Amy Fried
@asfried.bsky.social
Political scientist, kayaker
Emeritus, UMaine
Political Sightlines at https://amyfried.substack.com/
Books on how U.S. conservatives weaponized distrust, New England politics, professionalizing polling, and perceptions of public opinion as a resource
Emeritus, UMaine
Political Sightlines at https://amyfried.substack.com/
Books on how U.S. conservatives weaponized distrust, New England politics, professionalizing polling, and perceptions of public opinion as a resource
Pinned
Amy Fried
@asfried.bsky.social
· Nov 12
Blueskyers, I’m a retired political scientist, still actively writing and doing more real politics, whose core research has been on the history and political uses of public opinion. But I've done research other topics, too! My 1st pub was on abortion politics, the latest on ranked choice voting. 1/5
Reposted by Amy Fried
All the tweets I’m seeing tonight from angry liberals are extremely similar to the backlash tweets against Republican leaders who reopened government in 2013 after failing to force Obama to repeal the ACA.
The typical way to force changes in policy is to win elections. Democrats lost a bunch.
The typical way to force changes in policy is to win elections. Democrats lost a bunch.
November 11, 2025 at 4:07 AM
All the tweets I’m seeing tonight from angry liberals are extremely similar to the backlash tweets against Republican leaders who reopened government in 2013 after failing to force Obama to repeal the ACA.
The typical way to force changes in policy is to win elections. Democrats lost a bunch.
The typical way to force changes in policy is to win elections. Democrats lost a bunch.
Reposted by Amy Fried
The ACA cuts happened in the reconciliation bill in July, every single Democrat voted against it and they got 3 detectors so Vance had to break the tie, and the Dems just shut down the government for 40 days to try and get them to undo it, it is absolutely deranged to blame this on “Democrats”
Yes - this is a loss because Democrats have now signed on to ACA cuts as a complicit party and once again made it a less effective issue for the mid terms
From that perspective, this would be a failure, right? Because the Dems lose the narrative that they did everything to stand in the way of ACA cuts.
November 10, 2025 at 6:17 PM
The ACA cuts happened in the reconciliation bill in July, every single Democrat voted against it and they got 3 detectors so Vance had to break the tie, and the Dems just shut down the government for 40 days to try and get them to undo it, it is absolutely deranged to blame this on “Democrats”
Reposted by Amy Fried
Rick Scott told me his plan would be to take all of the remaining ACA subsidies and redistribute them to HSA accounts and people can then buy whatever insurance a state certifies. Basically a repeal/replace.
He denied when I asked wouldn’t that create two-tiered system where sick pay much more…
He denied when I asked wouldn’t that create two-tiered system where sick pay much more…
November 11, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Rick Scott told me his plan would be to take all of the remaining ACA subsidies and redistribute them to HSA accounts and people can then buy whatever insurance a state certifies. Basically a repeal/replace.
He denied when I asked wouldn’t that create two-tiered system where sick pay much more…
He denied when I asked wouldn’t that create two-tiered system where sick pay much more…
This is good politics for Platner but, let's face it, he has no idea how the Senate works or the actual powers of a Senate minority leader. Nor does he have any idea who would have done a better job in "herding cats," as Senate leadership is often characterized. #mepolitics
November 11, 2025 at 3:25 AM
This is good politics for Platner but, let's face it, he has no idea how the Senate works or the actual powers of a Senate minority leader. Nor does he have any idea who would have done a better job in "herding cats," as Senate leadership is often characterized. #mepolitics
Would Murray be a good Democratic leader? She's been good as ranking member of the Appropriations Committee.
I voted NO tonight—because we have to address the MAGA health care hike.
By refusing to work with Democrats on a solution before open enrollment started, Republicans have already pushed millions of Americans off the health care cliff.
By refusing to work with Democrats on a solution before open enrollment started, Republicans have already pushed millions of Americans off the health care cliff.
November 11, 2025 at 2:26 AM
Would Murray be a good Democratic leader? She's been good as ranking member of the Appropriations Committee.
Axios reports that some senators wanted to end the shutdown after two weeks.
"But Schumer persuaded the moderates to hold out until at least the beginning of November, when open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act began."
"But Schumer persuaded the moderates to hold out until at least the beginning of November, when open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act began."
November 11, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Axios reports that some senators wanted to end the shutdown after two weeks.
"But Schumer persuaded the moderates to hold out until at least the beginning of November, when open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act began."
"But Schumer persuaded the moderates to hold out until at least the beginning of November, when open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act began."
Reposted by Amy Fried
Susan Collins votes against extending ACA tax credits for one year. Angus King voted in favor of the extension. #MEpolitics
UPDATE: The Senate votes 53-47 to shoot down the Baldwin amendment to extend ACA funds for 1 year. A party-line vote with every Republican rejecting it.
An important vote in this series: Tammy Baldwin’s proposal to extend ACA expiring funds for 1 year. It’s structured as a motion to table (i.e. scrap it from the amendment tree). But it’ll show the appetite (or lack thereof) in the Senate to address this issue.
November 11, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Susan Collins votes against extending ACA tax credits for one year. Angus King voted in favor of the extension. #MEpolitics
Reposted by Amy Fried
Who amongst us hasn't thought about giving up work for that sweet $176 a month in SNAP benefits?
Trump claims that food stamps "puts the country in jeopardy. People that are able-bodied can do a job, they leave their job because they figure they can pick this up, it's easier."
November 11, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Who amongst us hasn't thought about giving up work for that sweet $176 a month in SNAP benefits?
Reposted by Amy Fried
so, today I got the surgery center where I got my deviated septum fixed to send me an itemized bill so I could submit to my FSA for reimbursement
my out of pocket cost: $473
what my insurance paid: $4258
what they tried to charge my insurance (not a misprint): $173692
my out of pocket cost: $473
what my insurance paid: $4258
what they tried to charge my insurance (not a misprint): $173692
I was at an event yesterday where Rand Paul spoke via video and talked about how great it was to send ACA money "directly to the people" so that they could work collectively to get better deals on health care.
November 10, 2025 at 8:55 PM
so, today I got the surgery center where I got my deviated septum fixed to send me an itemized bill so I could submit to my FSA for reimbursement
my out of pocket cost: $473
what my insurance paid: $4258
what they tried to charge my insurance (not a misprint): $173692
my out of pocket cost: $473
what my insurance paid: $4258
what they tried to charge my insurance (not a misprint): $173692
Reposted by Amy Fried
" @povertyscholar.bsky.social said that losing food benefits is not only a crisis in itself, but it can lead to other crises...'Crises tend to cascade and compound...As this happens, people are less likely to vote.”
www.salon.com/2025/11/08/h...
www.salon.com/2025/11/08/h...
How a loss of public benefits harms democracy - Salon.com
When public programs like SNAP are cut, voter turnout historically declines
www.salon.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:24 AM
" @povertyscholar.bsky.social said that losing food benefits is not only a crisis in itself, but it can lead to other crises...'Crises tend to cascade and compound...As this happens, people are less likely to vote.”
www.salon.com/2025/11/08/h...
www.salon.com/2025/11/08/h...
Questions for people who are blazing mad at Schumer and are demanding he be replaced:
+ Who do they think would be better and why?
+ What powers do they think the Senate Minority Leader has?
+ How long would they have been comfortable keeping the federal govt shut down?
+ Who do they think would be better and why?
+ What powers do they think the Senate Minority Leader has?
+ How long would they have been comfortable keeping the federal govt shut down?
November 11, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Questions for people who are blazing mad at Schumer and are demanding he be replaced:
+ Who do they think would be better and why?
+ What powers do they think the Senate Minority Leader has?
+ How long would they have been comfortable keeping the federal govt shut down?
+ Who do they think would be better and why?
+ What powers do they think the Senate Minority Leader has?
+ How long would they have been comfortable keeping the federal govt shut down?
Reposted by Amy Fried
NEW: Jan 6 riot defendant arrested outside a Burger King in Cicero, Illinois.
Prosecutors allege a DNA test in August linked him to 2018 kidnapping and sex assault
Just filed:
www.cbsnews.com/news/high-pr...
Prosecutors allege a DNA test in August linked him to 2018 kidnapping and sex assault
Just filed:
www.cbsnews.com/news/high-pr...
High-profile Jan. 6 defendant facing charges of kidnapping and sexually assaulting woman
John Banuelos' case was unique among Capitol riot prosecutions because he was the only defendant accused of pulling and firing a gun while on Capitol grounds.
www.cbsnews.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:56 AM
NEW: Jan 6 riot defendant arrested outside a Burger King in Cicero, Illinois.
Prosecutors allege a DNA test in August linked him to 2018 kidnapping and sex assault
Just filed:
www.cbsnews.com/news/high-pr...
Prosecutors allege a DNA test in August linked him to 2018 kidnapping and sex assault
Just filed:
www.cbsnews.com/news/high-pr...
Reposted by Amy Fried
This hidden provision is so crooked and selfish, it doesn't even apply to US Representatives. Just US Senators.
Look at this new outrage. To open govt, we're retroactively letting 8 Senators sue for $500K each over having had their J6 phone toll records looked at. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
Spending Bill Would Pave Way for Senators to Sue Over Phone Searches
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:43 AM
This hidden provision is so crooked and selfish, it doesn't even apply to US Representatives. Just US Senators.
Reposted by Amy Fried
There is no universe in which Senate Republicans vote to extend ACA subsidies.
It. Will. Not. Happen.
All Senate Democrats can do is make it excruciatingly clear to the American people that this is the logical consequence of giving Republicans complete control of the government.
It. Will. Not. Happen.
All Senate Democrats can do is make it excruciatingly clear to the American people that this is the logical consequence of giving Republicans complete control of the government.
The Senate has rejected a plan from Sen. Tammy Baldwin D-WI to extend the expiring Obamacare health insurance subsidies for 1 year. Party line vote.
November 11, 2025 at 12:56 AM
There is no universe in which Senate Republicans vote to extend ACA subsidies.
It. Will. Not. Happen.
All Senate Democrats can do is make it excruciatingly clear to the American people that this is the logical consequence of giving Republicans complete control of the government.
It. Will. Not. Happen.
All Senate Democrats can do is make it excruciatingly clear to the American people that this is the logical consequence of giving Republicans complete control of the government.
This is last thing most people want to do.
Trump: "I want the money to go into an account for people where they buy their own health insurance. It's so good. The insurance will be better. It'll cost less. Everybody is gonna be happy. They're gonna feel like entrepreneurs. They're actually able to go out & negotiate their own insurance"
November 11, 2025 at 1:00 AM
This is last thing most people want to do.
Reposted by Amy Fried
“Negotiating your own insurance” will result in everyone getting the dirt-cheapest junk plan which covers virtually nothing, because most people are terrible at risk assessment.
Trump: "I want the money to go into an account for people where they buy their own health insurance. It's so good. The insurance will be better. It'll cost less. Everybody is gonna be happy. They're gonna feel like entrepreneurs. They're actually able to go out & negotiate their own insurance"
November 11, 2025 at 12:13 AM
“Negotiating your own insurance” will result in everyone getting the dirt-cheapest junk plan which covers virtually nothing, because most people are terrible at risk assessment.
Susan Collins voted for more expensive health coverage. #mepolitics
The Senate has rejected a plan from Sen. Tammy Baldwin D-WI to extend the expiring Obamacare health insurance subsidies for 1 year. Party line vote.
November 11, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Susan Collins voted for more expensive health coverage. #mepolitics
I paid premiums for many years and hardly got sick. Then I needed two surgeries and chemo and CT scans and maintenance drugs and follow-ups with an oncologist.
Tell me you don’t understand risk pools without telling me you don’t understand risk pools
November 11, 2025 at 12:40 AM
I paid premiums for many years and hardly got sick. Then I needed two surgeries and chemo and CT scans and maintenance drugs and follow-ups with an oncologist.
Reposted by Amy Fried
I'll just say it, it's antisemitic to characterize Chuck Schumer as the scheming, underhanded, puppet master behind a deal he voted against and condemned publicly. Senators are a law unto themselves and being in the minority takes away most of the wrangling tools a leader has.
November 10, 2025 at 12:56 PM
I'll just say it, it's antisemitic to characterize Chuck Schumer as the scheming, underhanded, puppet master behind a deal he voted against and condemned publicly. Senators are a law unto themselves and being in the minority takes away most of the wrangling tools a leader has.
Why do people bother with this nonsense?
We have no contrast to senators who voted otherwise. Maybe they all get funds from airline PACs.
Also, whether one agrees w/the votes are not, there are other reasons other than "it's what the airlines want" for their stances.
We have no contrast to senators who voted otherwise. Maybe they all get funds from airline PACs.
Also, whether one agrees w/the votes are not, there are other reasons other than "it's what the airlines want" for their stances.
November 11, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Why do people bother with this nonsense?
We have no contrast to senators who voted otherwise. Maybe they all get funds from airline PACs.
Also, whether one agrees w/the votes are not, there are other reasons other than "it's what the airlines want" for their stances.
We have no contrast to senators who voted otherwise. Maybe they all get funds from airline PACs.
Also, whether one agrees w/the votes are not, there are other reasons other than "it's what the airlines want" for their stances.
Luckily in ME-2, Matt Dunlap already stepped forward to primary Jared Golden and Golden decided not to run again.
#mepolitics
#mepolitics
"We’re done waiting for Dems to find their spine. We can’t afford a weak & cowardly Democratic Party while the authoritarians invade our cities, terrorize our communities, & threaten our democracy. We get the party we demand, & we intend to demand a Democratic Party that fights.” — @indivisible.org
Indivisible Launches its Largest Primary Program in Response to Senate Democrats Surrendering on the Shutdown Vote
indivisible.org
November 10, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Luckily in ME-2, Matt Dunlap already stepped forward to primary Jared Golden and Golden decided not to run again.
#mepolitics
#mepolitics
Reposted by Amy Fried
Good morning to everyone but especially to Lady Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, whose judgement against Rudy Giuliani for defaming them and turning their lives upside down cannot be pardoned away by the president
November 10, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Good morning to everyone but especially to Lady Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, whose judgement against Rudy Giuliani for defaming them and turning their lives upside down cannot be pardoned away by the president
Reposted by Amy Fried
DOT put out a ~proposal~ "Brand New Air Traffic Control System" back in May. An RFS went out in August. Bids were due September 21. The winner would then have 3 1/2 years to implement the new system.
So what is he even talking about?
So what is he even talking about?
TRUMP: US TO LAUNCH NEW AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM WITHIN 2–3 WEEKS
November 10, 2025 at 10:45 PM
DOT put out a ~proposal~ "Brand New Air Traffic Control System" back in May. An RFS went out in August. Bids were due September 21. The winner would then have 3 1/2 years to implement the new system.
So what is he even talking about?
So what is he even talking about?
For those wondering why I posted a thread about this last night, this is why.
There's a LOT of people who seem to think that either a) the entire ACA is ending or b) ALL of the ACA tax credits are expiring. NEITHER IS THE CASE.
There's a LOT of people who seem to think that either a) the entire ACA is ending or b) ALL of the ACA tax credits are expiring. NEITHER IS THE CASE.
Do all ACA subsidies expire or only the enhanced subsidies passed post-COVID expire on 12/31/25? Asking for my adult kids, who both get insurance from ACA.
November 10, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Janet Mills is going to keep making news by governing. That influences the sorts of news people will hear about the different Dem Senate candidates.
11/10 UPDATE: Maine’s SNAP beneficiaries started receiving their FULL benefits on schedule on Monday #maine #MEpolitics
November 10, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Janet Mills is going to keep making news by governing. That influences the sorts of news people will hear about the different Dem Senate candidates.