Schumer Shutdown in the news: Democrats’ government ‘shutdown’ explained

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Democrats’ government ‘shutdown’ explained​

A purely political act

The partial government “shutdown” is a pure political act. It has nothing to do with the amount of money the government takes from taxpayers, though it does have something to do with how much it irresponsibly spends. Democrats are holding the country hostage over Obama-era health insurance subsidies that don’t expire until Dec. 31.

At the heart of it is a narrative created by the Democratic Party that extends at least to the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt: Rich people make too much money, and people who don’t make as much are entitled to some of it.

Barack Obama promoted this narrative when he ran for president. Mr. Obama promised to “spread the wealth around,” which is socialism. Many young people have been indoctrinated with socialism in their public schools and universities. Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani is the leading candidate for mayor of New York City.

Roosevelt’s expansion of big government created dependency among the lower and middle classes. Roosevelt criticized wealthy people, whom he called “economic royalists,” for hoarding their money (translation: not willing to give more to the government) and stunting economic recovery during the Great Depression. He declared the rich guilty of “economic tyranny.”

In 1935, FDR signed “the wealth tax,” which dramatically raised federal income taxes on high earners. It also created a liberal income structure that garnished as much as 75% of those making more than $1 million and raised estate taxes to 70%, all to support his New Deal programs.

According to his son, Elliott Roosevelt, FDR weaponized the IRS to go after his political enemies. Sound familiar? All this and more won him four terms, so it worked in a cynical way. Modern Democrats continue to embrace his beliefs.

President Truman continued his predecessor’s criticism of the rich. In a speech at the Democratic National Convention in 1948, Truman said the election that year was a choice between the common people and “the citadel of special privilege and greed.” Again, does this sound familiar? Truman echoed many of the phrases we hear from today’s Democrats, including “fairness” and “progressivism.”

 
Roosevelt, in truth, was one of our worst Presidents. He ignored Soviet expansionism, created the massive government dependency bureaucracy we see so expanded today and bloviated class envy rhetoric growing the farcical myth of that if someone has more, someone else must have less.

Roosevelt’s expansion of big government created dependency among the lower and middle classes. Roosevelt criticized wealthy people, whom he called “economic royalists,” for hoarding their money (translation: not willing to give more to the government) and stunting economic recovery during the Great Depression. He declared the rich guilty of “economic tyranny.”

In 1935, FDR signed “the wealth tax,” which dramatically raised federal income taxes on high earners. It also created a liberal income structure that garnished as much as 75% of those making more than $1 million and raised estate taxes to 70%, all to support his New Deal programs.

According to his son, Elliott Roosevelt, FDR weaponized the IRS to go after his political enemies. Sound familiar? All this and more won him four terms, so it worked in a cynical way. Modern Democrats continue to embrace his beliefs.
 
Truth Detector said:
Democrats are holding the country hostage over Obama-era health insurance subsidies that don’t expire until Dec. 31.
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They expire on December 31st, but they have to be in effect before then if we want them by next year.

On November 1st, open season starts, and 22 million people use their subsidies to buy health insurance for 2026. If they do not buy the insurance by December 15th, they do not have insurance for next year. Every day past November 1st, means more people will not get insurance, and by December 15th, 22 million will just have to do without next year.

These are all US citizens. The taxes are already collected for their insurance. There will be no drop in taxes if we do not get the subsidies in place by December 15th. Republicans will just steal the taxes for the wealthy.

So we have two weeks to get these subsidies past.
 
Walt said:
They expire on December 31st, but they have to be in effect before then if we want them by next year.

On November 1st, open season starts, and 22 million people use their subsidies to buy health insurance for 2026. If they do not buy the insurance by December 15th, they do not have insurance for next year. Every day past November 1st, means more people will not get insurance, and by December 15th, 22 million will just have to do without next year.

These are all US citizens. The taxes are already collected for their insurance. There will be no drop in taxes if we do not get the subsidies in place by December 15th. Republicans will just steal the taxes for the wealthy.

So we have two weeks to get these subsidies past.
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This is partisan rhetoric. The enhanced subsidies officially expire after December 31, 2025, meaning they apply through the entire 2025 calendar year (for coverage purchased in late 2024).

For 2026 coverage, however, Congress would need to pass an extension before open enrollment begins on November 1, 2025, to allow insurers and exchanges to reflect the lower subsidized rates in their listings. States and federal systems (like HealthCare.gov) are already preparing dual rate filings, one with subsidies extended and one without, due to the ongoing uncertainty.
  • Not all recipients are U.S. citizens—eligibility includes lawful permanent residents and certain other immigrants meeting income rules—but citizens make up the vast majority.
  • Premium tax credits aren't funded by a specific "tax already collected" for this purpose; they're reconciled through individuals' annual tax returns (as refundable credits), with advance payments reducing monthly premiums during enrollment. The federal funding comes from general revenues (partly offset by other ACA taxes like the medical device tax). No direct "drop in taxes" occurs if subsidies lapse; instead, the government simply spends less on credits (~$350 billion estimated for a permanent extension through 2035). The claim implies unused funds are "stuck" in a pot, which isn't how it works—it's more about reallocating budgetary priorities.
Republicans have resisted extension due to cost concerns (e.g., ~$350 billion over 10 years) and you might recall that the subsidies were temporary COVID relief. Some GOP proposals include reforms like income caps or minimum enrollee contributions to offset costs, rather than outright elimination. Democrats are pushing for permanence, tying it to shutdown fights (e.g., recent funding bills through mid-November excluded it).

The tax/"steal" narrative is misleading and inflammatory. No evidence supports "stealing for the wealthy". Unused subsidy funds would just reduce federal outlays.
 
Diogenes said:
For 2026 coverage, however, Congress would need to pass an extension before open enrollment begins on November 1, 2025, to allow insurers and exchanges to reflect the lower subsidized rates in their listings.
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If 22 million people are going to get health insurance for next year, we need to get a clean extension passed within the next two weeks(by November 1st). Republicans have refused to even talk about a clean extension. They are now in hiding refusing to even be in DC.

The question becomes should Democrats give up healthcare for 22 million to avoid a shutdown for a month? Remember, that is all the Republicans are offering for the concession. They will be back demanding more in a month.
 
Walt said:
They expire on December 31st, but they have to be in effect before then if we want them by next year.

On November 1st, open season starts, and 22 million people use their subsidies to buy health insurance for 2026. If they do not buy the insurance by December 15th, they do not have insurance for next year. Every day past November 1st, means more people will not get insurance, and by December 15th, 22 million will just have to do without next year.

These are all US citizens. The taxes are already collected for their insurance. There will be no drop in taxes if we do not get the subsidies in place by December 15th. Republicans will just steal the taxes for the wealthy.

So we have two weeks to get these subsidies past.
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Why all the stupid lies? I don't think you can post without lying and looking painfully stupid.

If Democrats want to save their failed plan, they can negotiate it within the Budget debates that are already past as usual because Democrats hate complying with their constitutional duty.

Instead of shutting down the government and not wanting to sit down and negotiate, they would rather grandstand for their brainless constituents, like you, by pounding their tiny insignificant fists on the table and stomping their tiny insignificant feet on the ground like spoiled third graders.

That's all this is.
 
Walt said:
If 22 million people are going to get health insurance for next year, we need to get a clean extension passed within the next two weeks(by November 1st). Republicans have refused to even talk about a clean extension. They are now in hiding refusing to even be in DC.

The question becomes should Democrats give up healthcare for 22 million to avoid a shutdown for a month? Remember, that is all the Republicans are offering for the concession. They will be back demanding more in a month.
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...then do it through the normal budgeting process instead of shutting down government and acting like whiney little brats. :palm:
 
Truth Detector said:
If Democrats want to save their failed plan, they can negotiate it within the Budget debates that are already past as usual because Democrats hate complying with their constitutional duty.
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Show me the part of the Constitution that says Democrats have to vote for Republican policies. If Republicans cannot pass the budget on their own, they have to get Democrats to pass it with them by offering to allow the Affordable Care Act to continue.
 
Walt said:
If 22 million people are going to get health insurance for next year, we need to get a clean extension passed within the next two weeks(by November 1st). Republicans have refused to even talk about a clean extension. They are now in hiding refusing to even be in DC.

The question becomes should Democrats give up healthcare for 22 million to avoid a shutdown for a month? Remember, that is all the Republicans are offering for the concession. They will be back demanding more in a month.
Click to expand...
You alt lefties are a hoot.
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