The Brass Ring

I like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. If they were my neighbors, we would probably be friends. Both have advocated affordable healthcare for all. They have been grasping for that “brass ring” for years when they should have been trying to figure out how the carousel works. Republicans now control the merry-go-round and “affordable healthcare for all” is now headed toward “no affordable healthcare for anyone.”

We find ourselves in a full-scale shutdown. The carousel stopped. This current federal government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025, is primarily hinging on a dispute over healthcare policy. Specifically, the central point of contention is the extension of enhanced subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace, often called "Obamacare".

While Democrats fight for the ACA, Republicans have managed to implement many goals of Project 2025, the one Trump knew nothing about but didn’t like parts of. While Democrats try to “do good” for all Americans, the result has been a total corruption of the Supreme Court and the justice system. We have seen the Bill of Rights shredded and free speech is fast becoming a nostalgic memory.

Recently, Governor Gavin Newsom called Stephen Miller a fascist. In response, Republicans criticized the comment as “violent rhetoric” but Wisconsin congressman Derrick Van Orden went a step further, calling it “domestic terrorism.” He cited 18 U.S. Code § 2331, and called for Newsom’s arrest. He highlighted a section of the law that defined domestic terrorism as: “…activities that -- (B) appear to be intended -- (ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion...”

Ironically, it is Stephen Miller himself, who frequently uses the fascist label to describe others. In March of 2024, Miller wrote, “If the idea of free speech enrages you -- the cornerstone of democratic self-government -- then I regret to inform you that you are a fascist.” He went on to say, “The Democratic party is now a Fascist party. Using corporate and government power to punish dissent and dissenters.”

So, while Democratic leaders squabble over healthcare (a worthy battle) they may have lost the war. The Republicans have thrown a monkey wrench into the machinery of the carousel, and nothing is moving. They are in total control of all three houses, the Senate, the House, and the White House. They control the Supreme Court and many of the lower courts. The Constitution is in tatters.

Meanwhile, the Epstein files are still under lock and key and the authoritarian juggernaut advances to crush all in its path. Even if Bernie and AOC and the Democrats win a few concessions for healthcare before the shutdown ends, what has it cost us. As Americans we should be familiar with winning the war but losing the peace. In this case, we may have lost both the war and the peace.