Today, House speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) sent a letter to President Joe Biden accusing him of being “missing in action” on efforts to address the approaching debt ceiling crisis.
And there’s no need to. I get tired of saying this over and over, but I guess I have to: The 14th Amendment forbids default. It’s right there in Sec.4. Go and look at it. The debt ceiling crisis is a manufactured one. An illusion if you will. Joe Biden should just announce that he’s tired of playing games, and that the government will pay debts (previously incurred) as they come due. Let the Republicans huff and puff and scream and sue. The markets will dive, but if he shows that he is resolute they will come back stronger.
I have been saying this for months. The Constitution says that Congress "authorizes spending". It says nothing about "unauthorizing" spending. As you said, the President can announce that he will abide by Sec 4 of the 14th Amendment and tell Sec Yellen to maintain the finances of the government. Let the GQP sue. I suspect there are at least 2 of the Extreme Justices who would prefer that the US not go into default. Probably Roberts, Kavanaugh or Gorsuch.
Not necessarily. The defeated former president and failed insurrectionist thought he did because he appointed 3 of them, but all 3 have, at one point or another, taken positions that were in direct opposition to his desires. There are no guarantees, of course, but Bill has a good point
This is a classic leftist idiot post. You say the Republicans violate the constitution and then bother to cite a single example. Fire your brain and show your work!
May I remind you that this is a community of thoughtful readers/activists who speak our differences respectfully. I bet you can find a respectful way to express your opinion. Please do so.
I understand it must be exhausting having to use your brain. That's why leftist love cliches. Saves work, isn't tiring, and is available for all occasions.
Hello, William. While reading, I'm also trying to listen. May it be that James A is the sole occupant of a superior closet as a cage separated from the rest, in a lonely trap from which he is calling out?
Read my thread. I was responding to Heather's claim that Trump created the most debt in history. That's not true. Obama $10T, Reagan 186%.
Who said I'm a fan of McCarthy?
Who's violating the constitution? Have the Republicans not paid debt? Debt ceiling is a tactic for negotiation. Were you born yesterday? Hardball politics exists on both sides.
Our government has failed us. From the billion-dollar bailouts to the 'stimulus' package that failed to stimulate to the government takeover of health care, you cried 'Stop!'... but the Democratic Majority in Washington has refused to listen.
___Kevin McCarthy
Energy is the issue I care most about.
___Kevin McCarthy
I don't live in D.C. I keep an air mattress in my office.
____Kevin McCarthy
There are two different types of leader. A person can either be like a thermometer or a thermostat. A thermometer will tell you what the temperature is. A thermostat will not only tell you what the temperature is, but it'll move you to the temperature you need to get to.
____Kevin McCarthy
The edge of a black hole, the event horizon, is a boundary that marks the point of no return. Once an object crosses the event horizon, it cannot escape and will be ripped to pieces, atom by atom.
Bill Alstrom wrote this this morning. You must have missed reading it?
“Thank you Jon!
I have been saying this for months. The Constitution says that Congress "authorizes spending". It says nothing about "unauthorizing" spending. As you said, the President can announce that he will abide by Sec 4 of the 14th Amendment and tell Sec Yellen to maintain the finances of the government. Let the GQP sue. I suspect there are at least 2 of the Extreme Justices who would prefer that the US not go into default. Probably Roberts, Kavanaugh or Gorsuch.”
I so hope you’re right. After all, they’re paid off by the same right wing billionaires that created this monstrosity of a party. The Koch’s and Thiel’s et al most likely really do not want default, and while they may not be able to get through to the Margie three names or Gohmerts of this world, the Courts corrupt squatters have to have some sanity. Let’s hope Yellen and Biden can pull this off.
Amendment XIV, Section 4. "The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned...."
Yes, politics, brinksmanship, gaslighting, spin, greed, etc., etc., etc.. Wouldn't it be nice if every single politician stated what they are truly for and against, and we could support or not support them based on that instead of the stories they keep telling?
Don't count on it. It will be a grand day when our news media actually tell the truth about these political games but I'm not holding my breath waiting for it.
A large portion of the news media has been and continues to tell the truth. Unfortunately faux nooz is the most popular cable network at the senior centers.
I beg to differ. While the standard media (NYT, WaPo, etc) report what's happening, their reports are couched in terms that equate the different sides of political arguments. It's WAY too hard to find words like "liar," "radical," or "authoritarian" in their editorials, let alone their reporting. The slug-like spirit of David Broder, the first great proponent of Both-Siderism, is much to present in their efforts.
It is not that simple. Obama and then Speaker of the House, Boehner were engaged in the same struggle. The constitution also grants the House of Representatives the power to control spending. If Biden involks the 14th, it will be challenged in courts and might end up in the Supreme Court, in the meantime we slide into default. So while Rome burns, McCarthy will play his fiddle. Check out rollcall.com on debt spending limits.
Agree that it is complicated. But we won't slide into default if payrolls are met and programs are paid for. Congress sets the table. But the Executive branch has the checkbook to pay the check.
DebbieM (OH) I don't think it ever was simple. It is just that we are now hearing and learning. Those that should be aware are taking their children to their ballgames and dancing lessons, working, socializing, etc. They trust those they take the time to vote for, if they take the time to vote at all. There were more people in my community that didn't bother to go to the polls last year than those that went to the polls and voted. My guess is that many that did vote voted because they were afraid their guns would be taken away or they were protecting the "unborn". They aren't into politics they say! They don't realize how involved they should be....until it hurts them!
I agree, but there is SO MUCH MORE misinformation available now than ever before that it takes effort to sort it out. Too many people don't want to make the effort. :(
I hope and expect that Biden is 1) engaging in this debate in public to make it clear to the American people exactly who stands for what, and 2) getting high quality counsel from real constitutional scholars about the art of the possible to solve this issue.
You have bad grammar and word choice AND spelling. Which tells me your reading choices are NOT stellar. WHEN Biden INVOKES the 14th Anendment, it’s not like SCOTUS gets a phone call. Get a grip, Mr. Baum.
I agree that not paying our debts would violate section 4 of the 14th Amendment, but I suspect the Democrats in the House will be able to find at least 6 Republican members who don't want to explain to their constituents why they crashed the economy and support a discharge petition to force a vote on raising the debt ceiling.
Bypassing an obstreperous leadership via a discharge petition isn't a new thing. The Democrats used it in the 60's to get civil rights legislation approved by the House.
When Lord Salisbury was Prime Minister of England in the 1890s, the last scramble for colonies was on. Germany, having only recently become a unified country, was late to the party and under the bellicose and immature Kaiser Wilhelm II resented it. When there was a minor collision of interests somewhere in Africa, I believe, Wilhelm instructed his Chancellor to send a sharp letter to England.
Salisbury ignored it for four months and then sent a brief dismissive reply.
I thought of that when I was reading the first part of Heather’s column today. And I was a little dismayed that Biden replied so promptly.
McCarthy is trying to establish leadership credentials with his mentally impoverished colleagues. I think that the President of the United States could well afford to to ignore such a presumptuous and deficient line of attack. Maybe he could have responded after the Easter recess.
Certainly in the interim the chests on the Right would swell in “righteous” indignation and there would be a torrent of abuse. Biden could continue his solid governance of the country, making appropriate announcements, as events unrelated to this manufactured crisis occur.
There can be little doubt that this legislature is going to continually cover weakness with bluster. Eventually they are going to launch some serious attack. They will raise Biden’s ignoring of McCarthy to the level of epic impropriety.
Tough. Let’s fight on our terms. Let’s act from knowledge that the cause is righteous.
Biden may have seen McCarthy’s letter as an invitation to reiterate the logic of his position. It’s wasted on this opposition. A good slap down in which Biden simply ignored an eminently ignorable thrust would have reduced McCarthy’s stature, which I admit is a difficult task, as it is so low already.
Any number of Democrats could have tweeted or gone on air to refute the letter, thus silently establishing the idea that this simply wasn’t something worthy of rising to the President’s attention.
This feels like defense to me. Time to wrongfoot the bastards.
On the other hand, allowing McCarthy's erroneous letter to linger and fester into even more misinformed anger (if that's even possible), Biden nipped that in the bud.
I think that’s a perfectly rational response, one that I weighed myself before writing.
On the other hand, we *know* it’s going to get worse. We *know* that every future attack is going to be misinformed. And I suspect there’s far more than a non-zero chance that there will be an ugly climax to this matter.
McCarthy isn’t going to be chastened by Biden’s reply. He’s more afraid of MTG. He will treat Biden’s perfectly sensible answer as more “blah, blah, blah” and soak up the “You go Kev’s) from his rabble element.
Biden is elevating McCarthy by treating him as a colleague. I concluded that it’s a better bet to have McCarthy’s Democratic colleagues dish out teams of backlash of the sort that Biden delivered the moment KM sent his missive.
We all know there will be a massive and consequential battle with this Congress at some point. I personally am very tired of seven years of being wrong-footed and nutmegged by a cabal that ignores all rules and makes the opposition to twist and turn to formulate every response.
I understand your reasoning. I'm not delusional enough to think Biden's response will change McCarthy's mind or anyone of his ilk for that matter. I'm thinking, tho, that Biden's response might inform people who really don't know/understand how the ceiling and budget works. Sometimes silence means consent, so I'd rather Biden speak up.
I agree that a dignified silence would have been warranted, but in this case, I think he's well emulating the first Bill Clinton campaign, where every stupid attack was met with an instant slap, not allowing the news cycle to sit on the most recent Republican prevarication.
For this situation, the response is so easy it doesn't really require a speechwriter: "We demand you cut spending!" - "You're the ones who draft laws, so show me your plan! (Repeat as necessary)
I think Biden's moves are pre-discussed among his staff. Perhaps the same arguments you see here are discussed. I agree that we are on the right side of good governance, the right side of humanity and compassion, the right side of science and objective truth, etc. We are in a position of strength. The Biden administration, unlike Republican administrations, are putting the country and the world first as opposed to themselves, for the most part. It is not in the country's best interests to directly attack the two-party system. However, when one political party is outright dangerous, then that affects strategy. Let's hope there are plenty of adults in the room to help Joe make his political decisions. He's good, smart, experienced. But he has his hands full. Wish Klain was still there.
I agree. Biden didn't just blurt out a response. He is not the feeble minded 80 year-old the Republicans like to paint him as. He is smart, compassionate, experienced and he has good, knowledgeable people around him. He'll make mistakes but who doesn't? His heart is in the right place.
“Tuberville says he will not stop his objections until the abortion policy is ended.”
Tuberville, not the sharpest lightbulb in the drawer, singlehandedly hamstringing our national defense until HE gets his way. I’d bet it wasn’t him who came up with this plan; “Here Tommy, this is your job today”
McCarthy, holding the world economy hostage, using GOP objection to past spending commitments; who’s idea was that? Certainly not McCarthy’s. His spine’s not strong enough to do this without permission
I’d wager that GOP operatives above their pay grade have researched the many ways that our government, given the undemocratic power of the filibuster, can be disabled by the act of just one individual and that until they are granted/steal Authoritarian Power, this will continue
From USA Today, Nov. 14, 2020 “Our government wasn’t set up for one group to have all three branches of government — wasn’t set up that way,” Tuberville continued, saying incorrectly: “You know, the House, the Senate, and the executive.”
I was about ready to slap a bitch (i.e., McQarthy) after reading the opening paragraph of today’s letter. Then I got to the comments, and y’all made me laugh. Thank you!! ❤️😂
They keep invoking their religion. You know the phrase, "as God is my witness" and other invocations of the deity. Well, if they are going to use this God as the basis for their policies, I want God to show up and provide testimony. After all, that's what witnesses do. If they can't provide the witness, it's all hearsay and not admissible. If they claim they receive the word of God directly, they are insane and should not be allowed to serve in government.
Yes, Tuberville, proof positive that Alabama football coaches should never be elected to any position. He would rather have a hamstrung military over this....wing nut, inc. As for Keystone Kev, he daily proves that the Rs are the party of chaos and death. I see below that we can call the nitwit from Alabama the Tuber. Lots of tubers are edible, but I am sure there is at least one which is poisonous.
Seems like if 1.4 million active military folks, and another 16.5 million veterans protested in streets all across this country, Tubberville might change his mind.
There is danger from all (sic) men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no (sic) man living with power to endanger the public liberty." -John Adams
Tuberville reminds me of a slogan I hung on my wall until I became mangement: The flogging will cease when morale improves. My colleagues thought the wryness behind the slogan lapsed with my promotion.
"I’d wager that GOP operatives above their pay grade have researched the many ways that our government, given the undemocratic power of the filibuster, can be disabled by the act of just one individual and that until they are granted/steal Authoritarian Power, this will continue
Vote them out. Its the only path back to sanity"
And make more of a "Thing" of this. If " government of the people, by the people, for the people" is to be more than an empty slogan, be have plenty of triage to do to separate practices that enable and reinforce that way of doing things from tools of tyranny. We don't allow cheating in professional or Olympic sports, but "anything goes" when our future as a society is on the line? There is no shortage of very scary object lessons on where the path of corruption leads.
It's not just defense of just and universal rule of law. It is a matter of embracing our collective share of adult duties as a DIY governed society to look out for the fate of the society, our species, and the planet, and incorporate some responsible thinking into the power and exercise of "public sentiment".
The GOP Government concept is “we’ve lost that ‘We The People” thing to … well ‘the people’, so now we need to drop that whole concept and go with “Screw the People, our manipulation of Constitutional loopholes gives us power, albeit how recedingly small that might be”
Bill, I leave this question, which also is in my mind, to those legal folks on here who are more versed in this than I am.
I will say one thing though. If I was the folks that had a say on bases in the states, I’d be damned if I wouldn’t move every single military person out if Alabama. Senators have absolutely no say on who’s assigned where. So, move every military person out of that state. Move them to other military list around the country/world. These folks can serve anywhere. If Alabama doesn’t want them, fine. That’s easily solved.
There is actually an adult discussion to be had about the deficit.
1) How much was the debt increase under each president?
2) What was the percentage?
3) Reason?
Joe Biden $28.4T $31.5T
Donald J. Trump $20.2T $28.4T
Barack Obama $11.9 $20.2
George W. Bush $5.8T $11.9T
William J. Clinton $4.4T $5.8T
George H. W. Bush $2.8T $4.4T
Ronald Reagan $997B $1.8T
First its not true the debt increase the greatest under Trump. It increased 10T under Obama.
Second Biden has grown the debt almost 4T in 2 years, so he is on pace with Trump.
The greatest percentage growth in debt was 186% under Reagan.
The greater question was why the deficit grew? Obviously the deficit grew under Trump primarily because of COVID. However under Biden there was a lot concern by economists including former Clinton Treasury secretary Larry Summers that Biden's budgets were inflationary. Of course the Biden administration pushed back that inflation was "transitory" which was a joke. That's how we ended up with 10% inflation.
As for drilling permits, America began energy independent for the first time under Trump. The first thing Biden did was shut down the keystone pipeline and reduce the permits for drilling. The net effect is that energy costs have risen. Guess what the greatest component is in inflation? Energy costs. Raising the supply of energy would lower the cost. Higher energy costs have hurt low income households the worst with higher gas costs , home heating/cooling bills as well as the cost of goods.
As for Tuberville, We might be in agreement. Allowances should be made females in remote duty stations. That said limiting abortions ought to the goal of all Americans. There is nothing beautiful about an abortion. Even the worst life has value.
Read a good book like The Deficit Myth. Stop howling about something that didn’t matter. The government isn’t like your home budget, the bank isn’t going to come take away the country if we don’t pay of the debt ( which has never been paid off since 1830, just so you know).
It’s much more helpful to think of it as a revolving line of credit. Yes, too large and it causes problems. But they are easily remedied by taxing those who are untaxed and frankly really need to have the crap taxed out of them. I’m looking at you, Elon. Anyone rich enough to blow billions on a dying tweet machine can pay 38% tax like anyone making a paltry $401,000.
The deficit grew under Trump primarily due to his 2017 tax cuts for the very rich. You would love to blame it on Covid, but Trump even told his rich friends when he got the tax cuts through, " I just saved you a lot of money."
Unfortunately, the rest of us are paying for them.
Tax brackets - you forgot to mention that the changes are due to sunset in 2025 while the corporate changes were permanent.
You also neglected to mention that while the US statutory corporate rate has been higher than other countries, thanks to deductions and accelerated depreciation/amortization, our EFFECTIVE corporate rate is one of the lowest.
You also are wrong on GDP. While Obama's GDP was roughly 2.5% (which given the Great Recession and the Republican sabotage was pretty amazing) Trump's GDP BEFORE COVID was 2.6%.
Trump and Republicans claimed they'd get it to 5%, they didn't do it before COVID. And since they lost 9M+ jobs during 2020, they certainly didn't do it then.
1. Please let Peter Thiel & Elon Musk know they're Democrats. I think they'll be a little surprised. There are a couple hundred other VCs who will be equally shocked.
2. Yes, because when Republicans said they wanted to cut taxes, we should all have understood that they didn't mean for everyone - just for the 1%. Both Mitt Romney and Rick Scott have put forth plans to make all Americans except the wealthiest pay taxes.
Your 50% number includes retired people, the military, students and the working poor. I would love to hear you explain why a PFC should be paying more taxes than Jeff Bezos or Donald Trump.
3. Oh, puleeze. Money given to companies from the tax relief act is currently being spent on stock buybacks.
4. That rich person is using waterways and docks often maintained by the very tax dollars they refuse to pay. When they get in trouble, the Coast Guard saves their ass.
5. When you say the money goes to Washington and is wasted, you do realize that you're talking about the monies that support red states and their subpar economies, right? Our tax dollars don't stay inside of DC - it's funneled to states - with the biggest welfare leeches being Mississippi, Kentucky & Alabama.
In fact if we shut down military bases and national parks in red states - their economies would crash. (Alaska & North Dakota would be exceptions to the rule.)
I disagree with "Money given back to companies is spent on growth and infrastructure." Rich people buying boats (recreation) are not infrastructure in any broad-benefit sense. Highways, bridges, water systems, electric, and God-help-me internet better than my 2000-era "3.5MBit/512Kbit copper DSL internet" is infrastructure. In publicly traded companies (many of top ones seem to pay little to no tax as a % of profit), more likely, corporate tax breaks went to buy back stock/equity, increased dividends to shareholders, and CEO salary increases and stock benefits.
And BTW, recall that the Obama administration (2% GDP) was saddled with a "great recession" and a super-modest bailout (engineered by the previous admin as they walked out the exit door).
(1) Trump was only in office for 4 years. Obama was in office for 8 years. Double the deficit under Trump ($16 trillion) and you get much MORE than the deficit during Obama's years ($9 trillion). I hope that you are aware that $3 Trillion under Trump went to lower taxes on the 1% of the wealthiest in America. (2) Also: yes, abortion is tragic, ugly, but it is not up to me to decide for everyone else in the nation. That's why it's called "choice". But what about the hypocrisy of the Republicans: AK-47's, which cause bodies to literally explode and which creates such a horrifying sight that no photos are ever shown publicly, but Republicans see no reason to ban assault weapons because people have "rights" to own them. Well, guess what? I have the right to NOT be shot by an AK-47 in a mass murder. If the fetus has rights to live, why don't I???
What s your point? I responded to Heather claim that the increase was the greatest under Trump, that just not true. The largest dollar amount $10Trillion under Obama, the largest % under Reagan 186%. Biden is running about the same pace as Trump.
As for Ak-47's what is your point? The Democrats controlled Congressed for the 1st 2 years of the Biden Presidency. Did they get gun reform? What gun reform would have stopped the latest shooting?
Pfft, your out of context messaging anecdotes should learn the art of “connect the dots”. Budget deficits occur from defunding the sources of revenue. Check the correlation
Budget deficits occur when the government spends less than it takes in or prints money.
The current problem is both. Biden has grown the Money Supply by 40% at the same he created almost 5 Trillion in debt over 2 years.
The problem is that this deficit spending was like gasoline on the fire of inflation. He was told be people (and adults) like former Obama Treasury Secretary Larry Summers to cool spending. Instead the idiots in the Biden administration (Yellen, Powell) said inflation was transitory. THEY WERE WRONG.
“Hello, payroll department? Yeah, I’d like to have you cut my wages by 50% and send it to Charles Koch instead. Yeah, I know, I won’t be able to pay my credit card bill, but hey eventually “trickle down” will kick in”
Just only response is leftist cliches? That's the best you can do. Obvious you don't know a damn thing about economics, the markets, taxation, monetary policy, et cetera.
James, if you have the ability to edit, you should re-read your response.
Budget deficit -
What Is a Budget Deficit? A budget deficit occurs when expenses exceed revenue and can indicate the financial health of a country.
When the government spends LESS than it takes in, that's a surplus.
When the government doesn't provide assistance during a global crisis, you run the risk of deflation.
The last time Republicans whined about using government spending, they prolonged the Great Depression by 3-4 years and it took WWII to get us back on track.
"...limiting abortions ought to the goal of all Americans." Actually, you are right about that, but it's so interesting that conservatives destroy all of the policies that actually do reduce abortions, such as access to birth control and sex education. We did those things here in Colorado and unwanted teen pregnancies dropped by 40%. But the programs were scuttled by conservatives. Conservatives live in a fantasy world, pretending that the sexual drive isn't something that is a) built in and b) also a beautiful thing if not demonized and manipulated. The fact is that the more we demonize sex (especially for women) the more unwanted pregnancies we will have and no amount of legislation or SCOTUS decisions will reduce abortions or result in wanted kids. Criminalizing women in crisis is a horrible thing. They will still get abortions, it's just that more women will die or be permanently disabled. You're probably too young to remember the pre-Roe era, but it was not pretty. Let's start taking a rational approach and that would include pharmaceutical abortions on demand. Women deserve the respect to handle their own bodies.
The other thing that occurs to me is that it takes two to make a fetus. If a woman gets an abortion and then folks around her are criminally charged, let's include the sperm provider. He had a lot more to do with the predicament than most of the others. It might incentivize guys to be more careful and take responsibility for their actions. Do it three times and it's snip snip time. (Note: I don't believe we should be charging anyone, so this is a thought experiment).
"ought to" I have always hated that word, as well as "should". Who says what I "ought to" and "should" think and feel? Cut that word out of your arguments and perhaps people with brains will pay more attention to what you write.
So much wrong with your post. Obama was in office eight years; Trump only four. Your figures don’t consider inflation or your own designated quality#3reason. Which president put forth the very expensive NECESSARY infrastructure bill?
And who ever said an abortion was “beautiful”. You completely discredit your own arguments.
Hyperbole and lacking real understanding of the definition of terrorist. Like the Trans terrorist that killed three children and three adults in a Christian school.
He urged McCarthy, once again, to produce a detailed budget plan rather than vague calls for savings, “so we can understand the full, combined impact on the deficit, the economy, and American families.”
Bryan, In my view, victories in 22, like Dems winning virtually every statewide office in critical background states, will have to be enough for taking back the House, for picking up at least 1 Senate seat, and for holding the Presidency. My point is that we need Dems, excluding Manchin and Sinema (I), in control to establish federal voter protection safeguards that include votes not being diluted through partisan gerrymandering.
Bryan, I write mostly to amplify that the newly elected Democratic statewide officials (Secretaries of State, Attorneys General, and governors) in battleground states will be critical not just to state but also to national contests. As for litigation, I view it as a last resort to counter incidents wherein proper checks and balances are not in place.
No sign of an end to gerrymandering in the near or far term. Voters in this state, Wisconsin, are pretty evenly split between Dems and Repubs. Yet, Repubs are one legislative seat away from having a super majority -- i.e. be veto proof -- and might win that one seat in next month's election.
I wonder if a box of Lucky Charms breakfast cereal could be placed in the classroom, or would that be banned too? It has a rainbow graphic element. Is any graphic containing a rainbow banned as well? Reading Rainbow? This is hysteria.
Mailed my letters to WI voters yesterday for Vote Forward and mailed my postcards earlier in the week for Judge Janet. Now Wisconsin voters need to get this done.
A successful democracy requires that the majority of voters have foresight and good judgement. That's not the case in America where the majority lacks the foresight to pay off their credit card debt and hold a minimum amount of cash to make it through inevitable economic shocks.
Our primary education system has failed us. We must have graduates with the tangible benefit of 13 years in the virtuous cycle of savings and investing. Let's put $200/mo into qualified savings (16% of current spending) and rank graduates by their accuracy in forecasting the next statement and the final unambiguous and unbiased statement balance at graduation, not by arbitrary test scores. Give equal opportunity for every student. We need more people with foresight and less homeless and incarcerated.
We also need elected officials who can deliver on the 6 fundamental requirements in the Preamble and not a pile of mission creep efforts whose responsibility are those of a free people, not our tax dollars.
That's one of my questions. The other is if he took a hand count, how many of us are there on our side and how many are on their side? I know that is a simple question, and there is no simple answer, but I just want to know if we are totally doomed or we have a decent chance of winning this battle.
Pamela, you and others may want to take a more detailed look at the net effects of gerrymandering. [see Joel Abrams: <https://theconversation.com/when-it-comes-to-explaining-elections-in-congress-gerrymandering-is-overrated-201454>]. While I agree wholeheartedly that we need a clearer and more nonpartisan way of keeping our representation more representative, it would appear that our basic demographic shifts over the past 20 years of Democrats tending to live in or move to large cities has tended to leave Republicans more dominant in the rural counties and therefore more able to control the political activity there. ☹️
Speaking of demographics......the number of Representatives in the House hasn't changed since the 1920s, while the population has exploded. I'm rereading, but it seems to have something to do with the Reapportionment Act of 1929. Acthttps://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2021/07/18/its_time_to_increase_the_size_of_the_house_of_representatives_146095.html#!
I've apparently been dreaming because I'm unable now to find the recent reference. I thought I had "heard/read" that fewer than 20% (14%) of Americans continue to support tfg. As I search for this report, I believe to have just discovered the US main stream media is corrupt. Perhaps, I should not read LFAA until the sun rises and I've had a cup'ojoe.
Heather, I am speechless. Brinksmanship has taken on new meaning. I will need several days to mull this over. The punitive nature of the repugnants burns through every time we look at their complete non-leadership. We are really facing an Apocalypse. The problem is, there are eight billion people on the planet these few white men will deeply endanger and harm. They have already caused so much harm in the US and will continue to hammer away at ruining life for all of us on Earth. Thank you, as always, for your depth and breadth. It always brings relief, even on the worst news days....
Seems like brinksmanship is breaking out all over--in Israel, with Putin, here in the US. Biden is just more and more amazing in how he is getting the responses back out and not letting the news cycle go without a response. Clearly he has put together an amazing team who with only a very few exceptional crises, such as the Afganistan withdrawal, seem to be doing what needs to be done in an incredibly professional manner.
So many plates to keep spinning in the air!!! I think this is all part of a plan by the Republicans to break Biden so they can go back to labeling him as a doddering old fool. What they have forgotten is that Biden is not alone. When you have a well chosen team and know how to govern to can get it done. Clear contrast to Trump's one-man rule and evil minions.
And the Afghanistan withdrawal, all things and prior circumstances considered, was a miracle of accomplishment. A lot of standard vicious nonsense has been yelled and printed about it.
Indeed. President Biden did what previous Presidents just talked about. He ended a stupid, painfully destructive, useless war. We learned nothing from Vietnam.
I have noticed that when the scream about how awful it was they never say compared to which military withdrawal from an active theatre of war they think was better. Certainly not Vietnam.
I see a lot of signs painted in r/w/b with a yellow ribbon that say "13 died. Promises broken". The MAGAts believe that with all their hearts. The ones that I am still in semi-contact with are now supping on the Epoch Times and repeating their drivel as "truth".
Epoch Times is owned by China. TikTok is owned by China. Fox News is owned by foreign interests and spreads Kremlin propaganda to the uneducated and ignorant, who are uneducated thanks largely to the public policies of the Republican Party, which also appears to be strong supporters of the Russian agenda.
Folks, we're witnessing a new style of warfare. Why put your own people (and more important, property) at risk through a shooting war when you can just rot your enemy from within, with the active help of those who stand to benefit personally and the passive help of those who care nothing beyond "entertainment"?
The US is on the verge of being conquered without a shot fired. We need to learn how to defend ourselves from this kind of attack, which has been increasingly successful over the past decades and appears poised for final conquest.
Take over just enough of the US Government to block vital functions. Trigger a US Government default, collapse the world economy. Step in and pick up the pieces. That's how to take over the world through economic and political warfare. You know they think they're getting close, since at this point neither the Russians nor the Republicans seem to be hiding their intentions.
Georgia, I "liked" your comment but had to repeat what I also believe. President Joe
Biden is not a beginner at governance. NO PERSON, young or old can govern alone. Experience counts! Character counts! Love and respect for this country and peace throughout the world all count!!!! Being able to negotiate with respect even with governments controlled by despots is vital.
President Biden does have a great team of freedom loving leaders. They are the kind of soldiers fighting for freedom with wisdom, with their hearts and souls...I see their tired faces.
Thank you to the wives, husbands and children and other friends and loved ones who must deal with their absenses as they serve, so many who are unknown to us, who protect our nation and our freedoms....to encourage Democracies. They don't have time or desire for the "lime light". THANK YOU!!!
Joe and Jill Biden, patriots seen and unseen, thank you for your example of leadership. Thank you for giving your lives for the opportunity to promote "Freedom for All".
I believe the only reason the Afghanistan withdrawal was so helter-skelter was because tfg sold the US and our Afghan allies down the river to the Taliban. There was no way to have a surgically clean withdrawal from that country and under those circumstances.
Elisabeth, while I agree with your sentiment on this issue, let's not forget that it's not just the men in congress or in the fascist far right. MT Green, Lauren Boebert and others who identify as women have joined in and even led this far-right craziness at times. We can go back historically to the likes of Phyllis Schlafly for examples of women who have endorsed and given voice to the suppression and downright craziness against women.
Tuberville isn't smart enough to have thought up this tactic on his own. I guess Mitch is back in action but he is usually supportive of the military. I am wondering if there is a new puppet master in the Senate.
The Republican Party are terrorists. They are either silent against terrorists in their party, complicit or actively trying to annihilate Democracy. To refuse to support our Nation's defense readiness because of misogynist religious beliefs is domestic terrorism.
It is simply stunning and incredibly maddening that an idiot football coach— his nickname in Congress is apparently “coach”—can hold up something so major affecting so many people of such critically high rank and just get away with it? And McCarthy’s antics, oh man!, even much worse and on a far larger scale, imagine! The lunatics are totally running the asylum. The US is in such very deep trouble.
This is how Tuberville can "block" the appointments. "Senators typically approve batches of nominations by voice vote, and Tuberville’s hold would force the Senate to find time for lengthy roll call votes. During a hearing Tuesday on the Defense Department’s 2024 budget, the senator reiterated his objections to the abortion policies amid intensifying criticism from Democrats and a plea by Austin to end the obstruction."
Now that there is a Democratic majority in the Senate, how about getting some of these "quaint" and idiosyncratic" rules changed. No one man or woman should, other than the President and the members of his cabinet, be able to hold up the normal operating processes and decisions within the executive branch of government in this way.
Stuart, Presuming you principally are referring to the Senate filibuster, the cause for much of what is dysfunctional in our politics, regrettably, we have only 49 Senators receptive even to modestly modifying the filibuster to allow legislation to move to the floor for debate and an up or down majority vote. While I don’t know the details of the deal Manchin and Sinema cut with McConnell, I do know that the two Senators assured the Minority Leader that, barring legislation mutually agreeable to both Parties, they would block any effort to modify this Senate rule.
Barbara Joe, of course the filibuster is the pricipal problem but i think that attacking the "smaller" iniquities like this built into this antiquarian institution might enable the Dems to build momentum for the moderniization process. At some point the whole world needs the US to have institutions fit for the 21st C and not the 18th.
Stuart, While I don’t dispute your thinking, based on my understanding of the Senate rules, as long as one Party can refuse to allow regular order, I have no clue as to how “smaller iniquities” can be remedied. Hence, the reason why, aside from taking back the House and holding the Presidency, we must, in 24, pick up at least 1 Senate seat.
As far as I understand it, the only Senate rule that can be changed by a simple majority vote is elimination of the filibuster. That cannot happen as long as Manchin & Sinema refuse to support that change. We only need one of them (President of the Senate can break a 50-50 tie) but both are adamantly opposed to removing the filibuster.
That would be great, but we need a few more Democrats to make that possible. You can't expect every Democrat to agree. It's a diverse political party. With a two or three more Democratic senators, the filibuster could be eliminated and along with it a bunch of other rules that allow individual senators to block the proceedings, but it can't be done with the current crew.
Maybe the country should write postcards to all Tuberville’s constitutents letting them know they are the reason our military has been weakened, putting us at risk. 😡
Maybe that’s how to get thru the propaganda of the GOP/FOX/Putin
If there was ever a case of authoritarianism in the guise of morality (fake) it's Tommy Tuberville. His religious views are protected by the Constitution. But his religious views need to stay in the superstitious village where they were cultivated. The arrogance of his position and actions is a not too subtle form of treason.
I respect any woman's decision not to have an abortion. Most of America demands the same respect in these personal matters from our politicians. It's called freedom of religion, reproductive freedom - personal freedom to plan a family in a healthy manner. Tuberville is a reincarnation of intolerant Puritans. And just as dangerous.
Tuberville is more than "out of order". He is a hypocrite who has preached "small government" and yet uses big government technical procedures to cripple our American Military. He is aiding and abetting our enemies. He is a traitor.
Repubs are playing games with the American people’s lives, “insisting they will hold the debt ceiling hostage to force...spending cuts...and push policies like easier access to drilling permits.” How are we a two party system when repubs refuse to negotiate in good faith, refuse to produce a budget proposal of their own.? They are so obviously trying to sabotage President Biden and the Democratic process. And cause pain to the American people. Of course McCarthy and his party will blame and deflect. Revisiting the repubs’ extreme position on women’s reproductive rights, Sen. Tuberville refuses to honor military promotions protesting the expense of travel and time off for elective abortions. Who does he think he is punishing? It’s American families. More and more the repubs are the do nothing party. They block and blame and in the meantime vulnerable citizens pay.
“In 2014, Tuberville founded the Tommy Tuberville Foundation, which aimed to help American veterans. In 2020, the Associated Press reported that tax records showed the foundation gave away only about one-third of the money it raised.” Source: Tuberville Wikipedia article
Quick question coach: can you spell G-R-I-F-T-E-R? There, helped y’all a lil’ bit. You’re welcome.
I don't like what you did, so I'm going to hold my breath and take my ball home until you change the rules to fit what I want.
I seriously think there should be a way to recall our representatives.
We elect them, we should be able to recall them when they don't represent us.
I never really paid attention to politics before 2015, but after drumpf I started and now I'm telling every young person how important being involved is.
How our only real power is voting.
How I wish I was more aware of how important it is and that our schools fail us big time on that.
Personally, I think our schools should be teaching our kids more about their power to vote.
"I'm going to hold my breath and take my ball home until you change the rules to fit what I want." Beth, you just summed up the Southern slave power strategy from the beginning of the US. It's still crippling us.
I find it difficult to believe that individual school boards can set curriculum although in states like Florida, perhaps so.
I don't know about most states but it's the State of California that establishes the core curriculum for content criteria each grade must meet. According to the State of California Dept. of Education, teachers must meet specific standards for each grade K-12. A number of other states have adopted the same or similar standards. Unfortunately, the standards appear to apply only to math & English and not to the crucial study areas of history or civics. https://www.cde.ca.gov/re/cc/
I agree that recalls (or some real mechanism of accountability) need to be a part of the process. We’re seeing now how voting alone is powerless to hold politicians accountable. We’re seeing how voting has been warped and manipulated. Politicians are no longer concerned with governing, only the next election cycle. They say anything for votes then spend their time in office catering to their secret donors and chasing after new ones.
I wonder how many Republicans are clinically insane? There needs to be mandatory testing of politicians mental health before they’re allowed to run for office. How can that be implemented??
Has the possibility of reducing the pay for Congress been discussed? Reducing their retirement benefits? How many hardworking Americans have lost their pensions? Why is Congress exempt?
I believe Congress itself votes on their own pay and retirement benefits. How likely is it that a majority would reduce their remuneration and benefits?
Naw, it is just acknowledging a great comment. You got booted later by someone who made reference to a "malicious" when referring to "militias". Speaking of the Tubervillian, someone suggested some Italian profanity utilizing "tube" as part of the references to the Alabama senator who can't identify the three branches of governement.
We don't negotiate with terrorists.
And there’s no need to. I get tired of saying this over and over, but I guess I have to: The 14th Amendment forbids default. It’s right there in Sec.4. Go and look at it. The debt ceiling crisis is a manufactured one. An illusion if you will. Joe Biden should just announce that he’s tired of playing games, and that the government will pay debts (previously incurred) as they come due. Let the Republicans huff and puff and scream and sue. The markets will dive, but if he shows that he is resolute they will come back stronger.
Thank you Jon!
I have been saying this for months. The Constitution says that Congress "authorizes spending". It says nothing about "unauthorizing" spending. As you said, the President can announce that he will abide by Sec 4 of the 14th Amendment and tell Sec Yellen to maintain the finances of the government. Let the GQP sue. I suspect there are at least 2 of the Extreme Justices who would prefer that the US not go into default. Probably Roberts, Kavanaugh or Gorsuch.
The Repubs violate the Constitution regularly. It's about time for us to stand up and say NO! You will NOT violate the Constitution.
We have to call their bluff.
Do it, Joe!
But they own the Gang of 6 at SCOTUS
Not necessarily. The defeated former president and failed insurrectionist thought he did because he appointed 3 of them, but all 3 have, at one point or another, taken positions that were in direct opposition to his desires. There are no guarantees, of course, but Bill has a good point
I’m betting Leo did his homework and that Justice Kennedy read the Tea leaves. My confidence in the Gang of Six (sicks) is nil
This is a classic leftist idiot post. You say the Republicans violate the constitution and then bother to cite a single example. Fire your brain and show your work!
May I remind you that this is a community of thoughtful readers/activists who speak our differences respectfully. I bet you can find a respectful way to express your opinion. Please do so.
I’ll take that bet
I bet he can't.
Ah, the disrupter has appeared. So tiring
I understand it must be exhausting having to use your brain. That's why leftist love cliches. Saves work, isn't tiring, and is available for all occasions.
Can you read? The article is about republicans violating the constitution by not paying our debt.
Hello, William. While reading, I'm also trying to listen. May it be that James A is the sole occupant of a superior closet as a cage separated from the rest, in a lonely trap from which he is calling out?
Read my thread. I was responding to Heather's claim that Trump created the most debt in history. That's not true. Obama $10T, Reagan 186%.
Who said I'm a fan of McCarthy?
Who's violating the constitution? Have the Republicans not paid debt? Debt ceiling is a tactic for negotiation. Were you born yesterday? Hardball politics exists on both sides.
Our government has failed us. From the billion-dollar bailouts to the 'stimulus' package that failed to stimulate to the government takeover of health care, you cried 'Stop!'... but the Democratic Majority in Washington has refused to listen.
___Kevin McCarthy
Energy is the issue I care most about.
___Kevin McCarthy
I don't live in D.C. I keep an air mattress in my office.
____Kevin McCarthy
There are two different types of leader. A person can either be like a thermometer or a thermostat. A thermometer will tell you what the temperature is. A thermostat will not only tell you what the temperature is, but it'll move you to the temperature you need to get to.
____Kevin McCarthy
The edge of a black hole, the event horizon, is a boundary that marks the point of no return. Once an object crosses the event horizon, it cannot escape and will be ripped to pieces, atom by atom.
____Kevin McCarthy
Hey Fern.
Good post.
What is your point? I'm no fan of Kevin McCarthy.
Most politicians are corrupt. Fools. Or both.
Bill Alstrom wrote this this morning. You must have missed reading it?
“Thank you Jon!
I have been saying this for months. The Constitution says that Congress "authorizes spending". It says nothing about "unauthorizing" spending. As you said, the President can announce that he will abide by Sec 4 of the 14th Amendment and tell Sec Yellen to maintain the finances of the government. Let the GQP sue. I suspect there are at least 2 of the Extreme Justices who would prefer that the US not go into default. Probably Roberts, Kavanaugh or Gorsuch.”
It's a rather important example.
zero hearts.
I so hope you’re right. After all, they’re paid off by the same right wing billionaires that created this monstrosity of a party. The Koch’s and Thiel’s et al most likely really do not want default, and while they may not be able to get through to the Margie three names or Gohmerts of this world, the Courts corrupt squatters have to have some sanity. Let’s hope Yellen and Biden can pull this off.
“Unauthorizing spending”. Great choice of words
Amendment XIV, Section 4. "The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned...."
Agree. But how many times has this played out? All the times the Government shut down. There must something else to this.
Yes, politics, brinksmanship, gaslighting, spin, greed, etc., etc., etc.. Wouldn't it be nice if every single politician stated what they are truly for and against, and we could support or not support them based on that instead of the stories they keep telling?
Really? If this is true why doesn't Biden or someone say so?!
By letting it play out, the depravity of the GOP’s power grab will be demonstrated in the same way a rising sun awakens those sleeping in darkness
Don't count on it. It will be a grand day when our news media actually tell the truth about these political games but I'm not holding my breath waiting for it.
A large portion of the news media has been and continues to tell the truth. Unfortunately faux nooz is the most popular cable network at the senior centers.
I beg to differ. While the standard media (NYT, WaPo, etc) report what's happening, their reports are couched in terms that equate the different sides of political arguments. It's WAY too hard to find words like "liar," "radical," or "authoritarian" in their editorials, let alone their reporting. The slug-like spirit of David Broder, the first great proponent of Both-Siderism, is much to present in their efforts.
Hardly, lamestreet media does not cover many issues at all and when doing so they don't do an analysis of he says she says. It just lays there.
Tells the truth?
1) Trump & Russian collusion ? A lie
2) The COVID vaccine worked? A lie
3) Boosters worked? A lie
4) Masks worked? A lie
5) Shutting down the economy would stop COVID spread? A lie
6) Hunter Biden laptop was Russian collusion? A lie
7) Should I go on?
Watch better and more truthful news. NOT Fox. Good grief
Are you kidding? In case you forgot the mainstream including MSNBC, CNN, New York TImes, et cetera all pushed the following lies:
1) Trump & Russian collusion ? A lie
2) The COVID vaccine worked? A lie
3) Boosters worked? A lie
4) Masks worked? A lie
5) Shutting down the economy would stop COVID spread? A lie
6) Hunter Biden laptop was Russian collusion? A lie
7) Should I go on?
Good question. Why don’t you ask your senators and congressman or woman. I if a lot of us did so, maybe they’d wake up.
It is not that simple. Obama and then Speaker of the House, Boehner were engaged in the same struggle. The constitution also grants the House of Representatives the power to control spending. If Biden involks the 14th, it will be challenged in courts and might end up in the Supreme Court, in the meantime we slide into default. So while Rome burns, McCarthy will play his fiddle. Check out rollcall.com on debt spending limits.
Agree that it is complicated. But we won't slide into default if payrolls are met and programs are paid for. Congress sets the table. But the Executive branch has the checkbook to pay the check.
NOTHING is simple anymore.... :(
DebbieM (OH) I don't think it ever was simple. It is just that we are now hearing and learning. Those that should be aware are taking their children to their ballgames and dancing lessons, working, socializing, etc. They trust those they take the time to vote for, if they take the time to vote at all. There were more people in my community that didn't bother to go to the polls last year than those that went to the polls and voted. My guess is that many that did vote voted because they were afraid their guns would be taken away or they were protecting the "unborn". They aren't into politics they say! They don't realize how involved they should be....until it hurts them!
I agree, but there is SO MUCH MORE misinformation available now than ever before that it takes effort to sort it out. Too many people don't want to make the effort. :(
There will be no court struggle unless the Treasury continues to pay the Nation's debts as they come due (per the 14th Amendment).
I hope and expect that Biden is 1) engaging in this debate in public to make it clear to the American people exactly who stands for what, and 2) getting high quality counsel from real constitutional scholars about the art of the possible to solve this issue.
You have bad grammar and word choice AND spelling. Which tells me your reading choices are NOT stellar. WHEN Biden INVOKES the 14th Anendment, it’s not like SCOTUS gets a phone call. Get a grip, Mr. Baum.
Did you know that there is no correlation between spelling accuracy and intelligence? Go easy, Dana. Mr. Baum offers a useful viewpoint.
Dana, you may have meant to write "...spelling, which tells me..." as that would be grammatically correct.
And perhaps 'Amendment' rather than 'Amendment'.
Amen.
This isn't what I wrote; somehow it got changed. What I wrote was:
And perhaps 'Amendment' rather than 'Anendment'.
Amen.
Maybe some robotic spell checker "improved" my spelling.
I agree that not paying our debts would violate section 4 of the 14th Amendment, but I suspect the Democrats in the House will be able to find at least 6 Republican members who don't want to explain to their constituents why they crashed the economy and support a discharge petition to force a vote on raising the debt ceiling.
Bypassing an obstreperous leadership via a discharge petition isn't a new thing. The Democrats used it in the 60's to get civil rights legislation approved by the House.
I think it’s time for a bucket of cold water.
When Lord Salisbury was Prime Minister of England in the 1890s, the last scramble for colonies was on. Germany, having only recently become a unified country, was late to the party and under the bellicose and immature Kaiser Wilhelm II resented it. When there was a minor collision of interests somewhere in Africa, I believe, Wilhelm instructed his Chancellor to send a sharp letter to England.
Salisbury ignored it for four months and then sent a brief dismissive reply.
I thought of that when I was reading the first part of Heather’s column today. And I was a little dismayed that Biden replied so promptly.
McCarthy is trying to establish leadership credentials with his mentally impoverished colleagues. I think that the President of the United States could well afford to to ignore such a presumptuous and deficient line of attack. Maybe he could have responded after the Easter recess.
Certainly in the interim the chests on the Right would swell in “righteous” indignation and there would be a torrent of abuse. Biden could continue his solid governance of the country, making appropriate announcements, as events unrelated to this manufactured crisis occur.
There can be little doubt that this legislature is going to continually cover weakness with bluster. Eventually they are going to launch some serious attack. They will raise Biden’s ignoring of McCarthy to the level of epic impropriety.
Tough. Let’s fight on our terms. Let’s act from knowledge that the cause is righteous.
Biden may have seen McCarthy’s letter as an invitation to reiterate the logic of his position. It’s wasted on this opposition. A good slap down in which Biden simply ignored an eminently ignorable thrust would have reduced McCarthy’s stature, which I admit is a difficult task, as it is so low already.
Any number of Democrats could have tweeted or gone on air to refute the letter, thus silently establishing the idea that this simply wasn’t something worthy of rising to the President’s attention.
This feels like defense to me. Time to wrongfoot the bastards.
On the other hand, allowing McCarthy's erroneous letter to linger and fester into even more misinformed anger (if that's even possible), Biden nipped that in the bud.
I think that’s a perfectly rational response, one that I weighed myself before writing.
On the other hand, we *know* it’s going to get worse. We *know* that every future attack is going to be misinformed. And I suspect there’s far more than a non-zero chance that there will be an ugly climax to this matter.
McCarthy isn’t going to be chastened by Biden’s reply. He’s more afraid of MTG. He will treat Biden’s perfectly sensible answer as more “blah, blah, blah” and soak up the “You go Kev’s) from his rabble element.
Biden is elevating McCarthy by treating him as a colleague. I concluded that it’s a better bet to have McCarthy’s Democratic colleagues dish out teams of backlash of the sort that Biden delivered the moment KM sent his missive.
We all know there will be a massive and consequential battle with this Congress at some point. I personally am very tired of seven years of being wrong-footed and nutmegged by a cabal that ignores all rules and makes the opposition to twist and turn to formulate every response.
For once let’s them wonder WTF.
I understand your reasoning. I'm not delusional enough to think Biden's response will change McCarthy's mind or anyone of his ilk for that matter. I'm thinking, tho, that Biden's response might inform people who really don't know/understand how the ceiling and budget works. Sometimes silence means consent, so I'd rather Biden speak up.
Oh, that last sentence was one I hadn’t thought of. Thank you.
I agree with your view, DebbieM.
I agree that a dignified silence would have been warranted, but in this case, I think he's well emulating the first Bill Clinton campaign, where every stupid attack was met with an instant slap, not allowing the news cycle to sit on the most recent Republican prevarication.
For this situation, the response is so easy it doesn't really require a speechwriter: "We demand you cut spending!" - "You're the ones who draft laws, so show me your plan! (Repeat as necessary)
I think Biden's moves are pre-discussed among his staff. Perhaps the same arguments you see here are discussed. I agree that we are on the right side of good governance, the right side of humanity and compassion, the right side of science and objective truth, etc. We are in a position of strength. The Biden administration, unlike Republican administrations, are putting the country and the world first as opposed to themselves, for the most part. It is not in the country's best interests to directly attack the two-party system. However, when one political party is outright dangerous, then that affects strategy. Let's hope there are plenty of adults in the room to help Joe make his political decisions. He's good, smart, experienced. But he has his hands full. Wish Klain was still there.
I agree. Biden didn't just blurt out a response. He is not the feeble minded 80 year-old the Republicans like to paint him as. He is smart, compassionate, experienced and he has good, knowledgeable people around him. He'll make mistakes but who doesn't? His heart is in the right place.
It is political theater. No Oscars for this act. It is rather a poor performance.
“Tuberville says he will not stop his objections until the abortion policy is ended.”
Tuberville, not the sharpest lightbulb in the drawer, singlehandedly hamstringing our national defense until HE gets his way. I’d bet it wasn’t him who came up with this plan; “Here Tommy, this is your job today”
McCarthy, holding the world economy hostage, using GOP objection to past spending commitments; who’s idea was that? Certainly not McCarthy’s. His spine’s not strong enough to do this without permission
I’d wager that GOP operatives above their pay grade have researched the many ways that our government, given the undemocratic power of the filibuster, can be disabled by the act of just one individual and that until they are granted/steal Authoritarian Power, this will continue
Vote them out. Its the only path back to sanity
I agree, Dave. Congratulations for Best Mixed Metaphor of the Year : "not the sharpest lightbulb in the drawer". That about sums up the Tuber.
That is for sure, a great line. Remember when the Tuber said that the 3 branches of government were the House, Senate and Executive?
Some of these House members should be required to pass a citizenship test!
Or an IQ test?
Heck, why not require both.
I had forgotten that....too many hits in the head when he was playing football maybe and of course a football coach from Alabama.
I decided an appropriate nickname might be Tumorville, as in festering and cancerous on the body politic.
Ah, Maggie Three Names, Air Force, Space Force and Jewish Space Laser Squad
Republicans are aiming for a SpaceForce Galactic Empire.
Legos is working on their model as we speak
LOL
NO!!! For REAL?!!
From USA Today, Nov. 14, 2020 “Our government wasn’t set up for one group to have all three branches of government — wasn’t set up that way,” Tuberville continued, saying incorrectly: “You know, the House, the Senate, and the executive.”
HOW HOW HOW can this FOOL be in Congress?!!! Throw him out on his ear! NOW.
David, it was either that or “dimmer than a small appliance knife”
David, that would win the prize for Worst Attempted Mixed Metaphor of the Day. You've got talent, my friend. A winner.
Thank you David I think its time to put more effort into my “Dave Fake News” series
LOL
I was about ready to slap a bitch (i.e., McQarthy) after reading the opening paragraph of today’s letter. Then I got to the comments, and y’all made me laugh. Thank you!! ❤️😂
And it applies to a whole lot of the House Repubs! And I might add the Senate Repubs too!
The whole premise of today's GOP is minority rule, by any means available. If it damages the country, from their point of view, so much the better.
You never ask questions when"God's on your side".
They keep invoking their religion. You know the phrase, "as God is my witness" and other invocations of the deity. Well, if they are going to use this God as the basis for their policies, I want God to show up and provide testimony. After all, that's what witnesses do. If they can't provide the witness, it's all hearsay and not admissible. If they claim they receive the word of God directly, they are insane and should not be allowed to serve in government.
Yes, Tuberville, proof positive that Alabama football coaches should never be elected to any position. He would rather have a hamstrung military over this....wing nut, inc. As for Keystone Kev, he daily proves that the Rs are the party of chaos and death. I see below that we can call the nitwit from Alabama the Tuber. Lots of tubers are edible, but I am sure there is at least one which is poisonous.
Can someone explain how 1 Senator can block dozens of military promotions? Asking for a friend!
Seems like if 1.4 million active military folks, and another 16.5 million veterans protested in streets all across this country, Tubberville might change his mind.
Assuming he has one to change....he acts more like a reptile brain.
Arguably our evolutionarily older "Reptile"-basement of our brain is the realm of the tyrant's super-power.
Yep.
There is danger from all (sic) men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no (sic) man living with power to endanger the public liberty." -John Adams
Filibuster
🤦♀️
Tuberville reminds me of a slogan I hung on my wall until I became mangement: The flogging will cease when morale improves. My colleagues thought the wryness behind the slogan lapsed with my promotion.
It's another brilliant quote from Monty Python!
"I’d wager that GOP operatives above their pay grade have researched the many ways that our government, given the undemocratic power of the filibuster, can be disabled by the act of just one individual and that until they are granted/steal Authoritarian Power, this will continue
Vote them out. Its the only path back to sanity"
And make more of a "Thing" of this. If " government of the people, by the people, for the people" is to be more than an empty slogan, be have plenty of triage to do to separate practices that enable and reinforce that way of doing things from tools of tyranny. We don't allow cheating in professional or Olympic sports, but "anything goes" when our future as a society is on the line? There is no shortage of very scary object lessons on where the path of corruption leads.
It's not just defense of just and universal rule of law. It is a matter of embracing our collective share of adult duties as a DIY governed society to look out for the fate of the society, our species, and the planet, and incorporate some responsible thinking into the power and exercise of "public sentiment".
The GOP Government concept is “we’ve lost that ‘We The People” thing to … well ‘the people’, so now we need to drop that whole concept and go with “Screw the People, our manipulation of Constitutional loopholes gives us power, albeit how recedingly small that might be”
Thank you for your sanity.
Can somebody explain why this one Senator has the power to stop all military promotions?
Bill, I leave this question, which also is in my mind, to those legal folks on here who are more versed in this than I am.
I will say one thing though. If I was the folks that had a say on bases in the states, I’d be damned if I wouldn’t move every single military person out if Alabama. Senators have absolutely no say on who’s assigned where. So, move every military person out of that state. Move them to other military list around the country/world. These folks can serve anywhere. If Alabama doesn’t want them, fine. That’s easily solved.
In my opinion, MTG, McDummy’s shadow, comes to mind. This sounds like her and group working their ploys to overthrow democracy’.
How to sum it up in 5 words. Nice.
That's the best you could come up with? A cliche?
Fire on your brain and follow me:
Don't worry let do your scholarship for you.
There is actually an adult discussion to be had about the deficit.
1) How much was the debt increase under each president?
2) What was the percentage?
3) Reason?
Joe Biden $28.4T $31.5T
Donald J. Trump $20.2T $28.4T
Barack Obama $11.9 $20.2
George W. Bush $5.8T $11.9T
William J. Clinton $4.4T $5.8T
George H. W. Bush $2.8T $4.4T
Ronald Reagan $997B $1.8T
First its not true the debt increase the greatest under Trump. It increased 10T under Obama.
Second Biden has grown the debt almost 4T in 2 years, so he is on pace with Trump.
The greatest percentage growth in debt was 186% under Reagan.
The greater question was why the deficit grew? Obviously the deficit grew under Trump primarily because of COVID. However under Biden there was a lot concern by economists including former Clinton Treasury secretary Larry Summers that Biden's budgets were inflationary. Of course the Biden administration pushed back that inflation was "transitory" which was a joke. That's how we ended up with 10% inflation.
As for drilling permits, America began energy independent for the first time under Trump. The first thing Biden did was shut down the keystone pipeline and reduce the permits for drilling. The net effect is that energy costs have risen. Guess what the greatest component is in inflation? Energy costs. Raising the supply of energy would lower the cost. Higher energy costs have hurt low income households the worst with higher gas costs , home heating/cooling bills as well as the cost of goods.
As for Tuberville, We might be in agreement. Allowances should be made females in remote duty stations. That said limiting abortions ought to the goal of all Americans. There is nothing beautiful about an abortion. Even the worst life has value.
Read a good book like The Deficit Myth. Stop howling about something that didn’t matter. The government isn’t like your home budget, the bank isn’t going to come take away the country if we don’t pay of the debt ( which has never been paid off since 1830, just so you know).
It’s much more helpful to think of it as a revolving line of credit. Yes, too large and it causes problems. But they are easily remedied by taxing those who are untaxed and frankly really need to have the crap taxed out of them. I’m looking at you, Elon. Anyone rich enough to blow billions on a dying tweet machine can pay 38% tax like anyone making a paltry $401,000.
Stick it to 'em, Jen.
👊❤️
The deficit grew under Trump primarily due to his 2017 tax cuts for the very rich. You would love to blame it on Covid, but Trump even told his rich friends when he got the tax cuts through, " I just saved you a lot of money."
Unfortunately, the rest of us are paying for them.
Too bad I can't claim zero income while living like a king. But that would not be right, would it?
The HCR newsletter for August 5, 2022 bears very directly on this:
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/august-5-2022
What a dumb post. Its just a cliché.
I'm amazed at how lazy leftists are. In part because you have no ability to defend your positions.
Again let me do your homework for you.
Trump tax cuts included
1) Suspended FICA withholding (during COVID)
2) Lowered Tax Brackets
The top rate fell from 39.6% to 37%, while the 33% bracket dropped to 32%, the 28% bracket
to 24%, the 25% bracket to 22%, and the 15% bracket to 12%. The lowest bracket remained
at 10%, and the 35% bracket was also unchanged
3. Lowered Corporate tax to 21%
4. Allowed full expensing for capital equipment purchases vs. depreciation
5. Provided payments and loans for COVID affected businesses
6. Provided cash payments to individuals COVID affected
7. Provided cash payments to states to extended unemployment benefits
Its a joke to call this a gift to the rich.
BTW In case you forgot, GDP under Obama never rose to 2% or higher. The Trump plan
rose GDP to %5 and created the lowest low levels of unemployment in US history.
Obviously a fair amount of the debt was COVID related.
Its just a lie to say that Trump tax policy only benefited the rich.
So let's start with lazy arguments.
FICA is taken on payroll.
During the highest rise in unemployment since the Great Depression, employers aren't paying wages.
Mango playing around with FICA withholdings was an incompetent attempt to defund Social Security.
Most employers ignored him. The ones who didn't found themselves trying to play catch up now.
Next -Trump gets NO credit for COVID relief because he tried to block it. And he dillied and dallied during the fall - along with other Republicans.
https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/trump-threatens-to-torpedo-covid-relief-with-new-demands/
Tax brackets - you forgot to mention that the changes are due to sunset in 2025 while the corporate changes were permanent.
You also neglected to mention that while the US statutory corporate rate has been higher than other countries, thanks to deductions and accelerated depreciation/amortization, our EFFECTIVE corporate rate is one of the lowest.
https://www.investopedia.com/taxes/trumps-tax-reform-plan-explained/
You also are wrong on GDP. While Obama's GDP was roughly 2.5% (which given the Great Recession and the Republican sabotage was pretty amazing) Trump's GDP BEFORE COVID was 2.6%.
Trump and Republicans claimed they'd get it to 5%, they didn't do it before COVID. And since they lost 9M+ jobs during 2020, they certainly didn't do it then.
https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/trumpometer/promise/1414/grow-economy-4-percent-year/
Ten minutes of scrolling would have saved you from looking foolish.
Thank you Bridget.
Another thing--employers who suspended FICA had to make it up (i.e. double-tax employees) in the following 1Q.
I don't remember why the suspension occurred. I'm assuming it was related to COVID. Is that correct?
James, #3, #4, and #5 BENEFITTED THE WEALTHY!! How did lowering Corporate tax help the rest of us??!
What is your point?
You seem stuck on 1960's talking point about the wealthy.
Just a little update. Wall Street / Silicon Valley are all primarily Democrats.
They get plenty of tax subsidies from the democrats. You might want to look at tax law.
All tax reform benefits the wealthy. 90% of the taxes are paid by 10% of the tax payers. Almost 50% of the country paid no federal taxes at all.
As for corporate taxes, this economics 101.
Money given back to companies is spent on growth and infrastructure.
Let say however the owner pockets it and buys a new boat. The new boat had a positive economic effect for the economy.
That effect was better than the money going to Washington and wasted.
1. Please let Peter Thiel & Elon Musk know they're Democrats. I think they'll be a little surprised. There are a couple hundred other VCs who will be equally shocked.
2. Yes, because when Republicans said they wanted to cut taxes, we should all have understood that they didn't mean for everyone - just for the 1%. Both Mitt Romney and Rick Scott have put forth plans to make all Americans except the wealthiest pay taxes.
Your 50% number includes retired people, the military, students and the working poor. I would love to hear you explain why a PFC should be paying more taxes than Jeff Bezos or Donald Trump.
3. Oh, puleeze. Money given to companies from the tax relief act is currently being spent on stock buybacks.
https://www.nbcnews.com/business/economy/what-did-corporate-america-do-tax-break-buy-record-amounts-n886621
4. That rich person is using waterways and docks often maintained by the very tax dollars they refuse to pay. When they get in trouble, the Coast Guard saves their ass.
5. When you say the money goes to Washington and is wasted, you do realize that you're talking about the monies that support red states and their subpar economies, right? Our tax dollars don't stay inside of DC - it's funneled to states - with the biggest welfare leeches being Mississippi, Kentucky & Alabama.
In fact if we shut down military bases and national parks in red states - their economies would crash. (Alaska & North Dakota would be exceptions to the rule.)
Maybe you should try taking an actual econ class.
I disagree with "Money given back to companies is spent on growth and infrastructure." Rich people buying boats (recreation) are not infrastructure in any broad-benefit sense. Highways, bridges, water systems, electric, and God-help-me internet better than my 2000-era "3.5MBit/512Kbit copper DSL internet" is infrastructure. In publicly traded companies (many of top ones seem to pay little to no tax as a % of profit), more likely, corporate tax breaks went to buy back stock/equity, increased dividends to shareholders, and CEO salary increases and stock benefits.
And BTW, recall that the Obama administration (2% GDP) was saddled with a "great recession" and a super-modest bailout (engineered by the previous admin as they walked out the exit door).
Trickle down. You seem stuck in the 1980's. How 'bout if the $$$ went into people's POCKETS, not "to Washington".
(1) Trump was only in office for 4 years. Obama was in office for 8 years. Double the deficit under Trump ($16 trillion) and you get much MORE than the deficit during Obama's years ($9 trillion). I hope that you are aware that $3 Trillion under Trump went to lower taxes on the 1% of the wealthiest in America. (2) Also: yes, abortion is tragic, ugly, but it is not up to me to decide for everyone else in the nation. That's why it's called "choice". But what about the hypocrisy of the Republicans: AK-47's, which cause bodies to literally explode and which creates such a horrifying sight that no photos are ever shown publicly, but Republicans see no reason to ban assault weapons because people have "rights" to own them. Well, guess what? I have the right to NOT be shot by an AK-47 in a mass murder. If the fetus has rights to live, why don't I???
What s your point? I responded to Heather claim that the increase was the greatest under Trump, that just not true. The largest dollar amount $10Trillion under Obama, the largest % under Reagan 186%. Biden is running about the same pace as Trump.
As for Ak-47's what is your point? The Democrats controlled Congressed for the 1st 2 years of the Biden Presidency. Did they get gun reform? What gun reform would have stopped the latest shooting?
I suggest you read so you can understand her point; she explained your discrepancies.
Thank you Brenda!
Pfft, your out of context messaging anecdotes should learn the art of “connect the dots”. Budget deficits occur from defunding the sources of revenue. Check the correlation
Where did all that revenue go? Three guesses
Are you an idiot?
Budget deficits occur when the government spends less than it takes in or prints money.
The current problem is both. Biden has grown the Money Supply by 40% at the same he created almost 5 Trillion in debt over 2 years.
The problem is that this deficit spending was like gasoline on the fire of inflation. He was told be people (and adults) like former Obama Treasury Secretary Larry Summers to cool spending. Instead the idiots in the Biden administration (Yellen, Powell) said inflation was transitory. THEY WERE WRONG.
“Hello, payroll department? Yeah, I’d like to have you cut my wages by 50% and send it to Charles Koch instead. Yeah, I know, I won’t be able to pay my credit card bill, but hey eventually “trickle down” will kick in”
Yeah, right?
What a dumb reply.
Just only response is leftist cliches? That's the best you can do. Obvious you don't know a damn thing about economics, the markets, taxation, monetary policy, et cetera.
I am not being rude, just curious. Do you mind telling me what your educational background is?
James, if you have the ability to edit, you should re-read your response.
Budget deficit -
What Is a Budget Deficit? A budget deficit occurs when expenses exceed revenue and can indicate the financial health of a country.
When the government spends LESS than it takes in, that's a surplus.
When the government doesn't provide assistance during a global crisis, you run the risk of deflation.
The last time Republicans whined about using government spending, they prolonged the Great Depression by 3-4 years and it took WWII to get us back on track.
History is a bitch, sayeth the James
"...limiting abortions ought to the goal of all Americans." Actually, you are right about that, but it's so interesting that conservatives destroy all of the policies that actually do reduce abortions, such as access to birth control and sex education. We did those things here in Colorado and unwanted teen pregnancies dropped by 40%. But the programs were scuttled by conservatives. Conservatives live in a fantasy world, pretending that the sexual drive isn't something that is a) built in and b) also a beautiful thing if not demonized and manipulated. The fact is that the more we demonize sex (especially for women) the more unwanted pregnancies we will have and no amount of legislation or SCOTUS decisions will reduce abortions or result in wanted kids. Criminalizing women in crisis is a horrible thing. They will still get abortions, it's just that more women will die or be permanently disabled. You're probably too young to remember the pre-Roe era, but it was not pretty. Let's start taking a rational approach and that would include pharmaceutical abortions on demand. Women deserve the respect to handle their own bodies.
Wow, that one is for the ages. Well spoken
The other thing that occurs to me is that it takes two to make a fetus. If a woman gets an abortion and then folks around her are criminally charged, let's include the sperm provider. He had a lot more to do with the predicament than most of the others. It might incentivize guys to be more careful and take responsibility for their actions. Do it three times and it's snip snip time. (Note: I don't believe we should be charging anyone, so this is a thought experiment).
Touche'!
"ought to" I have always hated that word, as well as "should". Who says what I "ought to" and "should" think and feel? Cut that word out of your arguments and perhaps people with brains will pay more attention to what you write.
So much wrong with your post. Obama was in office eight years; Trump only four. Your figures don’t consider inflation or your own designated quality#3reason. Which president put forth the very expensive NECESSARY infrastructure bill?
And who ever said an abortion was “beautiful”. You completely discredit your own arguments.
This is a very powerful news story, worth watching and sharing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaMXsXLAqTA
Lindsey Graham on this is utterly despicable.
He's actually utterly despicable ALL the time. (Sadly, I live in SC.)
Hyperbole and lacking real understanding of the definition of terrorist. Like the Trans terrorist that killed three children and three adults in a Christian school.
He urged McCarthy, once again, to produce a detailed budget plan rather than vague calls for savings, “so we can understand the full, combined impact on the deficit, the economy, and American families.”
Sane
Adult
Presidential
Which begs the question, when will this madness cease?
It will stop at the ballot box after unlawful gerrymandering is elminated & every Citizen's Voting Rights are soundly protected.
Bryan, In my view, victories in 22, like Dems winning virtually every statewide office in critical background states, will have to be enough for taking back the House, for picking up at least 1 Senate seat, and for holding the Presidency. My point is that we need Dems, excluding Manchin and Sinema (I), in control to establish federal voter protection safeguards that include votes not being diluted through partisan gerrymandering.
I concur Barbara, major energy should go to state voting although legal action can be very useful at times depending on multiple factors.
Bryan, I write mostly to amplify that the newly elected Democratic statewide officials (Secretaries of State, Attorneys General, and governors) in battleground states will be critical not just to state but also to national contests. As for litigation, I view it as a last resort to counter incidents wherein proper checks and balances are not in place.
Thank you 'for your service'.
No sign of an end to gerrymandering in the near or far term. Voters in this state, Wisconsin, are pretty evenly split between Dems and Repubs. Yet, Repubs are one legislative seat away from having a super majority -- i.e. be veto proof -- and might win that one seat in next month's election.
that's horrible!
SCOTUS AWOL
Thank you Cynthia & jerrianneh, keep us posted on April 4 , Election Day.
All eyes should be on Wisconsin.
A county is Wisconsin just banned the decorating of classrooms with pictures of rainbows. Yes, really. Are unicorns next?
I wonder if a box of Lucky Charms breakfast cereal could be placed in the classroom, or would that be banned too? It has a rainbow graphic element. Is any graphic containing a rainbow banned as well? Reading Rainbow? This is hysteria.
I surely hope so.
Ungerrymandered: Michigan's Maps, Independently Drawn, Set Up Fair Fight https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/29/us/politics/michigan-congressional-maps.html
Thank you Mary Pat, I wanted to research the details. Fair maps = fair elections.
and how can/will that happen?
Case in point: Wisconsin Election Day, April 4, 2023 for Wis Top Court seat. Go Janet, Go, Your Honor.
Mailed my letters to WI voters yesterday for Vote Forward and mailed my postcards earlier in the week for Judge Janet. Now Wisconsin voters need to get this done.
Same here. Go WI!
is it too late to send postcards?
Exactly!
AFTER. But who's going to bell the cat?
Through Bellingcat techniques ... perhaps.
A successful democracy requires that the majority of voters have foresight and good judgement. That's not the case in America where the majority lacks the foresight to pay off their credit card debt and hold a minimum amount of cash to make it through inevitable economic shocks.
Our primary education system has failed us. We must have graduates with the tangible benefit of 13 years in the virtuous cycle of savings and investing. Let's put $200/mo into qualified savings (16% of current spending) and rank graduates by their accuracy in forecasting the next statement and the final unambiguous and unbiased statement balance at graduation, not by arbitrary test scores. Give equal opportunity for every student. We need more people with foresight and less homeless and incarcerated.
We also need elected officials who can deliver on the 6 fundamental requirements in the Preamble and not a pile of mission creep efforts whose responsibility are those of a free people, not our tax dollars.
That's one of my questions. The other is if he took a hand count, how many of us are there on our side and how many are on their side? I know that is a simple question, and there is no simple answer, but I just want to know if we are totally doomed or we have a decent chance of winning this battle.
Sadly with all the gerrymandering that GQP state legislators have put in place in many districts the number of "hands" is negated by gerrymandering.
sad face
Think Marylin is right, tfg had to go to WacoTexas for a stage backdrop for his unreality tv.
Pamela, you and others may want to take a more detailed look at the net effects of gerrymandering. [see Joel Abrams: <https://theconversation.com/when-it-comes-to-explaining-elections-in-congress-gerrymandering-is-overrated-201454>]. While I agree wholeheartedly that we need a clearer and more nonpartisan way of keeping our representation more representative, it would appear that our basic demographic shifts over the past 20 years of Democrats tending to live in or move to large cities has tended to leave Republicans more dominant in the rural counties and therefore more able to control the political activity there. ☹️
Michigan is now a Democratic trifecta with the redistrictibg We, The People, demanded.
But, see how Michigan solved that:
Ungerrymandered: Michigan's Maps, Independently Drawn, Set Up Fair Fight https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/29/us/politics/michigan-congressional-maps.html
Speaking of demographics......the number of Representatives in the House hasn't changed since the 1920s, while the population has exploded. I'm rereading, but it seems to have something to do with the Reapportionment Act of 1929. Acthttps://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2021/07/18/its_time_to_increase_the_size_of_the_house_of_representatives_146095.html#!
(Old city districts are segmented then stretced into rural areas as needed for fair representation in Michigan statewide).
Good point, JohnM!
I have to believe the sane will triumph over the crazies. I just cannot imagine anything else.
I've apparently been dreaming because I'm unable now to find the recent reference. I thought I had "heard/read" that fewer than 20% (14%) of Americans continue to support tfg. As I search for this report, I believe to have just discovered the US main stream media is corrupt. Perhaps, I should not read LFAA until the sun rises and I've had a cup'ojoe.
Simon Rosenberg who predicted the faux red wave.
https://twitter.com/SimonWDC/status/1545389554743627777
🌊
but that was then...do you think that will hold?
I do. Rosenberg has a Substack: https://simonwdc.substack.com/
Time for 16.5 million veterans to walk/wheelchair the streets in protest.
💙....2024 with a BLUE TSUNAMI , VOTE FOLKS💙
When we, the people, vote these idiot republicans out on their keisters!
Trying to deal with a well-compromised man-child whose spine never developed.
Heather, I am speechless. Brinksmanship has taken on new meaning. I will need several days to mull this over. The punitive nature of the repugnants burns through every time we look at their complete non-leadership. We are really facing an Apocalypse. The problem is, there are eight billion people on the planet these few white men will deeply endanger and harm. They have already caused so much harm in the US and will continue to hammer away at ruining life for all of us on Earth. Thank you, as always, for your depth and breadth. It always brings relief, even on the worst news days....
Seems like brinksmanship is breaking out all over--in Israel, with Putin, here in the US. Biden is just more and more amazing in how he is getting the responses back out and not letting the news cycle go without a response. Clearly he has put together an amazing team who with only a very few exceptional crises, such as the Afganistan withdrawal, seem to be doing what needs to be done in an incredibly professional manner.
So many plates to keep spinning in the air!!! I think this is all part of a plan by the Republicans to break Biden so they can go back to labeling him as a doddering old fool. What they have forgotten is that Biden is not alone. When you have a well chosen team and know how to govern to can get it done. Clear contrast to Trump's one-man rule and evil minions.
And the Afghanistan withdrawal, all things and prior circumstances considered, was a miracle of accomplishment. A lot of standard vicious nonsense has been yelled and printed about it.
Indeed. President Biden did what previous Presidents just talked about. He ended a stupid, painfully destructive, useless war. We learned nothing from Vietnam.
Agreed. Methinks it would have been disastrous in some way or another no matter who was president.
I have noticed that when the scream about how awful it was they never say compared to which military withdrawal from an active theatre of war they think was better. Certainly not Vietnam.
I see a lot of signs painted in r/w/b with a yellow ribbon that say "13 died. Promises broken". The MAGAts believe that with all their hearts. The ones that I am still in semi-contact with are now supping on the Epoch Times and repeating their drivel as "truth".
Epoch Times is owned by China. TikTok is owned by China. Fox News is owned by foreign interests and spreads Kremlin propaganda to the uneducated and ignorant, who are uneducated thanks largely to the public policies of the Republican Party, which also appears to be strong supporters of the Russian agenda.
Folks, we're witnessing a new style of warfare. Why put your own people (and more important, property) at risk through a shooting war when you can just rot your enemy from within, with the active help of those who stand to benefit personally and the passive help of those who care nothing beyond "entertainment"?
The US is on the verge of being conquered without a shot fired. We need to learn how to defend ourselves from this kind of attack, which has been increasingly successful over the past decades and appears poised for final conquest.
Take over just enough of the US Government to block vital functions. Trigger a US Government default, collapse the world economy. Step in and pick up the pieces. That's how to take over the world through economic and political warfare. You know they think they're getting close, since at this point neither the Russians nor the Republicans seem to be hiding their intentions.
Hope lies where?
Georgia, I "liked" your comment but had to repeat what I also believe. President Joe
Biden is not a beginner at governance. NO PERSON, young or old can govern alone. Experience counts! Character counts! Love and respect for this country and peace throughout the world all count!!!! Being able to negotiate with respect even with governments controlled by despots is vital.
President Biden does have a great team of freedom loving leaders. They are the kind of soldiers fighting for freedom with wisdom, with their hearts and souls...I see their tired faces.
Thank you to the wives, husbands and children and other friends and loved ones who must deal with their absenses as they serve, so many who are unknown to us, who protect our nation and our freedoms....to encourage Democracies. They don't have time or desire for the "lime light". THANK YOU!!!
Joe and Jill Biden, patriots seen and unseen, thank you for your example of leadership. Thank you for giving your lives for the opportunity to promote "Freedom for All".
Freedom is hardwork. Wake up!
I believe the only reason the Afghanistan withdrawal was so helter-skelter was because tfg sold the US and our Afghan allies down the river to the Taliban. There was no way to have a surgically clean withdrawal from that country and under those circumstances.
Elisabeth you nailed it for certain as actions in the US affect the planet. 2024 Elections cannot come soon enough.
And Democrats have got to take back the House!
And expand their majority in the senate and hold the presidency
YES! Make Manchin's and Sinema's rogue votes immaterial.
Sinema is up for election in 2024. With some hard work, the new US Senator from Arizona will be Ruben Gallego (D).
Indeed. This has turned out to be even worse than we thought.
Well, we had better work like all get out to win the elections everywhere we can!!!
Elisabeth, while I agree with your sentiment on this issue, let's not forget that it's not just the men in congress or in the fascist far right. MT Green, Lauren Boebert and others who identify as women have joined in and even led this far-right craziness at times. We can go back historically to the likes of Phyllis Schlafly for examples of women who have endorsed and given voice to the suppression and downright craziness against women.
Hear! Hear!
Tuberville isn't smart enough to have thought up this tactic on his own. I guess Mitch is back in action but he is usually supportive of the military. I am wondering if there is a new puppet master in the Senate.
The Federalist cabal’s tentacles are everywhere! Anti-abortion is the meat and potatoes of those right wing religionists!
No, the puppets have taken over.
The Republican Party are terrorists. They are either silent against terrorists in their party, complicit or actively trying to annihilate Democracy. To refuse to support our Nation's defense readiness because of misogynist religious beliefs is domestic terrorism.
Beliefs?
Beliefs of convenience. Like flags of convenience.
How I wish I could live in a country without one Republican in the halls of congress. They are the enemy within. Period
McCarthy is a puppet manipulated by imbeciles.
Rich guys who apparently can’t think even one step ahead in the “chess” game.
It is simply stunning and incredibly maddening that an idiot football coach— his nickname in Congress is apparently “coach”—can hold up something so major affecting so many people of such critically high rank and just get away with it? And McCarthy’s antics, oh man!, even much worse and on a far larger scale, imagine! The lunatics are totally running the asylum. The US is in such very deep trouble.
"he cannot deliver without cutting Social Security and Medicare, which the Republicans have agreed not to cut. "
The Biden Gambit.
This is how Tuberville can "block" the appointments. "Senators typically approve batches of nominations by voice vote, and Tuberville’s hold would force the Senate to find time for lengthy roll call votes. During a hearing Tuesday on the Defense Department’s 2024 budget, the senator reiterated his objections to the abortion policies amid intensifying criticism from Democrats and a plea by Austin to end the obstruction."
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2023-03-28/military-abortions-pentagon-promotions-senator-9633976.html
Apparently he can tie up the Senate for months by roll call votes on each individual promotion.
Now that there is a Democratic majority in the Senate, how about getting some of these "quaint" and idiosyncratic" rules changed. No one man or woman should, other than the President and the members of his cabinet, be able to hold up the normal operating processes and decisions within the executive branch of government in this way.
Stuart, why not start by eliminating the filibuster? That will get people's attention.
Bingo!!
Stuart, Presuming you principally are referring to the Senate filibuster, the cause for much of what is dysfunctional in our politics, regrettably, we have only 49 Senators receptive even to modestly modifying the filibuster to allow legislation to move to the floor for debate and an up or down majority vote. While I don’t know the details of the deal Manchin and Sinema cut with McConnell, I do know that the two Senators assured the Minority Leader that, barring legislation mutually agreeable to both Parties, they would block any effort to modify this Senate rule.
Barbara Joe, of course the filibuster is the pricipal problem but i think that attacking the "smaller" iniquities like this built into this antiquarian institution might enable the Dems to build momentum for the moderniization process. At some point the whole world needs the US to have institutions fit for the 21st C and not the 18th.
Stuart, While I don’t dispute your thinking, based on my understanding of the Senate rules, as long as one Party can refuse to allow regular order, I have no clue as to how “smaller iniquities” can be remedied. Hence, the reason why, aside from taking back the House and holding the Presidency, we must, in 24, pick up at least 1 Senate seat.
Guaranteed constipation.
That's dangerous.
The medicine used by Fascist squadristi comes to mind as a cure for stonewalling by today's American fascists...
Peter, For what it’s worth, moments after you posted, I edited my comment. Perhaps, my added text will alter your response.
I just had the impression that rules in the Senate could be changed on a simple majority vote and are not subject to the filibuster.
Stuart, Changing a Senate rule is subject to the 60-vote threshold.
As far as I understand it, the only Senate rule that can be changed by a simple majority vote is elimination of the filibuster. That cannot happen as long as Manchin & Sinema refuse to support that change. We only need one of them (President of the Senate can break a 50-50 tie) but both are adamantly opposed to removing the filibuster.
Otherwise that august institution becomes like a powerful vehicle with wheels removed. Or clamped.
I agree!!!
That would be great, but we need a few more Democrats to make that possible. You can't expect every Democrat to agree. It's a diverse political party. With a two or three more Democratic senators, the filibuster could be eliminated and along with it a bunch of other rules that allow individual senators to block the proceedings, but it can't be done with the current crew.
Maybe the country should write postcards to all Tuberville’s constitutents letting them know they are the reason our military has been weakened, putting us at risk. 😡
Maybe that’s how to get thru the propaganda of the GOP/FOX/Putin
If there was ever a case of authoritarianism in the guise of morality (fake) it's Tommy Tuberville. His religious views are protected by the Constitution. But his religious views need to stay in the superstitious village where they were cultivated. The arrogance of his position and actions is a not too subtle form of treason.
I respect any woman's decision not to have an abortion. Most of America demands the same respect in these personal matters from our politicians. It's called freedom of religion, reproductive freedom - personal freedom to plan a family in a healthy manner. Tuberville is a reincarnation of intolerant Puritans. And just as dangerous.
Tuberville is more than "out of order". He is a hypocrite who has preached "small government" and yet uses big government technical procedures to cripple our American Military. He is aiding and abetting our enemies. He is a traitor.
Check out his "official portrait" tossing a football, like he's tossing the military.
🤬
Eyes Open . . .
Repubs are playing games with the American people’s lives, “insisting they will hold the debt ceiling hostage to force...spending cuts...and push policies like easier access to drilling permits.” How are we a two party system when repubs refuse to negotiate in good faith, refuse to produce a budget proposal of their own.? They are so obviously trying to sabotage President Biden and the Democratic process. And cause pain to the American people. Of course McCarthy and his party will blame and deflect. Revisiting the repubs’ extreme position on women’s reproductive rights, Sen. Tuberville refuses to honor military promotions protesting the expense of travel and time off for elective abortions. Who does he think he is punishing? It’s American families. More and more the repubs are the do nothing party. They block and blame and in the meantime vulnerable citizens pay.
WELL SAID, Irenie!! I do love your last sentence especially, it is so succinct!
“In 2014, Tuberville founded the Tommy Tuberville Foundation, which aimed to help American veterans. In 2020, the Associated Press reported that tax records showed the foundation gave away only about one-third of the money it raised.” Source: Tuberville Wikipedia article
Quick question coach: can you spell G-R-I-F-T-E-R? There, helped y’all a lil’ bit. You’re welcome.
William, can I spell GRIFTER?
Yes I can. “A$$Whole”
From Charity Navigator: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/463580202
"Not Rated" "Mission Not Available" In other words, absolutely no information available about purpose or revenue/expenditures.
From ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer:
https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/463580202 (2014-2018) (No idea why no 2019 or 2020)
https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=tommy+tuberville+foundation&state%5Bid%5D=AL&ntee%5Bid%5D=&c_code%5Bid%5D= (2021)
I don't like what you did, so I'm going to hold my breath and take my ball home until you change the rules to fit what I want.
I seriously think there should be a way to recall our representatives.
We elect them, we should be able to recall them when they don't represent us.
I never really paid attention to politics before 2015, but after drumpf I started and now I'm telling every young person how important being involved is.
How our only real power is voting.
How I wish I was more aware of how important it is and that our schools fail us big time on that.
Personally, I think our schools should be teaching our kids more about their power to vote.
"I'm going to hold my breath and take my ball home until you change the rules to fit what I want." Beth, you just summed up the Southern slave power strategy from the beginning of the US. It's still crippling us.
The school boards set the curriculum for the teachers to follow. The teachers have no choice in the material to present.
I find it difficult to believe that individual school boards can set curriculum although in states like Florida, perhaps so.
I don't know about most states but it's the State of California that establishes the core curriculum for content criteria each grade must meet. According to the State of California Dept. of Education, teachers must meet specific standards for each grade K-12. A number of other states have adopted the same or similar standards. Unfortunately, the standards appear to apply only to math & English and not to the crucial study areas of history or civics. https://www.cde.ca.gov/re/cc/
Thanks for your clear comments. The main idea I meant to make is that it's not the teachers fault
I agree that recalls (or some real mechanism of accountability) need to be a part of the process. We’re seeing now how voting alone is powerless to hold politicians accountable. We’re seeing how voting has been warped and manipulated. Politicians are no longer concerned with governing, only the next election cycle. They say anything for votes then spend their time in office catering to their secret donors and chasing after new ones.
I wonder how many Republicans are clinically insane? There needs to be mandatory testing of politicians mental health before they’re allowed to run for office. How can that be implemented??
It is not a mystery. Terrorists are first and foremost narcissists. Secondarily either sociopaths or psychopaths.
Those that aren’t wacko are Waco—just as bad.
Has the possibility of reducing the pay for Congress been discussed? Reducing their retirement benefits? How many hardworking Americans have lost their pensions? Why is Congress exempt?
Carla, we should not fund pensions for Congress. These people are millionaires by their second term. They can fund their own damn pensions.
I believe Congress itself votes on their own pay and retirement benefits. How likely is it that a majority would reduce their remuneration and benefits?
We are so far down the rabbit hole with these people that one no longer knows what to say. The Mad Hatter and the Red Queen are rampaging.
Carolyn. I'd vote for either one against the likes of this Tubervillain.
Sir, you just won the internet. "Tubervillian".
IIRC, he couldn't correctly identify the branches of government during some campaign interview.
Ally, winning the internet sounds like a heavy responsibility. Where can I opt out?
Naw, it is just acknowledging a great comment. You got booted later by someone who made reference to a "malicious" when referring to "militias". Speaking of the Tubervillian, someone suggested some Italian profanity utilizing "tube" as part of the references to the Alabama senator who can't identify the three branches of governement.
I got booted? Where's the boot function? Who decides?
Me!!! Technically you weren't booted, you were joined. Two winners of the internet.
It is (to me) a compliment of the highest order.
Tubervillain!
As is the Orange King