James Vasconi
@jamesvasconi.bsky.social
Thoughts on social science, music, and life. Second-most famous @baldwinwallace.bsky.social alumnus named Jim (after Tressel). Center-left Democrat. Northwest Pennsylvania.
Reposted by James Vasconi
The Republicans and those who voted them into power are to blame. They’re the ones who made Democrats choose between letting people starve and federal workers go without pay OR letting the ACA subsidies lapse. Blaming Democrats instead of Republicans is ludicrous.
November 10, 2025 at 7:46 PM
The Republicans and those who voted them into power are to blame. They’re the ones who made Democrats choose between letting people starve and federal workers go without pay OR letting the ACA subsidies lapse. Blaming Democrats instead of Republicans is ludicrous.
Reposted by James Vasconi
This is 1000% correct.
There were two ways this was always going to go. The GOP was going to kill the filibuster or Dems were going to get something that was worth a vote in their eyes.
I think a lot of people are forgetting those were the choices.
Get your emotions out today though🤷♂️
There were two ways this was always going to go. The GOP was going to kill the filibuster or Dems were going to get something that was worth a vote in their eyes.
I think a lot of people are forgetting those were the choices.
Get your emotions out today though🤷♂️
The best take on all of this shutdown came from @shannonrwatts.bsky.social who told me this would only end by Republicans killing the filibuster or Democrats caving. That’s it. But Schumer somehow broadcast that Republicans would cave when they never gave any indication they would.
November 10, 2025 at 12:38 PM
This is 1000% correct.
There were two ways this was always going to go. The GOP was going to kill the filibuster or Dems were going to get something that was worth a vote in their eyes.
I think a lot of people are forgetting those were the choices.
Get your emotions out today though🤷♂️
There were two ways this was always going to go. The GOP was going to kill the filibuster or Dems were going to get something that was worth a vote in their eyes.
I think a lot of people are forgetting those were the choices.
Get your emotions out today though🤷♂️
Reposted by James Vasconi
No we didn't. Tuesday elections are good but they don't give any power to current congress. WE own this, we have power. WE refuse to make enough sacrifices.
bsky.app/profile/dcsh...
bsky.app/profile/dcsh...
This is on us. Americans are all still shopping, brunching, indulging, vacationing. Still not mass boycotting, daily protesting, general striking. then pissed off dems won't act with the zero power we did not give them. Grind all but critical small biz spending to a halt then we gripe
November 10, 2025 at 5:52 AM
No we didn't. Tuesday elections are good but they don't give any power to current congress. WE own this, we have power. WE refuse to make enough sacrifices.
bsky.app/profile/dcsh...
bsky.app/profile/dcsh...
Reposted by James Vasconi
The majority of white voters caved in 2024.
November 10, 2025 at 12:12 AM
The majority of white voters caved in 2024.
Reposted by James Vasconi
Not all opposition to the cave is performative. I’m iffy on it myself. What’s performative are the takes that go “we should have kept the government shut down forever and then at some point through a mechanism I have yet to articulate, we win everything”
November 10, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Not all opposition to the cave is performative. I’m iffy on it myself. What’s performative are the takes that go “we should have kept the government shut down forever and then at some point through a mechanism I have yet to articulate, we win everything”
Reposted by James Vasconi
The thing is, the goal was to minimize the harm the GOP is deliberately and pointlessly doing and I wish to god we could all help the Dems stay relentlessly on message on that. Because it helps us all, and because it's true.
Sure, primary Schumer or whatever. That's later. Now, though: narrative.
Sure, primary Schumer or whatever. That's later. Now, though: narrative.
If Democrats get anything above the clean CR, then by definition they didn't cave.
Because that means they ended up better than they started.
Caving would be them just signing the House CR with no additional funding.
That's not what's happening.
Because that means they ended up better than they started.
Caving would be them just signing the House CR with no additional funding.
That's not what's happening.
November 10, 2025 at 5:34 AM
The thing is, the goal was to minimize the harm the GOP is deliberately and pointlessly doing and I wish to god we could all help the Dems stay relentlessly on message on that. Because it helps us all, and because it's true.
Sure, primary Schumer or whatever. That's later. Now, though: narrative.
Sure, primary Schumer or whatever. That's later. Now, though: narrative.
Reposted by James Vasconi
Sincere question: what’s so wrong with this plan? Funding is through January, requires a vote on ACA subsidy extensions which Dems can call in December. If R’s vote it down, can’t shut down resume end of January? Seems like a pause to take up a funding bill on the ACA. What’s the harm?
November 10, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Sincere question: what’s so wrong with this plan? Funding is through January, requires a vote on ACA subsidy extensions which Dems can call in December. If R’s vote it down, can’t shut down resume end of January? Seems like a pause to take up a funding bill on the ACA. What’s the harm?
Reposted by James Vasconi
they're not, but I get you need to be mad at Dems for some reason.
November 10, 2025 at 3:31 AM
they're not, but I get you need to be mad at Dems for some reason.
Reposted by James Vasconi
Sincere question: what does victory look like?
Because maybe I'm missing something but I don't see any viable path to actually getting reconciliation subsidy shit reversed
The game was always raise salience, and an up/down vote w/dem language sounds like that to me
bsky.app/profile/jame...
Because maybe I'm missing something but I don't see any viable path to actually getting reconciliation subsidy shit reversed
The game was always raise salience, and an up/down vote w/dem language sounds like that to me
bsky.app/profile/jame...
i think this is key. taking the deal would amount to taking the blame. it would turn a clear political victory into an unambiguous defeat.
If the Dems blink after all of this, for a deal that all but ensures no ACA subsidies in 2026 anyway, then what was the purpose of letting the shutdown go for 40 days in the first place?
November 10, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Sincere question: what does victory look like?
Because maybe I'm missing something but I don't see any viable path to actually getting reconciliation subsidy shit reversed
The game was always raise salience, and an up/down vote w/dem language sounds like that to me
bsky.app/profile/jame...
Because maybe I'm missing something but I don't see any viable path to actually getting reconciliation subsidy shit reversed
The game was always raise salience, and an up/down vote w/dem language sounds like that to me
bsky.app/profile/jame...
Reposted by James Vasconi
I’m in favor of the shutdown, and I need to get paid. AND the minority party can’t force the majority to do anything. “Hold out” is an underpants gnomes theory of victory.
November 10, 2025 at 3:20 AM
I’m in favor of the shutdown, and I need to get paid. AND the minority party can’t force the majority to do anything. “Hold out” is an underpants gnomes theory of victory.
Reposted by James Vasconi
This is all correct. This is why I insist this was a battle, not the war.
I’m having Max Baucus flashbacks
But that was prob worse bc it was horrible tax policy we’re still living with
But this happens again in 10 weeks, AFTER people lose their health insurance. That’s a horrible, horrible outcome. I’d vote no. But in Jan that will be an even bigger problem for Repubs
But that was prob worse bc it was horrible tax policy we’re still living with
But this happens again in 10 weeks, AFTER people lose their health insurance. That’s a horrible, horrible outcome. I’d vote no. But in Jan that will be an even bigger problem for Repubs
November 10, 2025 at 3:08 AM
This is all correct. This is why I insist this was a battle, not the war.
Reposted by James Vasconi
they were willing to keep the government shut down forever, starve people on SNAP, crash all air travel, to make people pay more, focus, they want to make people pay more, Republicans, focus, tell people that.
November 10, 2025 at 2:46 AM
they were willing to keep the government shut down forever, starve people on SNAP, crash all air travel, to make people pay more, focus, they want to make people pay more, Republicans, focus, tell people that.
Reposted by James Vasconi
there's lots of people mad but I'm not sure what they wanted, I mean do we think there were 13 Republican Senators who'd vote for ACA to reopen the government over Trump's objection?
November 10, 2025 at 2:46 AM
there's lots of people mad but I'm not sure what they wanted, I mean do we think there were 13 Republican Senators who'd vote for ACA to reopen the government over Trump's objection?
And the option of going to court to starve children won't be on the table then.
I get that bsky is gonna be pissy about this for another couple weeks, and if it gets someone to actually put together a plausible plan to oust chuck all the better, but yeah buncha folks ignoring at least 50/50 we're back here in 2 and a half months
November 10, 2025 at 3:12 AM
And the option of going to court to starve children won't be on the table then.
Reposted by James Vasconi
I'm more than open to alternate theories of victory that entail yelling at the centrists to knock it off for (period of time), I've sketched out some of those myself
But "deny appropriations for another year and change" is just ridiculous, not to mention likely bad politics at some point
But "deny appropriations for another year and change" is just ridiculous, not to mention likely bad politics at some point
November 10, 2025 at 2:51 AM
I'm more than open to alternate theories of victory that entail yelling at the centrists to knock it off for (period of time), I've sketched out some of those myself
But "deny appropriations for another year and change" is just ridiculous, not to mention likely bad politics at some point
But "deny appropriations for another year and change" is just ridiculous, not to mention likely bad politics at some point
Reposted by James Vasconi
yes correct elections have consequences, and the theory of victory is figuring out how to convince the idiot median voter of these facts, not just making a couple million people who work for you go without a paycheck for over a year because it makes you feel good
the message is clear that Republicans are in charge permanently, can kill any D legislation with the filibuster, never need to govern at all, and when pressed, they can threaten the lives of millions any time they want and they will be given whatever it is they demand in exchange for their mercy.
November 10, 2025 at 2:51 AM
yes correct elections have consequences, and the theory of victory is figuring out how to convince the idiot median voter of these facts, not just making a couple million people who work for you go without a paycheck for over a year because it makes you feel good
Reposted by James Vasconi
Oh.
Asked whether she would be willing to vote down the next government funding bill in January if Congress fails to pass an ACA funding extension by then, Jeanne Shaheen tells reporters: "That’s certainly an option that everybody will consider."
🤔
🤔
November 10, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Oh.
This. I've never seen how Democrats could get Republicans to cave on this issue.
Electoral consequences? Hell, they don't care if their own supporters die.
Electoral consequences? Hell, they don't care if their own supporters die.
I'm not convinced that the GOP was ever going to vote to extend the ACA subsidies ... no matter how long the govt stayed closed.
Yes the moderate Dem cavers should be primaried.
But anger about healthcare costs should remain focused on Republicans going into the mid-terms.
Yes the moderate Dem cavers should be primaried.
But anger about healthcare costs should remain focused on Republicans going into the mid-terms.
November 10, 2025 at 3:04 AM
This. I've never seen how Democrats could get Republicans to cave on this issue.
Electoral consequences? Hell, they don't care if their own supporters die.
Electoral consequences? Hell, they don't care if their own supporters die.
Reposted by James Vasconi
The dark truth is that the institutional political parties have very little power after years of reforms, campaign finance chicanery etc.
It isn’t ’the Democrats’ who are caving since there is no one thing. It is particular politicians.
It isn’t ’the Democrats’ who are caving since there is no one thing. It is particular politicians.
As this vote moves to the House, I stand with Democratic leadership as they refuse to rubber stamp the full-scale Republican assault on Americans’ health care and I am proud of the majority of Senate Democrats who opposed this vote.
November 10, 2025 at 2:38 AM
The dark truth is that the institutional political parties have very little power after years of reforms, campaign finance chicanery etc.
It isn’t ’the Democrats’ who are caving since there is no one thing. It is particular politicians.
It isn’t ’the Democrats’ who are caving since there is no one thing. It is particular politicians.
Reposted by James Vasconi
I've always wondered what exactly the Dems' leverage was.
It's painfully obvious that the Trumpified, burn-everything-down GOP couldn't care less if the shutdown went on forever.
It's painfully obvious that the Trumpified, burn-everything-down GOP couldn't care less if the shutdown went on forever.
November 10, 2025 at 2:41 AM
I've always wondered what exactly the Dems' leverage was.
It's painfully obvious that the Trumpified, burn-everything-down GOP couldn't care less if the shutdown went on forever.
It's painfully obvious that the Trumpified, burn-everything-down GOP couldn't care less if the shutdown went on forever.
Reposted by James Vasconi
No. No, no, no. This is Trump's shutdown no matter when or how it ends. Without his foolishness we could have avoided all of this.
i think this is key. taking the deal would amount to taking the blame. it would turn a clear political victory into an unambiguous defeat.
If the Dems blink after all of this, for a deal that all but ensures no ACA subsidies in 2026 anyway, then what was the purpose of letting the shutdown go for 40 days in the first place?
November 10, 2025 at 1:16 AM
No. No, no, no. This is Trump's shutdown no matter when or how it ends. Without his foolishness we could have avoided all of this.
Reposted by James Vasconi
Yeah, with respect, @jamellebouie.net and a lot of the other Fight Faction ppl on this site are wrong.
The Fight was the point, and the Fight got Republicans to openly do a fuckton of absolutely horrendous shit out in the open, and basically break their House majority as a functioning organ.
The Fight was the point, and the Fight got Republicans to openly do a fuckton of absolutely horrendous shit out in the open, and basically break their House majority as a functioning organ.
Sincere question: what does victory look like?
Because maybe I'm missing something but I don't see any viable path to actually getting reconciliation subsidy shit reversed
The game was always raise salience, and an up/down vote w/dem language sounds like that to me
bsky.app/profile/jame...
Because maybe I'm missing something but I don't see any viable path to actually getting reconciliation subsidy shit reversed
The game was always raise salience, and an up/down vote w/dem language sounds like that to me
bsky.app/profile/jame...
i think this is key. taking the deal would amount to taking the blame. it would turn a clear political victory into an unambiguous defeat.
November 10, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Yeah, with respect, @jamellebouie.net and a lot of the other Fight Faction ppl on this site are wrong.
The Fight was the point, and the Fight got Republicans to openly do a fuckton of absolutely horrendous shit out in the open, and basically break their House majority as a functioning organ.
The Fight was the point, and the Fight got Republicans to openly do a fuckton of absolutely horrendous shit out in the open, and basically break their House majority as a functioning organ.
Reposted by James Vasconi
(I get that this is all reactions from emotion, but think people should maybe think through the incentive structure a little bit more clearly on "Even if you vote the way we want and the way we demanded, we will still oppose you and attack you and insist you secretly wanted the opposite to happen")
November 10, 2025 at 2:18 AM
(I get that this is all reactions from emotion, but think people should maybe think through the incentive structure a little bit more clearly on "Even if you vote the way we want and the way we demanded, we will still oppose you and attack you and insist you secretly wanted the opposite to happen")
Reposted by James Vasconi
I hope Trump will get to the bottom of who did this
"This will live on" -- Duffy explains that flying will remain a mess even after the shutdown because so many air traffic controllers are retiring
November 9, 2025 at 2:52 PM
I hope Trump will get to the bottom of who did this