Former President Trump urged Republicans to dig in as a shutdown looms over Washington, arguing Sunday that President Biden will take the blame if the federal government closes. Congress faces a Se…

  • Hazdaz@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    their local economies are just as reliant on government spending as anyone else.

    Do you actually think they understand that? I know ex-military who get a monthly pension who can’t stop bad-mouthing the big bad gob’ment. Or ones who work for government contractors - literally their job is directly dependent on government money - and they are always complaining on how much money the gob’ment wastes on “useless” programs.

    What kills me is that Democrats typically let people like these slide by lessening the hurt that they would otherwise feel if something happened to that gob’ment they hate so much. If I am not mistaken, last time, Dems were quick to propose that military members continued to get paid even when the government was shut down. All that does is soften the blow. It actually makes it easier for Republicans to force a shut down because they won’t be harassed as much by their military members since they will still get paid. If you’re not feeling the pain from a shut down, then you are more likely to support it.

    • CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      They will get visibly agitated when this is pointed out, by the way. I remember asking someone who was complaining about “all the government waste” and blaming it on Obama at the time : “don’t you work for [big defense contractor]? And all their money comes from the government?”

      Lots of denial and anger followed. From a simple question that, if answered honestly, will utterly pierce their narrative…

        • CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          My theory is that a certain type of personality gets even more reactionary and “anti-government” the more they are on the dole. They wouldn’t want their job/services cut, but they’ll complain about “waste” and the supposedly lazy and undeserving having a job/getting some services…{ dog whistle }

    • TranscendentalEmpire@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      Do you actually think they understand that?

      The politicians do, and that’s all that really matters. Why do you think corporations give them hundreds of thousands of dollars every year? I can tell you it’s not to turn off the free government money.