4/4 Meanwhile, the Congressional Democrats squeak away about one pathetic message that, however important in normal times, is simply not the one for this mortal moment for our Democracy.

3/4 It seems more than likely the House will not return to the 119th Congress for months, if ever. Forget any back to business as usual, let alone the sad, desperate clamor for the Epstein files. This inaction has been, and will continue to be, the sole point of the shutdown.

4/4 Meanwhile, the Congressional Democrats squeak away about one pathetic message that, however important in normal times, is simply not the one for this mortal moment for our Democracy.

3/4 It seems more than likely the House will not return to the 119th Congress for months, if ever. Forget any back to business as usual, let alone the sad, desperate clamor for the Epstein files. This inaction has been, and will continue to be, the sole point of the shutdown.

2/4 All should now be waking to the possibility that this shutdown gives Trump the opportunity to take full control, through the compliance of the least capable House Speaker in our history, of the governmental powers of the purse, forever silencing the most important power of Congress.

1/4 I fear Democrats and the progressive commentariat have fatally misread the intentions of Trump and the House Republicans during the run-up and run-on of this government shutdown.

For your edification and comment: