Dr Powers is dropping all out of state patients and multiplying fees by several times over. He cites the current federal administration and hints at litigation, as well as death threats and other violence, and losing one of his employees.

I'm so tired.

I'm in the USA. I've had a flair classic. It was able to make better espresso than most baristas, but because of preheating and cleaning, the first shot could take like 15-20 mins.

The weird plastic portafilter grew a hairline fracture and so I can't make espresso at home anymore.

I want something, new or used, that costs under, say, 700 usd (possibly closer to 400 usd), and is faster and possibly more automated, and makes just as good espresso, that I don't have to fiddle with as much once I've gotten it honed in.

I probably don't need a grinder because I have one of those hundred dollar hand grinders that does a pretty good job.

I also want a good steam wand on it to steam milk.

I'm considering like a sage/braville bambino, but that's such an influencer brand that I can't trust anything I see on it. Also considering a gaggia classic. But I haven't used any real espresso machines, so I don't know what I'll like or not.

Durability/robustness, espresso quality/output, and speed/time-to-coffee are my big priorities.

Any advice is welcome!

They stayed up late putting in edits that bans Medicaid from covering gender affirming care even for adults now. They said they were going to. It may be voted on in the house Thursday, May 22nd. Trump is pushing this massive spending bill to be passed ASAP.

The House needs to vote on it, it succeed, it go to the Senate, they vote and it and it succeed there, then the president accepts it, for it to become law.

Republicans hold majorities in both the House and Senate.

They will likely try to pass through the filibuster in the Senate with Budget Reconciliation so as to not require 60 votes, and therefore just a simple majority. That has its own rules though.

Edit: This morning the house voted for and passed the bill. Off to the Senate it goes. This is where everything happens.