Double Down
“Double down. Never admit you are wrong. Never apologize.”
That mantra would get a first grader sent to the principal’s office. That mantra also got an “adult” with the emotional development of a first grader elected president twice. “Those Haitian immigrants in Ohio are killing and eating real Americans’ pets (even if there is no evidence of it).”
“Double down” is now followed by other MAGA Republicans. Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa faces re-election in 2026. At a Town Hall last week, Joni was explaining how Donnie’s Big Beautiful Bill will affect Medicaid eligibility when an audience member yelled out, “People who lose coverage will die!” Joni compassionately replied, “Well, we’re all going to die.” The crowd was unhappy.
When video of Joni’s glib retort became public, her staff hurriedly prepared an Instagram response filmed appropriately enough in a cemetery. Joni smugly said, “I made an incorrect assumption that everyone in the auditorium understood that, yes, we are all going to perish from this earth. I’m really, really glad that I do not have to bring up the subject of the tooth fairy as well.” Way to insult your constituents, Joni.
Now it’s time to play the Christian Card. “For those who would like to see eternal and everlasting life, I encourage you to embrace my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Glad you brought that up, Joni. Jesus often said to the sick and disabled, “I could heal you, but why bother? You’re going to die anyway.”
One in five Iowans and half of all nursing home residents there are currently covered by Medicaid. Hopefully, they will not be among the 8.7 million Americans who will lose Medicaid coverage if Donnie and Joni’s Big Beautiful Bill passes. Of course, those nursing home residents are halfway in the grave anyway. Why should their lives prevent more tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans? Rich guys will need that tax break to buy that $400 million plane instead of being given one by the Qataris.
In the meantime, “Double down” even if you insult the people you supposedly serve.
By Ed Dufton
