Please excuse me while I stick my head out the window and shout, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it any more.”

What was the tipping point?  Not the latest evidence Donald Trump is a racist.  Not the efforts to derail the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election regardless whether or not there was a conspiracy to throw the election.  Not the daily lies spouted by Trump and his communications staff.  Not the sudden amnesia pandemic by Trump’s allies who cannot remember the difference between sub-Saharan Africa and Scandinavia.  Not even my inability to clear my head of the image of the nouveau riche Stormy Daniels spanking her benefactor with a rolled up copy of Forbes magazine.

Tonight, my ranting and raving is focused on the inability of the leadership of the Democratic Party to explain to the leadership of the Republican Party why telling Donald Trump to perform a sexual act on himself over DACA and CHIP is in the interest of both parties, and more importantly, America.  Shortly after 10:00 pm this last night, the Senate failed to pass a continuing resolution which led to a partial government shutdown at midnight.  And partisan pundits and surrogates on the media outlets argued over winners and losers.

DAMNIT!  THIS WAS THE SINGLE BEST CHANCE FOR A WIN-WIN-WIN-WIN OUTCOME IN RECENT POLITICAL HISTORY.  But first a confession.  Two weeks ago, I was asked my opinion about using the federal budget as a bargaining chip to bring a DACA vote to the floor of the House and Senate.  My response?  I generally favor a clean budget resolution, free of ANY non-germane provisions.  I felt that was the case in 2015 when Ted Cruz brought the government to a halt over the Affordable Care Act and this time I initially opposed linking DACA to the current budget impasse.

But last Thursday I changed my mind.  Not because I believe it is way past time to recognize these Dreamers as Americans, which I do.  And not because I am just one of 87 percent of Americans who share this view.  Hell, 87 percent of Americans cannot agree which way toilet paper goes on the roller.  NO!  This was bigger than one issue.  It was an opportunity to confront the idiot bully who sadly occupies the oval office.

Since Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer seems incapable of making the case, let me do some ‘splaining of my own.  On Tuesday, Trump agreed with Senator Dianne Feinstein, in front of a national television audience,  that a clean DACA bill made sense and, in one of his rare moments of honesty, told members of Congress they were better prepared than he was to come up with a bi-partisan bill.  Democratic Senator Dick Durbin and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham were tasked with that responsibility and brought him a proposal two days later.  The compromise included more money for border security including a down-payment on “the wall.”  It included amendments to the immigration lottery program even though Trump grossly misrepresented how it worked. Having spent much of my early life studying Congress and working across the street from the Capitol, I know Durbin and Graham would not have presented that proposal without the approval of Schumer and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.  Trump’s response was an alt-right ambush and the “sh**hole heard ’round the world.”

Which brings me back to the win-win-win-win situation.

• Win #1: Expose Trump for the incompetent boob he is.  Last night, Schumer should have taken the floor before the Senate vote and said, “The reason Democrats are not voting for the continuing resolution is NOT because it does not contain a DACA fix.  We are voting against it because we are tired of being lied to.  We went to the White House last week and were told to come up with a bi-partisan solution.  We did EXACTLY what we were asked to do.  Democrats, and I hope Republicans, can use this opportunity to tell Donald Trump we are not going to be jerked around.  Therefore, I am asking Senator McConnell to bring the Durbin/Graham proposal to a vote tonight.  And once passed, send it to the House with a promise the moment they too pass this bill, every Senator will vote aye on the continuing resolution.”
• Win #2: Mitch McConnell sends a message to Trump.  “We have important work to do and I’m tired of your making it harder than it already is.  If all you’re going to do is muddy the waters, just get out of the way.”  By doing this, McConnell can earn the respect of Democrats and open the door to more bi-partisan cooperation.
• Win #3:  Dreamers no longer have to live in fear of deportation and separation from their families.  Neither party should do this to pander to their base or score political points.  DO IT BECAUSE IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO!
• Win #4:  Congress starts to rebuild its image by demonstrating it listens when an overwhelming majority of Americans share a common position on an important issue.

Donald Trump has turned Teddy Roosevelt’s bully pulpit into a bully’s playground.  But bullies only wield power by default.  This is Congress’ moment to demonstrate it will no longer be bullied.  It is in everyone’s best interest.

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP