With the recent reopening of the federal government, a record was set. It was the longest shutdown in American history. It happened because the Trump administration wanted to impose cuts to American health services and, at the same time, increase the cost of what remained. The bill they called “beautiful” was, in fact, “ugly” for the 42 million Americans who would see healthcare as either more expensive or nonexistent. Democrats in the Senate refused to give up the fight as the Trump administration sought to shove it down America’s throat. It was a matter of principle on both sides.
I don’t know if the consequences around the recent federal government reopening were planned or accidental. Whatever… the Democrats and the American people came out ahead. And, while many were shouting loudly about the split among the Democrats, I found myself thinking “brilliant!” Here’s why.
The vote to reopen showed two things. First, every Democrat in the Senate supported protecting the long run health of the American people. Second, the Democrats also showed compassion for Americans in the short run by restoring services, especially leading up to Thanksgiving.
As part of the deal Sen. Thune promised, there will be a vote on health care in December. If the Republicans vote “No” on having a vote (and it’s happened before) they will pay a big price come election day. If Thune allows the vote, and they vote “No” on restoring access to affordable healthcare to those who need it most, they will still pay a price.
The Trumpists have dug themselves into a ditch. It could be disastrous for the Trumpist party. We’ll see. Could the Trumpists lose control of the GOP? If so, good for the Republicans! Good for the Democrats! And good for America!… in my opinion.
Nothing is black and white, but in the broadest terms, there is a distinction to be made between the authoritarian Trumpist Party and the traditional conservative Republican Party of old.
It was Teddy Roosevelt who put a Progressive stamp on a briefly dominant faction of the GOP in the first years of the 20th century, seeking to make government a protector of the American public instead of the protector of the wealthy and powerful. When his successor failed to follow through, Teddy ran again but was defeated.
In the 1920s, the policies of the Republican oligarchs led to the Great Crash of 1929. As a result, starting in 1932, the United States began a transformation. As a result of the efforts of FDR, Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, and, yes, LBJ, Social Security, Medicare, and civil rights created a new America. A basic security for Americans had triumphed, but, unfortunately, that triumph has been under systematic and systemic attack for the last 50 years.
The role of Dwight David Eisenhower should be fully known and acknowledged. He was a uniquely heroic figure in 20th century America. He saw it as his duty to protect that new, emerging America, first as a 5-star general and then as president. When racist mobs attacked Black kids going to school in Arkansas, he protected them. Truman had ordered the integration of the military. Ike made sure that it happened. When Republican Joseph McCarthy spread conspiracies, lies, and accusations, Ike quietly made sure he fell from power. And then, as he left office, President Eisenhower warned against the dangers of the military-industrial complex. It was also a warning against the similar power of big corporations in other areas of American life. President Eisenhower wrapped his arms around that new America and gave it a fundamental solidity.
The turmoil of the 1960s and 1970s eventually led to the election of Republican Ronald Reagan. Because of Nixon’s “Southern Strategy,” his Party was no longer the Party of Eisenhower much less the Party of Lincoln. In terms of social policy, the Republican Party was becoming the Party of the Confederacy. In terms of economic policy, it did not return to some Gilded Age. It became the Tinsel Age of Trump, shiny but lacking in substance.
There are no guarantees, but Trump’s refusal to compromise could well lead to a knock out in the 2026 midterms as voters see clearly that Trump is no friend of honest working people. As he dismantled government services, he pardoned convicted millionaires, violent insurrectionists, and that phony Congressman from Long Island.
The Democrats are not split. Every one of them puts hardworking Americans and others in need of healthcare first. Democrats needed to show that they were in favor of reasonable compromise, understanding that the definition of “reasonable ” is up for debate. They also needed to show solidarity on the basic issue… keeping medical care accessible and affordable while preventing costs from exploding. That position was shared by every single Senate Democrat.
Now, as we move toward next year’s midterms, each side will demonstrate where they stand, and, a year from now, one side will fall. I remember Muhammad Ali’s “rope-a-dope.” It looks like the eighth round to me. Come November 2026, the Trumpists may find themselves exhausted and flat on their backs.
Jim Walsh is a writer who lives in Nahant.
