Let's talk about the House GOP majority not really shrinking....

[@AbidingDude1983]

< 50% of the popular vote is not a mandate for anything

[@intuitionz1198]

23% of eligible voters in a mandate for anything either.

[@Seamonkey555]

​@@intuitionz119831.8%, I think. Either way, horrible.

[@CaptApple]

It is if you're delusional. Oh. Right.

[@old_grey_cat]

I prefer to emphasise that every elected politician has the mandate to fight for the things they told their electorate they would fight for. That includes Republicans who pooh-poohed warnings about Project 2025 and abortion bans, who said Medicare and Social Security were safe, a who said "good, hardworking people" would be safe from the deportation proposal.

[@CaptEoNinja83]

So in other words, she's gonna be like 98% of the House GOP and not do the bare minimum of their job unless it's to vote on things that will make regular people's lives more miserable.

[@brandex2011]

Meeting that $2TN could easily be done without cutting *_anything_* if they would just get the donor class to pony up what they should.

[@MrTommyboy68]

Hey, I contributed $2.84 (that I stole from my kiddo's piggy bank because I am so tapped). I remortgaged my rusted out single wide, title loaned all 5 of my pick ups (4 of which are sitting on blocks in front of my trailer) and bought trump bibles, NFT cards, action figures and pieces of his historic suit and now am flat broke and I expected at LEAST a job off as groundskeeper at the white house for my donations.

[@brandex2011]

@@MrTommyboy68 🤣Did you apply and get rejected? Send your story to ꓕЯump because he's known for his sympathy. Be glad that ꓕЯump doesn't like dogs, or you'd get little blue bags. And don't worry. Your kiddo will thank you later in life.

[@Oldleftiehere]

Or not giving the already filthy rich another tax cut.

[@robertwright5487]

😂😂🤣😂​@@MrTommyboy68

[@MrTommyboy68]

@@brandex2011 Naw. I figgered since I made donations to his legal fund he would give me a job. I think the total was around $368.02 total.

[@JackDaniels1965]

Republicans ARE that petty. She didn't get a seat on a committee and now she's butt hurt, plain and simple.

[@robsquared2]

👏never 👏trust 👏republicans 👏

[@AgiHammerthief]

never trust a Klingon.

[@donaldwert7137]

Just because she's ticked off at Johnson, doesn't mean she's our friend.

[@annejohnson5875]

She says she doesn't want to be part of a circus, then goes and creates one.🙄

[@olderthandirt7061]

You hit the bull's eye with that comment.

[@suehowie152]

She is a very strange woman..

[@Frostbite08]

She doesn't want to be part of THEIR circus. Her circus, on the other hand...

[@taljan57]

I don't trust anyone in that party.

[@Erin-Thor]

@@taljan57 - I’m with you 100%. The moment in a conversation I realize they are a Republican, I no longer trust them.

[@CricketsBay]

I've been that way since high school. In Government class, I realized Republicans always do everything they can to hurt normal Americans, take away rights, steal the vote, foment hate, etc. Ever since, I can't trust them, ever.

[@krisfrederick5001]

The House Republicans certainly need to be committed. And not to a Bill.

[@Limited_Light]

Good one!

[@cyrussoxlegion]

I think they need to have their creativity straitjacketed

[@tombrown4683]

@@cyrussoxlegion at minimum !

[@ihavebig6179]

Good, Maybe they will be so occupied fighting amongst themselves that they do less damage to the country.

[@donaldwert7137]

If past performance (the last two years) indicates future results, we won't have anything to worry about from Congress. Doesn't mean there won't be problems, but maybe at least Congress won't get the source.

[@odstarmor557]

The Republicans are a bunch of brain damaged monkeys. They wont be able to focus on their goal but they'll still damage a whole lot of important things.

[@ZippyIsMonkey]

Herding cats might be easier. Cats don't get FBI investigations into their "love" lives.

[@Allastrology]

lol!!

[@johnsteiner3417]

And cats have appeal.

[@maartenvandam344]

Fat cats can be fairly easily hoarded by making sure they have plenty to eat and a comfortable place to rest. All you then have to do is leave them alone without opening the fridge. Republican fat cats never have enough, though.

[@dennisyoung4631]

More like “herding headstrong Denizens escaped from (Dante’s) Inferno…”

[@thomasbraeking6225]

Limp Johnson, IF he survives as Speaker, is going to WISH he was "herding cats". The 119th Congre$$ will be more like herding squirrels across a six-lane highway. On foot.

[@markrenfrow9873]

Hey Ms. Belle and internet folks. I'd like to thank you Ms. Belle for the fine job you're doing (Dee and Dana too)! I watched a couple of 3 year old Beau episodes that popped into my feed this morning. Everyone that talks about missing Beau should know that they are still there. I hope he's well, and hasn't been mugged by Bambi again. And all you internet folks, Beau or Belle never ask you to subscribe like or comment, but it costs you nothing and you should. Just saying.

[@victoriajohnson-parratt6975]

One of the things that always impressed me about Beau and now Belle is that they never begged us to subscribe. As adults, we know what we want to do without prompting.

[@serendipityshopnyc]

Not only am I subscribed, liking, and commenting; I also recommend this channel to almost everyone I know, and signed up on Paytron just to send them a few bucks every month. So far they are still the only channel I support financially.

[@mikekruiser5682]

The cats are eating the cats

[@davidbryden7904]

Face eating leopards 🐆

[@cyrussoxlegion]

They're grooming the dogs!!! 😂

[@riverdalep]

Let them feast

[@jannibal9273]

I wonder how J.D. Vance feels about that???

[@serendipityshopnyc]

Hey, I like cats. It's more like the rats are eating each other. Ditto the dogs.

[@Allastrology]

She is part of the circus, all three rings. Thanks again Belle!!

[@kenbrown2808]

house, senate, white house, AND the subprime court.

[@StarlordStavanger]

Spoiler: we’re absolutely fucked.

[@cindytripp]

Really like the phrase subprime court.

[@sayewashere5894]

Subprime?

[@richardhouvener6423]

At first glance, she seems to be bucking the GOP trend, but she is a VERY radical trumper, that makes Gym Jordan look like AOC. We will certainly see a lot more of this "I am more trumpy than you are" attitude over the coming months as the repubs vie for the title of Worst Groveler Ever. Be ready for extreme nausea.

[@thisishappening7273]

They’re all going to hate each other and their butts will be very hurt.

[@Mtnsunshine]

Thank you, Belle 🙏. Since I can no longer stomach legacy media, I appreciate the news that I learn from you. If this person who does not want to be part of the Republican caucus is worried about the country’s finances, then she knows we need to raise taxes on the wealthy. Trying to cut Social Security and Medicare will get me marching in the streets. The wealthy can afford to pay more taxes, the rest of us cannot. I can’t wait to watch these Republicans turn on each other. I have a feeling this representative from Indiana has learned from MTG that the way to get known is to be a contrarian.

[@shawnr771]

Thank you for the commentary, Belle.

[@victoriajohnson-parratt6975]

Thank you for being here Shawn!

[@donaldmrambojr5695]

Thank you for yours, Shawn. ✌

[@shawnr771]

There is now reporting Chump and Muskrat are against the Continuing Resolution and are calling for a government shutdown.

[@DeanCalhoun]

Speaking as a Hoosier with common sense, Spartz is indeed a clown despite her claims to the contrary.

[@thomasbraeking6225]

She's also an anti-Ukraine "Ukrainian". I strongly suspect "Ukrainian" is a false flag for immigration purposes, most likely a product of the Russian occupiers of eastern Ukraine.

[@donaldmrambojr5695]

Trump is now the oldest "president-elect" & I did NOT vote for him 💙

[@saywhat6062]

he's also an adjudicated s.a.-er

[@spenceair1972]

She’s basically saying that she’s not going to do any work.

[@tygrkhat4087]

Why should she be any different from any other Republican member of the House?

[@patrickjordan2233]

🔍🎯🎯🎯🔍 100%

[@olderthandirt7061]

Good point. However, a Republican not doing any work just might help the average person.

[@tygrkhat4087]

@@olderthandirt7061 At least do less harm.

[@spenceair1972]

@@tygrkhat4087 yes, I get that and the Biden administration didn’t get all of that done with just democrats.

[@nukejane1289]

Hiss!! Pfft, Pfft! ReOWWW! Hiss! Hiss! 🙀🙀🙀🐈‍⬛

[@Ifyoucanreadthisgooglebroke]

I'd love to ask her "So which is it?" relating to contradictory statements, but enemies and mistakes and so on. Best encourage her to think whatever she is thinking it seems so that she can make a headache in the enemy camp.

[@milot2311]

Thank you Belle and Team for the Update, Analysis and View Points. In the era of a looming Lawless Administration and a Felon as President.

[@pamponsart]

OMG 😮 What a zoo!

[@ivanmedrano7882]

No mandate, only gop blathering of mandates. Leave my social security and Medicaid alone!

[@ajdenzer3039]

No mandate was given.

[@gilesluver]

She's like Chip Roy. He wants extreme cuts and no compromise.

[@thomasbraeking6225]

Also, like Cowchip Roy, she doesn't want her name anywhere near anything "anti-constituent". Or potentially controversial. Or beneficial to "the commoners". Wants the paycheck, power, and "prestige" of the position without participating in the particulars of performance; a pusillanimous performative pissant "Karen".

[@Bastion97]

While I miss Beau, thank you Belle for the insights and news. I truly appreciate the work ya'll do.

[@normabrien8331]

Let’s all hope that they accomplish nothing and that they fail like they always do.

[@jannibal9273]

Oh, they'll get their deregulation laws passed and massive tax cuts for billionaires and their corporations, you can be sure of that. Trump may also succeed in killing responsible and affordable health care in the ACA for 40 million plus Americans. The number of people who will die will far outweigh the measly number of additional forced births (that don't actually kill the moms) that the Republican/MAGA policies will create over the next four years. I wonder - what will the MAGAts do when the child-bearing years females shrink down to a two-thirds of what they were, either because of deaths caused by MAGA policies or women saying HELL NO!, and men slowly awakening to the fact that they have to seriously compete in order to find a woman willing to take them even as "boyfriends" if not husbands. Ouch, dudes. Where's that couch...

[@Erin-Thor]

Good Afternoon 🌞 you wonderful Belle 🐥’s‼️

[@comfortablynumb9342]

High

[@shawnr771]

Howdy

[@shawnr771]

​@@comfortablynumb9342Not yet.

[@Erin-Thor]

@@comfortablynumb9342 - LOL! Thanks for making me smile!

[@Erin-Thor]

@@shawnr771 - Howdy 👋🏽🤠 Neighbor! Hope you are well!

[@RexJordan-s8x]

Thank you Belle again

[@gilesluver]

Go, kitties, go!

[@denisecorzette1676]

Good afternoon, Ms.Belle ✌️

[@victoriajohnson-parratt6975]

Good afternoon dear Denise! I hope it's a great day for you so far!

[@denisecorzette1676]

@victoriajohnson-parratt6975 Good afternoon, Victoria. Hope you're having a wonderful day. 🐈‍⬛🔆✌️

[@donaldmrambojr5695]

Good afternoon, Denise. 🔆🌞🐈‍⬛🐾😺☯♾🌎✌

[@denisecorzette1676]

@@donaldmrambojr5695 Good afternoon, friend Donald. 🐈‍⬛🌞☯️♾️🌏✌🏻

[@bobknull7502]

The GOP talking about cuts to social security to cut spending is like shrinking a household budget by only paying half of the rent. It won't be long and the landlord will be looking to remove the family from the house.

[@shawnr771]

It is pretty dumb also because Congress does not fund Social Security. The SSA buys US Treasury Bonds. They are the largest domestic holder of US Federal debt. The SSA has special bonds that can be redeemed for full value at anytime.

[@jenniferf1518]

I live in Indiana. She's not my representative but I'm totally surprised she's shown any sort of resistance to the status quo. Most Repub IN politicians have drunk the Trump kool-aid.

[@suzannepottsshorts]

And the raw milk

[@donnakelso3002]

Herding cats!!!😂😂😂 Love it!! Another act in the clown show!

[@eternalskeptic]

Whenever Lindsey Graham hears "Man Date" he gets a case of the vapors! 😏

[@dariovictor6409]

😂

[@Mark5mith]

He's definitely a confirmed bachelor.

[@Dismal-future]

He could come out of the closet but he's on the wrong side

[@sunshine3914]

No one more deserving than how speaker Johnson.

[@gilesluver]

No one more deserving to be stuck herding cats.

[@klesko55]

Howdy y'all!

[@Erin-Thor]

👋🏽🤠

[@shawnr771]

Howdy.

[@debrabremmer9541]

good conversation

[@shawnr771]

Howdy.

[@666ruth666]

I keep hearing that Social Security is not part of the budget, so how does cutting Social Security get them anywhere? In other words, if Social Security is not part of that $2 trillion spending, how it cutting it even being discussed?

[@barbaramonaco105]

It is actually part of the budget. If you look at a breakdown you will see that in 2023 the federal government spent 22% of its budget on SS. It is non discretionary spending, meaning that the government has no choice but to spend it.

[@Seamonkey555]

​@barbaramonaco105 the Social Security Administration (SSA) is primarily funded through payroll taxes rather than direct congressional appropriations. The money collected from payroll taxes under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) and the Self-Employment Contributions Act (SECA) goes into two trust funds: 1. Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund 2. Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Fund These trust funds are invested in special-issue U.S. Treasury securities, often referred to as Treasury bonds. This process serves two purposes: Funding Social Security Benefits: The trust funds provide the resources to pay current and future Social Security benefits. Loaning Money to the Federal Government: By purchasing Treasury securities, the trust funds effectively loan money to the federal government, which then uses it for other purposes. In return, the trust funds earn interest on these securities. While Congress oversees the SSA's operations and sets policies governing Social Security, the program does not rely on annual appropriations from Congress for funding. Instead, it operates as a self-financing system using the payroll taxes and interest income from the trust fund investments.

[@whiteflower5603]

I recall a commercial years back of a cowboy herding cats. He yelled, "It's a stampede!" Yup.

[@cindytripp]

It's one of my favorites.😅

[@cathystresing5744]

Belle, they are feral cats!

[@BeautifulPilgrim]

Hi everyone

[@Erin-Thor]

Hello Beautiful! Hope you are well! Have you seen iQuestion around at all? 👋🏽🤠

[@shawnr771]

Howdy Pilgrim.

[@BeautifulPilgrim]

​@Erin-Thor I'm about as good as I can be. I was in a head on car accident yesterday. I'm ok except for some scrapes and bruises and a few pulled muscles. Car went up in flames though.

[@victoriajohnson-parratt6975]

Good afternoon Pilgrim! I hope you're having a beautiful day!

[@rhondawilson619]

My only income is Social Security. Hands off I worked almost 50 years for that.

[@DorothyLinsley-j4y]

That sounds like a setup to me

[@DorothyLinsley-j4y]

Cuz why are they lyin to us for years

[@hannabaal150]

"Trying to herd cats" you said it , Belle!

[@billmiller9145]

🍿 🍿 please!

[@comfortablynumb9342]

I hope the GOP does spend the next 2 years arguing, fighting and acomplishing nothing. Again.

[@cassfonnesbeck8057]

Agree.

[@olderthandirt7061]

I feel that our best hope right now is that they spend their time fight amongst themselves and fail to get their act together to assist Trump's implementation of Fascism.

[@victoriajohnson-parratt6975]

Our only hope is that they're completely ineffective!

[@jamesowensii2562]

Make it 4

[@Erin-Thor]

@@victoriajohnson-parratt6975 - Absolutely! As long as they are infighting and a generalized clusterduck, there is hope! 😎👍🏽

[@RedRocksMusic73]

Trump is the head of the circus!

[@simond.455]

Nah, just the chief clown. There's no-one at the helm. 🙈

[@DorothyLinsley-j4y]

They are hurting themselves

[@donaldmrambojr5695]

👋 Howdy, fellow "Ranch Hands"! I hope you're all having a good day! 🤞

[@Erin-Thor]

Wonderful but delightfully unproductive! 👋🏽🤠

[@shawnr771]

Howdy Donald.

[@victoriajohnson-parratt6975]

Good afternoon good Donald! So far so good! I hope it's the same for you!

[@DorothyLinsley-j4y]

Cant solve anything that way

[@jayhnh]

Herding cats and he can't count, Johnson will need Democrats.

[@cindytripp]

I don't think he should "count" on Dems to save his behind ever again.

[@jayhnh]

@cindytripp agreed

[@thomasbraeking6225]

The perfect time for Democrats to use the RepubliKKKlan tactics of the last forty-five years: "Compromise" means "my way or nothing", moving the goalposts upon acquiescence and adding amendments/"poison pills"/riders to bills, that provide nothing but chaos.

[@DorothyLinsley-j4y]

Thats true

[@maggie8324]

mikey mikey mikey mikey mikey mikey mikey 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

[@joylederman4501]

I think this comment is on the wrong channel. Are you perhaps a fan of Sons of Liberty?

[@maggie8324]

@joylederman4501 7 the mikey on all channels to support S of Lib, and all people and independent reporters, helping to help all (everyone) survive the next 4 years.

[@DorothyLinsley-j4y]

Should be honest with us

[@AgiHammerthief]

GOP nightmare: nobody else to blame. 😂

[@greenman7062]

So, she doesn't need to do any work, how convenient.

[@brandex2011]

Especially since her paycheck is directly deposited...

[@Ron_Lockwood]

Thank you,Belle.🎂🇺🇸

[@victoriajohnson-parratt6975]

Whenever it is wherever you are, I hope it's a good time for you!

[@comfortablynumb9342]

Good afternoon!

[@shawnr771]

Good afternoon Ms Lace.

[@katboss4886]

Hope your day is a nice one

[@shawnr771]

@katboss4886 Good Afternoon.

[@katboss4886]

@@shawnr771 Good afternoon, Shawn. Hope all is well in your world 🌎

[@stonedsasquatch]

If Johnson survives the vote

[@peaceout6285]

MEOW! 😂😂😂😂

[@plantyfan]

🤞🤞🤞 Here's hoping

[@DorothyLinsley-j4y]

Remember i was the one hacked 2012/13 not them period

[@johnsteiner3417]

Medias Touch Media keeps using sensationalist headlines about issues like this and then their video implies nothing of the kind beyond wish-casting.

[@donaldmrambojr5695]

💯

[@comfortablynumb9342]

I had to quit watching them

[@Erin-Thor]

Yes, they absolutely do! David Parkman too! (Packman?)

[@johnsteiner3417]

@@Erin-Thor And Legal AF. Granted, his in-video ads for bed sheets is really off-putting for more than one reason.

[@tombrown4683]

johnsteiner3417, yeah, I've stopped looking at a lot of channels that just sensationalize some potential minor obstacles or possible intrusion to the right wing agenda. I get that they want to keep the bills paid & possibly give some hope to those that are fearful of the coming hard times. Leave off the theoretical & tell us what, if anything, actually stymies some of their efforts !

[@cpmathews2566]

They should cut social security. That said, the government can cut me a check for all the money.I've put into social security since age, sixteen, plus interest. If they're unwilling to do that, then they should leave social security alone. It's not a government benefit it's our money.

[@p.strobus7569]

The first year SocSec went into effect it paid benefits. The money paid wasn’t what the beneficiaries had paid in, it was a transfer from the workers who were paying in to the retired who had not. That debt remains and was increased every time new groups were allowed to qualify for it. Our money paid other peoples’ benefits or bought government savings bonds (which we will pay back with interest as taxpayers). It IS a government benefit and only “our money” on an accounting ledger where our future benefit is calculated.

[@k.k.9897]

​@p.strobus7569 nevertheless we were forced to pay our hard earned cash into it. They owe us.

[@thomasbraeking6225]

@@p.strobus7569 That 'debt' would be paid, and Social Security would be indefinitely solvent if Bush2's cap on taxable income contributions weren't there for the last 20 years.

[@DorothyLinsley-j4y]

What did the stick in the mud tell his friends that cant have a drink at our house now give me a breas holidays

[@kimmileusnic3249]

Thank you Belle. I am glad someone is keeping it to the facts.

[@plant.3670]

Boost

[@Skywatcher16]

Its pretty sad that "a couple years of unprecidented infighting" is likely the best case scenario. The only way to not be a clown in trumps circus, is to reject trump and the MAGA GOP.

[@thomasbraeking6225]

Like "a couple of years of unprecedented infighting" is preferrable to the "incessant obstructionism" whenever a Democrat is in the WH. I don't see much difference.

[@kevinvegas1916]

👋🏻🌎

[@Erin-Thor]

Good Afternoon KEVinVegas!

[@taljan57]

👋 KEV 😊

[@kevinvegas1916]

@@Erin-Thor👋🏻

[@kevinvegas1916]

@@taljan57👋🏻J Tor

[@victoriajohnson-parratt6975]

Good afternoon Kevin! I hope you're having a great day!

[@joeyhebert9881]

Thank you for posting.

[@GenXisT]

I don't think it was necessary for you to insult cats in this video!

[@taproot0619]

Love this for them.

[@barbarabolandtizio4650]

🐈 🐈 🐈 ouch!🤕 Isn’t that what happened 2016-2020? At least we are prepared psychologically for the chaos.

[@coolaunt516]

She does not want to participate in a "circus". All she's doing is moving from one circus ring to another.

[@DorothyLinsley-j4y]

I sound like gesile pelicot case i can relate

[@DorothyLinsley-j4y]

Whos ruling the roost here

[@brettbosley779]

Anyone with a "financial" background supporting Turnip is severely lacking in judgment.

[@monacoonswan5534]

I like it "President Turnip".

[@katec7862]

🐙🐙👋👋

[@Erin-Thor]

Hello Kate!

[@victoriajohnson-parratt6975]

Good afternoon Kate! I hope your day is sweet so far!

[@joemancini2988]

Herd cats, don’t eat them 😂

[@pattitully-chain9708]

Good thought, thanks 💙

[@DorothyLinsley-j4y]

Their eating the cats their eating the dogs

[@cindytripp]

They are?

[@dougvantilburg9173]

I have cats. Herding cats is a hell of a lot easier than herding Republicans.

[@KarenParkerArtist]

Herding cats,. Finally, a Republican will know what its like to deal with Democrats . 😂

[@limoselect]

They also have SCOTUS. So powerful!

[@donhoverson6348]

The Grievance Overwrought Party.

[@GearCog98]

Spartz often says things that she doesn't follow up on to get some coverage. She also said that she wouldn't run for reelection this year, and then immediately flipped on that.

[@davidrichardson4131]

Thank you for the update on the clown show

[@user-mad7max11dystopia]

They’re eating the cats. No way they can herd them once that cat gets out of the bag.

[@tavarisjones551]

Belle - I feel like the next few months are going to be crazy... Take a breather. Don't burn yourself out...

[@robindowensauthor9917]

I am having a hard time rising above my own grievances.

[@bkmeahan]

her definition of "governing" is bowing down to dear leader.

[@aletiacheney5911]

🙏

[@DorothyLinsley-j4y]

Ughhh

[@rhondawilson619]

I saw Steve Scalise on TV yesterday. I would be worried about that man’s health. He looks terrible.

[@DorothyLinsley-j4y]

How do you lie to the person who was hacked thats crazy