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Controversial Thoughts on Why Schumer "Caved" to the Republicans on Shutting Down the Government [1]

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Date: 2025-03-14

Senator Schumer, now a minority leader in charge of the Democrats in the Senate, surprised no one when he tossed in the towel and bowed to the Republicans in order to prevent a potenial long term closing of the government.

Cowardly, Shrewd . . . or Maybe Neither?

Senate rivals Mitch McConnel and Chuck Schumer.

Was this move cowardly or shrewd? On it’s face, it disappointed many both in outside the Party and seems to clearly send a message of weakness and submission to emperor Trump.

I may take some heat for saying this.

As some of you likely know, I’m no fan and never have been of the Centrist leadership that governs the Democratic Party. But Schumer may have made the better selection between two equally unpleasant and risky choices. How? By preventing Trump from having a field day with the help of a biased, right leaning media blaming the Democrats for any shut down in this time of unprecedented crisis.

Remember, Trump was likely seeking the disassembling of government and its destruction as a goal, much more so than his House flunkies. Given such intentions, preventing a government shut down crisis certainly has its merits.



Hell Freezes Over First

If we expect Democratic Centrists to lead a popular uprising against Trump, we’re going to wait until Hell freezes over. Until they’re dislodged from Party control, no such thing will ever happen. Additionally, electoral politics as practiced today was never intended to be the sole or best method for fighting fascism. It’s much better at preventing it when practiced in a well regulated capitalist system.

Mega Money Corrupts

But this is not the case today. Mega-money has penetrated all levels of electoral and Constitutional government as well as the national corporate media. The Senate, for example, is almost entirely composed of millionaires and multi-millionaires. Special interest and corporate lobbyists have a much stronger influence on these political classes as do the voters.

Don’t Stop Trump from Jumping?

Trump is doing a good imitation of a man who has just jumped off a cliff.

Presently, Trump is advancing rather quickly towards self-destruction. Frankly, he’s been shockingly much better at destroying himself and his own credibility than most any one else has been.

Schumer may have not wanted to break Trump’s downward momentum and give him a chance to counter attack.

He must also be well aware of recent media biases and tendencies to normalize Trump’s now dictatorial intentions.

And might not have much confidence that any closing down of the government would be advantageous to the Democrats.

The Downside of Schumer’s Budget Concessions



Either way, great risks were involved. Being overly conservative, Schumer has given into Republican threats yet again. I suspect it greatly reduces the Democratic leadership’s credibility and image before many of the Party’s more militant and progressive members — and Shumer’s. It amounts to a concession to Republican budgetary extortion and the approval of the budget contains many destructive components.

That said, if it’s one thing that’s almost as certain as tomorrow’s sunrise, it’s that Democrats lack sufficient control over how the national media reports an event like a government shut down. How much additional damage Trump would inflict if Schumer had supported a government shut down had to be considered. As well as what harm would Elon Musk do if that situation occurred — another very relevant consideration?

Taking Risks is not in Their DNA

If I had to venture a guess, allowing Trump to shut down government may have been the greater risk at this present time for Schumer. Leopards can’t change their spots, plus the leadership does not even consist of leopards. They are not risk takers by nature of their comfortable class privileges and background. And are not likely to succeed as a risk taker.

In the end, a lot more public pressure than could be brought to bear by the current Democratic electoral leadership is going to be needed if fascism and Trump is to be stymied and defeated in his goals. []

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