This was a complete victory.

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And they got nothing. Oh yes, you will say that the income verification part of the deal is something they got, except that is already part of the Affordable Care Act. Only a delusional know nothing teabagger could think that a person's income would not be verified by the IRS to determine if their income was sufficiently below the legal threshold before they got subsidies. So in essence, what they got was an endorsement and an enforcement of Obamacare. LOL. Thanks GOP. Come inside to read what Ezra Klein says the Democrats got.....
America won three, possibly four big things

America won three, possibly four big things

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Right off the bat we won the ability to mop up Republicans in the next election. They've been so discredited through this process that it is now impossible to anyone to deny that the Republican ARE the problem.  Democrats from Maine to Maui simply need to run ads saying "My opponent is a Republican!"  to score damaging points for the foreseeable future. The next win was NOT taking a weak economy and driving it over a cliff for shits and giggles. It would seem self-evident that NOT ruining the economy would be a win for everyone, but teabags are already lamenting the big missed opportunity they had to really fuck everyone over - but good. The third thing America won is more accurate picture of the resolve of President Barack Obama.
Policing Downtown Wilmington at the Expense of the Rest of Wilmington

Policing Downtown Wilmington at the Expense of the Rest of Wilmington

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For many years (at least many of the years I've been in Wilmington), neighborhoods in Wilmington (certainly those neighborhoods under siege) have been clamoring for more WPD officers on the street. What was asked for was a Community Policing strategy -- a deployment that would put officers on the street in neighborhoods, regularly patrolling and patrolling 24/7. Jim Baker was openly dismissive of this plan -- even while he and his Police Chief used this plan to get City Council to authorize additional force strength and more equipment. Interestingly, the place that really did get Community Policing was Downtown. The part of Wilmington where people weren't being shot and not a location of the drug business. Now we find that Mayor Williams is continuing in the Baker mode -- actually expanding the number of uniformed officers who will be walking a beat -- walking a beat! -- in Downtown Wilmington:
One Day More Open Thread (Day 16)

One Day More Open Thread (Day 16)

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A hostage crisis can end very badly, but when they end peacefully with no bloodshed, with no harm to the hostages, what normally happens at the end is that the hostage takers are forced to their knees with their hands up, and then they are ordered to lay down with their hands behind their back, which are then cuffed. The criminal is then violently jerked to his feet and frogmarched out to the police car. We Americans, as victims of a crime, are not going to get that closure.
The Underlying Strength of the American Conservative Movement

The Underlying Strength of the American Conservative Movement

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The strength and durability of American conservatism rests in its simplicity. Scientists have demonstrated that the simpleminded favor conservatism, and that the conservative mind deals only in stark binary choices eschewing nuance. But beyond the brain chemistry that pre-wires them to absurd reduction, conservative simplicity manifests itself in a clarity of operating principles. Conservatives agree on some basic things and work hard to try and turn their beliefs into policy.
The 62 Project: #’s 29 and 33

The 62 Project: #’s 29 and 33

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Today's installment asks the musical question: "Do I grade on a curve when it comes to Republicans?" Why, yes, yes I do. Except when I don't. Another question: Does public comment influence me. Yes, but only to a certain extent. Puzzled? I'll make everything as  clear as taupe (think stockings, as I often do). Starting now. Today's entries: Republican Mike Ramone and Democrat Andria Bennett