Cruelty as the point? It's worse than that, more akin to thuggery. It is applying the exact kind of pressure the Democrats want to resolve - other people's suffering. It is meant for the Democrats to abandon their position on healthcare so that people don't starve. Pure unadulterated thuggery.

As one who has been frustrated many, many times by French strikes, you make an interesting point. The shutdown is being driven by the leading party. We have an expression in the US that captures this moment for our leaders - cutting off your nose to spite your face. They do this to their detriment.

Been traveling in the same boat since 2017. I didn't vote for Trump in 2016, voted 3rd party, but when he won I thought...let's give him a chance. By late 2017 he had lost his chance with me. Honestly, it's not rocket science. It's that Superman thing; "Truth, Justice and the American Way."

Sometimes GOP press conferences…

resemble videos where hostages vainly try to send coded messages for help.

Honestly, I had no idea what the public service commissioners even did & then my son sent me a video explaining the issue fully. Our county voted Republican as they always, always do but the margin wasn't typical. Instead of over 70% GOP it was only 58%. Turnout was typical. People have had enough.

OOOOh...if I invested in Rustoleum now would that be considered insider trading...'cause they are gonna need a LOT of it!

Absolutely unconscionable. Have we really sunk so low? I cannot wait until this is over and civility returns to the country. Lord have mercy.

Well that and the image of his demolition of the East Wing. #ETTD

The Atlantic, on the other hand had it right in its daily email subject line: "The anti-MAGA majority reemerges"

It is a theory I have been working on, but did American EVA drift too far from it's original Christian roots? The scriptures are incredibly clear even if read outside of the context of the Church at large, feed & heal my people, practice hospitality. Maybe they should have kept the Sacraments.

My favorite!

And that is exactly what I crave in our politicians...a good heart. A respect for truth, honor and integrity.

I recall the nuns drilling it into my being that we must not hate anyone. Yet, I hate him, too, & now I have to go to confession!!! That doesn't mean I don't pray for him tho. I pray for all of our politicians who have traded truth, honor & integrity for power, fame and fortune. May they repent.

Canadians are doing some excellent work. I understand they are also working on meds to help those with long Covid. I pray that gets approved soon enough that my husband can take advantage of it. BTW, I think all the appliances in my home are from Canada, too. Great craftsmanship / quality.

Our touch faucet has me slapping faucets everywhere. You should see me slapping away when I make coffee at Church! Very frustrating. I thought these things were supposed to fail in the off position, like if the batteries go out. So you likely have a ghost with no regard for your water bill!

I used to be a Republican (although as God is my witness...the whole balanced budget, limited gov't overreach meant something to me. Still does, which is why I am no longer a Republican.

I love this guy so much but of course hailing from the Midwest, I also get him. Wow...salt of the earth. I miss that in our politics.

*mayor

I like how you put this. Back in the before times when I was a normie Republican I remember being horrified by AOC, but she is maturing as well and compared to the actually horrifying things going on now, I wasted some energy on that. Your position on the NYC mayer is a sound one.