Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma
@robvgr.bsky.social
Executive Director of *culture is not optional / The Huss Project. Mennonite. Chicago sports fan.
Reposted by Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma
Vance shares a strange immunity with Trump.
The press cannot or will not pierce through his rhetoric to see the what-should-be-obvious danger of the man.
This includes:
1. Vance follows lots of neo-Nazis on X
2. His championing of Germany's far right
3. HE'S WELCOMING HITLER LOVERS INTO THE GOP
The press cannot or will not pierce through his rhetoric to see the what-should-be-obvious danger of the man.
This includes:
1. Vance follows lots of neo-Nazis on X
2. His championing of Germany's far right
3. HE'S WELCOMING HITLER LOVERS INTO THE GOP
JD Vance now leads the GOP. And he wants the party to welcome Hitler lovers.
And the press refuses to reckon with what this means.
www.thefarce.org
November 11, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Vance shares a strange immunity with Trump.
The press cannot or will not pierce through his rhetoric to see the what-should-be-obvious danger of the man.
This includes:
1. Vance follows lots of neo-Nazis on X
2. His championing of Germany's far right
3. HE'S WELCOMING HITLER LOVERS INTO THE GOP
The press cannot or will not pierce through his rhetoric to see the what-should-be-obvious danger of the man.
This includes:
1. Vance follows lots of neo-Nazis on X
2. His championing of Germany's far right
3. HE'S WELCOMING HITLER LOVERS INTO THE GOP
Reposted by Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma
I'm a healthcare lawyer and this is insane.
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 1:33 AM
I'm a healthcare lawyer and this is insane.
Reposted by Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma
“If Schumer really wanted to use his considerable influence and leverage to stop this, he could have done that,” a senior Democratic Senate aide tells Zeteo. “He didn’t.”
Furious Liberals Call for Schumer to Step Aside, Senate Dems Mostly Quiet
After their shutdown surrender, liberal lawmakers are begging their base to unite behind them anyway – as Trumpland celebrates that their opposition is a bunch of 'p*ssies.'
zeteo.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:23 AM
“If Schumer really wanted to use his considerable influence and leverage to stop this, he could have done that,” a senior Democratic Senate aide tells Zeteo. “He didn’t.”
Reposted by Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma
Even the Dem centrists at Third Way are mad about the deal moderate Senate Dems cut with Republicans to end the shutdown:
"We should not have surrendered until we received at least something tangible on lowering health care costs."
"We should not have surrendered until we received at least something tangible on lowering health care costs."
November 10, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Even the Dem centrists at Third Way are mad about the deal moderate Senate Dems cut with Republicans to end the shutdown:
"We should not have surrendered until we received at least something tangible on lowering health care costs."
"We should not have surrendered until we received at least something tangible on lowering health care costs."
Reposted by Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma
Please don’t think this beltway game of having retiring Dem senators vote yes while everyone else votes no is going to shield leadership from the end result. We see what is happening and can’t be fooled by those games.
November 10, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Please don’t think this beltway game of having retiring Dem senators vote yes while everyone else votes no is going to shield leadership from the end result. We see what is happening and can’t be fooled by those games.
Reposted by Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma
Giving Trump whatever he wants but shaking my head so people know I'm not happy about it bsky.app/profile/atru...
Kaine on why he thinks just getting a vote on healthcare is a win: "We're the minority party, but everybody will get to see who is standing for them when it comes to lowering their healthcare costs"
November 10, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Giving Trump whatever he wants but shaking my head so people know I'm not happy about it bsky.app/profile/atru...
Reposted by Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma
Why does U.S. govt steal the phones of deportees?
November 10, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Why does U.S. govt steal the phones of deportees?
Reposted by Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma
The Supreme Court has rejected a call to overturn its landmark decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide
Supreme Court Rejects Call To Overturn Its Decision Legalizing Same-sex Marriage Nationwide
The Supreme Court has rejected a call to overturn its landmark decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
www.huffpost.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:01 PM
The Supreme Court has rejected a call to overturn its landmark decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide
Reposted by Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma
This is absolutely right.
The eight who signed off on this disaster of a deal were acting as a shield for colleagues who are up this cycle. Don't let any of them off the hook just yet.
The eight who signed off on this disaster of a deal were acting as a shield for colleagues who are up this cycle. Don't let any of them off the hook just yet.
The coordinated nature of this—none are facing voters in 2026—means that either Schumer approved it or failed in his job as Senate Majority Leader to stop it.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
so currently defectors are:
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
November 10, 2025 at 12:34 PM
This is absolutely right.
The eight who signed off on this disaster of a deal were acting as a shield for colleagues who are up this cycle. Don't let any of them off the hook just yet.
The eight who signed off on this disaster of a deal were acting as a shield for colleagues who are up this cycle. Don't let any of them off the hook just yet.
Reposted by Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma
"Democrats could have held the line on the shutdown, and spent weeks watching Trump’s approval ratings fall," writes @jonathanbchait.bsky.social
Instead, he argues, they're making a mistake by giving in:
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Instead, he argues, they're making a mistake by giving in:
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Senate Democrats Just Made a Huge Mistake
The shutdown was hurting Trump. Ending it helps him.
www.theatlantic.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:52 AM
"Democrats could have held the line on the shutdown, and spent weeks watching Trump’s approval ratings fall," writes @jonathanbchait.bsky.social
Instead, he argues, they're making a mistake by giving in:
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Instead, he argues, they're making a mistake by giving in:
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma
This is really good to see: Miki Sherrill just put out a statement sharply criticizing the Senate Dems' pending cave in the government shutdown, ripping it as "malpractice" and a betrayal of the people who are "counting on us to fight for them." Sherrill knows what drove her victory. Wake up, Dems.
November 10, 2025 at 1:38 AM
This is really good to see: Miki Sherrill just put out a statement sharply criticizing the Senate Dems' pending cave in the government shutdown, ripping it as "malpractice" and a betrayal of the people who are "counting on us to fight for them." Sherrill knows what drove her victory. Wake up, Dems.
Reposted by Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma
I don’t what to say about a Dem leadership that can be undone by the likes of Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen. Saying they went over Schumer’s head is not the flex people think it is.
November 10, 2025 at 2:32 AM
I don’t what to say about a Dem leadership that can be undone by the likes of Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen. Saying they went over Schumer’s head is not the flex people think it is.
Reposted by Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma
How do you make this your central demand for 40 days and then just let it go
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.
Tentative Senate deal to end shutdown, multiple sources tell me & @frankthorp.bsky.social:
—CR through Jan 30
—Approps minibus
—Fully funds SNAP
—Reverses Trump’s shutdown RIFs
—Promise of Senate vote on ACA subsidies by Dec second week (details/outcome uncertain)
—Led by King/Shaheen/Hassan
—CR through Jan 30
—Approps minibus
—Fully funds SNAP
—Reverses Trump’s shutdown RIFs
—Promise of Senate vote on ACA subsidies by Dec second week (details/outcome uncertain)
—Led by King/Shaheen/Hassan
November 10, 2025 at 2:32 AM
How do you make this your central demand for 40 days and then just let it go
Reposted by Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma
That’s just it. In the Democratic Party, the question isn’t moderate or leftist right now. It’s whether or not a dem understands that the old political playbook for dealing with the right is obsolete.
One point worth emphasizing here: The punditry has been saying Sherrill (and Spanberger) represent the sane centrist wing of the party versus the left. Well, okay, but here Sherrill is urging more fight. Again, the results show that anti-Trump + affordability can *unite* the party. This shows how.
This is really good to see: Miki Sherrill just put out a statement sharply criticizing the Senate Dems' pending cave in the government shutdown, ripping it as "malpractice" and a betrayal of the people who are "counting on us to fight for them." Sherrill knows what drove her victory. Wake up, Dems.
November 10, 2025 at 1:59 AM
That’s just it. In the Democratic Party, the question isn’t moderate or leftist right now. It’s whether or not a dem understands that the old political playbook for dealing with the right is obsolete.
Reposted by Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma
One of the talking points I keep seeing from Democrats is that part of the deal is that it will "ensure federal workers receive back pay" but that's the existing law!
That's not something you've won in negotiations. That's just the letter of the law. You don't get to claim that as a win.
That's not something you've won in negotiations. That's just the letter of the law. You don't get to claim that as a win.
November 10, 2025 at 1:16 AM
One of the talking points I keep seeing from Democrats is that part of the deal is that it will "ensure federal workers receive back pay" but that's the existing law!
That's not something you've won in negotiations. That's just the letter of the law. You don't get to claim that as a win.
That's not something you've won in negotiations. That's just the letter of the law. You don't get to claim that as a win.
Reposted by Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma
Listening to these pathetic rationalizations from King, Hassan, Shaheen, whoever else they have queued up.
Disappointed that they're not having windup speech by Sen. Neville Chamberlain.
Disappointed that they're not having windup speech by Sen. Neville Chamberlain.
November 10, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Listening to these pathetic rationalizations from King, Hassan, Shaheen, whoever else they have queued up.
Disappointed that they're not having windup speech by Sen. Neville Chamberlain.
Disappointed that they're not having windup speech by Sen. Neville Chamberlain.
Reposted by Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma
Since the Democrats worked extra hard to hide who actually supported this, I think the No Kings/Resistance position should be to primary every Democrat unless they publicly call for Schumer's ouster this week
Either they go into total rebellion mode, which they won't, or the people will
Either they go into total rebellion mode, which they won't, or the people will
November 10, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Since the Democrats worked extra hard to hide who actually supported this, I think the No Kings/Resistance position should be to primary every Democrat unless they publicly call for Schumer's ouster this week
Either they go into total rebellion mode, which they won't, or the people will
Either they go into total rebellion mode, which they won't, or the people will
Reposted by Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma
I've looked at all the details of this deal to end the shutdown reached by a small group of Senate Democrats. I've talked to a number of friends on the Hill to see if there's anything I'm missing. Sadly, I am not.
This is a shit deal. It's a betrayal. It's cowardice.
This is a shit deal. It's a betrayal. It's cowardice.
November 10, 2025 at 1:02 AM
I've looked at all the details of this deal to end the shutdown reached by a small group of Senate Democrats. I've talked to a number of friends on the Hill to see if there's anything I'm missing. Sadly, I am not.
This is a shit deal. It's a betrayal. It's cowardice.
This is a shit deal. It's a betrayal. It's cowardice.
Reposted by Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma
Dems backed Trump into a corner where he’s advocating for starving Americans and hemorrhaging support. If they vote to let him off the hook in exchange for nothing it’s a cataclysmic failure. I know people are in pain but insulating Republicans from political consequences is not the answer.
November 9, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Dems backed Trump into a corner where he’s advocating for starving Americans and hemorrhaging support. If they vote to let him off the hook in exchange for nothing it’s a cataclysmic failure. I know people are in pain but insulating Republicans from political consequences is not the answer.
Reposted by Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma
In the aftermath of January 6, I legitimately spent a bunch of time in therapy talking about what to do with the feeling that I cared more about democracy than the sitting president of the United States and I will tell you that core feeling is still pretty unresolved!
The most demoralizing thing is knowing that we want to save democracy--are in fact working much, much harder at it--than Senate Democrats are or ever will. Genuinely the most fucking hopeless group of people on the planet.
November 10, 2025 at 2:24 AM
In the aftermath of January 6, I legitimately spent a bunch of time in therapy talking about what to do with the feeling that I cared more about democracy than the sitting president of the United States and I will tell you that core feeling is still pretty unresolved!
Reposted by Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma
Democratic organizers did our fucking part. We gave Democrats a clean sweep on Tuesday so Chuck Schumer have leverage to negotiate.
Instead, either because of malice or sheer fucking incompetence, he is letting his caucus fold like fucking cowards.
Instead, either because of malice or sheer fucking incompetence, he is letting his caucus fold like fucking cowards.
November 10, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Democratic organizers did our fucking part. We gave Democrats a clean sweep on Tuesday so Chuck Schumer have leverage to negotiate.
Instead, either because of malice or sheer fucking incompetence, he is letting his caucus fold like fucking cowards.
Instead, either because of malice or sheer fucking incompetence, he is letting his caucus fold like fucking cowards.
Reposted by Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma
My family has been without half our income for 40 days. It has been.. very hard.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
November 10, 2025 at 1:36 AM
My family has been without half our income for 40 days. It has been.. very hard.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
Reposted by Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma
So Democrats get:
1. A CR that will prevent the GOP from facing the wrath of Americans for a shutdown over the holidays
2. A coupon for one (1) meaningless ACA vote that will fail
3. An end to the illegal RIF/SNAP moves that are already before the courts
Those all seem like wins for the GOP.
1. A CR that will prevent the GOP from facing the wrath of Americans for a shutdown over the holidays
2. A coupon for one (1) meaningless ACA vote that will fail
3. An end to the illegal RIF/SNAP moves that are already before the courts
Those all seem like wins for the GOP.
November 10, 2025 at 12:08 AM
So Democrats get:
1. A CR that will prevent the GOP from facing the wrath of Americans for a shutdown over the holidays
2. A coupon for one (1) meaningless ACA vote that will fail
3. An end to the illegal RIF/SNAP moves that are already before the courts
Those all seem like wins for the GOP.
1. A CR that will prevent the GOP from facing the wrath of Americans for a shutdown over the holidays
2. A coupon for one (1) meaningless ACA vote that will fail
3. An end to the illegal RIF/SNAP moves that are already before the courts
Those all seem like wins for the GOP.
Reposted by Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma
New York millionaires: threatening to flee the city since 2009
November 7, 2025 at 9:36 PM
New York millionaires: threatening to flee the city since 2009