The Party of No

The following was part of Heather Cox Richardson’s most recent newsletter in which she discussed the Senate vote to establish a bipartisan independent commission to investigate the January 6 insurrection. As expected, Republicans voted “No.”

I don’t feel I need to add any additional words to her observation:

Indeed, by refusing to investigate what is arguably the most dangerous attack on our democracy in our history, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has brought out into the open just how radical the Republican Party has become.

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Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Government Without Restraints?

Heather Cox Richardson’s most recent newsletter was disturbing, to say the least. Since many (most?) of you read her contributions, you may have already seen what I’m about to share.

She starts her newsletter thus:

As the Biden administration sets out to restore a government that can regulate business to level the playing field in the United States between workers and employers, address inequality, and combat climate change, Republicans are turning to the courts to stop him.

The rest of her newsletter describes the many and various congressional actions the Republicans are putting forth to thwart Biden’s plan to foster equality.

As I read her remarks related to Republican actions, I kept asking myself, is this the best way to run a country of several million people? Removing the many and various regulations that are designed to level the playing field between the common people and Big Business?

I won’t go into the several actions being taken by the Republicans to accomplish their goal since she thoroughly outlines them in her newsletter. But I will say this: I was pretty astounded to read all that they’re doing. I suppose I shouldn’t be … but still, it’s often difficult to understand their point of view.

In essence, it sounds to me like they would be happy if the U.S. just abolished the Constitution. In fact, Heather reports that Justice Elena Kagan commented that some of their proposals would essentially mean that “most of Government is unconstitutional.”

Heather sums it up …

But that, of course, is the point. We are caught up in a struggle between two ideologies: one saying that the government has a significant role to play in keeping the playing field level in the American economy and society, and the other saying it does not.

One can’t help but wonder where all this will end up.

A Guessing Game

Many of us hope (and maybe even do a bit of “praying” 😈) that the U.S. will be  led by someone sane, coherent, and mentally capable after the November election.

While not everyone is all that excited about the presumptive Democratic candidate, most are aware this nation simply will not survive another four years under the current regime.

Now, having said this, I’d like to put forth a bit of a guessing game.

Let’s say something happens to Trump before the November elections and he is unable to continue as president either now OR in the future. Based on the constitution, we know that Vice-President Pence will automatically step into the role of POTUS.

It’s more than apparent the Republican party has been counting on Trump continuing to lead the country for at least (!!) another four years. But now that dream has been thwarted. Trump is out. So what’s next?

It’s pretty much a ‘given’ that Pence would immediately throw his hat into the ring in hopes of switching his fill-in role into something more permanent. However, it’s also a given that he wouldn’t be the only one.

So who else do you think would jump into the fray? And among those individuals, who do you think might have the best chance of becoming the Republican nominee?

Now remember, at this writing, there are only five months until the November elections, which means opportunities to campaign would be limited. And based on the logistics involved, it would seem doubtful any debate(s) would be held. There could possibly be some campaign rallies, but again, time is a factor.

So, considering the chances for the potential Republican candidate to promote him/herself are limited, what is your best guess of who might end up competing against Pence?

And to take it a step further, in the final election, how well do you think this individual would fare against the Democratic contender?

P.S. Please! Don’t get too serious about all this! Just play along because, after all, it’s just a guessing game. 😋

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Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay

A Brain Matters

Once again, I found Heather Cox Richardson’s most recent newsletter FULL of disturbing information related to the Government-in-Charge.

As is her custom, Ms. Richardson included several shenanigans carried out by the Republican party. However, in this particular issue, she included an incident related to Jared Kushner that was especially mind-boggling. Then, when asked about it, Trump’s inane response seemed to originate in the lower part of his body.

Apparently there was a recent exchange between Jared Kushner and a reporter in which Kushner made the following comment related to the coronavirus pandemic supplies going to the states:

“The notion of the federal stockpile is that it’s supposed to be our stockpile. It’s not supposed to be the states’ stockpiles that they then use.”

When CBS News reporter Weijia Jiang later asked Trump what Kushner meant by “our stockpile,” Trump said it was a “gotcha” question. Ms. Richardson went on to share Trump’s exact words:

“You know what ‘our’ means? United States of America,” he said. “We take that – ‘our’ – and we distribute it to the states.” “[W]e need it for the federal government,” Trump said. “To keep for our country because the federal government needs it too, not just the states.” “It’s such a basic and simple question and you try and make it sound so bad,” he added. “You ought to be ashamed of yourself.”

Whaaaat?

“We need it for the federal government … the federal government needs it too, not just the states.”

Did I miss something? Last time I checked, the states make up the federal government! In fact, here it is as stated on the USA.gov website:

The federal government of the United States is the national government of the United States, a federal republic in North America, composed of 50 states …

The pure vacuity of brain matter that exemplifies the leader of this administration is simply mind-boggling.

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Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay

Is the Republican Party Doomed?

Stockvault Photo

One of my blog followers recently left the following comment on this post. I felt it needed a wider audience and have duplicated it here.

Do you agree?

I’ve never seen anything like this in the 35 years I’ve followed politics. Never. However, the writing on the wall’s been here for some time. My theory is that the ultra conservative Republican Party is in its death throes, and is desperately trying to hang on to a belief that America is here only for conservative white males who feel entitled to have “their” country serve just them, the true, real Americans. Obama becoming President is, and was, a clear sign that the country is not made up of just conservative whites. Their anger and rage at Obama for pointing this fact out to them, by being elected, twice, is the fuel that now feeds the beast known as tRump.

The Republican Party consists, as it has for 20 years or more now, of bullies who refuse to follow the constitution unless, of course, it serves their conservative agenda. Republicans who wonder were tRump came from need look no further than the Republican Senate that refuses to even speak to Obama’s SCOTUS nominee. Bully behavior breeds bullies. There’s no surprise tRump is here. The Republicans created him, and now, they can’t control him. Good job fellas. Good job.