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If the government gets shut down 1. Trump will cut off any funding for food assistance and Medicaid, because hurting the weakest is on brand 2. Existing money will be re-directed to ICE in the interest of “national security” In a game of morals, Republicans and Democrats value different things

We can be smart. We can not go into a fight that leaves the Republicans revitalized and looking stronger on the other side. We can do what has to be done after we control congress. We must remember we are talking to people that aren't here plugged in with us every day.

That's why you don't prepay taxes. It's a financially loosing proposition.

They should be grateful if defunding is the worst thing to happen to them.

save the money to pay it when it comes due. If we all did this, it would take about 4.9 trillion out of their budget. Money talks, their BS walks.

Look who's shutting down gov !

Did they, or did they not, fuck over half the country on taxes?!? What refund?

Abolish ICE!

Yes! I hope the democrats will have the guts if they take the house! I won’t count on them though.

What's needed is for those in control of ICE, and those working for ICE, to change the way they are carrying out the mission of ICE. Less show of force, fewer threats, more transparency, less violence.

Maybe the democrats could have foreseen this when they kicked the can down the road? Fuck they are useless

Well argued point, but I respectfully disagree. The USA is WAY PAST politics as usual. The longer ICE and the "for-profit" prison system gets away with Atrocities, the more normalized and embedded into local governments they become, the harder it will be to remove. The USA is running out of time.

So, since pubs only need a simple majority in the house to pass a spending bill, every house Dem can vote no. Then the same Dem/I senators who voted to end the shutdown last time vote yes. Bill passes, Dems show they are united against the funding of ice without committing political suicide.

☕️ ☕️

Makes sense.

You have a point Paul, however, if it is now tax refunds, next time will be something else people will miss and have to wait for...it is never a 'good' time to shut down if so many people rely on government funding (in the richest country of the world).

It’s refreshing to hear a rational and forward thinking forecast on how ICE could be the downfall of public opinion toward Dems. Thanks for spelling it out for us Paul.💙

Meanwhile, the rest of us who isn’t the right color have to live through this terror, for a $400 refund check. Got it.

Trump's own, private militia. What could go wrong, America? www.ms.now/opinion/trum...

Thank you for your honesty Paul🙌btw- $4 for 3 apples in Cali

Repeal & Replace the DHS due to Waste, Fraud & Abuses. ( whole thing needs to be rethought including ICE. It’s an abomination)

Normalize knowing who they are. wiki.icelist.is/index.php/Ma...

Unfortunately, I believe this is true. It's true because the Republicans are so much better at messaging than Dems are. They have virtually all the MSM in their pocket.

Abolish ICE

I never said to wait. I said, shutting down the government would play into Republicans hands. Stand with your neighbors. Protest, contact your representatives, vote. Abolishing both ICE and DHS is the goal.

I think you have to do the moraly correct thing and let the chips fall, there's always going to be a reason to cave. That's the same BS they used to sucker the weak-azz Dems on the BBB. After the weak-azz dems caved they still gutted healthcare, which was how they got Dems to Cave, SHUT IT ALL DOWN!

it is always "it's not the right time" "wait till later" if they start messaging now, right f'ing now, loud and clear they could fight, they could win, but people give them the green light to be timid timid and calculating instead of doing what's right got us here in the first place am I wrong?

You are spot on with Common Sense! Get with the winning long-term game plan, everyone!

Makes sense but JFC!.. ICE will be a fully developed paramilitary force Trump will use against citizens and elections by the midterms. As usual we are fucked either way. Poor Minnesota and other blue states who will be tortured by this gestapo while democrats give more ICE funding for body cams.🫤

Always appreciate you keeping it real Texas Paul! 💙💙💙

Same thing happened with SNAP benefits during the last s Shutdown. Republicans blamed democratic politicians.

The calculus has to be, unfortunately, which congressional action (or inaction) will cost Democrats more votes in the midterms, that they otherwise could have had. We have to accept that in this case we are damned if we do, and damned if we don't. Slowing refunds or "doing nothing" both hurt us.

I agree. It is an absolute must.

I'm one of those who is saying shut down the government. Could care less about ice funding, I'm still fighting for the ACA. Your tax refund scenario never hit my radar, but does sound possible thanks for the heads up.

I mentioned a similar scenario to someone else and I feel backed up by listening to your post. Mvto.

Not too sure where this deep faith in the power of a shutdown causing Republicans to do or not do something comes from.

By the midterms there may be nothing left of democracy as we know it...

I agree with you 5000% my friend.

Upon reflection, I am very, very angry that smug men dismiss the killing of women.

That attitude reduces the people murdered and maimed by ICE as mere "collateral damage". It reminds me that dismissing the cruelty towards Native Americans & black Americans never did this nation a damn bit of good.

I believe they will focus on getting concession for ACA subsidies.

Yes, ICE thugs can be held accountable for violating state laws. MN state AG and local DA are investigating Thug Ross for the premeditated murder of Ms Good. They need the public’s help to provide witnesses and videos of the shooting that they can use in court.

bsky.app/profile/muel...

Then 2 things are needed: 1. Pound on the Repugs who hold the majority to hold these thugs accountable. 2. GOTV for Dems so we take back the House and possibly even the senate as well as as many down ballots offices as we can.

16:03

Rethink it, Paul. Tell them no dice. ICE is a terrorist group. Defund it.

I think differently about this rationale. Yes, I see the point has merits. I also know that these same constituents are made up of a large group of minorities, targeted by this lawlessly violent group. No. No money for ICE.

The only way out of this is to win the midterms. Once done,pass a long term budget to end this cycle of govt shutdowns. Pass legislation that addresses ICE funding. Get united and organized. Stop the gloom and doom bs about no midterms. Make the midterms blue.

Not the term. Don’t say defund. Say:no more additional funding until reforms are made or No reforms, no added funding.

Win the house and senate anyway we have to. Then clean house

They should defund the DOJ until the Epstein files are released.

I agree.

Makes sense

The best thing we can do is make sure we turn out the vote in november. Once we have the numbers then we can make the changes that we want.

Agree 💯

we do have an assignment coming up quick

Maybe those people who aren't plugged into politics need a wakeup call.

Right on Paul. Not only that, but the “abolish ice” thing has to stop. This will work out as well for Dems as “defund the police” did. It’s a LOSER.

Interesting point.

I don’t see Dems talking about the points you have made here. They all sound unsure and weak. www.politico.com/news/2026/01... www.semafor.com/article/01/1... truthout.org/articles/sch...

Because they have to talk to their constituents, the same people who aren't tapped in that Paul was talking about. Plenty of people are paying attention, and they don't like what they see. Calm down.

Wow Texas Paul. Never thought about it like this and you are right. I’m changing my views about shutdowns.

Wow. Never thought of that! Great point and you are absolutely right on correct.