We have come full circle since the 1950's and '60's. Today's "Liberals" are actually conservative -- as in cautious, prudent and trying to conserve -- while the current "Conservatives" are now radicals eager to tear down established structures.
28
It seriously is time to begin the process of separating the civilized and uncivilized portions of the country. The big question is how to divy up the national debt. Since most of it went to funding the South and Southwest (military expenses), we need to make sure they live up to their obligations.
We can license them whatever Amendment they so love (and so distort) about the right to a militia. Perhaps they'll shoot each other into oblivion.
We in the civilized portion should be generous with respect to allowing political refugees from there to here, so long as they're actually citizens of the current U.S. I doubt there'll be much flow in the opposite direction!
We certainly should put a complete halt to their main export to civilization, their illegal guns.
Goodbye. Nice knowing you, Texas, Mississippi, Arizona et al!!
We can license them whatever Amendment they so love (and so distort) about the right to a militia. Perhaps they'll shoot each other into oblivion.
We in the civilized portion should be generous with respect to allowing political refugees from there to here, so long as they're actually citizens of the current U.S. I doubt there'll be much flow in the opposite direction!
We certainly should put a complete halt to their main export to civilization, their illegal guns.
Goodbye. Nice knowing you, Texas, Mississippi, Arizona et al!!
30
Resign of Boehner is a good news. It is not a secret that Boehner is an important lobby connecting link in Washington. Thanks to him the effect of 'Revolving Door' has become more influential than ever. I mean the number of senior officials who worked as lobbyists on Capitol Hill and used their positions after retirement has increased dramatically. And number of CEO who worked in corporations and entered the Congress has increased too. There are 23 lobbyists per 1 Congressmen in DC.
1
Holding the position that the role of an elected official is to reduce the federal government to the status it had under the Articles of Confederation is not "Conservative." That position is one of the anarchist.
To be sure, the adoption of The Constitution was not unanimous and the anti-federalist views are still being held to this day. One of the problems is that most Americans haven't even read, let alone actually studied, The Constitution. They don't know how government actually works of what it actually does except when it puts dollars in somebody else's pocket which only leads to outrage.
We adopted The Constitution, then fought a war to re-establish it when a group of states decided to re-establish the Articles of Confederation for various reasons (including the threats to slave ownership). And we're fighting that battle still.
Personally, I blame the SCOTUS decision that said that outright lies spouted in political campaigns are "protected speech." The results are obvious with campaigns that openly lie about anything and everything to get their candidate elected. Debates aren't about substantive issues, they are trading talking-points and spouting lies. In many other democracies, lies in the campaign will land you in court and possibly in jail. Not so in the USA where the lies are the trade of the campaign machines.
It is a wonder that our government works at all.
To be sure, the adoption of The Constitution was not unanimous and the anti-federalist views are still being held to this day. One of the problems is that most Americans haven't even read, let alone actually studied, The Constitution. They don't know how government actually works of what it actually does except when it puts dollars in somebody else's pocket which only leads to outrage.
We adopted The Constitution, then fought a war to re-establish it when a group of states decided to re-establish the Articles of Confederation for various reasons (including the threats to slave ownership). And we're fighting that battle still.
Personally, I blame the SCOTUS decision that said that outright lies spouted in political campaigns are "protected speech." The results are obvious with campaigns that openly lie about anything and everything to get their candidate elected. Debates aren't about substantive issues, they are trading talking-points and spouting lies. In many other democracies, lies in the campaign will land you in court and possibly in jail. Not so in the USA where the lies are the trade of the campaign machines.
It is a wonder that our government works at all.
26
If the House, Senate, and President Obama suspended funding for Planned Parenthood for one year, and instead funded alternative, non-abortion health care services, would any threat of a government shutdown be, well, shut down?
1
Kathleen, our government funds non-abortion health care services. Why would the President want to stop funding them in Planned Parenthood? Donors like myself are helping fund their abortions. How would you like it if our government stopped funding non-profit agencies you support because it disagreed with other projects of theirs?
15
We are headed for a party re-alignment. The legislative branch is just plain stuck. The situation has troubling similarities to that of the 1850's. Trump is a symptom of the present bankrupt party structures. The status quo will break apart in due course even as we can't predict the shape of the eventual outcome.
2
Governing is not a good descriptive word for the current movement in the House, Anarchy.....is a better description
So who wants to predict what will happen next...
So who wants to predict what will happen next...
3
Upshot: please do a map showing where the non-compromisers are from. We need to know. Preferably, it would be useful to know the election manipulation that put them in office, gerrymandering, voter suppression laws, etc. but also the type of financing that got them there.
Thank you.
Thank you.
24
It seems to me that many seats in the house are 'won' at the party nomination because of gerrymandering. If most were contests between party candidates (and independents) where seats could be won and lost, then views of voters would be critical to electrol success of politicians. In such circumstances Democratic and Republican moderates would thrive, and the House could become a can do place.
2
The true Reagan heritage: a generation of "representatives" who do not believe in the ability of government (we the people) to make positive decisions.
Instead, we have a pack of narcissistic men (and some women) who believe only in their personal power to make changes palatable to themselves... like taking away a woman's free will.
Instead, we have a pack of narcissistic men (and some women) who believe only in their personal power to make changes palatable to themselves... like taking away a woman's free will.
36
One possibility to solve the current political impasse is to have two nations, instead of one. A progressive, gun-free, environment conscious country, and a Tea party Christian fundamentalist country. State can vote to decide which to join, and people can move to where they want to be. It's about time.
21
I say that all conservatives take the southern portion along with the rest of the snakes.
7
build a wall around NYC to keep "Americans" out
1
Apparently we have a committed group that has captured the Republican Party, as the Goldwater conservatives did in 1964. We know how that turned out/ Of course. in those days they had a nice catchy slogan, and they doin't have one yet this year. Unfortunately, perhaps, "Better Red than Dead" has already been used up. OLr was Boehner being loyal to the fromer "Better Dead than Red."?
4
The Republican Party's way out is to dump the far right conservatives altogether and now. Alone, those outsider conservatives will only win small election bids. The new, more centrist Republican Party will then be free to redefine themselves in a more modern and reality-based fashion. They will pick up a lot of Democrats and perhaps Independents immediately, and more in the future as the party finds its new footing. The Republican Party would suffer for several years while it reorganizes, but could come blasting back in a much more favorable position, stronger than ever. The left-over far right conservatives, who would then have their own, small, third party with much less effect on national and international affairs. The dem's and rebuilt repub's could properly run the country. Take a chance. Heave the crazies overboard. It's what's right for the country. A lot of us Democrats would be Republicans now except we can't stand the odor of the very far right faction.
11
"...government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem." President Ronald Reagan, First Inaugural Address, 1980
"The dynamics are this, there are anywhere from two to four dozen members who don’t have an affirmative sense of governance. They can’t get to yes. They just can’t get to yes, and so they undermine the ability of the speaker to lead. And not only do they undermine the ability of the speaker to lead, but they undermine the entire Republican conference and also help to weaken the institution of Congress itself. That’s the reality."
Rep. Charlie Dent (R) PA, 2015
The real Reagan legacy...
Also part of the discussion: of Republican Speakers of the House during the past 50 years John Boehner is the only one who did not resign under a cloud of suspicion, be found guilty of ethics violations, or be indicted. Not included is former Rep. Bob Livingston (R) LA who in 1998 resigned as Speaker-elect due to ethical issues before being sworn in.
"The dynamics are this, there are anywhere from two to four dozen members who don’t have an affirmative sense of governance. They can’t get to yes. They just can’t get to yes, and so they undermine the ability of the speaker to lead. And not only do they undermine the ability of the speaker to lead, but they undermine the entire Republican conference and also help to weaken the institution of Congress itself. That’s the reality."
Rep. Charlie Dent (R) PA, 2015
The real Reagan legacy...
Also part of the discussion: of Republican Speakers of the House during the past 50 years John Boehner is the only one who did not resign under a cloud of suspicion, be found guilty of ethics violations, or be indicted. Not included is former Rep. Bob Livingston (R) LA who in 1998 resigned as Speaker-elect due to ethical issues before being sworn in.
17
It's Southern Heritage. You've got to fight for what you believe. Even if you can't possibly win. No matter what the consequences . You've got to fight.
Ah, the everlasting and everlasting and everlasting glory of the "Lost Cause."
Ah, the everlasting and everlasting and everlasting glory of the "Lost Cause."
14
Southern whites, in general, (through their elected representatives) are dedicated to the proposition that the sole purpose of government is to ensure their relatively privileged racial position in a swiftly changing America. Rich or poor, southern whites believe (as they have since antebellum times) that racial considerations outweigh any and every other aspect of society. Therefore, a black President is, by definition, invalid, and to allow more people into this country legally or illegally (no, in reality it makes no real difference to them, despite all the rhetoric), who are of a different skin hue than their own, can only be viewed as an existential threat.
31
Right on Raindog63. Recently moved back south from WI and the liberal/conservative divide is essentially black/white. I can still LBJ shoe horned the voting rights act of 1963. LBJ knew this would make the black/white split the whites off the liberal side of politics in the south - yet he still got the act passed.
The business of government is to govern - John Boehner did his best but the far right crowd wanted no part of him and now they are happy as this article so well reveals.
We need another hero to push through a campaign finance reform bill that forever limits the power of the billionaire oil and wall street banksters.
Unfortunately it maybe a very long time before another LBJ appears on the scene.
The business of government is to govern - John Boehner did his best but the far right crowd wanted no part of him and now they are happy as this article so well reveals.
We need another hero to push through a campaign finance reform bill that forever limits the power of the billionaire oil and wall street banksters.
Unfortunately it maybe a very long time before another LBJ appears on the scene.
3
For a change and it is high time that the media and the people in this misled, ideologically divided, polarized nation on a fast track of self destruction from within stop thinking about blue and red states, but what is better for our collective good. Or else all we wind up doing is accelerate our own destruction. It is now at a stage, where all this patriot stuff, our own indifference, being republicans or democrats make us our own worst enemies. What we are is republicans and democrats first and Americans second. I very dangerous and unhealthy precedent for our country. Where we have no real sense of decency or integrity.
3
Yes, no Republican has a sense of decency.
12
So long as the media continue to refer to the far-right reactionaries as "conservative", this pseudo party will continue to prevent any repair of our faltering economy and environment. The media's allegiance to our two political parties, both of which have lost touch with everyday Americans, locks the media, along with the segment of the public that uncritically accepts media depictions of our political system, into hyper-partisanship and false equivalencies.
The media need to ask themselves, does preserving the status quo override the importance of rescuing the working class and the environment? And along those lines, will the status quo be preservable if the working class here falls completely into third world-level misery and environmental decay?
The media need to ask themselves, does preserving the status quo override the importance of rescuing the working class and the environment? And along those lines, will the status quo be preservable if the working class here falls completely into third world-level misery and environmental decay?
13
Today, the Democrat party is pretty much the Republican party of a few generations back. Moderate Republicans could switch parties and never know the difference. The radical GOP wants smaller government. An exodus of the non-radicals to the Democrats would result in a smaller GOP, which is all for the better.
7
This article clearly demonstrates why the Republican Party has a two-pronged Presidential election strategy. First, run an extremely negative campaign to drive down overall turnout. Second, use State Legislatures to pass laws to restrict voter turnout.
As a Democrat, I find it encouraging that the Republicans feel they only can win by reducing voter participation. This indicates their awareness of the unpopularity of their positions, as well as their disdain for the basic principles that underlie our society. A strategy built around inhibiting democracy does not bode well for the long-term success of the Republican Party.
As a Democrat, I find it encouraging that the Republicans feel they only can win by reducing voter participation. This indicates their awareness of the unpopularity of their positions, as well as their disdain for the basic principles that underlie our society. A strategy built around inhibiting democracy does not bode well for the long-term success of the Republican Party.
21
This article confirms my worst fears: a Congress made up of extremist red-state congress-people. The numbers already reflect this and if the Southern Republicans add seats to their numbers, whoever is elected President, will have a huge fight before them in almost all issues. In other words, "more of the same,"
The upcoming election is all about Congress and not so much about the President. There is nothing to indicate a smoother running government. How terribly sad.
The upcoming election is all about Congress and not so much about the President. There is nothing to indicate a smoother running government. How terribly sad.
12
Perhaps the the way forward is to give the Christian far right what it claims it wants - namely more states rights to do things their own way. De-emphasize the federal Congress including reducing federal money transfers to states, and allow the red states to wallow in racist poverty while the blue and purple states get on with building a prosperous modern society free of religious cant.
13
Sounds good to me.
And let the Devil take the hindmost?
That would be evil.
That would be evil.
Republicans have "gerrymandered" themselves into this mess. If the current legislator isn't rabid enough, the red-meat districts have replacements waiting in a line that resembles Russians at a bakery. One crazier than the next. To solve the problem, they need balance, not stridency, in the home districts.
5
Red States Republicans are the former Southern Democrats.They sucked as Democrats, they suck even worse as Republicans.
It is not beyond the realm of possibility for the GOP to assassinate a Dem president and VP if they get "their guy" in as Speaker.
These people are wacko, and they are serious. They are telling you day in and day out that they literally hate anyone not of their kind.
It is not beyond the realm of possibility for the GOP to assassinate a Dem president and VP if they get "their guy" in as Speaker.
These people are wacko, and they are serious. They are telling you day in and day out that they literally hate anyone not of their kind.
14
The reversion of the South to a Republican one party state (for much the same reasons it was a Democratic one before) and gerrymandering have for the forseeable future given the lock on the house. This is turn is forcing the Republican party into ever more extremist positions which are anathema to a clear majority of the electorate. This is the worm in the bud for Republicans because its making it increasingly difficult to win state wide elections outside the south or presidential elections when turnout is close to 60%. Given polarization and demographics it's reasonably easy to predict the outcome of the 2016 election depending on the extent to which the components of the Democratic coalition turn out to vote.
17
The Republican Party, in its current state, is in danger of becoming extinct. More moderate Republicans are realizing that. What choice do they have now? Leave the party? Bemoan what' become of the party, ala Colin Powell and Joe Scarborough? Maybe it's time to create a thinking conservative party, one that is actually willing to govern rather than be the permanent opposition.
As a progressive-leaning Independent, I should be gloating over what is effectively the end of the Republican Party as I have known it for a generation; in their current state they cannot possibly win a national election for President. Yet I feel more sad than anything else. Sad that the new Republican Establishment has chosen to look backward to the 1950's and 1960's for their inspiration....a time in which legalized white male supremacy ruled this country, and allowed others limited or no rights. Sad that instead of compromise, they fight every single thing the current President does, even if it's good for them, too, and even if they came up with it first ("Obamacare" was a Republican idea from the 90's, remember?).
As a progressive-leaning Independent, I should be gloating over what is effectively the end of the Republican Party as I have known it for a generation; in their current state they cannot possibly win a national election for President. Yet I feel more sad than anything else. Sad that the new Republican Establishment has chosen to look backward to the 1950's and 1960's for their inspiration....a time in which legalized white male supremacy ruled this country, and allowed others limited or no rights. Sad that instead of compromise, they fight every single thing the current President does, even if it's good for them, too, and even if they came up with it first ("Obamacare" was a Republican idea from the 90's, remember?).
31
Demographically people in the south have less education, a lower income, a shorter lifespan and less of a safety net than anyone else in the country. Why would we want to move in that direction? The conservative Republicans aren't conservative at all. They are radicals. Most Americans want to live longer and healthier, make more money and have a better education for themselves and their children. The Republicans want to end all that. That's a pretty radical idea.
61
But can the Republican Party exist with the 2 diametrically conflicting ideologies and mentality? And would a splintered party create a Bull Moose option forever destroying itself or will changing demographics in the red states save the day for our 2 party system? Troubling political future for the United States is cause for concern
8
How can you ignore the fact that the red states are largely in the South? It almost like we are back in the 1850's- that time of irreconcilable regional differences. I'm optimistic enough to think like in 1865 the side with the most money and people will win over the side with the most enthusiasm.
10
I knew Boehner was on his way out the door when I saw him cry at the Pope's speech.
A Catholic, he heard his spiritual leader say in effect that he'd led a wasted life of argument and accommodation.
It was just a matter of time, and it only took a day.
A Catholic, he heard his spiritual leader say in effect that he'd led a wasted life of argument and accommodation.
It was just a matter of time, and it only took a day.
30
There are an abundance of chutes, ladders, and clauses to easily allow the Republican convention to nominate Jeb regardless of the polls. This is a probable outcome because Jeb accurately reflects the true power-base of the Republican brand. The 20-30 hard-core nihilist Tea Partiers in the House can certainly kick up a ruckus, but are scary to most voters nationwide; ergo--this is the peak of the hard-right anarchist movement--they have nowhere to go but down because everyone who loves them has already joined the parade, and to most other Republican voters, even mediocre candidates who don't want to shut down, denigrate, or outright destroy the government look pretty good.
10
What is missing:
A true centrist party.
Most moderates are voting Dem because the GOP are wacked out of their minds....but we don't care for the Dems much either. Obama, Clinton...moderates in Dem clothing. Everyone thought Bush Jr was a moderate as well, but he turned out to be, well, just not too bright and Cheney had too much influence.
A true centrist party.
Most moderates are voting Dem because the GOP are wacked out of their minds....but we don't care for the Dems much either. Obama, Clinton...moderates in Dem clothing. Everyone thought Bush Jr was a moderate as well, but he turned out to be, well, just not too bright and Cheney had too much influence.
11
democrats of today are the centrists
(bernie not withstanding)
Richard Nixon's policies would
be identical to todays democrat.
(bernie not withstanding)
Richard Nixon's policies would
be identical to todays democrat.
1
"Woe betide us ll."
2
Lincoln, T. Roosevelt, Taft, Eisenhower, Nixon, Bush the Elder -- none of them could get elected in today's Republican Party. George Wallace (before late-life redemption) is their ideological ancestor. Lord have mercy.
45
If it wasn't for the moral obligation to abolish slavery, we should have just let the south secede in 1861. Think how progressive the northern union would be today. We might have bases on the moon by now, or heaven forbid, single payer healthcare!
85
Splitting them off into a separate country with a "USTA" trade agreement would end our status as the world's policeman, not a bad result.
6
Absolutely, a northern U.S. without the South would have evolved into a dramatically more progressive nation then what's actually occurred since the end of the Civil War.
However, Union victory assured that the U.S. would evolve into a continental power strong enough to be the major factor in today's global order and, not incidentally, made possible the relative peace (no war between major countries) during the last 70 years.
However, Union victory assured that the U.S. would evolve into a continental power strong enough to be the major factor in today's global order and, not incidentally, made possible the relative peace (no war between major countries) during the last 70 years.
1
A balkanized North America would not have been better. IMO both of the above thoughts are "grass is greener" views.
PBS is re-broadcasting Burns'"Civil War." I have watched it before but one bit that I had previously missed made a great impression on me. Shelby Foote, noted Civil War historian, stated that the North fought the war with one arm tied behind it's back. Foote stated that if the North really wanted to finish the war quickly or if the South tried to mount an offense the North would simply ramp up the pressure. Foote states that the South never had a chance to win the war.
Same now for the GOP. If Kim Davis, Ted Cruz, John Boehner are the front line troops for Repubs then they are destined to lose. Nothing is on their side. No logic, no compassion, little reasoning and no support for the white folks that is the GOP base. When the GOP starts to lose their middle class white voters they are in bad shape.
Not a good time to be a Repub, I say. Oh well......
Same now for the GOP. If Kim Davis, Ted Cruz, John Boehner are the front line troops for Repubs then they are destined to lose. Nothing is on their side. No logic, no compassion, little reasoning and no support for the white folks that is the GOP base. When the GOP starts to lose their middle class white voters they are in bad shape.
Not a good time to be a Repub, I say. Oh well......
19
Sooooooooooooooooooo...Kim Davis is the latest 'savior' for the Republican Party. She's a County Clerk in Kentucky for gosh sakes. Where I come frm, here on the Left Coast, posts like that are officially non-partisan and yes, I know.
7
Eisenhower would not recognize this party.
40
Maybe. Eisenhower's alliance with and embrace of the Christian Libertarian movement for his own benefit have helped bring us to where are today.
1
Eisenhower was there when the dagger was thrust deep into the heart of the constitution. In 1954 when legislation was passed and the court declared "under God" to be part of the Pledge of Allegiance." not only were the memories of Adams, Jefferson Paine and Franklin dishonored but the country they envisioned was destroyed. America was to be a country under law not a country under a god who Jefferson, Adams, Paine Franklin and so many others did not believe existed.
28
Why do you and the NYT continue to use the word "conservative" to describe these radical right-wing members of Congress? Even "reactionary" understates the proposals advocated by some of them. I would think that true conservatives would also object to being associated with them, in much the same way that many liberals separated themselves from the bomb throwers of the 60s.
57
I wholly agree. "Conservative" implies a reluctance to embrace novel ideas and a reverence for "time-tested" traditions? These GOP people (what to call them? Fascist Nihillists?) have no respect for that. "Conservative" is a misleading word that glosses over their incomprehensibly narrow and destructive ideology.
26
"Anarchists" fits well.
17
Yep. I've said this for quite some time. And anarchism ends in totalitarianism.
2
didn't you see mr. boehner wipe a tear while the pope was speaking in front of him in congress?
he must have arrived at the decision right then and there to announce earlier his upcoming resignation.
good for him. now we know how his republicans can be a headache even to its own leadership. what more to the americans!
he must have arrived at the decision right then and there to announce earlier his upcoming resignation.
good for him. now we know how his republicans can be a headache even to its own leadership. what more to the americans!
10
For 20 years I've been wondering how far right the GOP has to move before the moderates get serious and quit the party. David Brooks's column in today's Times is a great example of a relatively moderate Republican who has remained loyal even while complaining about the extremists who have taken over the party.
What we desperately need is a thinking conservative party - a party that represents business interests, advocates for national security and law enforcement, and pushes back against liberal regulatory and entitlement programs. What we don't need is detachment from evidence-based reality - insistence on tilting science instruction against evolution; refusal to acknowledge, much less solve, climate change; pretending that immigrants are net takers from rather than net contributors to the American economy and culture; imagining that every tax increase is always wrong; willingness to shut down the federal government or to default on its duly incurred debts; and willful obliviousness to deep discriminatory divisions in our society.
politicsbyeccehomo.wordpress.com
What we desperately need is a thinking conservative party - a party that represents business interests, advocates for national security and law enforcement, and pushes back against liberal regulatory and entitlement programs. What we don't need is detachment from evidence-based reality - insistence on tilting science instruction against evolution; refusal to acknowledge, much less solve, climate change; pretending that immigrants are net takers from rather than net contributors to the American economy and culture; imagining that every tax increase is always wrong; willingness to shut down the federal government or to default on its duly incurred debts; and willful obliviousness to deep discriminatory divisions in our society.
politicsbyeccehomo.wordpress.com
27
Regulation is not a liberal ideology; it is in the public welfare. See VW and Turing Pharma for relevant current examples.
As for entitlement programs, can we start with the military-industrial complex and corporate welfare? They benefit far fewer than SSI and Medicare/Medicaid.
As for entitlement programs, can we start with the military-industrial complex and corporate welfare? They benefit far fewer than SSI and Medicare/Medicaid.
66
I have suggested one possible strategy to my "thinking conservative" friends - become Democrats. The initial response is usually a visceral "no way!" I then ask, however, who would be more likely to give their policy proposals consideration - today's (mostly moderate) Democrats or the Racists, Nativists and No-Nothings, who currently dominate the GOP? Even if they still cannot imagine leaving the GOP, most of my conservative friends eventually concede that I may have a valid point. For years now we have watched as thinking conservatives have struggled to maintain control of the Republican Party. I fear that the resignation of John Boehner is only the most recent sign that they have lost that fight. What we are going to see now is whether there are enough House Republicans willing to risk their seats to extremists by working with Democrats to prevent a lengthy government shutdown that would do real harm to our economy.
21
The GOP sank its own boat by absorbing the Tea Party radicals. Now it has an unmanageable House caucus, many from safe gerrymandered districts, that answers to no party leader, cannot compromise and cares nothing for cooperative government but is also unable to expand its following beyond its own radicalized Red State base. If congress is to function at all, we may see a gradual collaborative re-alignment of moderates from both parties to counteract the radicals on the Right.
21
This analysis goes a long way in explaining what's the matter with Kansas. That suddenly poor state has served as a laboratory of radical right wing orthodoxy, and the result is an embarrassing, destructive mess.
76
Excellent article. The current confirmation resembles the system of 1896, with the parties reversed, except that the Republicans from 2010 on have been competitive -- indeed, victorious -- in the midwest in state and local elections. So that midwest -- not exactly "blue-state" -- again figures to be the battleground for party supremacy. If Southern Republicans a minority but a majority of the majority push party unity and inflexibility, as the Southern Democrats did in the 1850s, they are likely to erode support for Republicans in the midwest.
5
Blue state Republicans becoming democrats may consolidate the Republican caucus in the house for the red states but return majority to the democrats.
Gerrymandering can only go so far to offset changes in demographics.
Gerrymandering can only go so far to offset changes in demographics.
21
Mark these words: no presidential candidate more conservative than Mitt Romney will EVER win the US Presidency.
16
Republicans: "Gerrymandering is our only hope."
26
The extremist/religionist faction of the Republican Party believes it has won a battle over leadership. Maybe so, but it will only serve to hasten their loss in their undeclared war on reason and objectivity. It can't happen soon enough.
43
What a cool, awesome, intelligent, informative, and educational article.
So, the south is revolting, taking over the government without a war.
The Southern politicians are getting to be a recurring nuisance, aren't they?
Speaker Newt Gingrich from Georgia started all this insanity with his declaration of the "Republican Revolution" in 1994.
So, the south is revolting, taking over the government without a war.
The Southern politicians are getting to be a recurring nuisance, aren't they?
Speaker Newt Gingrich from Georgia started all this insanity with his declaration of the "Republican Revolution" in 1994.
28
The "insanity" started after Ike. Goldwater's "extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice" still resonates in today's GOP.
9
Hi Sara, I guess Goldwater could qualify as an early cause being he lived in the south in Arizona. I was alluding to the current crop of Republican malcontents stoking trouble since 1994 as the article is centered around recent political realities emerging in the south.
3
Actually, the takeover of the GOP, and some Democrats, by the Christian Libertarians started with Ike.
1
If Congressional districts were to be carved by a nonpartisan group and not by the Congress(wo)men themselves, I believe there would be very few GOP members elected to Congress. They get elected because they have created districts that make them and their positions electable. As evidence, in the last election, Democrats got more votes but fewer seats.
It is time to take away the job of carving districts from these folks and hand it to nonpartisan groups.
It is time to take away the job of carving districts from these folks and hand it to nonpartisan groups.
78
Unfortunately that would require the support of the supreme court, currently dominated by five republicans who have demonstrated their willingness to render judgments beneficial to their party rather than the country. I'm referring of course to Citizens United and the Voting Rights Act decision.
13
Everything is partisan unfortunately. Have you seen the Supreme Court?
Agreed, but doesn't such a change require congressional approval!?
1
Reports of our Federal Government's death are almost surely exaggerated.
The Republican Party was a minority party in the House for 60 years prior to 1995 (exceptions '47-'49 and '53-'55), and in spite of having twenty years to figure it out, they still haven't learned how to govern as a majority party, preferring ideological grandstanding and lack of cooperation to the hard work of bipartisan governance.
The current cycle will end soon enough if this doesn't change; I have confidence in the People.
Failure of leadership from the party of 'smaller government' should surprise no one.
The inability of democrats to take better, swifter advantage of the situation should, and this points to problems on their side of the aisle, as well.
The Republican Party was a minority party in the House for 60 years prior to 1995 (exceptions '47-'49 and '53-'55), and in spite of having twenty years to figure it out, they still haven't learned how to govern as a majority party, preferring ideological grandstanding and lack of cooperation to the hard work of bipartisan governance.
The current cycle will end soon enough if this doesn't change; I have confidence in the People.
Failure of leadership from the party of 'smaller government' should surprise no one.
The inability of democrats to take better, swifter advantage of the situation should, and this points to problems on their side of the aisle, as well.
42
@justinryan, I agree with you 100%, but with your last paragraph 200%. The Red states were not always so rigidly red; but the Dems conceded them as not worth contesting. Until the Dems adopt a 50-state strategy, voters won't think of them as a 50-state party. The party managers who abandoned the red states also abandoned their potential base in those states. This is sheer malpractice.
21
But during those earlier eras, they didn't have Fox News and Hate Radio spewing their extreme view 24/7 to the uneducated masses.
7
Bring back Howard Dean.
3
It's idealistic obviously, but would that the next speaker, or at least the next Congress, finds a way to work together. What began as fundamentalist Tea Party fervor has now polarized our entire political system and it simply cannot stand. We used to be a nation of great works, like the space program, and to recapture that ambition we need a functioning legislative body. And that necessarily entails goals other than scoring political points — namely doing the people's work.
13
Was it Tom Foley who said that there is a difference between a bill that can become law and a vote to make a point. I am badly paraphrasing. But it does seem that the Far Right in the House wants to take political postures rather than actually enact useful legislation. I guess we are going to get more of the same. Sigh.
18
I have every kind of disagreement with the content of the politics of right wing Republicans -- I disagree on just about every issue. But I'm not sure I object to their strategies on some moral principle. Brinksmanship is just a maneuver, not an offense against nature. In fact, I'd love to see the left go to the brink more on vital issues. No carbon tax, no government, anyone?
6
Such brinkmanship hurts the country in a number of ways, including economically. It's an inefficient and silly way to govern.
18
Governing by extortion is not amusing in the least,
5
From George Washington's farewell adress:
"... (T)he common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it."
The exclusionary and separatist nature of the modern Republican party exemplifies exactly what our first president warned against.
"... (T)he common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it."
The exclusionary and separatist nature of the modern Republican party exemplifies exactly what our first president warned against.
43
The beginning of the end of the of the union. Not unlike the rest of the world this country will soon see a movement toward separation.
5
Extremist Republicans see less need fora strong, functioning federal government than either their GOP colleagues and especially the Democrats. Let's hope that in a general election, the true voice of the national majority prevails despite gerrymandering, voter suppression, racism and overall ignorance.
41
The result is that for at least the next eight years (and probably for the next 20) we will have (barring any tectonic shifts) a Democratic President, a conservative Republican House, and a closely divided Senate. The perfect formula for gridlock and worse.
Expect more folks like the Donald!
Expect more folks like the Donald!
44
Kanye West. Say no more.
When the Republican Party is widely perceived the party of the South, racism, and fundamentalism, its time is over.
Its power will depend increasingly on a few megadonors and electoral tricks/crimes like gerrymandering and voter suppression.
It will end ugly, but it will end. Because the future that is coming requires activist, inclusive government for our survival, and an ultra-conservative racist small-government party has nothing to address that.
Its power will depend increasingly on a few megadonors and electoral tricks/crimes like gerrymandering and voter suppression.
It will end ugly, but it will end. Because the future that is coming requires activist, inclusive government for our survival, and an ultra-conservative racist small-government party has nothing to address that.
96
Unfortunately, it may not end for sometime. The Blacks, Browns & Under 30 groups can NOT be bothered to vote, especially in the mid year elections as in 2010-critical for gerry mandered reaporrtionment- & 2014. The old White folks-not just in the South- resent the changes + rise in immigration Brown people. The Republican party is what Dobbs defines it, but it is also anti Brown-except for Cubans- plus Gerrymandered House in Midwest states after 2010-see above.
The 40%+ of Americans who can not be bothered to vote will keep these extremists in power. If Hillary can win the 2016 election, perhaps her
reelection campaign in 2020 can address the reapportionment issue in the NON Southern states. Even there, VA, FL & maybe NC will be less old South by then to defeat Gerrymandering, along with the Midwest states.
The 40%+ of Americans who can not be bothered to vote will keep these extremists in power. If Hillary can win the 2016 election, perhaps her
reelection campaign in 2020 can address the reapportionment issue in the NON Southern states. Even there, VA, FL & maybe NC will be less old South by then to defeat Gerrymandering, along with the Midwest states.
1
It's difficult to imagine how it would happen (and, even more importantly, how it would work), but could we be in the early stages of an evolution to a three-party system?
3
No. One party will die and resurrect. Most likely GOP will split, but half will die after perennial 5-15% of the vote.
11
That's how Lincoln was elected: the party that controlled the South split, North-South.
3
That's where the Donald is headed. See how much the GOP is dissing The Donald, and he really does not like that. He already said in so many words, which I can't help but embellish, " You mess with The Donald, I start a third party." No doubt called The Donald Party.
A third party effort by The Donald? A living nightmare for the likes of Rove, Adelson, the Kochs. I say to Mr. Trump: Do It! Split the Vote! Show them Repubs that when they mess with The Donald they're dealing with fire! Or some kind of threat, enough to put them into shock. Go for it, Donald!
A third party effort by The Donald? A living nightmare for the likes of Rove, Adelson, the Kochs. I say to Mr. Trump: Do It! Split the Vote! Show them Repubs that when they mess with The Donald they're dealing with fire! Or some kind of threat, enough to put them into shock. Go for it, Donald!
5
I really take issue with the prevailing use of the word "Conservative" to describe what is going on in the GOP.
Democrats are the conservative party, in every worthwhile sense of the word.
Republicans as currently constituted, I'm not sure they have a constructive role in this country any more. I guess they give the non-constructive members of society a political voice for hire.
Democrats are the conservative party, in every worthwhile sense of the word.
Republicans as currently constituted, I'm not sure they have a constructive role in this country any more. I guess they give the non-constructive members of society a political voice for hire.
88
How about the Religion party or even better yet The Christian Party. That seems to be a topic that resonates with "the conservatives".
We need a party on the right to counterbalance our sometimes lunacy on the left. I know people who belong to this mythical party. Most of the are fiscal conservatives and social liberals. And they are out to drift. I'd wager more than half of the voting public doesn't have a candidate in this game because they don't fall onto the neat tidy spectrum of business as usual.
It would be ironic if a party actually rose from this mess that represented the people. But I'm not counting on it.
We need a party on the right to counterbalance our sometimes lunacy on the left. I know people who belong to this mythical party. Most of the are fiscal conservatives and social liberals. And they are out to drift. I'd wager more than half of the voting public doesn't have a candidate in this game because they don't fall onto the neat tidy spectrum of business as usual.
It would be ironic if a party actually rose from this mess that represented the people. But I'm not counting on it.
1
The Republicans are far from the "Christian" party. Jesus Christ would abhor their mean spiritedness, divisiveness and selfishness. They couldn't be further from Christ's ideals. The Pharasee party would be more like it.
4
The red-state Republicans are not more "conservative" than their blue-state colleagues. They are more extremist.
Please let's call this by its proper name: extremism. It's a global phenomenon and it is spiralling at a rate that is quite simply shocking.
Please let's call this by its proper name: extremism. It's a global phenomenon and it is spiralling at a rate that is quite simply shocking.
242
As soon as the Blue Dogs weren't around to provide him cover, Boehner's days were numbered.
5
Get rid of Gerrymandering all together and equalize the representation of the people in the Congress and you see this problem evaporates almost immediately. Redistricting should solely be census-driven and base don population distribution. Equal representation for every voter. You will see both parties come to the center immediately.
161
I agree and I would add open primaries where the candidates of all parties have to compete in one single primary.
4
I agree. In NC, we have 13 Congressional Districts. Let's have 13 members of the House of Representatives in North Carolina elected by everyone in the state. Choose the top 13, regardless of location within the state.
4
If the House was as the Founding Fathers envisioned it would have over a thousand members. The problem is what was meant to be the position of an advocate for a small area where the congress person could know each of his constituents has been co opted for power by keeping the number of members to the minimum. The House isn't doing it's job on more than one level. It's meant to be the voice of the people. How often do you see your Representative? I get lots of mail begging for money but I never see him.
Break up the House and bring it into alignment with what it was intended to be. In one swoop you've neutered the radicals on the Right and the Left.
As to the Senate, people will just have to a be a bit smarter with their voting.
Break up the House and bring it into alignment with what it was intended to be. In one swoop you've neutered the radicals on the Right and the Left.
As to the Senate, people will just have to a be a bit smarter with their voting.
1
Why do you continue to use the word "conservative" when it is now its own antonym--as in "radical right" or something shorter, and more to the point, consisting of only four letters.
50
The Civil War isn't over, not as long as a class of largely angry white men of wealth seek to protect their privilege at the cost of human decency, not as long as they can use the politics of division to maintain their grasp on power. This is the fruit of Richard Nixon's southern strategy and the deliberate pursuit of the dark side of American politics. This is the inevitable result of Ronald Reagan's declaration on the very idea of government; his spiritual and ideological descendants won't be satisfied until they have stamped it out forever in a mistaken quest for a 'freedom' based on lies and myths. The South can not rise again on such a foundation. It can only bring the country down in chaos and conflict.
149
Can we force the South to secede again? Only this time we say Good Riddance!
While claiming to be independent, they take more federal money than they give. While purporting to be 'Christian' their actions are the most contrary to the teachings of Jesus. While condemning immigration, many of their industries would fold without that labor.
So,SOUTH, don't the the door hit your brain on your way out.
While claiming to be independent, they take more federal money than they give. While purporting to be 'Christian' their actions are the most contrary to the teachings of Jesus. While condemning immigration, many of their industries would fold without that labor.
So,SOUTH, don't the the door hit your brain on your way out.
126
Well, Kansas is offering us a good laboratory experiment in abolishing government. Let's watch how it fares.
20
I hear you but then I think about all the good people who would then be trapped in a fundamentalist theocracy. Don't forget our liberal and progressive allies and friends in the south.
9
We are now, almost, an official banana republic, unable to govern ourselves owing principally to our absurd (not to say irrational) form of government which grants equal or more power to areas of the country with the least people. The uber-rich power brokers have been able to game the system to their advantage, dragging us further and further rightwards, even though most polls seem to indicate that the majority of the populace feel differently. The current makeup of the House tells the whole story: The population represented by Democratic members outnumbers the Republican side (if memory serves) by over one million people. This is a government that lacks legitimacy. Apparently, Mr Boehner, given his inability to control what is allegedly his caucus, has recognized this fact. He cannot effectively pass legislation without Democratic cooperation, which the reactionary minority refuses to authorize. He's given up and I can hardly blame him. Good luck, Mr Speaker, in your lobbying career.
129
This analysis is very incisive and insightful, and especially valuable in light of recent events. Southerners weren't kidding, I guess, when they said, "The South will rise again." Sadly, if the trends in this analysis continue, I foresee more epic political confrontations ahead, and more violence. We'll need another Lincoln to keep the country from tearing apart.
58
Lincoln's great mistake was in naively believing the South would accept conciliation with the USA. That was a pipe dream. As soon as they regained power, the southern traitors declared war on the freed slaves. It still does not fully accept their freedom. Nor does it accept the demise of the plantation economy. That is why it so embraces supply-side "economics." From now on, we must treat the South as it truly is, the enemy of our Union.
169
If the South rises again, it will also fall again – with a very big thud. The task for the rest of the country is not to let it take us with it.
69
If the South wants to secede again, we should let them this time.
It will mean I have to move but it will be worth it.
It will mean I have to move but it will be worth it.
13
It's been interesting to see the GOP eat itself from the inside out, in an almost Voldemortian attempt at ideological purity. It would be entertaining if it were not so potentially ruinous for us as a nation.
182
I feel the same about the Donald. He would be entertaining if he were not so potentially ruinous for us as a nation.
3
How many government shutdowns and threats of them will it take? How much vitriol directed at significant voting blocks (women, Latinos, gays, for example) will be enough for the gerrymandering to be outweighed by voter disgust? When will common sense defeat passionate intensity devoid of sense of any kind?
There's a realignment due that is seldom discussed. It will isolate those who see government as something to destroy, like the immune system attacking the body when it mistakes normal function for disease, from those who see government as a perpetually imperfect tool to be improved at every opportunity. Government overreach is less to be feared than government paralysis. And the right wing cherishes too much its role as the stick in the spokes of our Democracy.