Joshua Failé
@joshuafaile.bsky.social
(he/him)
Neurodivergent Social Democrat in Maine working to build a diverse, equitable, and inclusive society.
Economist by training, Spanish-English-American by birth, and antifascist by moral imperative.
We must act now before it is too late.
Neurodivergent Social Democrat in Maine working to build a diverse, equitable, and inclusive society.
Economist by training, Spanish-English-American by birth, and antifascist by moral imperative.
We must act now before it is too late.
Pinned
Joshua Failé
@joshuafaile.bsky.social
· Jul 14
We are seeing the Trump regime—and it’s various supporters and enablers—set the Constitution alight in front of our eyes, with the intent to destroy the ‘rule of law’ and replace it with the ‘rule of might’, replete with a masked secret police, concentration camps, and a shadow court of injustice.
I wish it was hyperbole or pessimism to say we are no longer a constitutional republic...
…but it isn’t, given the controlling majority in all three branches of government are currently outright ignoring the Constitution in favour of enforcing their far-right, techno-/christo-fascist ideology.
…but it isn’t, given the controlling majority in all three branches of government are currently outright ignoring the Constitution in favour of enforcing their far-right, techno-/christo-fascist ideology.
I no longer believe that frequent strongly worded letters to our representatives in Congress, intermittent demonstrations in our town squares, or carefully choreographed media campaigns are going to stop the regime’s procession to full fascist rule.
I believe we need a general strike. 1/7
I believe we need a general strike. 1/7
For those fortunate enough not to have much experience with how bullies operate:
When you give into their demands for reprieve, that only signals to them that you are weak and can be controlled using similar or more severe demands in the future.
Capitulation does not stop them, it emboldens them.
When you give into their demands for reprieve, that only signals to them that you are weak and can be controlled using similar or more severe demands in the future.
Capitulation does not stop them, it emboldens them.
Speaker Johnson has literally said he's "not promising anyone anything."
For once, I believe him.
For once, I believe him.
November 10, 2025 at 11:58 PM
For those fortunate enough not to have much experience with how bullies operate:
When you give into their demands for reprieve, that only signals to them that you are weak and can be controlled using similar or more severe demands in the future.
Capitulation does not stop them, it emboldens them.
When you give into their demands for reprieve, that only signals to them that you are weak and can be controlled using similar or more severe demands in the future.
Capitulation does not stop them, it emboldens them.
Don’t be fooled—in this case the regime knows exactly what it is doing.
It wants to get rid of the ACA structure to both move further away from a public single-payer option and further fragment bargaining power, giving healthcare providers and insurance companies even more price-setting control.
It wants to get rid of the ACA structure to both move further away from a public single-payer option and further fragment bargaining power, giving healthcare providers and insurance companies even more price-setting control.
Tell me you don’t understand risk pools without telling me you don’t understand risk pools
November 10, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Don’t be fooled—in this case the regime knows exactly what it is doing.
It wants to get rid of the ACA structure to both move further away from a public single-payer option and further fragment bargaining power, giving healthcare providers and insurance companies even more price-setting control.
It wants to get rid of the ACA structure to both move further away from a public single-payer option and further fragment bargaining power, giving healthcare providers and insurance companies even more price-setting control.
Just a reminder that as of right now, there is no major party on the left in the US.
As anyone from any other democratic country on earth will tell you, there is only a centrist party, and what used
to be a far-right curious party, which has now been fully subsumed by a fascist regime.
As anyone from any other democratic country on earth will tell you, there is only a centrist party, and what used
to be a far-right curious party, which has now been fully subsumed by a fascist regime.
November 10, 2025 at 5:24 AM
Just a reminder that as of right now, there is no major party on the left in the US.
As anyone from any other democratic country on earth will tell you, there is only a centrist party, and what used
to be a far-right curious party, which has now been fully subsumed by a fascist regime.
As anyone from any other democratic country on earth will tell you, there is only a centrist party, and what used
to be a far-right curious party, which has now been fully subsumed by a fascist regime.
Reposted by Joshua Failé
Cull the Democratic Party. Systematically chip away all the weak, corporate centrists and corrupt, gutless elected officials who refuse to fight and instead suck at the teat of the oligarchy.
November 10, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Cull the Democratic Party. Systematically chip away all the weak, corporate centrists and corrupt, gutless elected officials who refuse to fight and instead suck at the teat of the oligarchy.
Reposted by Joshua Failé
The fact that the Democratic Party leadership think they can fool the electorate by putting up mostly retiring senators to vote for this capitulation is yet another indicator that they are not up to meeting the current moment and can’t be trusted to fight for their constituents’ wellbeing.
November 10, 2025 at 3:06 AM
The fact that the Democratic Party leadership think they can fool the electorate by putting up mostly retiring senators to vote for this capitulation is yet another indicator that they are not up to meeting the current moment and can’t be trusted to fight for their constituents’ wellbeing.
#MEpolitics: If we are looking for a silver lining in this Democratic Party capitulation, it is that their fecklessness and cowardice is likely to supercharge the progressive movement across the US, as more and more people realise we must create *real* opposition to the Trump fascist regime.
November 10, 2025 at 3:13 AM
#MEpolitics: If we are looking for a silver lining in this Democratic Party capitulation, it is that their fecklessness and cowardice is likely to supercharge the progressive movement across the US, as more and more people realise we must create *real* opposition to the Trump fascist regime.
Reposted by Joshua Failé
Republicans bet that they could torture America until the Dems surrendered and they were right.
Get ready for more torture.
Get ready for more torture.
November 10, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Republicans bet that they could torture America until the Dems surrendered and they were right.
Get ready for more torture.
Get ready for more torture.
#MEpolitics: The abject shame of seeing Angus King in the same list of capitulating Senators as John Fetterman.
Never forget who sold us out:
Hassan
King
Cortez-Masto
Shaheen
Kaine
Fetterman
Durbin
Rosen
Hassan
King
Cortez-Masto
Shaheen
Kaine
Fetterman
Durbin
Rosen
November 10, 2025 at 2:35 AM
#MEpolitics: The abject shame of seeing Angus King in the same list of capitulating Senators as John Fetterman.
Every element of this “deal” is just mitigating the impacts of the shutdown. None of the “concessions” would be needed otherwise.
Which means the question everyone should be asking any Dem that votes for this ”deal” should be:
Why did you choose to allow millions of people to suffer for no reason?
Which means the question everyone should be asking any Dem that votes for this ”deal” should be:
Why did you choose to allow millions of people to suffer for no reason?
Welp, that’s the Senate side of the shutdown over, it seems.
November 10, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Every element of this “deal” is just mitigating the impacts of the shutdown. None of the “concessions” would be needed otherwise.
Which means the question everyone should be asking any Dem that votes for this ”deal” should be:
Why did you choose to allow millions of people to suffer for no reason?
Which means the question everyone should be asking any Dem that votes for this ”deal” should be:
Why did you choose to allow millions of people to suffer for no reason?
Reposted by Joshua Failé
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 12:56 AM
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.
This will only embolden the regime. Now they know the Dems can be relied upon to help shield them from all immediate consequences—political and practical—and will cave whenever sufficient pressure is applied.
All for empty promises of future action from pathological liars and adjudicated criminals.
All for empty promises of future action from pathological liars and adjudicated criminals.
#MEPolitics: It appears the rumours that Democratic Party Leadership plans to capitulate to the Trump regime are accurate.
Only Chuck Schumer could decide—after a resounding election smack down of the regime—to accept a “promise to negotiate after reopening the government” from pathological liars.
Only Chuck Schumer could decide—after a resounding election smack down of the regime—to accept a “promise to negotiate after reopening the government” from pathological liars.
Unacceptable. There are 189,000 people in my district who will be paying 50–300% more for the same, and in many cases worse, healthcare.
I won’t do that to the people I represent. I’m a NO on this “deal.”
I won’t do that to the people I represent. I’m a NO on this “deal.”
November 9, 2025 at 11:35 PM
This will only embolden the regime. Now they know the Dems can be relied upon to help shield them from all immediate consequences—political and practical—and will cave whenever sufficient pressure is applied.
All for empty promises of future action from pathological liars and adjudicated criminals.
All for empty promises of future action from pathological liars and adjudicated criminals.
#MEPolitics: It appears the rumours that Democratic Party Leadership plans to capitulate to the Trump regime are accurate.
Only Chuck Schumer could decide—after a resounding election smack down of the regime—to accept a “promise to negotiate after reopening the government” from pathological liars.
Only Chuck Schumer could decide—after a resounding election smack down of the regime—to accept a “promise to negotiate after reopening the government” from pathological liars.
Unacceptable. There are 189,000 people in my district who will be paying 50–300% more for the same, and in many cases worse, healthcare.
I won’t do that to the people I represent. I’m a NO on this “deal.”
I won’t do that to the people I represent. I’m a NO on this “deal.”
November 9, 2025 at 11:00 PM
#MEPolitics: It appears the rumours that Democratic Party Leadership plans to capitulate to the Trump regime are accurate.
Only Chuck Schumer could decide—after a resounding election smack down of the regime—to accept a “promise to negotiate after reopening the government” from pathological liars.
Only Chuck Schumer could decide—after a resounding election smack down of the regime—to accept a “promise to negotiate after reopening the government” from pathological liars.
Trump is turning The People’s House into a replica of Saddam Hussein’s presidential palace.
November 8, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Trump is turning The People’s House into a replica of Saddam Hussein’s presidential palace.
It’s interesting which Maine races should be made more “competitive” by the Democratic establishment and which should be left alone so “Mainers can decide“.
I’ve seen quite a few posts deriding the “Democratic establishment“ for scouting for another candidate to jump into the ME-2 House race because Matt Dunlap has already declared, coming from people that rejected criticism of the same Dem establishment for pushing Mills to enter the Senate race.
November 8, 2025 at 7:55 PM
It’s interesting which Maine races should be made more “competitive” by the Democratic establishment and which should be left alone so “Mainers can decide“.
I’ve seen quite a few posts deriding the “Democratic establishment“ for scouting for another candidate to jump into the ME-2 House race because Matt Dunlap has already declared, coming from people that rejected criticism of the same Dem establishment for pushing Mills to enter the Senate race.
November 8, 2025 at 7:51 PM
I’ve seen quite a few posts deriding the “Democratic establishment“ for scouting for another candidate to jump into the ME-2 House race because Matt Dunlap has already declared, coming from people that rejected criticism of the same Dem establishment for pushing Mills to enter the Senate race.
One of the reasons the Right wants to get rid of the ACA structure is to both move the country further away from a public single-payer option and further fragment bargaining power, giving healthcare providers and insurance companies even more price-setting control.
It‘ll drive costs up, not down!
It‘ll drive costs up, not down!
A healthcare system primarily utilising HSAs doesn’t just individualise risk (big issue)—it individualises bargaining, in the same way to union-busting.
One of the main benefits of a public single-payer option is that the government has massive bargaining (and regulation) power to drive down costs.
One of the main benefits of a public single-payer option is that the government has massive bargaining (and regulation) power to drive down costs.
Health Savings Accounts - subsidized or not - are a form of self-insurance. That’s fine to augment traditional insurance, but they don’t spread risk. That means some people will need way more money than they receive, and some will need much less.
November 8, 2025 at 7:43 PM
One of the reasons the Right wants to get rid of the ACA structure is to both move the country further away from a public single-payer option and further fragment bargaining power, giving healthcare providers and insurance companies even more price-setting control.
It‘ll drive costs up, not down!
It‘ll drive costs up, not down!
A healthcare system primarily utilising HSAs doesn’t just individualise risk (big issue)—it individualises bargaining, in the same way to union-busting.
One of the main benefits of a public single-payer option is that the government has massive bargaining (and regulation) power to drive down costs.
One of the main benefits of a public single-payer option is that the government has massive bargaining (and regulation) power to drive down costs.
Health Savings Accounts - subsidized or not - are a form of self-insurance. That’s fine to augment traditional insurance, but they don’t spread risk. That means some people will need way more money than they receive, and some will need much less.
November 8, 2025 at 7:42 PM
A healthcare system primarily utilising HSAs doesn’t just individualise risk (big issue)—it individualises bargaining, in the same way to union-busting.
One of the main benefits of a public single-payer option is that the government has massive bargaining (and regulation) power to drive down costs.
One of the main benefits of a public single-payer option is that the government has massive bargaining (and regulation) power to drive down costs.
#MEPolitics: To recap, Trump’s “plan” to “fix” our healthcare system is to defund the ACA insurance exchanges, and replace them with a direct federal payment system to taxpayers so they can purchase their own insurance plans, likely administered via an online healthcare marketplace.
Sound familiar?
Sound familiar?
November 8, 2025 at 5:38 PM
#MEPolitics: To recap, Trump’s “plan” to “fix” our healthcare system is to defund the ACA insurance exchanges, and replace them with a direct federal payment system to taxpayers so they can purchase their own insurance plans, likely administered via an online healthcare marketplace.
Sound familiar?
Sound familiar?
To be fair, as Secretary of Health and Human Services, this has been RFK Jr’s trademark response to any and all health crises.
RFK Jr's response to someone collapsing nearby him was to haul ass out of the room as quickly as possible
November 6, 2025 at 7:13 PM
To be fair, as Secretary of Health and Human Services, this has been RFK Jr’s trademark response to any and all health crises.
Good morning.
I hope you were able to take some time yesterday to come together with your fellow freedom fighters, defenders of democracy, protectors of the persecuted, and avengers of the disadvantaged to celebrate the amazing things you have achieved over the last few months.
Today, we go again.
I hope you were able to take some time yesterday to come together with your fellow freedom fighters, defenders of democracy, protectors of the persecuted, and avengers of the disadvantaged to celebrate the amazing things you have achieved over the last few months.
Today, we go again.
November 6, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Good morning.
I hope you were able to take some time yesterday to come together with your fellow freedom fighters, defenders of democracy, protectors of the persecuted, and avengers of the disadvantaged to celebrate the amazing things you have achieved over the last few months.
Today, we go again.
I hope you were able to take some time yesterday to come together with your fellow freedom fighters, defenders of democracy, protectors of the persecuted, and avengers of the disadvantaged to celebrate the amazing things you have achieved over the last few months.
Today, we go again.
#MEPolitics: I despise the threats of violence against *all* politicians—and have denounced anyone threatening Golden, his family, or his staff—but I think the timing of this announcement suggests it wasn’t just about such fears.
And it certainly doesn’t change my assessment of him being a coward.
And it certainly doesn’t change my assessment of him being a coward.
Democratic Rep. Jared Golden, facing a primary challenge from state Auditor Matt Dunlap, says he won't seek reelection in #ME02
Jared Golden: I won’t seek reelection. Here’s why.
"What I could accomplish in this increasingly unproductive Congress pales in comparison to what I could do in that time as a husband, a father and a son."
www.bangordailynews.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:31 PM
#MEPolitics: I despise the threats of violence against *all* politicians—and have denounced anyone threatening Golden, his family, or his staff—but I think the timing of this announcement suggests it wasn’t just about such fears.
And it certainly doesn’t change my assessment of him being a coward.
And it certainly doesn’t change my assessment of him being a coward.
The shady doth protest too much, methinks.
Mike Johnson: "What happened last night is blue states and blue cities voted blue. We all saw that coming. And no one should read too much into last night's election results."
November 5, 2025 at 4:35 PM
The shady doth protest too much, methinks.
Reposted by Joshua Failé
If the president insists on unilaterally illegally not spending money he must spend and unilaterally illegally spending money he doesn’t have — and Congressional Republicans insist on maintaining the power to unilaterally legally change the budget — how can you come to a budget agreement?
November 5, 2025 at 3:47 PM
If the president insists on unilaterally illegally not spending money he must spend and unilaterally illegally spending money he doesn’t have — and Congressional Republicans insist on maintaining the power to unilaterally legally change the budget — how can you come to a budget agreement?
#MEPolitics: Just a reminder that Janet Mills opposed Question 2.
November 5, 2025 at 1:53 PM
#MEPolitics: Just a reminder that Janet Mills opposed Question 2.
Good morning to all the freedom fighters, defenders of democracy, protectors of the persecuted, and avengers of the disadvantaged.
Take the day to come together and celebrate the amazing things you have achieved, even in the face of increasing threats of violent reprisal.
Tomorrow, we go again.
Take the day to come together and celebrate the amazing things you have achieved, even in the face of increasing threats of violent reprisal.
Tomorrow, we go again.
November 5, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Good morning to all the freedom fighters, defenders of democracy, protectors of the persecuted, and avengers of the disadvantaged.
Take the day to come together and celebrate the amazing things you have achieved, even in the face of increasing threats of violent reprisal.
Tomorrow, we go again.
Take the day to come together and celebrate the amazing things you have achieved, even in the face of increasing threats of violent reprisal.
Tomorrow, we go again.