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Let's be clear: REPUBLICANS shut down the government, NOT Democrats [1]

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Date: 2025-03-14

Of course Democrats should vote against the Republican budget.

It cuts Medicare. It increases defense spending. And most importantly, it does nothing to address the control of Elon Musk in national spending or the illegal firings of government workers.

National Democrats are bleeding support from Democratic voters, demanding they do more. They have repeatedly argued that they "have no leverage". Well, guess what? Republicans are completely at Democrats' mercy right now. This budget can not pass without Democrats' support.

If Democrats still surrender without concessions, the damage in trust amongst Democratic voters towards the party will be irreversible.

I have seen some good-faith arguments to vote for the budget from fellow DailyKos bloggers, but I'm not convinced.

"Democrats will take the blame for the shutdown." Actually, polling shows most Americans would blame Republicans for this shutdown , and it's not close. Democrats can craft their own message. Here's an example:

"Republicans had a chance to pass a bipartisan bill, but are instead using it to make Americans suffer. I voted to save our government from Elon Musk. The tens of millions losing their jobs right now is THEIR fault, and they own it."

I've also heard "Musk and Trump will use the shutdown to destroy the government." Is a prolonged, four-year destruction of government any better? Voting against the budget will damage Republicans and force them to negotiate, which is the only way we can protect government workers in the long run.

I've also heard we should "Let the courts do their work." I have no faith in the ultraconservative Supreme Court to "save us". The lower judges that are reinstating government jobs are being routinely ignored.

Democrats, this is a no-brainer. Don't let Trump and Elon trample you.

Kill the bill.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/3/14/2310174/-Let-s-be-clear-REPUBLICANS-shut-down-the-government-NOT-Democrats?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=latest_community&pm_medium=web

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