Donald Trump says he “won’t be extorted” by Democrats to reopen the government, making clear that he has no plans to negotiate as the government shutdown will soon enter its sixth week.
In an interview on CBS’s “60 Minutes” that aired on Sunday, Trump said that Democrats who are demanding an extension in health care subsidies “have lost their way” and predicted that they will eventually capitulate to Republicans who have said they won’t negotiate until they vote to reopen the government.
“I think they have to,” Trump said. “And if they don’t vote, it’s their problem.”
Trump’s comments signal that the shutdown could continue to drag on for some time as federal workers, including air traffic controllers, are set to miss additional paychecks and as there is uncertainty over whether 42 million Americans who received federal food aid will be able to access the assistance. Senate Democrats have now voted 13 times against reopening the government, insisting that they need Trump and Republicans to negotiate with them first on an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year.
This is a very common theme in both successful and unsuccessful attempts at totalitarian takeovers. Essentially blaming the opposition for specific issues/events, followed by a crackdown, then a “restructuring” (for managed opposition e.g. Zimbabwe’s Tsvangirai) or completely outlawing the existence of such parties (Greece under Metaxas). I’m very concerned about the near future. If the Republicans (this is bigger than Trump) are successful in their final push for an authoritarian state, it will result in the death and suffering of billions, guaranteed.
Billions…?
Via war and it’s fallout, yes. The disruption to food, safe water, shelter, medical care, etc can increase the death toll well beyond direct casualties. Those are the most immediate effects, which doesn’t take into account the extreme pollution caused by munitions or burning structures/vehicles. All this is also only considering the use of “conventional” weapons.
I too worry about trump bringing horrifying new wars. I don’t quite see it as inevitable though
Something like a nuclear war would qualify, although I wouldn’t call that a “guaranteed” outcome.