Old Chinese proverb: He who rides the tiger is afraid to dismount. This is a reason why I think the standoff on the shutdown is likely to go on for some time. It is because the shutdown benefits both sides more than it hurts them, but the GOP is riding a tiger they fear to dismount, and fear is a more powerful thing. The Democrats are using it to dramatize what they see as a powerful message about the cost of living that includes health insurance and health care access, and pinning the damage on Trump. With Democrats, it is not so much an issue of who gets the blame for the shutdown, but who gets the advantage in November 2026.
Supporting the legislation at issue, the Big Beautiful Bill that polls badly even with some registered Republicans, keeps Republicans in swing districts loyal to Trump by fear that they will be the object of retribution by him. if they break ranks. The BBB includes the tax cuts to the rich and the dire cuts to health care.The longer the Democrats dig in, the more likely they are to get across the message to ordinary people that the pain they will soon feel as the soaring cost of health care and lack of access is Trump's fault, paid for by tax breaks to the rich. The GOP members of Congress are aware that if they cave in and moderate their damage to health care, they could be devoured by the tiger of Trump they are riding if they dismount.. Trump's rule by fear and retribution is how he gets the party discipline needed to get his GOP to vote against the interests of their own constituents, like moving Space Command out of Colorado to red state Alabama or doubling the cost of insurance premiums of the ACA through the roof...They live in fear of the bite of the tiger: a primary in their gerrymandered districts. They are waiting for the cover of a word from Trump before they agree to negotiate and moderate.
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