What leverage do we really have if both Trump and McConnell

[ProfessorPlum]

decide they don't care how long the shut down lasts? They both work for Putin, who would love to see our government crumble.

It seems like the Democrats will have to cave, yet again, to save the worst from happening. In this game of chicken, the other side doesn't care about crashing.

What consequence would Trump and McConnell fear? That they'll be hated? Ha ha

[shraby]

1. They will lose a lot of backing when the pinch sets in.

[no_hypocrisy]

2. Wait until the constituents of the other republican senators start applying pressure.

If they can't get re-elected, Mitch won't necessarily be the Majority Leader of the Senate this time next year.

[beachbum bob]

3. the leverage will be the american people, I expect the shutdown to last at least 6-8 more weeks

the GOP will be viewed as accomplices to trump. 2020 elections season is approaching. THe next step that trump has to shutdown SS and Medicare payments as another form of extortion, I say go for it and see how thaat works out

[2naSalit]

4. A general strike might change their way of thinking in a rather

short period of time.

[NurseJackie]

5. Oh, good grief.

the Democrats will have to cave, yet again

[Quemado]

6. Two words: Air travel.

Federal transportation personnel, such as air traffic controllers, and Customs and Border Protection and Transportation Security Agency officers are still on the job, though the Huffington Post reports morale is low among unpaid TSA officers.

“Most of us live paycheck to paycheck and cannot afford to be unpaid and still go to work for long. It is not fair,” one TSA employee told Huffington Post.

https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/article223840585.html

If the Republicans overplay their hand, something will happen.

[aeromanKC]

7. The American People.

[jberryhill]

8. The IRS cannot pay refunds

[safeinOhio]

9. Bingo

#one reason his base will dump him in a NY minute.

[Luciferous]

10. Excellent point. People are going to get really ticked off if they don't get their tax returns!

[SallyHemmings]

11. I agree

How many of Trump’s base rely on that refund? That alone will prompt McConnell to cave.

Rush and Ann aren’t losing a check. These are their fan base too. Oh the irony.

Can’t make this up.

[TrishaJ]

15. On the other hand,

do we have to PAY taxes on April 15th if the government is still shutdown? After all, if federal employees are not being paid, why should I pay?

[jberryhill]

16. Yes, taxes are still due and payable

Money goes in, but it doesn't come out.

[Vinca]

12. Dems can let him have a "victory" by piling everything in their wish list into a bill along with the

$5 billion ransom money. DACA, health care, the environment, consumer protection, etc., etc., etc. The king could have his menu-signing ceremony and brag to his dwindling masses and we'd have everything we want.

[orangecrush]

13. ...

[kentuck]

14. Democrats leverage is:

...that they have put forth legislation to end the shutdown.

Mitch McConnell said he is not going to bring it to the floor for a vote.

Trump says he would veto.

The real test would be if there was a vote to over-ride Trump's veto. They could reclaim legislative authority and put a wannabe dictator in his place at the same time.

[spanone]

17. democrats gave him the opportunity last night to stop the shutdown...he doesn't care