OPINION:
I believe the whole Obamacare subsidies standoff was likely planned by Democratic senators, possibly back in the summer. Their level of miscalculation on the matter is shocking given their many years of experience. It appears none of them considered the ripple effect this shutdown would cause, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits being frozen and airline disruptions. The issues they chose to target illustrate the off-base direction of the Democratic leadership in the House and Senate.
What was the point of attempting to go back and renegotiate the One Big Beautiful Bill Act instead of moving forward with health care reform? Obamacare has been a failed policy the Democrats want to keep propping up at taxpayer expense. The health care/insurance industry is a profit-driven entity, and its executives won’t be willing to expand enrollees for free. Taxing the wealthiest 2%, as is the typical Democratic option, isn’t winning over voters because it means tax hikes for their own leadership.
Instead, they should have chosen preventing price gouging and collusion within various industries. This could explain why inflation is dramatically low but prices across the board are still high. These business owners say labor costs and materials are the reason, but I disagree.
Using this shutdown to defend wasteful spending is not sound economic leadership. I’ve got a news flash for Democrats: The insurance premium payment deadline for my senior mom was Nov. 8, so the horse is out of the barn with no recalibration. Democrats missed their window of opportunity.
GREG RALEIGH
Washington
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