A. Berger
@alecberger.bsky.social
Writer | Tall | Chicago | Come and show me another city with lifted head singing so proud to be alive and coarse and strong and cunning. – Carl Sandburg, "Chicago"
I don't know who this Vance guy is, but he makes a great point:
"Remember when we learned that our wealthiest and most powerful people were connected to a guy who ran a literal child sex trafficking ring? And then that guy died mysteriously in a jail? And now we just don't talk about it." 9/4/21
"Remember when we learned that our wealthiest and most powerful people were connected to a guy who ran a literal child sex trafficking ring? And then that guy died mysteriously in a jail? And now we just don't talk about it." 9/4/21
JD Vance on X: "Remember when we learned that our wealthiest and most powerful people were connected to a guy who ran a literal child sex trafficking ring? And then that guy died mysteriously in a jail? And now we just don't talk about it." / X
Remember when we learned that our wealthiest and most powerful people were connected to a guy who ran a literal child sex trafficking ring? And then that guy died mysteriously in a jail? And now we just don't talk about it.
x.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:48 PM
I don't know who this Vance guy is, but he makes a great point:
"Remember when we learned that our wealthiest and most powerful people were connected to a guy who ran a literal child sex trafficking ring? And then that guy died mysteriously in a jail? And now we just don't talk about it." 9/4/21
"Remember when we learned that our wealthiest and most powerful people were connected to a guy who ran a literal child sex trafficking ring? And then that guy died mysteriously in a jail? And now we just don't talk about it." 9/4/21
Reposted by A. Berger
Chicago's ICE resistance just showed the world that everyday Americans are good and fearless in fighting for their communities
But our cowardly elites -- especially Senate Democrats -- still don't get it
My new column on America's great disconnect www.inquirer.com/columnists/a...
But our cowardly elites -- especially Senate Democrats -- still don't get it
My new column on America's great disconnect www.inquirer.com/columnists/a...
A nation of heroes, a Senate of cowards | Will Bunch Newsletter
Plus, Cheney didn’t save us from Trump. He created him.
www.inquirer.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Chicago's ICE resistance just showed the world that everyday Americans are good and fearless in fighting for their communities
But our cowardly elites -- especially Senate Democrats -- still don't get it
My new column on America's great disconnect www.inquirer.com/columnists/a...
But our cowardly elites -- especially Senate Democrats -- still don't get it
My new column on America's great disconnect www.inquirer.com/columnists/a...
Reposted by A. Berger
A judge’s decision to read a 111-year-old poem in court before curbing federal agents’ use of force in Chicago has brought fresh relevance to an iconic piece of local literature.
Carl Sandburg’s ‘Chicago’ poem finds fresh relevance in a city occupied by ICE
www.wbez.org
November 11, 2025 at 5:37 PM
A judge’s decision to read a 111-year-old poem in court before curbing federal agents’ use of force in Chicago has brought fresh relevance to an iconic piece of local literature.
I will not support the Democratic Leader that's on the Senate floor because he fails to do anything of substance to fix America's healthcare crisis.
#Schumer #shutdown #ACA
#Schumer #shutdown #ACA
I will not support the Republican bill that’s on the Senate floor because it fails to do anything of substance to fix America’s healthcare crisis.
November 11, 2025 at 4:26 AM
It's time to primary the dinosaurs. And don't forget, if you'd like to run for public office on any level (from hyper-local to federal), get help through the runforsomething.net website. If not you, who? If not now, when?
Indivisible Launches its Largest Primary Program in Response to Senate Democrats Surrendering on the Shutdown Vote
indivisible.org
November 10, 2025 at 11:51 PM
It's time to primary the dinosaurs. And don't forget, if you'd like to run for public office on any level (from hyper-local to federal), get help through the runforsomething.net website. If not you, who? If not now, when?
Senate Dems will frame caving as 'fighting and losing'. The shutdown was encouraging voters to dig in and fight but the Senate gave up as the strategy was paying off. When a team is behind in the 3rd quarter, starts pulling even, then suddenly quits, that's a forfeit. There's no respect in that.
November 10, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Senate Dems will frame caving as 'fighting and losing'. The shutdown was encouraging voters to dig in and fight but the Senate gave up as the strategy was paying off. When a team is behind in the 3rd quarter, starts pulling even, then suddenly quits, that's a forfeit. There's no respect in that.
This analysis makes sense to me – establishment Dems want to stay relevant and return to power & think this is the way. As someone else said, while keeping ACA alive as an issue gives people a reason to vote AGAINST the GOP, isn't it better to fight now and give people a reason to vote FOR the Dems?
November 10, 2025 at 6:39 PM
This analysis makes sense to me – establishment Dems want to stay relevant and return to power & think this is the way. As someone else said, while keeping ACA alive as an issue gives people a reason to vote AGAINST the GOP, isn't it better to fight now and give people a reason to vote FOR the Dems?
Reposted by A. Berger
Schumer can be removed from his Dem leadership role this week - 23 Dems (and/or independents) just have to vote to depose him
And they should, given this is his fault.
And they should, given this is his fault.
This is a lovely sentiment but Schumer isn't up for re-election until 2028 and he knows this. At which point he will be 77/78. There's no mechanism to recall a sitting senator AFAIK.
Let’s be clear: Chuck Schumer is the one ending this shutdown, no matter how the votes read.
Chuck Schumer is claiming that he’s voting no, while letting other Senators (Fetterman, Kaine, King, etc) do HIS dirty work.
He must be removed from his leadership & primaried for the sake of this country
Chuck Schumer is claiming that he’s voting no, while letting other Senators (Fetterman, Kaine, King, etc) do HIS dirty work.
He must be removed from his leadership & primaried for the sake of this country
November 10, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Schumer can be removed from his Dem leadership role this week - 23 Dems (and/or independents) just have to vote to depose him
And they should, given this is his fault.
And they should, given this is his fault.
Reposted by A. Berger
Senators on the brink of retirement who lived full, wealthy lives and never feared the loss of their own healthcare voting for their constituents to die from their inability to afford the same is treasonous
November 10, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Senators on the brink of retirement who lived full, wealthy lives and never feared the loss of their own healthcare voting for their constituents to die from their inability to afford the same is treasonous
Chuck Schumer right now:
Suspect Guilty GIF
ALT: Suspect Guilty GIF
media.tenor.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Chuck Schumer right now:
Reposted by A. Berger
Bullies gain power when their misconduct succeeds in causing righteous people to yield in the face of wrongdoing. That’s why voting for Trump's continuing resolution - without any protection against his health care cuts or his growing illegality - is a mistake.
I voted NO.
I voted NO.
November 10, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Bullies gain power when their misconduct succeeds in causing righteous people to yield in the face of wrongdoing. That’s why voting for Trump's continuing resolution - without any protection against his health care cuts or his growing illegality - is a mistake.
I voted NO.
I voted NO.
Not gonna lie. This made me smile.
chuck schumer would be the stupid guy in zombie movies that gets bitten and tries to hide it from the rest of the group.
November 10, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Not gonna lie. This made me smile.
As usual, Schumer worked to make the least vulnerable Senators the 'face' of capitulation. Other Senators were in favor of it, but the ones up for election soon were given the ability to vote no. Durbin (IL) is retiring, so it was arranged for him to vote no. Tired of politics. Want representation.
John Fetterman, Angus King, Maggie Hassan, Dick Durbin, Jon Ossoff, Jeanne Shaheen, Kirsten Gillibrand, Catherine Cortez Masto, Mark Warner, Cory Booker, and of course Chuck Schumer. Maybe others not top of mind. Not all responsible will publicly vote for the cave - that's not how this works.
November 10, 2025 at 2:48 AM
As usual, Schumer worked to make the least vulnerable Senators the 'face' of capitulation. Other Senators were in favor of it, but the ones up for election soon were given the ability to vote no. Durbin (IL) is retiring, so it was arranged for him to vote no. Tired of politics. Want representation.
Reposted by A. Berger
AOC should announce tonight
November 10, 2025 at 2:30 AM
AOC should announce tonight
Reposted by A. Berger
agreeing to make a terrible deal while your main opponent is quite literally being boo'd on live tv by an entire stadium of people is the kind of political instinct you'd normally only find in a 3 week old dead goldfish
November 10, 2025 at 12:36 AM
agreeing to make a terrible deal while your main opponent is quite literally being boo'd on live tv by an entire stadium of people is the kind of political instinct you'd normally only find in a 3 week old dead goldfish
Reposted by A. Berger
The original Dem demands were:
1) Permanent ACA subsidies
2) Medicaid funding restored
3) No more blank checks for the regime (rescission)
They dropped Medicaid immediately. Went silent on rescission. Cut back to 1 year of subsidies on Friday. And surrendered today.
The Senate Democrats!
1) Permanent ACA subsidies
2) Medicaid funding restored
3) No more blank checks for the regime (rescission)
They dropped Medicaid immediately. Went silent on rescission. Cut back to 1 year of subsidies on Friday. And surrendered today.
The Senate Democrats!
November 10, 2025 at 2:29 AM
The original Dem demands were:
1) Permanent ACA subsidies
2) Medicaid funding restored
3) No more blank checks for the regime (rescission)
They dropped Medicaid immediately. Went silent on rescission. Cut back to 1 year of subsidies on Friday. And surrendered today.
The Senate Democrats!
1) Permanent ACA subsidies
2) Medicaid funding restored
3) No more blank checks for the regime (rescission)
They dropped Medicaid immediately. Went silent on rescission. Cut back to 1 year of subsidies on Friday. And surrendered today.
The Senate Democrats!
Senator Schumer thinks we are dumb enough to believe that because *he* didn't vote for the GOP bill himself – even though he brokered the deal for 8 Senate Democrats to vote with the GOP – that he didn't cave. He won't "keep fighting" because he never fought. The recent elections are lost on him.
Democrats have been fighting for months to address America's healthcare crisis
For the millions who will lose coverage
For people with cancer who won't get the care they need
For working families who can't afford to pay $25K more a year for healthcare
We will keep fighting
For the millions who will lose coverage
For people with cancer who won't get the care they need
For working families who can't afford to pay $25K more a year for healthcare
We will keep fighting
November 10, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Senator Schumer thinks we are dumb enough to believe that because *he* didn't vote for the GOP bill himself – even though he brokered the deal for 8 Senate Democrats to vote with the GOP – that he didn't cave. He won't "keep fighting" because he never fought. The recent elections are lost on him.
Reposted by A. Berger
Chris Murphy: "There will be pretty substantial damage to a Dem brand that has been rehabilitated if on the heels of an election in which the people told us to keep fighting, we immediately stop... if we surrender without having gotten anything, I worry it'll be hard to get them back up off the mat"
November 7, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Chris Murphy: "There will be pretty substantial damage to a Dem brand that has been rehabilitated if on the heels of an election in which the people told us to keep fighting, we immediately stop... if we surrender without having gotten anything, I worry it'll be hard to get them back up off the mat"
Senator @durbin.senate.gov – what "we're still waiting for" is for you to realize HOW angry people are & that they don't want the shutdown to be for NOTHING. Did you see the recent elections? The No Kings protest? People want leaders who FIGHT for us. We do not need a matched set of TACO & DACO.
President Trump said on the campaign trail that he had ‘concepts of a plan’ to make health care affordable.
More than a year later… we’re still waiting for it.
More than a year later… we’re still waiting for it.
November 10, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Senator @durbin.senate.gov – what "we're still waiting for" is for you to realize HOW angry people are & that they don't want the shutdown to be for NOTHING. Did you see the recent elections? The No Kings protest? People want leaders who FIGHT for us. We do not need a matched set of TACO & DACO.
Reposted by A. Berger
I will not support a deal that does nothing to make health care more affordable.
We are in a health care emergency. A simple one-year extension of these tax credits would cost less than Donald Trump’s $40 billion bailout for Argentina.
A vote for this bill is a mistake.
We are in a health care emergency. A simple one-year extension of these tax credits would cost less than Donald Trump’s $40 billion bailout for Argentina.
A vote for this bill is a mistake.
November 10, 2025 at 1:06 AM
I will not support a deal that does nothing to make health care more affordable.
We are in a health care emergency. A simple one-year extension of these tax credits would cost less than Donald Trump’s $40 billion bailout for Argentina.
A vote for this bill is a mistake.
We are in a health care emergency. A simple one-year extension of these tax credits would cost less than Donald Trump’s $40 billion bailout for Argentina.
A vote for this bill is a mistake.
Reposted by A. Berger
if they were going to cave anyway they should’ve done it a week ago to spare SNAP recipients the agony.
November 10, 2025 at 12:54 AM
if they were going to cave anyway they should’ve done it a week ago to spare SNAP recipients the agony.
Digested from @punchbowlnews.bsky.social: Approx. 12 Democratic Senators are ready to support a GOP appropriations package which includes a commitment from GOP Senate Leader Thune to allow a vote on an Obamacare subsidies extension. House Speaker Johnson likely won't make the same commitment.
November 9, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Digested from @punchbowlnews.bsky.social: Approx. 12 Democratic Senators are ready to support a GOP appropriations package which includes a commitment from GOP Senate Leader Thune to allow a vote on an Obamacare subsidies extension. House Speaker Johnson likely won't make the same commitment.
Led by Schumer, the Senate Democrats are about to fold with *no deal* on ACA subsidy extensions, which would mean that all this suffering changed nothing. Contact your Senators – and possibly Schumer's office – to let them know they're wrong. Time is short.
Sounds like the squishes in the senate caucus are ready to pull the plug with no ACA changes. This is real. If you want to register your opinion you shld call yr senator in the next hour. They not only want to reopen w/nothing. They want cover from their colleagues who still want to hold out.
November 9, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Led by Schumer, the Senate Democrats are about to fold with *no deal* on ACA subsidy extensions, which would mean that all this suffering changed nothing. Contact your Senators – and possibly Schumer's office – to let them know they're wrong. Time is short.
Reposted by A. Berger
“I want you to understand what it is like to live in Chicago during this time.”
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
November 9, 2025 at 5:26 PM
“I want you to understand what it is like to live in Chicago during this time.”
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
With the WH trying to withhold SNAP benefits, donating to a food bank (or helping your neighbors directly) is absolutely critical right now. Here's an easy way to find your local food bank: www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-lo...
November 8, 2025 at 5:58 PM
With the WH trying to withhold SNAP benefits, donating to a food bank (or helping your neighbors directly) is absolutely critical right now. Here's an easy way to find your local food bank: www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-lo...