A fine mess

To the editor:

With gains in the recent election, President Trump's popularity declining and polls showing the public blaming the shutdown on the Republicans, one would have thought that this puts Democrats in a good position. But as Jay Leno once said (and I might not have remembered this verbatim): "Things are looking bad for the Republicans. But don't worry, the Democrats will find a way to mess it up."

This time, eight Senate Democrats decided to join Republicans and vote to reopen the government. The Democrats' whole purpose for the shutdown was to insist on the renewal of tax credits that will keep health insurance made available by the Affordable Care Act affordable. But they voted to reopen the government without getting this, which meant the shutdown wound up being for nothing.

Another weakness of the Democrats that has been exposed is that these tax credits even had an expiration date. Then again, why do we no longer have an assault weapons ban? The Democrats put an expiration date on that as well. This is typical of the Democrats' half efforts. John Wayne once said, "If the bad guy picks up a chair, I'll pick up a table." Democrats will pick up a toothpick.

But I'm hoping this philosophy is not spreading to the left of those in the party who claim to be moderates. Mayor-elect Zohan Mamdani, who calls himself a socialist, has so far refused to meet with the president of the New York City Organization of Public Service Retirees, Marianne Pizzitola. She is seeking passage of a City Council bill that would guarantee that retirees keep their Medicare coverage and not be forced into Medicare Advantage.

Committing to support and sign that bill should be a no-brainer for anyone who claims to be a socialist. Hopefully Mamdani will not prove to be just another phony politician.

Richard Warren