Democrats must not cave in to Trump | Bernie Sanders

"We have a megalomaniacal president who, consumed by his quest for more and more power, is undermining our constitution and the rule of law. Further, we have an administration that is waging war against the working class of our country and our most vulnerable people. While Trump's billionaire buddies become much, much richer, he is prepared to throw 15 million Americans off the healthcare they have which could result in 50,000 unnecessary deaths each year."

"At a time when the United States has the highest rate of childhood poverty of almost any major country on earth, Trump is prepared, illegally, to withhold funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or Snap, despite a $5bn emergency fund established by Congress. That decision would threaten to push 42 million people including 16 million children into hunger. And all of this is being done to provide $1tn in tax breaks to the 1%."

"In the Senate, 60 votes are required to fund the federal government. Today, the Republicans have 53 members while the Democratic caucus has 47. In other words, in order to fund the government the Republican majority must negotiate with Democrats to move the budget forward. This is what has always happened until now. Republicans, for the first time, are simply refusing to come to the table and negotiate. They are demanding that it is their way or the highway."

Democrats must stand with working families and oppose the president's authoritarian moves during the government shutdown to prevent catastrophic consequences. The president is portrayed as megalomaniacal, undermining the Constitution and the rule of law while pursuing policies that harm the working class and enrich billionaires. Proposed actions could remove healthcare from 15 million Americans, potentially causing 50,000 unnecessary deaths yearly and doubling premiums for over 20 million ACA enrollees. Withholding SNAP funding despite a $5bn emergency fund risks pushing 42 million people, including 16 million children, into hunger. These measures advance $1tn in tax cuts for the top 1%. Senate rules require 60 votes; Republicans with 53 refuse negotiations.

Read at www.theguardian.com