The Democrats predictable cave on the shutdown is more evidence that they have no desire to actually oppose Trump and his agenda.
The shutdown was painful. It was really painful for many who always suffer at the hand of America’s abusive systems. But the shutdown was working for the Democratic Party. In a change from previous government shutdowns, the public seemed to understand that Trump and Republicans were to blame for this shutdown. Even better for Democrats, the public had begun holding Republicans accountable for the pain they were inflicting.
But the Democrats, especially the eight senators who voted with Republicans, simply weren’t strong enough and just don’t care enough about the future of our country to hold Trump accountable and oppose his right-wing agenda. So, in typical Democratic fashion, Democrats folded and gave Trump another victory.
For more than five weeks, Democrats tried convincing the public they were finally ready to oppose Trump. For more than five weeks, Democrats repeatedly said this time was going to be different. For more than five weeks, Democrats kept telling people they were going to fight for better, more affordable health care.
After more than five weeks of disingenuous rhetoric, the Democrats voted with Republicans for nothing more than a pinky promise from Republicans that the Senate would hold a vote on increasing assistance for people getting insurance through the ACA marketplaces. In other words, Democrats got absolutely nothing.
What was the point in putting the country through a more than five-week government shutdown to ultimately agree to end the shutdown for nothing?
America’s only chance at a better future is to replace the Democratic Party with something that actually has principles and at least a tiny bit of courage.
My view is that the eight weakest of the Dems sided with Republicans because they don’t want Republicans to eliminate the filibuster. They put their individual power above the betterment of the American people.