Republicans are acting as if they've got a high-value hostage, and are cutting off fingers (mass layoffs, no back pay) because Democrats won't hand over the ransom. Mike Johnson is actually using a hostage negotiation tactic - "The problem can be dealt with later, after the government reopens;" in other words, "Come out with your hands up and then we'll discuss your demands." Yeah, sure you will. Do I look like an idiot? And what, I wonder, do Johnson and Thune think is "the problem:" the elimination of Affordable Care Act insurance subsidies that expire at the end of the year, or the fact that they're not getting what they want? If the former, they're acknowledging that what they themselves did is a problem; if the latter, yecch.
This seems a good place to put down a pet peeve marker. A recent picture of Hakeem Jeffries shows him behind a sign that says "Save Healthcare." "Saving Healthcare" is not what this is about. There is still, and will be, healthcare. Any issue in that realm we can lay at the door of RFK Jr., but that's a different story. There is still healthcare available, if you can afford it, meaning if you're rich or, like Abbey and I, incredibly lucky enough to have employment-based insurance that continues after retirement. This issue is "Affordable Healthcare." I know that's an awkward phrase that doesn't play well in the media, but it's the accurate truth. Sticking to the "Save Healthcare" trope opens Democrats to criticisms about being inaccurate ("Of course there's healthcare! What's wrong with you?"), and about downplaying the needs of the majority of Americans who put off healthcare because it's too expensive.
Republican lawmakers and their high-dollar constituents can, apparently, afford all the healthcare they need. We need to focus on the inhuman greed represented by their refusal to let all of us help everyone be healthy.
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