They did not shut down "the government"...

[kentuck]

They shut down "our government".

They are holding America hostage.

If you will agree to put $5.7 billion into Donald Trump's cookie jar, they will release their hostage.

If you agree to pay the ransom, they will free your government.

[BumRushDaShow]

1. THIS

Our federal government belongs to the American people.

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

2. Well said...

“of the people, by the people, for the people“

[bdamomma]

6. Tell that to Mitch McConnell

POS that is who he serves.

[Pacifist Patriot]

8. I've emailed, called, and snail mailed this essential message to him.

I suspect it will get all the attention he thinks it deserves.

[SummerSnow]

3. Facts right there. Straight and to the point

[mia]

4. The GOP shakedown

or government shutdown?

[BlueJac]

7. exactly!

[gordianot]

9. This whole episode is extortion.

So far due to sheer incompetence Trump and Republicans cannot even capitalize on what should be criminal behavior.

[watoos]

10. It will be interesting to see how many Republicans

vote with the Democrats on the bills that Speaker Pelosi is introducing today.

[littlemissmartypants]

12. +1

[Bernardo de La Paz]

11. Actually, $5.7 billion is for his re-election, though tRump Gang may find ways to divert some money.

[Moostache]

17. Even more than the 2016 stolen election...

the fact that people can openly and honestly discuss RE-ELECTION for this piece of shit has me gobsmacked!

The least qualified and most dangerous man EVER to ascend (he was NOT freely elected) to the presidency has turned out to be EXACTLY what I feared - a temperamentally challenged imbecile of the highest order. There should be howls of derision and abject horror at the very thought of the shit-gibbon even standing for re-election at this point, and yet...there is not.

It is official...Trumpism has become a full-on religion, impervious to reason, impenetrable by facts and unstoppable due to inertia. May the great sky daddy of anyone's choosing help us all...

[mountain grammy]

13. Yes very important

I always refer to the American government as “our government”

[littlemissmartypants]

14. Let us not forget he hasn't used any of the funds already at his disposal

To address this so called "crisis" at our borders. He is incompetent, weak, undisciplined and ignorant. I say that we keep pounding that message. There's an idiot in the White House and he's not worthy of winning any argument. Especially one as lame as this one. It is not a "bad idea" but ridiculous. He needs to be made a fool at every turn. Keep pounding, I say. Our president is an idiot would make an excellent billboard.

[The Liberal Lion]

15. We don't negotiate with terrorist

let them shot the hostage for all I care. Then we can build it right once it's gone.

[zentrum]

16. Yes, kentuck...why

.....can't the Democrats talk this way? Why doesn't it occur to them to do these simple reframes?

[Thekaspervote]

18. Maybe they will free the hostage... but maybe not

[Magoo48]

19. Yes, OUR government is being held hostage.

And, it’s being held right before our eyes, not stashed away in some seedy warehouse or a cottage in the woods. Yet, no calls for direct action, no masses of people in the streets. I know I’m an old radical who is often at odds with my fellows here on DU; I’m not entirely sure what kinds of grassroots actions would help. Tractors and trucks blocking streets, Democratic Congress Critters leading marches supporting affected federal workers, hundreds of volunteers taking over the day to day at our national parks?? Perhaps, I’m simply curious how many Americans are still breathing.

[malaise]

20. Yep

Rec