All things political. Coronavirus Edition. (5 Viewers)

Sandman said:

I get where Bernie is coming from, but I think a filibuster is a bad move. The goal at this point should be control of the Senate. If Mitch stalls the vote on the $2,000, run against him in Georgia. Osoff and Warnock need to be able to run on "Mitch is blocking relief." If Bernie tries this, the Republicans will say "communist Bernie is blocking your relief." Democrats have the upper hand here, why give it away?

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I'm confused by this post. Wasn't the stimulus checks already signed into law by Trump? This is for a defense bill, and by Bernie filibustering, it keeps the stimulus checks in the news cycle. How does this hurt Osoff, and Warnock? I see no downside.

Sandman said:

I get where Bernie is coming from, but I think a filibuster is a bad move. The goal at this point should be control of the Senate. If Mitch stalls the vote on the $2,000, run against him in Georgia. Osoff and Warnock need to be able to run on "Mitch is blocking relief." If Bernie tries this, the Republicans will say "communist Bernie is blocking your relief." Democrats have the upper hand here, why give it away?

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Sanders is not a Democrat.

So we'll be able to vaccinate about 500 patients beginning next week and I'm happy to see that the list of those wanting it is growing.

SystemShock said:

Sanders is not a Democrat.

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No, but he does caucus with them. So there's that.

J-DONK said:

I'm confused by this post. Wasn't the stimulus checks already signed into law by Trump? This is for a defense bill, and by Bernie filibustering, it keeps the stimulus checks in the news cycle. How does this hurt Osoff, and Warnock? I see no downside.

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The $600 stimulus was folded into a larger spending bill, separate from the NDAA (defense appropriations) bill. Trump signed the spending bill on Sunday, and vetoed the NDAA. Congress will attempt to override the veto, but Bernie will filibuster the override attempt until the Senate takes up the funding increase for the stimulus checks.

At least that's what it looks like to me.

SystemShock said:

Sanders is not a Democrat.

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I get what you are saying, but as Dave noted, he caucuses with the Democrats and ran as a Presidential candidate in the Democratic Primaries. Not a hard sell to Republicans (who are looking for a reason to vote for a Republican), that Bernie is a Democrat.

Sandman said:

I get what you are saying, but as Dave noted, he caucuses with the Democrats and ran as a Presidential candidate in the Democratic Primaries. Not a hard sell to Republicans (who are looking for a reason to vote for a Republican), that Bernie is a Democrat.

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But he isn't filibustering the $2000 payment amendment. He'd be filibustering the NDAA to get the $2000 on the table. So, I don't think the Republicans can argue that he's stalling on the payment. He's willing to screw with national defense to get us the higher payment.

Even Trump is lauding it (via twitter, indirectly).

Also.. You think you'd see the day where he's RT'ing the Washington Post about how the Democratic Controlled House did something he wants?

wardorican said:

But he isn't filibustering the $2000 payment amendment. He'd be filibustering the NDAA to get the $2000 on the table. So, I don't think the Republicans can argue that he's stalling on the payment. He's willing to screw with national defense to get us the higher payment.

Even Trump is lauding it (via twitter, indirectly).

Also.. You think you'd see the day where he's RT'ing the Washington Post about how the Democratic Controlled House did something he wants?

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This was my point. It's actually very smart for Democrats put pressure on McConnell in this way.

Sandman said:

I get what you are saying, but as Dave noted, he caucuses with the Democrats and ran as a Presidential candidate in the Democratic Primaries. Not a hard sell to Republicans (who are looking for a reason to vote for a Republican), that Bernie is a Democrat.

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Oh, yeah... Republicans will sell it as Bernie Sedongers.

I left half my thought off that post. Too late now. I'll just see myself out. Thank you very much for having me. Good nite!.

There's a special place in hell for McConnell. You knew how would come up with something...

SystemShock said:

Oh, yeah... Republicans will sell it as Bernie Sedongers.

I left half my thought off that post. Too late now. I'll just see myself out. Thank you very much for having me. Good nite!.

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You forget Trump supports the checks. In fact, Trump is pushing this harder then Joe. Joe didn't even mention it in his press conference today.

J-DONK said:

You forget Trump supports the checks. In fact, Trump is pushing this harder then Joe. Joe didn't even mention it in his press conference today.

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Why should Joe speak for this now??? His support for this right now would only turn trump against it and that would be the final nail in the coffin for this stimulus package. When Biden becomes POTUS, I guarantee you that his support for this stimulus package will not waiver.

J-DONK said:

You forget Trump supports the checks. In fact, Trump is pushing this harder then Joe. Joe didn't even mention it in his press conference today.

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Clearly, Trump has ulterior reasons for the $2k stimulus. Be that as it may, I'm supporting it, not because of Trump, but rather, because it helps most everyone living paycheck to paycheck. It's really not that much for most people making $100k per year, but it's a little something, but it's a big help for those people who make much less, yet are unable to qualify for assistance. We need to get it out because a lot of people are in a real bind right now.

DJ1BigTymer said:

Why should Joe speak for this now??? His support for this right now would only turn trump against it and that would be the final nail in the coffin for this stimulus package. When Biden becomes POTUS, I guarantee you that his support for this stimulus package will not waiver.

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Yeah, I agree. There's no good reason for Joe to say much. Just say he thinks it will help and leave it at that.

Just read that apparently the $600 checks start going out tonight, so pay attention to your bank accounts over the next few days. I'm guessing if by some crazy turnaround from McConnell, there could be a second round with the additional $1400. Not holding my breath, but if it happens, I'm gonna buy a TV.

EmBeeFiveOhFour said:

Thank you, GOP, from working to save us from the horror of...people paying down their debt.

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It takes time and effort to send $2000 to million of families. Easier to give it in chunk.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) introduced a bill that ties $2,000-per-person Covid-19 relief checks to a repeal of Section 230, the provision of a 1996 law that protects social media platforms from liability for the way that they moderate third party content.


(because of course he would)

zztop said:

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) introduced a bill that ties $2,000-per-person Covid-19 relief checks to a repeal of Section 230, the provision of a 1996 law that protects social media platforms from liability for the way that they moderate third party content.


(because of course he would)

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Dems should call his flop and introduce a bill to repeal the repeal with the new administration.