They're disconcerted. They're concerned. They're constipated. They're creepy and they're ooky. They're a bunch of unfunny assholes and quivering bowls of jello. They're useless...
Actually this GOP Congress was elected to serve their corporate donors. They just throw some rhetorical raw meat about illegals, waste, fraud and abuse and saving the unborn to voters who live in the Fox News universe
bitchy: I think that's right--and that it accounts for the reference to the "15% approval of the congress that John Joss (in these comments) refers to. Just like we all get better and tend to thrive when we take care of our health, so each of us needs to take care of our democracy in order to thrive politically. I have no doubt, however, that it's coming to their door, insofar as MAGA Fox are not also oligarchs.
Actually, our Democratic Congress was elected to do the same thing. So,if you wonder why we keep supporting the Netanyahu government despite the starving and dead adults and children? It's because in 2024, AIPAC funded all of our leaders, and many of our members. Jeffries received $1.2M; Schumer received $1.7M, Katharine Clark received $700,000; Pete Aguilar $867,000, and Ted Lieu $322.000. And, that just is one organization on one issue.
I'm beginning to wonder if it's time for the Dems to stay home too. What more can they do in DC, if there are no sessions, no meetings? Go home to your district. Work for your constituents. Ensure the re-election of any Democrats running for office. Work to defeat any Republicans running for office. Three hours a week volunteer somewhere: a nursing home, school, hospital, prison. You'll learn a lot about your community. You'll show you care about the needs of those you were elected to represent. You'll highlight which party cares about people and which does not. So go home, serve your constituents and your community.
Go home to your districts and work on messaging so everyone, especially in rural areas, knows the truth of what is happening. Stay focused, do not give in, stop infighting and stick with the plan to not give in to R’s, combat R redistricting, and organize to help your constituents who are hungry!!
Dear Hummingbird3, I love the depth of your comment.
Send them home to work in their districts and get out the message that we need change. We need to stop the erosion of Democracy inch by inch. We need more people working to get the message out. Unfortunately, many Americans are closing their ears and eyes to what is happening --- to pretending life is fine and there is nothing to worry about. We need more worried Americans.
If they go home, then they will appear to be doing exactly what the GOP is doing. They need to be seen by all of the nation as still at work. Short visits home with daily events, (volunteering is a great idea) or going across the country (like AOC) to spread the facts and LISTEN to others would be worthwhile. They could also work together to create a plan to save our democracy and figure out how to get us out of the economic quagmire that will exist if and when we save our democracy.
Yours are good ideas for what the Democratic members of Congress could do. What I think we don't need are continuing daily briefings by Jeffries, Schumer and others telling us the Republicans are to blame--we know that and anyone who doesn't know that will never be convinced. Those press briefings are, at this point, achieving nothing.
They had a month to accomplish something. I believe they should have spent some of their time, working together on a strategic plan for dealing with Trump, and the rest helping their constituents, but also sending teams to Louisianan Town Halls, so they could tell the world about Speaker Mike Joshson, who has been lying to them along.
In terms of the ACA tax credits, Louisiana will be hit harder than any other state. 85,000 people will lose coverage, which is a 61% drop. In the Medicaid bill, estimates vary, but anywhere between 260,000 to 323,000 Louisianans will lose Medicaid. 800,000 people will stop getting SNAP benefits on November 1. And, their food banks are running out of food, because the Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins took 94 million pounds of food away from where it had been allocated, and cut $500 million from a government program that provides US produced, meat, chicken, eggs, fruits and vegetables to states across the country, starting last May, before Congress even passed the BIG UGLY Bill.
Exactly so. In the little time that they have been present, exactly what good have they done for the people and the country? If it's a hard think to find something, it's not a surprise.
One of the most distressing things about this second Trump term is Congress’s unwillingness to check Trump and his atrocious, despicable and wanton actions. The Republicans have failed the country they purport to serve.
Yes, the total disregard for the actual word of the oath they fought so hard to be able to take.
Then, once elected the MAGA hats just ignore the words and principles they just swore to uphold. So they did know that they would be untruthful.
The GOP is working to destroy our Country for the interests of an orange tinged agent that is seduced by money, power and foreign dictators (whom he admires).
And Donald is so FN stupid he doesn’t even realize he is being used by the corporate oligarchs and every dictator across the planet and maybe even on Mars.
I keep posting. According to Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA) Trumpepstein may cause an "Epstein bomb" causing over 100 Republican members to "jailbreak" from Trump.
I also think we should be doing this at a local level while our so-called "representatives" are in their home districts. Let's surround their homes, their families, their offices, and demand they go back to work!
Rumors have been circulating for some time, but recently evidence about an actual upcoming meeting has been emerging. There is much mystery about what is actually happening, and that is likely by design. I do not know, but wonder if there might be some resemblance to the "meeting" Trump held with leaders of the armed forces. I doubt he'd make the mistake of allowing this one to be livestreamed though. Or even allow media in.
Why does Congress get paid when the government is shut down? They ought to be docked for any day they miss. Clock in and out like the rest of us; something with fingerprint or photo ID so they can't pull a fast one. Then I want to see the attendance record of my employees.
It's so very hard to make a comlete list of this administrations crimes, and what a functioning congress could do, but here's one to add to the list. Enforce the Hatch act, and stop spending our tax dollars on partisan messaging.
Yes please!! Went to the US Forest Service website to check on closed roads in Colorado and this was the heading. "The Radical Left Democrats shut down the government. This government website will be updated periodically during the funding lapse for mission critical functions. President Trump has made it clear he wants to keep the government open and support those who feed, fuel, and clothe the American people.
For information on recreation site status on National Forest System lands, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit." Enforce the Hatch Act!!
That's despicable! I got an email from SSA this weekend about the COLA for 2026, and my first reaction was that it was part of the propaganda machine of this regime.
Questions: (1) Who is left to enforce any federal law? The DOJ? (2) If by some miracle someone actually moved to enforce this act, would this president comply with any order? I think the answers are (1) No one. and (2) No.
The Do-Nothing Republican Congress has abdicated its responsibility to the nation like nobody has ever seen before. What makes it even more galling is that it’s still getting paid — with our money.
How the %^^&**$@# is it legal for one man, the Speaker of the House, to shut down Congress and put an almost complete halt to a functioning government? The Founders seem to have foreseen a lot of problems, but not this one.
it was foreseen, but someone changed the trigger rule (to bring the vote) from a single member, to 9 members of the speakers own party...making it harder...
…but one nagging problem for the country will remain even if Democrats retake the House and or Republicans adhere to their oath of office, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court seems fixated supporting a regal presidency!
Yes, but that can only be accomplished by reform of the Supreme Court. I mean that in the literal sense. The Court needs to be expanded and reshaped and made subject to an enforceable code of ethics. Only then would the "reform" actually be A Good Thing.
Many Republicans have felt the pinch of their president's outrageous actions. But when push comes to shove, they fall into line. And the forces behind the president will find a way to soften the blow of healthcare costs. Maybe even on food, by doing a TACO on immigration policy in the agriculture sector. I fear their slyness, their sliminess when it comes to manipulating policy to win the election.
Trump has purged the former Republican Party of all those who believed in the Constitution with enabling, servile loyalists who fear his wrath more than they do their constituents. Maybe as Trump’s dictatorial cruelty increases, they will begin to fear being thrown out of office by the voters more than Trump.
At this point, with rising healthcare costs, loss of Medicaid, SNAP, WIC and other benefits, they would do well to be more scared of their deprived constituents. We may not be ready for the pitchforks and torches yet, but the tipping point is approaching quickly.
Majority Whip Tom Emmer (he represents the district next door to me) posted on his Facebook page the standard "radical, violent, left-wing lunatic, hates America" drek in response to the No Kings marches. That seems to me to be proof that he is "all in with this debacle of a government." If he wasn't, he could have just kept his mouth shut.
What a bunch of sissies. Who in real life is so fearful? If I was so weak, I’d be embarrassed. The orange menace is an asshole. There, that’s not hard to say at all. Get a life. MTG is right. Republican men are weak. (That feels so fine to write!!)
Constituents, now being deprived of the benefits that their congressional representatives were supposed to guardian for them are angry. Finally, there may be some consequences, like voting for their removal.
If the midterms were tomorrow, there'd be a great chance that the Dems would take back Congress. However the team behind this president have proved their ability to play a long game. I fear that they already have in place the plans to halt the cruel ICE assaults, show economic gains, and announce the end of the fishing boat wars by early to mid 2026. He'll announce they've succeeded on all fronts (deportations, drug trafficking, tariff diplomacy,). The boasts would be lies, of course, but the president will proclaim them loudly and once again turn untruthful boasts into victory. I fear his cruel, voter-unfriendly actions will have peaked in time for him to recover by the midterms. That's his plan. What plan do the Democrats have?
Does the news media make completely clear that the members of Congress who ARE NOT working continue to get the paychecks to the tune of around $170,000.00 per annum? Most Americans don't know how much they make or that they continue to be paid while "on vacation". These are information bites that everyday Americans need to KNOW.
Yes, and it's not just the paycheck--a very attractive one. It's all those perks that go with the job. All these things remain in place--even if the House isn't.
I keep wondering, and asking, where are the headlines!! There are many that would write themselves if journalists cared to use them! Of course, that assumes there are any real journalists remaining.
Congressional paralysis is not an aberration, nor is it an accident. This is all part of the plan. It's called anarcho-fascism -- a term I learned from William F. Buckley. First, destroy public support for government by convincing Americans that government doesn't work. Then replace it with an authoritarian regime controlled by oligarchs. The longer the shutdown lasts, the better they like it.
I don't know which GOP are "disconcerted", but we all know - as this article points out - it's complete nonsense. They are all taking a page (or a quote) out of the Susan Collins playbook, which is to act "disconcerted" about something awful Trump is doing and then to turn around and totally back what he's doing. Only fools believe anything the GOP Reps and Senators say at this point. But one never ceases to be amazed at how many fools we have in this country!
"Yes, so much of this leads back to the Epstein files."
The same Epstein files that were never released by the Biden administration. The same Epstein files that the Democrats never cared about until Trump got elected.
They should have been released after his death with no politicization. Every name (except for the victims) should be out for public consumption, period.
Yes, of course, Jen.
The 'congress' has managed 20 working days so far this year, in the record. Most professionals manage 20 working days every month.
The surprise? The 15% 'approval' of the 'congress.' It should be 0%.
They're disconcerted. They're concerned. They're constipated. They're creepy and they're ooky. They're a bunch of unfunny assholes and quivering bowls of jello. They're useless...
Not useless. Far below useless, into some major negative measure of harm to 'We the People' they were elected to serve.
Actually this GOP Congress was elected to serve their corporate donors. They just throw some rhetorical raw meat about illegals, waste, fraud and abuse and saving the unborn to voters who live in the Fox News universe
bitchy: I think that's right--and that it accounts for the reference to the "15% approval of the congress that John Joss (in these comments) refers to. Just like we all get better and tend to thrive when we take care of our health, so each of us needs to take care of our democracy in order to thrive politically. I have no doubt, however, that it's coming to their door, insofar as MAGA Fox are not also oligarchs.
Actually, our Democratic Congress was elected to do the same thing. So,if you wonder why we keep supporting the Netanyahu government despite the starving and dead adults and children? It's because in 2024, AIPAC funded all of our leaders, and many of our members. Jeffries received $1.2M; Schumer received $1.7M, Katharine Clark received $700,000; Pete Aguilar $867,000, and Ted Lieu $322.000. And, that just is one organization on one issue.
Well, when you put it like that, I can't help but agree....
"Unfunny" that's funny
I'm beginning to wonder if it's time for the Dems to stay home too. What more can they do in DC, if there are no sessions, no meetings? Go home to your district. Work for your constituents. Ensure the re-election of any Democrats running for office. Work to defeat any Republicans running for office. Three hours a week volunteer somewhere: a nursing home, school, hospital, prison. You'll learn a lot about your community. You'll show you care about the needs of those you were elected to represent. You'll highlight which party cares about people and which does not. So go home, serve your constituents and your community.
Go home to your districts and work on messaging so everyone, especially in rural areas, knows the truth of what is happening. Stay focused, do not give in, stop infighting and stick with the plan to not give in to R’s, combat R redistricting, and organize to help your constituents who are hungry!!
Dear Hummingbird3, I love the depth of your comment.
Send them home to work in their districts and get out the message that we need change. We need to stop the erosion of Democracy inch by inch. We need more people working to get the message out. Unfortunately, many Americans are closing their ears and eyes to what is happening --- to pretending life is fine and there is nothing to worry about. We need more worried Americans.
If they go home, then they will appear to be doing exactly what the GOP is doing. They need to be seen by all of the nation as still at work. Short visits home with daily events, (volunteering is a great idea) or going across the country (like AOC) to spread the facts and LISTEN to others would be worthwhile. They could also work together to create a plan to save our democracy and figure out how to get us out of the economic quagmire that will exist if and when we save our democracy.
Yours are good ideas for what the Democratic members of Congress could do. What I think we don't need are continuing daily briefings by Jeffries, Schumer and others telling us the Republicans are to blame--we know that and anyone who doesn't know that will never be convinced. Those press briefings are, at this point, achieving nothing.
They had a month to accomplish something. I believe they should have spent some of their time, working together on a strategic plan for dealing with Trump, and the rest helping their constituents, but also sending teams to Louisianan Town Halls, so they could tell the world about Speaker Mike Joshson, who has been lying to them along.
In terms of the ACA tax credits, Louisiana will be hit harder than any other state. 85,000 people will lose coverage, which is a 61% drop. In the Medicaid bill, estimates vary, but anywhere between 260,000 to 323,000 Louisianans will lose Medicaid. 800,000 people will stop getting SNAP benefits on November 1. And, their food banks are running out of food, because the Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins took 94 million pounds of food away from where it had been allocated, and cut $500 million from a government program that provides US produced, meat, chicken, eggs, fruits and vegetables to states across the country, starting last May, before Congress even passed the BIG UGLY Bill.
the skeletons in maga mike's closet still support him. That should account for at least 10%, since there are a lot of them.
Exactly so. In the little time that they have been present, exactly what good have they done for the people and the country? If it's a hard think to find something, it's not a surprise.
One of the most distressing things about this second Trump term is Congress’s unwillingness to check Trump and his atrocious, despicable and wanton actions. The Republicans have failed the country they purport to serve.
@Susan M
Yes, the total disregard for the actual word of the oath they fought so hard to be able to take.
Then, once elected the MAGA hats just ignore the words and principles they just swore to uphold. So they did know that they would be untruthful.
The GOP is working to destroy our Country for the interests of an orange tinged agent that is seduced by money, power and foreign dictators (whom he admires).
Just incredible.
And Donald is so FN stupid he doesn’t even realize he is being used by the corporate oligarchs and every dictator across the planet and maybe even on Mars.
I keep posting. According to Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA) Trumpepstein may cause an "Epstein bomb" causing over 100 Republican members to "jailbreak" from Trump.
Massive Congressional visits November 18.
https://www.instagram.com/flare.usa/p/DP_mdOyjdiG/
Visit Congressional Republicans.https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/851451/
I also think we should be doing this at a local level while our so-called "representatives" are in their home districts. Let's surround their homes, their families, their offices, and demand they go back to work!
Amen.
Keep spreading the word. This is the first I've heard of it and I'm very active on social media.
Rumors have been circulating for some time, but recently evidence about an actual upcoming meeting has been emerging. There is much mystery about what is actually happening, and that is likely by design. I do not know, but wonder if there might be some resemblance to the "meeting" Trump held with leaders of the armed forces. I doubt he'd make the mistake of allowing this one to be livestreamed though. Or even allow media in.
when is this jailbreak ?
Do you think this GOP wants to govern and to serve Americans?
That's the problem. The Republicans don't want to govern they want to rule.
Some might call it treason.
Why does Congress get paid when the government is shut down? They ought to be docked for any day they miss. Clock in and out like the rest of us; something with fingerprint or photo ID so they can't pull a fast one. Then I want to see the attendance record of my employees.
It's so very hard to make a comlete list of this administrations crimes, and what a functioning congress could do, but here's one to add to the list. Enforce the Hatch act, and stop spending our tax dollars on partisan messaging.
Yes please!! Went to the US Forest Service website to check on closed roads in Colorado and this was the heading. "The Radical Left Democrats shut down the government. This government website will be updated periodically during the funding lapse for mission critical functions. President Trump has made it clear he wants to keep the government open and support those who feed, fuel, and clothe the American people.
For information on recreation site status on National Forest System lands, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit." Enforce the Hatch Act!!
The Hatch Act - - Mike Johnson and John Thune appear to believe that the Act has gone into hibernation so long as Trump is their leader.
Every law has gone into hibernation! Everything that is just has gone into hibernation!
there should be a hatch in the floor of the senate and house
That's despicable! I got an email from SSA this weekend about the COLA for 2026, and my first reaction was that it was part of the propaganda machine of this regime.
Questions: (1) Who is left to enforce any federal law? The DOJ? (2) If by some miracle someone actually moved to enforce this act, would this president comply with any order? I think the answers are (1) No one. and (2) No.
The Do-Nothing Republican Congress has abdicated its responsibility to the nation like nobody has ever seen before. What makes it even more galling is that it’s still getting paid — with our money.
How the %^^&**$@# is it legal for one man, the Speaker of the House, to shut down Congress and put an almost complete halt to a functioning government? The Founders seem to have foreseen a lot of problems, but not this one.
Well...... it may be smarmy, immoral, and anti-democratic, but it is undoubtedly protecting prying eyes from examining the Epstein files.
legality has little to do with contemporary politics in the US
it was foreseen, but someone changed the trigger rule (to bring the vote) from a single member, to 9 members of the speakers own party...making it harder...
…but one nagging problem for the country will remain even if Democrats retake the House and or Republicans adhere to their oath of office, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court seems fixated supporting a regal presidency!
True. Over turning Citizens United should be a priority.
Removing the virtual presidential immunity should go along with that of Citizens United.
Yes, but that can only be accomplished by reform of the Supreme Court. I mean that in the literal sense. The Court needs to be expanded and reshaped and made subject to an enforceable code of ethics. Only then would the "reform" actually be A Good Thing.
True, but if 33 Senate seats flip to Democrats, it will be a different story.
True, but that's about as likely as the East Wing debris magically rising from the rubble and reconstituting itself.
Many of the Senate Republican constituents are pissed, as evidenced in their Town Halls held by Democrats.
Skyrocketing costs on food and healthcare may turn the tide.
Many Republicans have felt the pinch of their president's outrageous actions. But when push comes to shove, they fall into line. And the forces behind the president will find a way to soften the blow of healthcare costs. Maybe even on food, by doing a TACO on immigration policy in the agriculture sector. I fear their slyness, their sliminess when it comes to manipulating policy to win the election.
But I hope you're right, Lori.
Excellent points, Donna.
“Slyness” & “sliminess” are their modus operandi to retain power & control. Here’s to “hope.”
Trump has purged the former Republican Party of all those who believed in the Constitution with enabling, servile loyalists who fear his wrath more than they do their constituents. Maybe as Trump’s dictatorial cruelty increases, they will begin to fear being thrown out of office by the voters more than Trump.
Privately many know that Trump is nuts but are scared shitless. We have to pressure them tio come forward.
I keep hearing the Republicans are “scared” of Trump, but I’m wondering if they aren’t all in with this debacle of a government.
At this point, with rising healthcare costs, loss of Medicaid, SNAP, WIC and other benefits, they would do well to be more scared of their deprived constituents. We may not be ready for the pitchforks and torches yet, but the tipping point is approaching quickly.
They comply with everything the fascist wants. They are silent when it matters. They are all in.
We only need a few.
Majority Whip Tom Emmer (he represents the district next door to me) posted on his Facebook page the standard "radical, violent, left-wing lunatic, hates America" drek in response to the No Kings marches. That seems to me to be proof that he is "all in with this debacle of a government." If he wasn't, he could have just kept his mouth shut.
What a bunch of sissies. Who in real life is so fearful? If I was so weak, I’d be embarrassed. The orange menace is an asshole. There, that’s not hard to say at all. Get a life. MTG is right. Republican men are weak. (That feels so fine to write!!)
Constituents, now being deprived of the benefits that their congressional representatives were supposed to guardian for them are angry. Finally, there may be some consequences, like voting for their removal.
If the midterms were tomorrow, there'd be a great chance that the Dems would take back Congress. However the team behind this president have proved their ability to play a long game. I fear that they already have in place the plans to halt the cruel ICE assaults, show economic gains, and announce the end of the fishing boat wars by early to mid 2026. He'll announce they've succeeded on all fronts (deportations, drug trafficking, tariff diplomacy,). The boasts would be lies, of course, but the president will proclaim them loudly and once again turn untruthful boasts into victory. I fear his cruel, voter-unfriendly actions will have peaked in time for him to recover by the midterms. That's his plan. What plan do the Democrats have?
Does the news media make completely clear that the members of Congress who ARE NOT working continue to get the paychecks to the tune of around $170,000.00 per annum? Most Americans don't know how much they make or that they continue to be paid while "on vacation". These are information bites that everyday Americans need to KNOW.
Yes, and it's not just the paycheck--a very attractive one. It's all those perks that go with the job. All these things remain in place--even if the House isn't.
healthcare for life
I keep wondering, and asking, where are the headlines!! There are many that would write themselves if journalists cared to use them! Of course, that assumes there are any real journalists remaining.
Congressional paralysis is not an aberration, nor is it an accident. This is all part of the plan. It's called anarcho-fascism -- a term I learned from William F. Buckley. First, destroy public support for government by convincing Americans that government doesn't work. Then replace it with an authoritarian regime controlled by oligarchs. The longer the shutdown lasts, the better they like it.
It's cute that folks still think there will be a 2026 election.
"Disconcerted" is a flabby word, like "concerned." The current context calls for more muscular terms, like "shocked" or "outraged."
I don't know which GOP are "disconcerted", but we all know - as this article points out - it's complete nonsense. They are all taking a page (or a quote) out of the Susan Collins playbook, which is to act "disconcerted" about something awful Trump is doing and then to turn around and totally back what he's doing. Only fools believe anything the GOP Reps and Senators say at this point. But one never ceases to be amazed at how many fools we have in this country!
What’s behind Mike Johnson’s government shutdown? Read Epstein victim, Virginia Giuffre’s book for clues.
https://thedemlabs.org/2025/10/27/epstein-victim-virginia-giuffree-book-nobodys-girl-mike-johnsons-government-shutdown/
Yes, so much of this leads back to the Epstein files. I have Virginia Giuffre's book, but I can only read it in small doses to preserve my sanity.
"Yes, so much of this leads back to the Epstein files."
The same Epstein files that were never released by the Biden administration. The same Epstein files that the Democrats never cared about until Trump got elected.
They should have been released after his death with no politicization. Every name (except for the victims) should be out for public consumption, period.
Trump is the symptom. Republicans ARE the problem. Specifically, Christian Nationalists, who wouldn’t know Jesus if he smacked them across the face.
Christian Nationalist never read the parts of the Bible that quote what Jesus said.
And I suspect that’s what he WOULD do when meeting them … or worse!