quote:

Either President Donald Trump hasn’t been to the grocery store in a while or he’s going to a pretty unconventional one where you need to show ID to go shopping — and can negotiate with employees about whether or not you pay.

In a meeting with Republican members of Congress on Thursday, Trump was asked about the ongoing partial government shutdown and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross’s comments earlier in the day that he doesn’t “quite really understand why” federal workers affected by the shutdown are going to food banks instead of taking out loans. Ross’s remarks were widely panned as stunningly out of touch.

The president appeared to try to clean up Ross’s comments, but in doing so, he revealed that he, too, is a little confused about how typical Americans live. He seemed to suggest people can just work out a side deal with the grocery store if they aren’t able to pay.

“Local people know who they are when they go for groceries and everything else. And I think what Wilbur was probably trying to say is that they will work along,” Trump said.

In other words, federal workers on furlough or working without pay because of the shutdown should just strike a deal with the store.

Trump also said banks are “working along” with clients on payments such as their mortgages.

“The folks collecting the interest and all of those things, they work along,” Trump said. “And that’s what happens in times like this. They know the people. They’ve been dealing with them for years. And they work along.”

quote:

Originally posted by Cindysphinx:
It’s surprising how fast you run out of money when your income stops cold.

I had to go to the bank this week and ask them to reverse overdraft fees. I mean, we’re not poor, but we’re not very liquid either. When the primary breadwinner’s income stop, things get urgent.

In October, my mom died, and we incurred big expenses getting everyone across country for the funeral.

In December, I moved my dad to Arizona to Denver and into assisted living. More expenses.

In December, LS got his wisdom teeth out, we bought a used car, and put tires on my car. We also replaced our broken oven and dangerous cooktop and fixed a big basement leak. More expenses.

In January, we moved my mother in law into assisted living. More expenses. And we had to lend her thousands to transition out of nursing into assisted living, and that has not been repaid.

In January, federal and state quarterly estimated taxes were due.

And that is how a stable family winds up asking the bank to waive overdraft fees.

So we have to look at next steps to shake loose liquid funds. It’s not a huge deal, but we would have delayed a few things had we known my income would stop.

And we need to shake down my 92 year old, almost blind and deaf MIL for cash. I never thought I’d see the day.

quote:

Originally posted by Nina:
I don't understand what his next move might be. Any people more politically adept care to weigh in? What's going to happen on Feb 15th?

quote:

Originally posted by jon-nyc:
Maybe some kind of deal is possible.

Democrats really want a Daca fix. Trump really wants some more wall. Surely there’s an outline of a deal there.

quote:

Originally posted by QuirtEvans:

quote:

Originally posted by Nina:
I don't understand what his next move might be. Any people more politically adept care to weigh in? What's going to happen on Feb 15th?

There are really only two possibilities.

1. Get something, anything, and declare victory. Say that's what he wanted all along. (The risk here is that the Ann Coulter base will go nuts.)

2. Declare a national emergency. The traditional Senate Republicans go nuts, there's a lawsuit, nothing gets built for a while, but he gets to say that he did what he said he'd do.

I don't see any other way out of the box.