Chuck Schumer Must Go. Trump is purging officials, gutting democracy, and consolidating power. Musk is rewriting the rules. And Schumer? He's giving speeches-while democracy burns. We need a fighter. Not a bystander. Read why Democrats must replace him NOW!
@Waleed Shahid Hey Waleed The truth is Democratic leadership just put up the illusion of resistance and was really powerless to fight anything. I actually wrote a powerful article on this subject. I know you’re a busy man when you get a chance please check it out thanks.
I completely disagree with this assessment of the Democratic Party. While Schumer may have fumbled the ball in this instance, it's simply untrue to suggest that House Democrats don’t fight hard. Anyone who actually follows what goes on in committee meetings and behind the scenes knows just how aggressively many of them go to bat—often under difficult and high-stakes circumstances.
What really frustrates me is how some on the ultra-progressive left, especially DSA members and their allies, act as if they’re the first and only ones to fight for progress. That kind of rhetoric not only disrespects the long history of institutional Democrats who’ve been doing the hard, often thankless work for decades—it also risks alienating natural allies and weakening our collective ability to move real policy forward.
Yes, we need bold voices. But we also need to acknowledge and respect the groundwork that’s been laid by those who came before. Constantly tearing down centrist Democrats to push a narrow ideological agenda isn't just counterproductive—it erases the complexity of coalition politics and the value of incremental progress in a deeply divided system.
If we want meaningful change, we need to build bridges within the party, not burn them.
There was no leverage in shutdown—how is that leverage? Its abdication of power. Why would it be beneficial to be in position where Don’s decisions under a shutdown are not subject to judicial review. Also, federal courts may only be open for 2 weeks, at most 3–but Don could probably shut them down immediately as the GSA administers the federal courthouses & security and US Marshals are under the DOJ & are executive employees that coujd be furloughed. The last shutdown under Don was 35 days long—but Republicans said this time they were looking at 6-9 months. How exactly would that have helped the Democrats? Or any of us? There was no leverage. There will be in September on the debt ceiling fight and a budget fight because the CR is only good till September. So no, we don’t have to wait a year and a half. Arguments should not create strong men just to knock them down or show their ridiculous. Look at the actual facts. There will be better points of leverage to come. I saw the “politics war room” yesterday with Jane’s Carville & Al Hunt, and I think they made some good points and ended with some historical examples of when strategic retreats were what won the war, And seeing the current situation, not as Schumer caved, but as Schumer took a strategic retreat. I am one who believes that a shut down would’ve been a disaster and you can’t just reopen it and say my bad. Democrats would have absolutely no power. I keep hearing how they would’ve gained leverage with a shutdown, but I failed to see how. Maybe somebody could tell me.
Here’s a link to the Politics War Room. Also, those who think Schumer did the wrong thing often make this strawman argument that the American population was willing to assign blame for the shut down to the Republicans as though that matters or anybody cares. This is not a politics as usual. We may not even have midterms. I don’t think we’ll have elections in 2028. That’s so politics like usual and people don’t realize these are very unusual times: trying to win an argument by saying, the GOP would get the blame is so beside the point. Of course I’ll get the blame. But we may no longer be a democracy. I don’t really care who gets the blame when we are no longer a democracy, and have no way of fighting back, which would happen in a shutdown when the federal courts were closed, when agencies like the DOE, the SSA, Medicare, Medicaid, the post office, so many may be deemed non-essential enclosed for an unlimited amount of time. The government could also conceivably never reopen. It would all be up to Dan. After 35 days back in 2018 I think? Dan only reopened the government when so many TSA workers tired of working for free or calling in sick and people believe the skies would be unsafe. These days, I don’t see Don being persuaded by skies being unsafe. That does not seem to bother him at all. Just a reminder of what it was like when Don was in control before and shut down the government twice. 35 days was the longest shutdown ever and chef Andre had world Central kitchen, making meals for people and considered a man-made disaster equivalent to an earthquake. Why would anybody wanna go back to that and have no power to reopen and no recourse in courts? Where is the lever in this? I really really wonder where is the leverage because people who think the government should’ve shut down and keep insisting that gave us leverage but never explained how. That points made in the “politics war room” Chuck Schumer strategic decision last week. as well because they are like, where’s the leverage in a shutdown? They agree with me there. Maybe people think there is leverage in the question of “whose going to be blamed”? Is that the leverage? I am sorry but I don’t think that really matters & therefore is not leverage. Don shut the government down twice when he was present before. What consequences did you have from that? I guess the GOP lost big in the midterms. Are we gonna have midterms in 2026? Nothing Donald’s doing now. Seems to indicate that he’s worried about the GOP losing in the midterms. The GOP doesn’t seem worried either. What’s their advice to members of Congress? Hide from your constituents and don’t hold town halls. Looks like they’re gonna try to dodge things until they have complete control over the government more so than the way people would act that are worried about what will happen in the midterms. Anyway, here’s the link for Carville and Hunt.
Yes. It isn't the congressional leadership or the DNC who have to skip doctors visits and can't afford rent, let alone college for their kids. They think of themselves as the only respectable player in a no-real-stakes poker game, and if they lose from time to time, it doesn't matter because it isn't their money on the table.
Their utter disdain for the voters, canceling primaries, forcing a candidate no one wanted, insulting protestors, locking arms with the Cheneys. They never actually cared that democracy was at stake. They just care that the game goes on without too much interruption.
They not just slugs, they're fat slugs in nice suits with health care.
Chuck Schumer Must Go. Trump is purging officials, gutting democracy, and consolidating power. Musk is rewriting the rules. And Schumer? He's giving speeches-while democracy burns. We need a fighter. Not a bystander. Read why Democrats must replace him NOW!
I would love to hear your thoughts on the piece.
https://open.substack.com/pub/jasonegenberg/p/chuck-schumer-must-go-the-senate?r=3nm35j&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
@Waleed Shahid Hey Waleed The truth is Democratic leadership just put up the illusion of resistance and was really powerless to fight anything. I actually wrote a powerful article on this subject. I know you’re a busy man when you get a chance please check it out thanks.
https://davidsypherjr.substack.com/p/the-illusion-of-resistance-why-democrats?r=2sshtz
I completely disagree with this assessment of the Democratic Party. While Schumer may have fumbled the ball in this instance, it's simply untrue to suggest that House Democrats don’t fight hard. Anyone who actually follows what goes on in committee meetings and behind the scenes knows just how aggressively many of them go to bat—often under difficult and high-stakes circumstances.
What really frustrates me is how some on the ultra-progressive left, especially DSA members and their allies, act as if they’re the first and only ones to fight for progress. That kind of rhetoric not only disrespects the long history of institutional Democrats who’ve been doing the hard, often thankless work for decades—it also risks alienating natural allies and weakening our collective ability to move real policy forward.
Yes, we need bold voices. But we also need to acknowledge and respect the groundwork that’s been laid by those who came before. Constantly tearing down centrist Democrats to push a narrow ideological agenda isn't just counterproductive—it erases the complexity of coalition politics and the value of incremental progress in a deeply divided system.
If we want meaningful change, we need to build bridges within the party, not burn them.
There was no leverage in shutdown—how is that leverage? Its abdication of power. Why would it be beneficial to be in position where Don’s decisions under a shutdown are not subject to judicial review. Also, federal courts may only be open for 2 weeks, at most 3–but Don could probably shut them down immediately as the GSA administers the federal courthouses & security and US Marshals are under the DOJ & are executive employees that coujd be furloughed. The last shutdown under Don was 35 days long—but Republicans said this time they were looking at 6-9 months. How exactly would that have helped the Democrats? Or any of us? There was no leverage. There will be in September on the debt ceiling fight and a budget fight because the CR is only good till September. So no, we don’t have to wait a year and a half. Arguments should not create strong men just to knock them down or show their ridiculous. Look at the actual facts. There will be better points of leverage to come. I saw the “politics war room” yesterday with Jane’s Carville & Al Hunt, and I think they made some good points and ended with some historical examples of when strategic retreats were what won the war, And seeing the current situation, not as Schumer caved, but as Schumer took a strategic retreat. I am one who believes that a shut down would’ve been a disaster and you can’t just reopen it and say my bad. Democrats would have absolutely no power. I keep hearing how they would’ve gained leverage with a shutdown, but I failed to see how. Maybe somebody could tell me.
Here’s a link to the Politics War Room. Also, those who think Schumer did the wrong thing often make this strawman argument that the American population was willing to assign blame for the shut down to the Republicans as though that matters or anybody cares. This is not a politics as usual. We may not even have midterms. I don’t think we’ll have elections in 2028. That’s so politics like usual and people don’t realize these are very unusual times: trying to win an argument by saying, the GOP would get the blame is so beside the point. Of course I’ll get the blame. But we may no longer be a democracy. I don’t really care who gets the blame when we are no longer a democracy, and have no way of fighting back, which would happen in a shutdown when the federal courts were closed, when agencies like the DOE, the SSA, Medicare, Medicaid, the post office, so many may be deemed non-essential enclosed for an unlimited amount of time. The government could also conceivably never reopen. It would all be up to Dan. After 35 days back in 2018 I think? Dan only reopened the government when so many TSA workers tired of working for free or calling in sick and people believe the skies would be unsafe. These days, I don’t see Don being persuaded by skies being unsafe. That does not seem to bother him at all. Just a reminder of what it was like when Don was in control before and shut down the government twice. 35 days was the longest shutdown ever and chef Andre had world Central kitchen, making meals for people and considered a man-made disaster equivalent to an earthquake. Why would anybody wanna go back to that and have no power to reopen and no recourse in courts? Where is the lever in this? I really really wonder where is the leverage because people who think the government should’ve shut down and keep insisting that gave us leverage but never explained how. That points made in the “politics war room” Chuck Schumer strategic decision last week. as well because they are like, where’s the leverage in a shutdown? They agree with me there. Maybe people think there is leverage in the question of “whose going to be blamed”? Is that the leverage? I am sorry but I don’t think that really matters & therefore is not leverage. Don shut the government down twice when he was present before. What consequences did you have from that? I guess the GOP lost big in the midterms. Are we gonna have midterms in 2026? Nothing Donald’s doing now. Seems to indicate that he’s worried about the GOP losing in the midterms. The GOP doesn’t seem worried either. What’s their advice to members of Congress? Hide from your constituents and don’t hold town halls. Looks like they’re gonna try to dodge things until they have complete control over the government more so than the way people would act that are worried about what will happen in the midterms. Anyway, here’s the link for Carville and Hunt.
https://youtu.be/rYWNxN4J1hg?si=mfKiAjpbn8H1NVPr
Thank you, I was looking for a response to Schumer telling the NYT that a shutdown would give DOGE a freer hand and you've provided it.
Yes. It isn't the congressional leadership or the DNC who have to skip doctors visits and can't afford rent, let alone college for their kids. They think of themselves as the only respectable player in a no-real-stakes poker game, and if they lose from time to time, it doesn't matter because it isn't their money on the table.
Their utter disdain for the voters, canceling primaries, forcing a candidate no one wanted, insulting protestors, locking arms with the Cheneys. They never actually cared that democracy was at stake. They just care that the game goes on without too much interruption.
They not just slugs, they're fat slugs in nice suits with health care.
well said!