Well, here I am! First post on my new desktop! My old one was so old that I couldn't update it to Windows 11. Who knows what I'll be able to do, which apps and features will carry over, and which won't?
Will I have Grammarly? Can I post this to my other apps? It's exciting that my keyboard is new, and some of the letter key identifiers have not worn out yet. But the keyboard is smaller, and will I get used to that, or will Captain Typo Fingers create more fumble-fingered errors?
Only time will tell!
MEANWHILE
How many government shutdowns did we have during Trump's first term? 2
How many government shutdowns did we have in Biden's term? ZERO
Now we have Trump's tragic return, and we already have our first one...AND THERE'S OVER THREE YEARS TO GO?
Art of the Deal, my sweet patootie! He may be the worst negotiator we've ever had in the White House!
No, shutdowns are horrible. My son, Benjamin's, job is at risk, as are those of tens of thousands of other federal employees. Essential government services, including those that support individuals who depend on regular social security payments and Medicare/Medicaid, will be jeopardized.
The Trumpelthinskin is giddy over the harm this shutdown will impose. He's sneering at how this may be an opportunity to fire more people and cut more services. He delights in the suffering of others.
Before we jump all over the Democrats, please understand what they're fighting for - YOUR HEALTH CARE. The Republicans want to let federal subsidies for the Affordable Care Act expire. Between that and the cuts to Medicaid, an increasing number of Americans will be unable to afford coverage.
To my contingent of friends who believe nothing matters unless it affects them, you need to think more carefully. First, those left out will still receive emergency care - it will just cost the system more as their conditions worsen, requiring more dire situations and more expensive care. Second, YOUR premiums are going to rise as a result...DRAMATICALLY. For those fortunate enough to have health insurance through their employer, the portion they take from their paycheck is going to rise, and they will take home less money. Need a raise? Forgetabbout it! That money is now needed to cover the employer portion of the health insurance.
And no, Democrats are not fighting to get undocumented workers covered by government plans, including the ACA. Right or wrong, that is already illegal, and there is no proposal by anyone to cover them. And for those in the Magat club. I don't even want to talk about your disgusting hatred of trans people. Your unvarnished bigotry makes me sick.
As Jimmy Kimmel and Disney found out, at some point, you have to stand up to the bully, or he will wind up running you over and taking everything you have. So, as unpleasant as this is, it's time to take a stand; it's time to show the Orange Grifter that there is a limit to how much we are willing to be bullied and intimidated.
As an Independent Progressive and admirer of AOC, I wish we could reclaim much of what the Republicans have taken away. Realistically, I would be happy for the renewal of the ACA credits.
The rest may have to wait for other challenges. The big hope is the midterm, but we can't wait that long. We need fighters who are willing to combat the Narcissist-in-Chief at every turn.
This doesn't even cover the dangerously repulsive rally held by Hegseth and Trump to our military leaders. That was way over the top and about as Unameican as you can get. I may post about it later, or I might let those with military experience speak on my behalf. It's wrong to challenge the Geneva Convention. It's wrong to unleash the military on American citizens, as Trump insists. Everything was just plain wrong.
Anyway, let me see what I can correct and clean up, and then post it to my blog. I'm slowly getting used to the keyboard, but this may take some time. Hang in there with me!
Sincerely,
T. M. Strait
AOC'28!
