Republicans are United in Cruelty. Dems Must Not Divide on Principle
by Mark M. Bello
After weeks of chaos, we finally have a deal to end the shutdown. And what have we learned? Deja Vu all over again.
Republicans remain laser-focused on one thing: rewarding the rich and punishing everyone else. Democrats, as has become their habit, insist on fighting each other.
Eight Democratic senators voted for a compromise to keep the government open, even though no agreement was reached extending Health care subsidies that millions rely on. Progressives aren’t happy. I get it. But anger doesn’t reopen closed offices, restart federal employee paychecks, or feed hungry families before Thanksgiving.
Sometimes governing means compromising today and fighting the next battle later.
The GOP’s Cruel Consistency
Republicans are never divided when it comes to gutting programs that help ordinary people. They are united in opposing affordable health care, food subsidies, and wage protections. They don’t care if the government stays shut down for months as long as they get paid, billionaires get their tax cuts, and corporations get their loopholes. If you’re middle- or lower-income, Republicans have made it abundantly clear—they have nothing for you.
Nothing on health care.
Nothing on fair taxes.
Nothing on immigration reform.
Nothing on economic justice for the middle class.
Republicans only bet on resentment and fear.
The Case for Perspective
Progressives wanted a deal on health care subsidies. They wanted to continue to fight for that elusive deal. However, shutting down the government indefinitely isn’t an act of moral purity, and to many, it seemed to be an act of political self-harm.
Thanksgiving is almost here. Families are hungry. Federal workers are without paychecks. Air traffic, Travel, and essential services are disrupted. Can we build a fairer country if the government isn’t functioning?
By ending the shutdown, Democrats must regroup and fight smarter in early 2026, when the next round of subsidy negotiations is expected to begin. One thing is certain—the GOP will once again (and always) be on the wrong side of that fight.
Eyes on the Real Prize: 2026 & 2028
If Democrats want real leverage beyond negotiating as the minority party during a government shutdown, I have a novel idea for them: Win elections! Become the majority party again!
If Democrats can hold it together, 2026 and 2028 offer a clear roadmap to progress:
Health Care: Protect and expand subsidies. Move toward universal coverage.
Fair Taxes: Reverse Trump-era breaks for the wealthy.
Immigration Reform: Fix our broken system, humanely and securely.
The Economy: Build a living-wage, worker-first economy.
These are winning issues—if Democrats stop shooting at each other long enough to win back the House and Senate in 2026 and the White House in 2028. The truth is simple: It is difficult to change a system when you’ve lost majority control of that system.
The Bottom Line
Don’t Love the compromise? Fine. Survive it and use it as fuel for the next battle and the one after that. Be angry if it makes you feel better, but do not, under any circumstances, let it divide you. Republicans will stay united against lifting the working class. And while Republicans remain united in cruelty, Democrats must remain united in compassion and fundamental fairness..
That’s how you win.
That’s how you govern.
That’s how you rebuild America.
So, stop the fighting and join the party, the Democratic Party.
Mark M. Bello
Mark M. Bello is an attorney and author of 9 Zachary Blake Legal Thrillers and other legal themed novels and children’s books. For more information, please visit https://www.markmbello.com
For many years, Bob Gatty worked as a writer, editor, and communications consultant, based on the Washington, DC area with a focus on government and politics. He began at The Pittsburgh Courier, an African American weekly, covering crime and the courts. His salary was $55 per week before moving on to two local Pennsylvania dailies. At age 24, he began reporting for United Press International covering state politics in Pennsylvania and then New Jersey, where he was UPI’s state capitol bureau in Trenton.
Tempted by the allure of Washington, DC and big-time politics, at age 29 Bob became press secretary and chief of staff for two Congressmen – first Republican Edwin B. Forsythe, and then Democrat James J. Florio, who later became governor of New Jersey and until his recent death was a frequent podcast guest and co-host of Bob’s NFN Radio News podcast (now called Lean to the Left).
After seven years on Capitol Hill, Bob opened a communications business in Washington, first providing political media consulting to candidates and then freelance Washington coverage for business and trade magazines, plus creative communications services for trade and professional associations, including social media. This work involved articles and analyses of key governmental developments affecting businesses, such as the food and Health industries, retailing, and the environment.
His work as a communications consultant to trade and professional associations included launching and editing association publications, providing website content and social media assistance, and covering conferences and conventions.
Bob retired from G-Net Strategic Communications in 2016 and moved to Myrtle Beach, SC, where he launched his blog site, first called Not Fake News, now known as Lean to the Left.
Hijacked Nation
In August, 2020, Bob and co-author Chris Waldron, one of Lean to the Left's most loyal and prolific contributor, published "Hijacked Nation-Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness," a two-volume compilation of blogs regarding Trump's presidency and the consequences for our nation. A followup volume was published by Luna Global Media in September 2024. It is available at https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7 .
In all three volumes, blogs from Not Fake News and Lean to the Left create a virtual play-by-play of key actions of the Trump administration and Congress. For more information, please visit https://leantotheleft.net/books/, and visit Bob's Author's Page on Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/stores/Bob-Gatty/author/B08C7HWXZ5?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=4e603563-7251-4074-b54d-40800c4ce40a.
The Lean to the Left Podcast
The Lean to the Left podcast provides commentary and interviews with newsmakers and others with interesting stories to tell. Video and audio podcasts stream twice weekly on major channels. More info at https://podcast.leantotheleft.net.
The Lean to the Left YouTube Channel
You'll find all of the audio tracks for the Lean to the Left Podcast here plus original videos, including complete video versions of each podcast.
https://www.youtube.com/@LeantotheLeft.
Republicans are United in Cruelty. Dems Must Not Divide on Principle
