longer.blue

Friedrich Nietzsche, that jovial Saxon, wrote in 1886: "Madness is rare in individuals, but the rule in groups, parties, nations, and epochs." We must give Nietzsche credit for the fact that Donald Trump wasn't born until 60 years later; the philosopher and the current US president never met. Otherwise, Nietzsche might have expanded his aphorism, perhaps adding the phrase "...and in the White House." Mad Maga. Tonight, the list of Trump's ignominious records will likely grow by one: Day 36 of the shutdown—the longest ever total standstill of the government and administration. 650,000 employees are furloughed. 730,000 workers are working but receiving no pay. And 42 million households are missing out on government assistance with grocery shopping. And Trump? He "won't be blackmailed," the US president proclaims in interviews. He is confident that the Democrats in Congress will capitulate. And if not, "that's their problem." The government shutdown has already cost the US economy more than $18 billion, according to estimates.