Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Demovictory9

(32,324 posts)
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 02:23 AM Jan 2019

In Trump country, Republicans cheer on shutdown: The 'government is our biggest enemy'

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/01/20/trump-country-republicans-cheer-federal-shutdown/2549255002/

"It kind of makes me question what they do on a day-to-day basis," says Paul James, 31, who runs the town's sole medical marijuana dispensary. "If I don't miss them, what were they doing?"

Sure, some folks are worried that their relatives in the military aren't getting paid right now. Others are worried about access to federal loan guarantees or getting their tax refunds on time. More than a handful believe the shutdown makes the country look foolish. But generally, Craig's residents are unfazed by the shutdown that's approaching one month and showing no signs of ending. They point out that federal employees eventually will get their salaries even though some didn't even work and that many of those nonessential workers are getting a lengthy vacation.

For many Craig residents, the shutdown remains mostly abstract: The federal government isn't a big employer here, and people are mostly worried about how air-quality regulations are slowly squeezing the life out of the coal mines and power plants. That helps explain the popularity of GOP candidates, where voting for Republicans comes as naturally as breathing, regardless of how you feel about the president. This is a town where pickups and SUVs rule the roads and renewable energy is often scorned as unreliable and unproven.

Here, the shutdown is an initial victory in President Donald Trump's fight to shake up and pare down federal bureaucracy. Trump drew more than 80 percent of the votes in the 2016 election in this county, and for his supporters, every day the federal government isn't interfering in their daily lives is a win.

"Just remember, Trump has never been a politician," says Chris Nichols, a city councilman whose shirt with a faded monogrammed "M" reminds people that he used to own several McDonald's franchises. "And maybe that's what's firing up his base."
22 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
In Trump country, Republicans cheer on shutdown: The 'government is our biggest enemy' (Original Post) Demovictory9 Jan 2019 OP
They should have all their federal government services stopped for a year. Kablooie Jan 2019 #1
I do not understand the media's obsession with small town, white Americans. LonePirate Jan 2019 #2
Maybe they want to highlight the ignorance? Stargazer09 Jan 2019 #3
That kind of thinking is why Hillary lost ansible Jan 2019 #6
Trump is in charge because Putin installed him. n/t TexasBushwhacker Jan 2019 #7
Comey and Putin is why HRC lost, why do people CONTINUE to ignore those facts ?! uponit7771 Jan 2019 #10
Election was stolen. Stolen from Hillary. sharedvalues Jan 2019 #12
The overarching fear of being labeled liberal. nt UniteFightBack Jan 2019 #16
Never been a politician OR a successful businessman. Beartracks Jan 2019 #4
The trouble with people like this is: Cattledog Jan 2019 #5
It reminds me of the deplorable federal worker who said she was with ooky Jan 2019 #19
agreed... or against abortion until girlfriend gets pregnant. or against environmental laws until Demovictory9 Jan 2019 #21
trump is for putin duforsure Jan 2019 #8
Deplorables have an addiction to Trump Kool-aid. nt oasis Jan 2019 #9
Two kinds of GOP: billionaires and suckers sharedvalues Jan 2019 #11
They're big fans until it hits them personally. Vinca Jan 2019 #13
Trump is following Putin's prime directive to destroy the United States. LastLiberal in PalmSprings Jan 2019 #14
exactly! Hermit-The-Prog Jan 2019 #17
yep Demovictory9 Jan 2019 #22
when Reagan turned the people away from government scarytomcat Jan 2019 #15
Its very easy to say "they will eventually get their money" while you are still getting yours. ooky Jan 2019 #18
years ago I used to be a city and county employee lovemydogs Jan 2019 #20

LonePirate

(13,386 posts)
2. I do not understand the media's obsession with small town, white Americans.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 02:39 AM
Jan 2019

They are a fraction of the country's population; yet the media wants to interview each and every one of them while ignoring the thoughts and opinions of the rest of the country.

Stargazer09

(2,131 posts)
3. Maybe they want to highlight the ignorance?
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 02:47 AM
Jan 2019

I don’t really understand it, either.

Nobody is going to change the minds of most of the people in small towns. Most of them have spent their entire lives in their little bubbles, and they are perfectly happy (and proud) of their beliefs.

 

ansible

(1,718 posts)
6. That kind of thinking is why Hillary lost
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 06:31 AM
Jan 2019

That "fraction of the country's population" is why that orange asshole is in charge right now. Never underestimate and belittle the enemy.

Cattledog

(5,897 posts)
5. The trouble with people like this is:
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 06:21 AM
Jan 2019
They can only relate to things that affect them directly. Reminds me of the Congressman
who repeatably voted against the The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) until his daughter
was in an accident and had to use a wheelchair.

ooky

(8,886 posts)
19. It reminds me of the deplorable federal worker who said she was with
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 11:49 AM
Jan 2019

Trump up until the day her paychecks stopped, and then said he was "hurting the wrong people".

Demovictory9

(32,324 posts)
21. agreed... or against abortion until girlfriend gets pregnant. or against environmental laws until
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 02:33 PM
Jan 2019

someone proposes oilrigs off the coast of Florida

duforsure

(11,882 posts)
8. trump is for putin
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 07:44 AM
Jan 2019

And his government over ours. trump and putin hate Democracy , it would hold them accountable , and they especially hate the rule of law, and a free press. It all exposes their corruption , and abuses of power to rob the people and the government of billions for themselves , and like putin has done to russia and its people there. That's what trump wants to do here for his own personal financial gains from it like putin has done. Putins stolen 100's of billions from the government and the russian people.

sharedvalues

(6,916 posts)
11. Two kinds of GOP: billionaires and suckers
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 09:06 AM
Jan 2019

The suckers will feel the pain when their mom gets cancer and they have to hold a fundraiser to pay for chemo, because Republicans refused to extend Medicaid for them.

Vinca

(50,170 posts)
13. They're big fans until it hits them personally.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 09:07 AM
Jan 2019

They hated Obamacare until they got sick, they hated gays until their son came out, some of them have a hard time hating undocumented immigrants because they're a good chunk of the work force on big farms with limited resources and lots of crops to pick or animals to feed. But the article brings up a point that should be investigated. Is the real purpose of Trump's shutdown an effort to decrease the size of government by getting employees to quit and not replacing them?

14. Trump is following Putin's prime directive to destroy the United States.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 10:16 AM
Jan 2019

He is attacking all three branches of government. He dismisses the hard work of the intelligence agencies in favor of Putin's sage advice. He attacks the free press on a daily -- almost hourly -- basis. He attacks the Justice Department and the FBI.

He shuts down the government, blames the Democrats, then brings back tens of thousands of people to work without pay. He trashes long established alliances with other governments in favor of kowtowing to powerful dictators. He disrespects the military. He lies on an hourly basis.

He is an agent of Russia, and should continue to be called out as such.

We've got to stop waiting for Godot -- er, Mueller -- to show up and save the day. Start the impeachment process now!

Hermit-The-Prog

(33,041 posts)
17. exactly!
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 10:58 AM
Jan 2019

That agent of Russia is a convenient tool for the GOP to further erode public education, social programs, and the federal government in general.

Trumputin should be impeached and the Russiapublicans exposed for what they are.

scarytomcat

(1,706 posts)
15. when Reagan turned the people away from government
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 10:43 AM
Jan 2019

he put us on a path that we need to turn from
WE ARE THE GOVERNMENT, THE GOVERNMENT IS US

lovemydogs

(575 posts)
20. years ago I used to be a city and county employee
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 12:08 PM
Jan 2019

I worked for Housing. And we followed the federal housing but, were part of city or county.
It still burns me when people put down government employees as worthless or lazy.
We did far more work then in the private sector.
And did not get the big money.
We felt a sense of mission. A need to help those who were hurting, ect.
We loved the work because of our love of helping people.
But, we earned our paychecks.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»In Trump country, Republi...