

[O Really]

Bribery for Murkowski, but I'm guessing threatening families would be more likely for most. Or blackmail for publicly unknown scandalettes. Or extortion in the form of threatened accusations.

Speaking of which, I read today that Trump was responsible for putting out the "Elon's on drugs" rumour. He didn't just admit it, he bragged about it. That's the kind of guy Supes and lots others want for a president.

[neoplacebo]

Hell, it's been a cult for years. Now it's just more int4ense. None of those morons dare to defy the master. It's sick.

[Vrede too]

I have to wonder how they got the holdouts to flip so easily, it makes no sense.

Bribery or do they just threaten their families?

Yes, bribery with EO and other regulatory pork, and promises of campaign donations and other support.

What O Really says about blackmail and extortion.

Yes, primary threats. Wayward RepuQs could infer personal threats and threats to their families without them being issued aloud.

[GoCubsGo]

I have to wonder how they got the holdouts to flip so easily, it makes no sense.

Bribery or do they just threaten their families?

Yes, bribery with EO and other regulatory pork, and promises of campaign donations and other support.

What O Really says about blackmail and extortion.

Yes, primary threats. Wayward RepuQs could infer personal threats and threats to their families without them being issued aloud.

It amazes me that they could be that skeered for their jobs to abandon all sense of principles and whatever humanity they may possess.

I know as congresscritters they’re qualified for nothing, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't have offers in the real world.

[O Really]

One domino has fallen:

"'Betrayed': GOP rep torched after hospital in his district shuts down due to Medicaid cuts"

"A rural clinic in Nebraska is shutting its doors after more than 30 years due to mounting financial pressures and looming federal funding cuts tied to Medicaid, ABC affiliate KLKN reported Wednesday."

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/health/other/ ... 387c&ei=16

[GoCubsGo]

One domino has fallen:

"'Betrayed': GOP rep torched after hospital in his district shuts down due to Medicaid cuts"

"A rural clinic in Nebraska is shutting its doors after more than 30 years due to mounting financial pressures and looming federal funding cuts tied to Medicaid, ABC affiliate KLKN reported Wednesday."

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/health/other/ ... 387c&ei=16

An actual centrist republican who is retiring.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Bac ... al_history

[O Really]

I know as congresscritters they’re qualified for nothing, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't have offers in the real world.

Actually, I think many if not most of them are more well-qualified for other occupations than they are to be congresscritters. How often do you hear them say, "I'm not a politician, I'm a (whatever)" Or "We need more (farmers, tractor mechanics, plumbers, accountants, yada) in Congress and fewer lawyers." Who I want to see in Congress is people who want to be there, who've wanted to be there as a career, and who have worked at getting a relevant education and career experience to be able to do the job. People that have studied government and politics, have taken training in negotiation, conflict resolution, and public speaking. People that understand the actual purpose of government and who don't think it runs the same way as a gym or bar.

[Vrede too]

It amazes me that they could be that skeered for their jobs to abandon all sense of principles and whatever humanity they may possess.

I know as congresscritters they’re qualified for nothing, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't have offers in the real world.

I agree. I would like to think that I would probably be a one-term congressman because I refuse to sacrifice my principles.

[Vrede too]

From: Social Security Administration
To: (Vrede too)

Social Security Applauds Passage of Legislation Providing Historic Tax Relief for Seniors

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is celebrating the passage of the One Big, Beautiful Bill, a landmark piece of legislation that delivers long-awaited tax relief to millions of older Americans.

The bill ensures that nearly 90% of Social Security beneficiaries will no longer pay federal income taxes on their benefits, providing meaningful and immediate relief to seniors who have spent a lifetime contributing to our nation's economy.

“This is a historic step forward for America’s seniors,” said Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano. “For nearly 90 years, Social Security has been a cornerstone of economic security for older Americans. By significantly reducing the tax burden on benefits, this legislation reaffirms President Trump’s promise to protect Social Security and helps ensure that seniors can better enjoy the retirement they’ve earned."

The new law includes a provision that eliminates federal income taxes on Social Security benefits for most beneficiaries, providing relief to individuals and couples. Additionally, it provides an enhanced deduction for taxpayers aged 65 and older, ensuring that retirees can keep more of what they have earned.

Social Security remains committed to providing timely, accurate information to the public and will continue working closely with federal partners to ensure beneficiaries understand how this legislation may affect them.

Unless there are hidden cuts to Medicare I will come out ahead in years where I owe taxes. Thank you, Daddy. I have decided to become a MAGAt and will be asking SoupySales to vouch me into CPF.

Of course, if I outlive my expectations and have spent down my assets I'm screwed by the Medicaid cuts. Guess I'll kill myself.

[O Really]

It amazes me that they could be that skeered for their jobs to abandon all sense of principles and whatever humanity they may possess.

I know as congresscritters they’re qualified for nothing, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't have offers in the real world.

I agree. I would like to think that I would probably be a one-term congressman because I refuse to sacrifice my principles.

Most issues are more shades of gray than strictly black/white. Problems arise when a person doesn't know the difference in following principles and pig-headed obstinacy.

[Vrede too]

I agree. I would like to think that I would probably be a one-term congressman because I refuse to sacrifice my principles.

Most issues are more shades of gray than strictly black/white. Problems arise when a person doesn't know the difference in following principles and pig-headed obstinacy.

Exactly. I see things as black/white and prefer pig-headed obstinacy to the alternative.

[GoCubsGo]

I know as congresscritters they’re qualified for nothing, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't have offers in the real world.

Actually, I think many if not most of them are more well-qualified for other occupations than they are to be congresscritters. How often do you hear them say, "I'm not a politician, I'm a (whatever)" Or "We need more (farmers, tractor mechanics, plumbers, accountants, yada) in Congress and fewer lawyers." Who I want to see in Congress is people who want to be there, who've wanted to be there as a career, and who have worked at getting a relevant education and career experience to be able to do the job. People that have studied government and politics, have taken training in negotiation, conflict resolution, and public speaking. People that understand the actual purpose of government and who don't think it runs the same way as a gym or bar.

Like Mark Meadows, MTG, Boobert and Madison Cawthorne?

[O Really]

Those are some of them. Cawthorne even admitted/bragged about it, saying he was "there for the comms" and didn't have much interest in legislation.