It Feels Like Surrender

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/13/us/government-shutdown-senate-democrats.html

(“Schumer Backs Spending Bill and Lines Up Enough Democrats to Pass It”)

So Mr. Schumer decided it was better to keep the government running as is rather than risk the alternative. You mean there is something worse than this?

A government shutdown in March of 2025 would not redound to the great detriment of the Dems in the mid-terms. There is far too much time and far too many Trump created disasters between today and the tomorrows to come for the Dems to fear the repercussions of bringing the government to a partial halt now.

In fact, most Dems would ask, without a hint of sarcasm, whether the government was already shut down, given the mass firings decimating so many Federal agencies, Mr. Musk and his chainsaw making the size of what remains feel like the realization of Mr. Norquist's long ago wish.

The Democrats are virtually without power to stop Mr. Trump's runaway train given the Republican control of both Houses and the big House. But when the Dems fail to flex whatever little muscle they have, when they give even implicit authorization for the administration to keep doing their worst, it feels like they are throwing in the towel. Even as we concede that Mr. Schumer may be right.