Bill Patrick
@ponderosatree.bsky.social
330 followers 97 following 400 posts
Dad, husband, fan of democracy & proud American.
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ponderosatree.bsky.social
First, I am respectful. Second, why would Never Trumpers take a job, or belong to a party, that would require they support any single politician? In America! What exactly was the Never Trumpers’ grand sacrifice by “sticking there necks out?” Perhaps it was more of a grand self- realization.
ponderosatree.bsky.social
Yep, good site. I have thanked you for several great pieces, including the one about last week’s horrific thing in Quantico. Americans deserve health care, fundamental issue.
ponderosatree.bsky.social
Yeah, by “weigh in” I just mean step on the scales and repost some journalistic triumph about “vanity candidates.” I’m asking Never Trump writers to think about their subscribers facing these health care cuts. Could be a vanity project to write about, but any help would be great. Maybe get a win?
ponderosatree.bsky.social
Vanity candidates? Sounded like you’re looking for subject matter. But follow your instincts. Never Trumpers never give up!
ponderosatree.bsky.social
This Democrat is done with never trumpers, unless they quickly see the stakes over these health care cuts and help. Even MTG recognizes the unnecessary threat to accessing care the cuts represent. Of you can weigh in on vanity candidates, can you weigh in on draconian cuts please?
ponderosatree.bsky.social
The military has been a social leader, even turning the tide a bit, on racism and sexism. Opportunists with altogether undeveloped mental acuity are damaging this legacy by modeling homophobia and trans phobia, and questioning whether racism or sexism ever existed. It’s pathetic and unprofessional.
ponderosatree.bsky.social
I’ve been replying to the never trumpers and influencers all day to stay focused on stopping draconian health care cuts. Are you pro-democracy or not? Health care is not a luxury. Premiums doubling or tripling for typical families alone should keep everyone’s attention. The stakes are clear.
ponderosatree.bsky.social
More or less. But these antifa fever dreams do serve to distract from the issue that impacts us all; health care. Who can afford their premiums doubling? Who can afford being kicked off your health care policy?
ponderosatree.bsky.social
You’d rather have the Epstein files or your health care premiums double?
ponderosatree.bsky.social
I’d rather not have my healthcare premiums double, and Trump won’t be impeached anyway before he quits. He got what he wanted and he’s tired. And Vance is worse.
ponderosatree.bsky.social
We (Dems) should quietly trade no Epstein files (for now) for no health care cuts. We don’t want to impeach Trump r/n, Vance is worse and Trump quits as soon as late next year anyway. Trump and MTG can sell keeping health care for now because it’s a big issue that deserves its own bill.
ponderosatree.bsky.social
Ok, but let’s focus on the shutdown. Dems should trade no Epstein files (for now) for no health care cuts. Trump can sell it, along with MTG, to R’s as a big an issue that needs its own reform bill. R’s can work on it next year.

We don’t want to impeach Trump, Vance is worse and Trumps’ lame.
ponderosatree.bsky.social
Fact checking is what demonstrates why an independent judiciary is needed. The GOP constituency cannot afford doubling their health care premiums and talking about it makes a huge difference. Many will revolt, fake grievances are weak, and that’s all they’ve got.
ponderosatree.bsky.social
Caving on healthcare won’t stop the unconstitutional power grab, it’ll accelerate it. We have to support the courts, which are consistently rejecting this garbage, by keeping public pressure on the GOP to respect the rule of law and to force them to defend the indefensible to their constituents.
ponderosatree.bsky.social
Ok, but please don’t cave on healthcare because they aren’t going to stop the unconstitutional power grab just because they say they will to reopen gov’t. We have to support the courts which are consistently rejecting this garbage, and we have to support and pressure media outlets to not give in.
ponderosatree.bsky.social
How is the Bulwark explicitly designed to counter authoritarianism? You’re uncomfortable with Dems holding out for needed healthcare subsidies, while all other western democracies spend far less on health and get far more. So, do you think democracy is the counter to authoritarianism or not?
ponderosatree.bsky.social
So, America keeps healthcare and Trump keeps the Epstein files? Ok, whatever, we can wait on those. But that’s not a negotiating point to make public. And we’re definitely not giving up healthcare if Trump promises to stop with military threats on Americans. That’s a really bad idea. Kristol, WTH?
ponderosatree.bsky.social
Hey Democrats, you must be on to something demanding we don’t kick millions off health insurance and don’t create massive premium increases for everyone else. Bill Kristol wants you to water down the message with vague demands about an authoritarian danger! You sound like a real tool Kristol.
ponderosatree.bsky.social
It’s fine if you don’t want to write about healthcare. But you don’t need to make up grandiose and highly generalized appeals to talk about something else. WTH?
ponderosatree.bsky.social
Great article, thanks. One note: The hateful “They/Them” ads, that shifted the electorate by a reported 2.7 points for Trump, I think violated the NFL’s policies, and tv network policies. The NFL took in over $100M, got a tax cut, and screwed over its own fans, who now get booted from health ins.
ponderosatree.bsky.social
Important article for progressives who want to win the midterms.
radiofreetom.bsky.social
"The Dems pragmatic wing has been pleading to broaden the tent, ideally before the Trump administration stamps out all opposition. Party progressives seem determined to reeducate the public rather than compromise for their votes."
- @jonathanbchait.bsky.social

www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
Democrats Still Have No Idea What Went Wrong
The party’s progressives seem to think the problem is not with their platform but with voters.
www.theatlantic.com
ponderosatree.bsky.social
Add a moral and ethical prong because every American ought to be disgusted by the lying, depraved, dehumanizing and ungodly MAGA rhetoric and behavior.
ponderosatree.bsky.social
And R’s looking for an exit from the “unitary executive” crazy town path, look no further than doubling healthcare premiums, bankrupting farmers, taxing us all with 25% tariffs, crypto and Trump investment scams (here’s a free gift luxury 747), and an “enigmas never age” b-day poem about a secret.
ponderosatree.bsky.social
When you say unenforceable, do you mean in the abstract, constitutionally? Because they are enforcing a lot of “because I said so” nonsense right now.