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pat_k

(11,874 posts)
Thu Sep 25, 2025, 05:52 PM Thursday

Republicans want to cut your healthcare so badly, they'll shut down the government to do it. [View all]

Suggestions on the messages to hammer from Tamara Massengale Miro @UnmuteAlabama

https://sez.us/l/4nt9r15k

How I’m Talking About the Shutdown

The news makes it sound like a procedural fight in Washington. Meetings canceled. Deadlines looming. Continuing resolutions. Yawn.

Here’s what I’m saying: Republicans want to cut health care so badly, they’re willing to shut down the government to get it done.

This isn’t about Beltway squabbles. It’s about whether families can afford to see a doctor.

Medicaid is facing the biggest cuts in U.S. history.

ACA tax credits are expiring, which means premiums could jump by an average of 75%.

Medicare is on the chopping block for more than $500 billion in cuts.

Hospitals, rural clinics, even children’s cancer research could lose funding.


When you talk about the shutdown, don’t start with politics. Start with people.

This shutdown isn’t just “government dysfunction.” It’s a health care crisis manufactured on purpose.

👉 The “how” matters.

Say “Republicans want to cut your health care so badly…” instead of “Democrats and Republicans can’t agree.”

Say “millions of families will lose coverage” instead of “funding lapses.”

Say “research into children’s cancer will stop” instead of “budget line items.”


If we lead with the human cost, the politics takes care of itself.


And an additional suggestion from Anat Shenker Osario (Freedom Over Fascism toolkit):

Refuse to frame it as a government shutdown fight. Frame it as refusing to be an accomplice to turning the government into a weapon against the people.


I think that message can be pulled in by saying things like:

We refuse to be accomplices in the biggest cuts to Medicaid in U.S. history.

We refuse to be accomplices to increasing healthcare premiums for 75 million Americans by an average of 75%.

We will not be accomplices to the Republican Congress's cowardly refusal to demand that Trump stop breaking his oath of office and carry out the laws passed by Congress.


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Yep.............. Lovie777 Thursday #1
Democrats will cheer. Republicans will say, "Who care?" We are split 50/50, so not sure we'll prevail. Silent Type Thursday #2
Trump's "coalition" has collapsed pat_k Thursday #5
No, we're not 50/50 paleotn Thursday #6
Guess you don't trust polls? Please provide a citation of your trope that it is50/50. Silent Type Thursday #19
His approval rating is a "tad" below 50%, no? paleotn Thursday #23
I'd call 40% Approve 60% Disapprove more than a "tad" pat_k Thursday #27
I was being facetious with the "tad" comment. paleotn Friday #51
Opps. Me being a tad dense. pat_k Friday #52
When over 90 million voters sat out of the last election, over a 3rd, then roughly 60% voted and 51% of them R Cheezoholic Thursday #24
Look at the results for 2024. What was trump's percentage of votes, not to mention losing both chambers. Silent Type Thursday #31
Your statement this country is 50/50 is false. If anything we're 50/50 of those who vote and those who dont Cheezoholic Thursday #35
of course we're not. pat_k Thursday #21
If the Dems don't give in and won't refuse anything less BigmanPigman Thursday #3
Just need to message it properly. paleotn Thursday #7
We, the base, are messengers too. And we can get it right. And push our electeds to do a better job. pat_k Thursday #25
I love this message. Scrivener7 Thursday #30
Thanks! Perhaps you'll like my follow-up too. pat_k Thursday #34
P.S. I suggest you subscribe to Ariella Elm's substack. pat_k Thursday #33
Yes to this mountain grammy Thursday #46
Glad this inspired a big Yes! pat_k Thursday #47
Also Help Point Out How Many People Will Lose Their Jobs modrepub Thursday #4
Yes. I need to take some time to see if CBO, or other entities, have good estimates of ripple effects... pat_k Thursday #36
If only a shutdown would shut down ICE... Wounded Bear Thursday #8
That is for a future battle. pat_k Thursday #37
K&R B.See Thursday #9
Thanks! pat_k Friday #53
Good message, too bad you can't fit "people will die" somewhere in there. Fil1957 Thursday #10
Oh, I think you can. pat_k Thursday #38
Great post! Thank you! ancianita Thursday #11
Thanks! If you have other socials, perhaps post there too! pat_k Friday #54
And it all to take from those who need jobs and health care IbogaProject Thursday #12
I'm a little unclear about how demands to maintain full appropriations for Medicaid... pat_k Thursday #39
Wut? IbogaProject Friday #48
Of course. But appropriation bills and CR's don't.. pat_k Friday #49
Ah, I was talking about public messaging IbogaProject Friday #50
This is great stuff. Ready to call and write my sleazy FL legislators with these, and share with everyone I meet. Timeflyer Thursday #13
So glad to hear it inspired you to action. It did the same for me. (nt) pat_k Thursday #40
Slow genocide. moondust Thursday #14
That is our message. mountain grammy Thursday #15
Hear! Hear! And if you have a Democratic Rep, or if either (or both) Senators are Dems, send them the message. pat_k Thursday #45
In MAGA World, cutting healthcare is "good" while trying to save it is "liberal extremism." n/t Beartracks Thursday #16
I'm a liberal extremist BOSSHOG Thursday #20
There are plenty in MAGA world receiving those "enhanced ACA subsidies" pat_k Thursday #41
"When you talk about the shutdown, don't start with politics. Start with people." Beartracks Thursday #17
Frame it as unwilling to be an acquiescent accomplice. BattleRow Thursday #18
I may be in a minority here ... Metaphorical Thursday #22
I totally agree. But I think an important part of our strategy should be to spread the message in the OP Scrivener7 Thursday #28
This woman is talented. I hope all our reps listen to this and do what she says. Scrivener7 Thursday #26
She is. I've found all of her contributions over on Sez.Us extremely valuable. pat_k Thursday #43
All republicans have to do is say it's for immigrants...... Lovie777 Thursday #29
And we counter that with more powerful messages. It's time for US, Not Them, to create "Reality." pat_k Thursday #44
Republicans Shut the Government Down because Epstein! PuraVidaDreamin Thursday #32
Republicans want non-billionaires to DIE so that they won't VOTE! Jack Valentino Thursday #42
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