There is a direct through-line from the 2000 Florida recount to Merrick Garland’s SCOTUS nomination to what we have witnessed since election day. The GOP viewpoint that Democrats should not be allowed to gain or wield power has solidified from a widely shared opinion into a policy.
Biden’s instinct is going to be to brush it all under the rug and get on with “healing” and everyone who has any influence should exert pressure on him not to handle it that way. The setup is in place for future GOP candidates to shop around for judges and challenge every loss that isn’t a landslide – and probably some that are. There needs to be consequences for this bullshit, unless the Dems want the new standard to be a requirement they win all future elections by 60-70% if they want the victories to have any chance of being considered valid.
The GOP never, ever voluntarily give up any ground they’ve gained. Now it’s up to the Dems to claw back some territory.
Absolutely. Although I’m still trying to figure out how the GOP managed to “remove” my guy Fetterman, who is 6’8” and doesn’t look like he’d be easy to persuade to just move along, LOL.
The more I watch this play out the less optimistic I am about the long term outcomes. Not stuff in January, but 2022 and interim elections. I just do not see the Democrats being able to play any sort of hard ball (except of course against their own left flank).
This goes back to Clinton and watching the Republicans try to destroy the nice pleasant Clinton who only wanted to be accepted by the Republicans as one of the guys. Through Obama who couldn't do anything strong because he didn't want to look like An Angry Black Man, according to the people who explained it all to me. There will be no change I'm afeared under Biden and the Dem establishment will be scratching their heads at the massive mid term losses and blaming them left wingers and explaining to us how this always happens.
Better either get your passport ready and/or stock up on weapons.
I keep wanting to tell people on Twitter crowing about those soon to be forthcoming $2000 stimulus checks not to hold their breaths.
Anybody in for a pool on how long it takes the Democrats to back away from that particular promise? I'll be surprised if it doest happen by March at the latest.
There hasn't been any bipartisanship in Congress (except for must pass budget legislation) since the 1980s. Gingrich declared all-out war on Democrats in 1994 and it has been that way ever since.
Has there ever been just a "Run of the Mill" or "Exceedingly Average" Strike Force? And I, for one, get an overwhelming urge to beat Hipster Gong's ass every time I see him.
Ohmigod! If this is true this is not just a subversion of our constitutional republic but our entire world. Poor North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm! All those billions can't buy them happiness. (Okay, maybe it'll buy a little bit, but still.)
McCarthy uses the phrase "constitutional republic" twice in this column to describe our system of government. The word that he never uses in any of his columns about the election that you link to is "democracy" -- not once. That there is nothing democratic about our government has become bog standard right-wing conservative dogma to defend their own minority rule, and excuse their support for such a fascist cretin as Trump. And yet, Madison, Hamilton, and many of the Sacred Founders used the phrase "representative democracy" or just plain "democracy" for the government they created, and even Lincoln -- proudly hailed as the GOP's Prime Mover -- used democracy, republic, and constitutional republic practically as synonyms. For the McCarthys of our benighted world, a truly democratic republic is what they fear most, mainly because it will "subvert future Republican electoral victories," unlike the totally not subversion happening in the PA legislature.
Speaking of subverting current Republican electoral victories, it looks like the ghost of Lester Maddox visited McConnell last night, and the Spirit of Politics to Come appeared in the form of Stacey Abrams. Bravo!
Sorry Roy, a bit off beam but given the result in Georgia, I've just gotta....
In 2008 The Democratic Party won the Presidency, the Congress and the Senate. This golden opportunity to enact a progressive agenda and do something substantial for all of the citizens of the U.S. and therefore justifying the peoples faith, was (mind-bogglingly) squandered.
If Joe Biden doesn't immediately utilize and unleash the talents and policies of Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the Squad, Bill de Blasio, and Jeff Merkley and all of the intellectual left-wing talent at his disposal, he may as well feed the U.S. to the right-wing political wolves right now.
Doing "something substantial for all of the citizens of the U.S." is not in the best interests of the 1% & big corporations, so I'm betting we squander again...
I have one question. The volks (misspelling intentional) trying to take over the capitol of the USA? Are they engaged in the violent overthrow of the US government? If so, why are they not being shot?
Don't bother, I know the answers... has to do with the shade of their skin I think.
There is a direct through-line from the 2000 Florida recount to Merrick Garland’s SCOTUS nomination to what we have witnessed since election day. The GOP viewpoint that Democrats should not be allowed to gain or wield power has solidified from a widely shared opinion into a policy.
Biden’s instinct is going to be to brush it all under the rug and get on with “healing” and everyone who has any influence should exert pressure on him not to handle it that way. The setup is in place for future GOP candidates to shop around for judges and challenge every loss that isn’t a landslide – and probably some that are. There needs to be consequences for this bullshit, unless the Dems want the new standard to be a requirement they win all future elections by 60-70% if they want the victories to have any chance of being considered valid.
The GOP never, ever voluntarily give up any ground they’ve gained. Now it’s up to the Dems to claw back some territory.
The current goings-on in the Pennsylvania state senate are a *template.* We should realize this is the new normal.
Absolutely. Although I’m still trying to figure out how the GOP managed to “remove” my guy Fetterman, who is 6’8” and doesn’t look like he’d be easy to persuade to just move along, LOL.
You, too, maaayybe posted this a couple of hours too early.
The more I watch this play out the less optimistic I am about the long term outcomes. Not stuff in January, but 2022 and interim elections. I just do not see the Democrats being able to play any sort of hard ball (except of course against their own left flank).
This goes back to Clinton and watching the Republicans try to destroy the nice pleasant Clinton who only wanted to be accepted by the Republicans as one of the guys. Through Obama who couldn't do anything strong because he didn't want to look like An Angry Black Man, according to the people who explained it all to me. There will be no change I'm afeared under Biden and the Dem establishment will be scratching their heads at the massive mid term losses and blaming them left wingers and explaining to us how this always happens.
Better either get your passport ready and/or stock up on weapons.
I keep wanting to tell people on Twitter crowing about those soon to be forthcoming $2000 stimulus checks not to hold their breaths.
Anybody in for a pool on how long it takes the Democrats to back away from that particular promise? I'll be surprised if it doest happen by March at the latest.
Soon we'll be back to Aliquers snarling at us for wondering if Diane Feinstein might not actually have working class people's interests at heart
Forgotten already, guarantee it
Noooooooo........no more bipartisanship, pleeeeaaasssse
There hasn't been any bipartisanship in Congress (except for must pass budget legislation) since the 1980s. Gingrich declared all-out war on Democrats in 1994 and it has been that way ever since.
I should have said 'no more *attempts at bipartisanship, you dopey bastards' !
The establishment press tells me that Dems surrendering to the GOP is perfect bipartisanship.
Maybe should have waited a couple of hours before posting this comment, LG.
I may have been wrong about how long this will take.
Has there ever been just a "Run of the Mill" or "Exceedingly Average" Strike Force? And I, for one, get an overwhelming urge to beat Hipster Gong's ass every time I see him.
Well, we’ve been watching the Bottom of the Barrel Strike Force for weeks now. (Best christened “Fail Team Sux” by someone who deserves more credit.)
LMFAO – The Very Mediocre, “Meh” Men Strike Force: They Only Get It Done Some of the Time (insert shrugging emoji).
NY Post headline: "Strike Force Strikes Out"
Hip-hop update: Dr. Dre struck by non fatal cerebral aneurysm and Kanye & Kim are divorcing.
We now return you to the ongoing destruction of American democracy, already in progress.
Ohmigod! If this is true this is not just a subversion of our constitutional republic but our entire world. Poor North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm! All those billions can't buy them happiness. (Okay, maybe it'll buy a little bit, but still.)
I am strangely unmoved by this news: Fuck billionaires, even if they come from hip hop.
Who who matters gives a fuck about Dre, Kardashian and Yeezy?
McCarthy uses the phrase "constitutional republic" twice in this column to describe our system of government. The word that he never uses in any of his columns about the election that you link to is "democracy" -- not once. That there is nothing democratic about our government has become bog standard right-wing conservative dogma to defend their own minority rule, and excuse their support for such a fascist cretin as Trump. And yet, Madison, Hamilton, and many of the Sacred Founders used the phrase "representative democracy" or just plain "democracy" for the government they created, and even Lincoln -- proudly hailed as the GOP's Prime Mover -- used democracy, republic, and constitutional republic practically as synonyms. For the McCarthys of our benighted world, a truly democratic republic is what they fear most, mainly because it will "subvert future Republican electoral victories," unlike the totally not subversion happening in the PA legislature.
Speaking of subverting current Republican electoral victories, it looks like the ghost of Lester Maddox visited McConnell last night, and the Spirit of Politics to Come appeared in the form of Stacey Abrams. Bravo!
a RePuBlIc NoT a DeMoCrAcY is gonna be the minority-rule mantra for years to come
And yet, the possibility of the GOP being toxic for long time to come ticked up a couple of points this afternoon.
As I've said as nauseam, we haven't been a republic for a couple of decades if the definition used is a state responsive to the nation's people.
Sorry Roy, a bit off beam but given the result in Georgia, I've just gotta....
In 2008 The Democratic Party won the Presidency, the Congress and the Senate. This golden opportunity to enact a progressive agenda and do something substantial for all of the citizens of the U.S. and therefore justifying the peoples faith, was (mind-bogglingly) squandered.
If Joe Biden doesn't immediately utilize and unleash the talents and policies of Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the Squad, Bill de Blasio, and Jeff Merkley and all of the intellectual left-wing talent at his disposal, he may as well feed the U.S. to the right-wing political wolves right now.
Oh, and Joe? - FREE JULIAN ASSANGE
Doing "something substantial for all of the citizens of the U.S." is not in the best interests of the 1% & big corporations, so I'm betting we squander again...
I'd go with Reality Winner, but otherwise OK.
I can only commit to do my small part lobbying my elected rep's. That I'll do.
I have one question. The volks (misspelling intentional) trying to take over the capitol of the USA? Are they engaged in the violent overthrow of the US government? If so, why are they not being shot?
Don't bother, I know the answers... has to do with the shade of their skin I think.