IbuMichele
@ibumichele.bsky.social
IT geek since the 1980s. Trailing spouse, art person, childless cat lady, Mandarin language student, writer, baker, quilter, and more. She/her. In Taiwan
https://www.votefromabroad.org
https://www.thecenzers.com
https://www.votefromabroad.org
https://www.thecenzers.com
Reposted by IbuMichele
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 IbuMichele
But I thought we were going to talk about health care when the government opened back up
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 5:52 AM
But I thought we were going to talk about health care when the government opened back up
Reposted by IbuMichele
It appears that the Senate agreed to reopen the government based on promises that the GOP can renege on, or let the House refuse to allow a vote on.
Sad state of affairs.
Sad state of affairs.
November 11, 2025 at 3:48 AM
It appears that the Senate agreed to reopen the government based on promises that the GOP can renege on, or let the House refuse to allow a vote on.
Sad state of affairs.
Sad state of affairs.
Reposted by IbuMichele
NEW: Dems easily flipped the sheriff's office in Pennsylvania's Bucks County, a big swing county in the Philly suburbs.
So? The incumbent GOP sheriff had contracted with ICE. His Dem challenger promised to end the contract.
Now he wants other swing-state Dems to look at his victory as a lesson:
So? The incumbent GOP sheriff had contracted with ICE. His Dem challenger promised to end the contract.
Now he wants other swing-state Dems to look at his victory as a lesson:
Voters Ousted This Pennsylvania Sheriff After He Signed Up to Collaborate With ICE - Bolts
A populous, swing county replaced its GOP sheriff on Tuesday after months of controversy over his joining ICE’s 287(g) program. The Democratic winner promises he’ll end the contract.
boltsmag.org
November 10, 2025 at 7:12 PM
NEW: Dems easily flipped the sheriff's office in Pennsylvania's Bucks County, a big swing county in the Philly suburbs.
So? The incumbent GOP sheriff had contracted with ICE. His Dem challenger promised to end the contract.
Now he wants other swing-state Dems to look at his victory as a lesson:
So? The incumbent GOP sheriff had contracted with ICE. His Dem challenger promised to end the contract.
Now he wants other swing-state Dems to look at his victory as a lesson:
Reposted by IbuMichele
Kyle Kingsbury is not a journalist. He is not an op-ed writer.
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
November 9, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Kyle Kingsbury is not a journalist. He is not an op-ed writer.
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
Reposted by IbuMichele
I waited a day to say this bc I respected everyone's right to vent some anger, but *remember to focus on what you can do*. Whether it's defending your community, taking action around what you've been venting about, whatever — but don't let all of your energy get captured in the social media space.
November 10, 2025 at 11:31 PM
I waited a day to say this bc I respected everyone's right to vent some anger, but *remember to focus on what you can do*. Whether it's defending your community, taking action around what you've been venting about, whatever — but don't let all of your energy get captured in the social media space.
Reposted by IbuMichele
Conservative school board members lost throughout Ohio on Tuesday: signalohio.org/culture-warr...
Culture warriors lost school board races all around Ohio - Signal Ohio
In cities large and small around Ohio, conservative incumbents who ran for school boards on culture war agendas lost re-election.
signalohio.org
November 11, 2025 at 2:36 AM
Conservative school board members lost throughout Ohio on Tuesday: signalohio.org/culture-warr...
Reposted by IbuMichele
Reposted by IbuMichele
Unfortunately still true bsky.app/profile/adam...
American politics makes a lot more sense when you realize that the GOP is afraid of pissing off the GOP base, and the Dems are afraid of pissing off the GOP base, but neither party is afraid of pissing off the Dem base.
November 10, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Unfortunately still true bsky.app/profile/adam...
Reposted by IbuMichele
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 12:38 AM
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.
Reposted by IbuMichele
In my old town the GOP had run basically without serious challenge for decades. A bunch of us "millennials" joined the local Dem party and basically asked to help.
We were running it in a year. Within 4 years we had a majority of town seats flipped Dem. A FAR more progressive Dem than old party
We were running it in a year. Within 4 years we had a majority of town seats flipped Dem. A FAR more progressive Dem than old party
“Rather than taking over the Democratic Party the same way the right took over the Republican Party, we should take the easier route and just start up a new party ourselves!”
I’m about to fill my pockets with stones and walk into the sea.
I’m about to fill my pockets with stones and walk into the sea.
November 10, 2025 at 8:44 PM
In my old town the GOP had run basically without serious challenge for decades. A bunch of us "millennials" joined the local Dem party and basically asked to help.
We were running it in a year. Within 4 years we had a majority of town seats flipped Dem. A FAR more progressive Dem than old party
We were running it in a year. Within 4 years we had a majority of town seats flipped Dem. A FAR more progressive Dem than old party
Reposted by IbuMichele
Friends,
Pegasus Residential told me this morning that they are moving ahead with the eviction despite the government likely reopening this week, which make it nearly impossible to rent a new place.
Please help us, and Bigby and friends, stay housed.
#CatsOfBluesky
gofund.me/06a263fcf
Pegasus Residential told me this morning that they are moving ahead with the eviction despite the government likely reopening this week, which make it nearly impossible to rent a new place.
Please help us, and Bigby and friends, stay housed.
#CatsOfBluesky
gofund.me/06a263fcf
November 10, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Friends,
Pegasus Residential told me this morning that they are moving ahead with the eviction despite the government likely reopening this week, which make it nearly impossible to rent a new place.
Please help us, and Bigby and friends, stay housed.
#CatsOfBluesky
gofund.me/06a263fcf
Pegasus Residential told me this morning that they are moving ahead with the eviction despite the government likely reopening this week, which make it nearly impossible to rent a new place.
Please help us, and Bigby and friends, stay housed.
#CatsOfBluesky
gofund.me/06a263fcf
Reposted by IbuMichele
a few months ago I said "having generative AI handle absolutely anything with regards to healthcare is a nightmare and should be banned" and a bunch of people made fun of me and called me stupid. anyways,
November 10, 2025 at 4:00 PM
a few months ago I said "having generative AI handle absolutely anything with regards to healthcare is a nightmare and should be banned" and a bunch of people made fun of me and called me stupid. anyways,
Reposted by IbuMichele
This is Oakley. He has an injury that requires physical therapy and at-home massages. Luckily, his cat sibling River has been training his whole life for this. 14/10 for both
November 10, 2025 at 11:58 PM
This is Oakley. He has an injury that requires physical therapy and at-home massages. Luckily, his cat sibling River has been training his whole life for this. 14/10 for both
Reposted by IbuMichele
TIL that blood platelets have serotonin receptors, which is why anemia can mimic depression symptoms and that is absolutely fucking fascinating.
November 10, 2025 at 9:55 PM
TIL that blood platelets have serotonin receptors, which is why anemia can mimic depression symptoms and that is absolutely fucking fascinating.
Reposted by IbuMichele
My white girls?!?
I need you !
Midwest? plain States ? South ?
I need you to LOCK IN AND LOCATE YOUR KAREN
Make them Congress critters afraid to come home
I need you !
Midwest? plain States ? South ?
I need you to LOCK IN AND LOCATE YOUR KAREN
Make them Congress critters afraid to come home
November 10, 2025 at 3:11 AM
My white girls?!?
I need you !
Midwest? plain States ? South ?
I need you to LOCK IN AND LOCATE YOUR KAREN
Make them Congress critters afraid to come home
I need you !
Midwest? plain States ? South ?
I need you to LOCK IN AND LOCATE YOUR KAREN
Make them Congress critters afraid to come home
Reposted by IbuMichele
Reposted by IbuMichele
That’s why I say keep calling.
I recognize this is, to some extent, cope/bargaining, but
this is the the first of several votes necessary to end the shutdown, right? so even the present unfathomable fecklessness doesn't mean it's over over, and there are multiple potential blockage points ahead to reject a no-concessions 'deal'?
this is the the first of several votes necessary to end the shutdown, right? so even the present unfathomable fecklessness doesn't mean it's over over, and there are multiple potential blockage points ahead to reject a no-concessions 'deal'?
November 10, 2025 at 3:02 AM
That’s why I say keep calling.
Reposted by IbuMichele
Want a party that actually fights back? Run for office. We’ll help you. runforwhat.net
Run for Something
Find offices you can run for
runforwhat.net
November 10, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Want a party that actually fights back? Run for office. We’ll help you. runforwhat.net
Reposted by IbuMichele
Several times, here's the most recent:
bsky.app/profile/tink...
bsky.app/profile/tink...
Congress does not get "free healthcare", they have to shop for their healthcare on the ACA marketplace. www.npr.org/sections/hea...
What Happens To A Congressman's Health Insurance If Obamacare Goes Down?
Under the Affordable Care Act, most members of Congress and staff who want to buy health insurance must buy it on the exchange. That requirement is not affected by bills aimed at replacing the ACA.
www.npr.org
November 10, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Several times, here's the most recent:
bsky.app/profile/tink...
bsky.app/profile/tink...
Reposted by IbuMichele
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 IbuMichele
Toddler parent here. One of the things we're told is that you need to decide to up front if you're going to cave, and if you are to just cave right away. Letting your toddler bully you into what they wanted all along sends the wrong message.
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 1:34 AM
Toddler parent here. One of the things we're told is that you need to decide to up front if you're going to cave, and if you are to just cave right away. Letting your toddler bully you into what they wanted all along sends the wrong message.
Reposted by IbuMichele
Word 🔥
Yeah, I'm sorry, but you do not keep the government shut for more than a month and then NOT get a deal on the main item you have been messaging on without completely shifting the blame dynamic.
Major concession from Democrats here is enhanced ACA funds aren’t extended. Preserving them was Dems’ central demand in this fight. They secured a promise of a vote (which Thune has been offering for weeks), but that could still fail. Even if it passes, Johnson has made no promise of a House vote.
November 10, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Word 🔥
Reposted by IbuMichele
The was a Republican shutdown because the GOP wouldn't negotiate — and Dems made that about their unwillingness to negotiate on extending the ACA subsidies.
If Dems vote for this, the answer to the "why did you do it for the past 40 days?" question becomes very difficult to answer.
If Dems vote for this, the answer to the "why did you do it for the past 40 days?" question becomes very difficult to answer.
November 10, 2025 at 1:28 AM
The was a Republican shutdown because the GOP wouldn't negotiate — and Dems made that about their unwillingness to negotiate on extending the ACA subsidies.
If Dems vote for this, the answer to the "why did you do it for the past 40 days?" question becomes very difficult to answer.
If Dems vote for this, the answer to the "why did you do it for the past 40 days?" question becomes very difficult to answer.
Reposted by IbuMichele
I told my Senators that the message Senate Dems are sending is that if we vote for Democrats resoundingly in an election, they’ll promptly fold.
Is this what they want us to take from this?
Is this what they want us to take from this?
November 10, 2025 at 12:31 AM
I told my Senators that the message Senate Dems are sending is that if we vote for Democrats resoundingly in an election, they’ll promptly fold.
Is this what they want us to take from this?
Is this what they want us to take from this?