Those winning elections on the basis of bizarre promises and uproarious speeches can at best make for a shrill opposition that opposes just for the heck of it. Shrieking senselessly is what they have mastered. The challenge is when such folk actually get elected in numbers large enough to have to govern. They find themselves completely lacking the requisite apptitude. It is like the most indisciplined kid being made the prefect.
2
It's SO much easier to be a back-seat driver . . . All that expertise and no responsibilities.
2
This shows how gerrymandering is bad for all of us, even the winning side/gerrymanderers. If districts were more evenly distributed, reps would have more incentive to listen to their voters and compromise. If every election was 52-48 instead of 70-30, they would have to behave as servants of the people they are literally sworn to serve, rather than grandstand like tinpot dictators!
Safe seats simply delude these people and cheat them out of knowledge, growth, experience, credibility, etc. We aren't the only victims of awful gerrymandering! Thanks, Karl Rove. Mission Accomplished. The GOP is led by out of touch, corrupt leaders who care more about their oil company and health insurance donors than they do about US!
Safe seats simply delude these people and cheat them out of knowledge, growth, experience, credibility, etc. We aren't the only victims of awful gerrymandering! Thanks, Karl Rove. Mission Accomplished. The GOP is led by out of touch, corrupt leaders who care more about their oil company and health insurance donors than they do about US!
2
You read the following about active, adult members of our Congress and it makes you wonder why people complain about liberal college students acting the same way when presented with something that isn't exactly their view:
"They criticize any piece of legislation that doesn't completely accomplish conservative goals, but don't build coalitions to devise complex legislation themselves."
"congressional leaders were pushed into a confrontation by a base that didn't want to compromise"
Worst case, this means that the future of the Democratic Party will be as dysfunctional as the GOP after it got Tea-partied.
"They criticize any piece of legislation that doesn't completely accomplish conservative goals, but don't build coalitions to devise complex legislation themselves."
"congressional leaders were pushed into a confrontation by a base that didn't want to compromise"
Worst case, this means that the future of the Democratic Party will be as dysfunctional as the GOP after it got Tea-partied.
2
Don't want to paint Republicans with too broad a brush, but they don't call 'em the Stupid Party for nothing. As noted in this article, even until fairly recently the GOP could actually manage a legislative agenda with some semblance of effectiveness. But now, especially in the House, it's strictly the slash-and-burn crowd. Pragmatism is an after-thought as ideologically-driven "conservatism" rules the roost. Unfortunately, the result is mostly wishful thinking and easy solutions that don't actually fix anything. The only sure bet is that, at the end of the day, corporations and the wealthy will make out. At least that aspect of the new Republican reality in Washington will be reassuringly familiar.
6
Ah, but you have to remember - the new republicans are the old hillbilly dummiecrats, as of Lyndon Johnson's mutiny.
Think of policy wonks as the engines of governance. Their expertise, intelligence and experience provide the functional workings of governing, much like senior and middle management in business. But Trump has zero experience in governance and no intellect to either discover what the details of governance are or why these matter. Much of his staff is equally clueless, and many positions in many departments are unfilled. This sets up Trump for substantial failure beyond his own incompetence.
Eclectic Pragmatism — http://eclectic-pragmatist.tumblr.com/
Eclectic Pragmatist — https://medium.com/eclectic-pragmatism
Eclectic Pragmatism — http://eclectic-pragmatist.tumblr.com/
Eclectic Pragmatist — https://medium.com/eclectic-pragmatism
5
Not all of them, but many of current House Republicans are like political Rambos. They don't seem to like or trust government, and they keep finding themselves in situations where they bring on a ton of hurt to themselves and others. Hopefully, if they ever existed, we will find some compassionate conservatives who want to govern.
2
"And it’s partly a result of Democrats in the Senate slowing down confirmation of most of President Trump’s nominees, which leaves less time for legislating."
Can anyone, including the author, provide some examples of this?
Can anyone, including the author, provide some examples of this?
3
Serious governance may require crafting legislation but much of the Republican agenda does not require the Congress to do much work. As the Times reports today President Trump has already signed at least 90 executive orders undoing those signed by President Obama. The Congress has addressed repeal of other regulations, a relatively simple process. But for many Republicans regulatory repeal is in fact the central policy priority, passing the cost of externalities to the public rather than obliging the producers of pollution to attend to them, the contributors to global warming to mitigate their effects, and others who damage the environment or impose burdens on disadvantaged sectors of society.
6
An article like tis must make Democrats feel oh so good about themselves. Especially knowing how noble they are.
1
If " wonk" means smart, the problem is glaringly obvious. Duh.
8
Legislating is working, you know, pull up your sleeves, sit down, craft bills, make deals with the other side of the aisle, in essence, working at governing our country.
But from the party that likes to say things like "we have got this tailspin of culture in our inner cities, in particular, of men not working and just generations of men not even thinking about working or learning the value and the culture of work..." Those words were from Paul Ryan, a guy who has not really 'worked' a day in his life. His congressional record speaks for itself.
"He has actually proposed three — total, three — bills that have become law in his entire career dating back to 1999,” said David T. Canon, chairman of the political science department at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/10/opinion/sunday/paul-ryans-worst-ally....
But from the party that likes to say things like "we have got this tailspin of culture in our inner cities, in particular, of men not working and just generations of men not even thinking about working or learning the value and the culture of work..." Those words were from Paul Ryan, a guy who has not really 'worked' a day in his life. His congressional record speaks for itself.
"He has actually proposed three — total, three — bills that have become law in his entire career dating back to 1999,” said David T. Canon, chairman of the political science department at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/10/opinion/sunday/paul-ryans-worst-ally....
20
It is easier to throw rocks than to govern.
14
We are now seeing how the government, now controlled by members of the Grand Old Party, is "governing." Will those people who voted for Trump and for Republican members of Congress let the grim evidence into their awareness? We can only hope, because their track record isn't that good.
6
The wonk gap also extends to the staffs of committees. Generally, Democratic staffers are lawyers and economists while Republican staffers are young PoliSci majors eager to pick up some contacts before heading to K Street. They are far more dependent on lobbyists and think tanks to write the legislation.
13
Republicans are now playing with loaded guns now that there's no impediments to passing their legislative agenda, so they are becoming their own impediment. I have a feeling Republicans really don't want to be repealing ACA at this point, and are only going through the motions with the hope of the bill getting shot down in the Senate or at the Oval Office, so they're purposefully creating a dud that will be too generous for crazy House conservatives, and not generous enough for skittish Senators who have to respond to a broader electorate, or by an uncommitted Trump who wants above all, to be popular, and passing a Bad Health Care reform with his name on it will be a disservice to that goal. Then they can put up their hands in defeat while demonstrating to their base that they at least tried, and move on better things like tax cuts.
6
You turned out to be right!
The ACA is, after all, a Heritage Foundation plan that was the GOP's answer to HillaryCare back in the 90s. It was easy to yell socialism these last 8 years because someone else was taking credit for their not socialist plan to make people buy health insurance, but they don't really want socialism or national health care, and we can't go back to the days when cancer wasn't covered by insurers. Good call.
The ACA is, after all, a Heritage Foundation plan that was the GOP's answer to HillaryCare back in the 90s. It was easy to yell socialism these last 8 years because someone else was taking credit for their not socialist plan to make people buy health insurance, but they don't really want socialism or national health care, and we can't go back to the days when cancer wasn't covered by insurers. Good call.
Perhaps the Republicans realized that they won't be able to blame Democrats for every negative outcome of their poorly thought-out legislation.
9
I've heard some boast that they are "non-partisan", but how does one characterize this as anything other than a Republican originated mess. Smaller government is fine, but let's not give up on the idea government altogether.
5
Shorter version: they are basically useless.
15
"If you make a career opposing even the basic work of making the government run, it’s hard to pivot to writing major legislation. In the opposition, it’s easy to be strident and pure in your views."
American politics seems particularly given to a purist, apocalyptic religious context in human endeavours. Why fix anything if your eternal soul's on the one right path? Watching a President invoke the image of a dead soldier smiling down on his shaken widow and enjoying record-setting applause approval was unnerving. These people could destroy the world, and still glow with righteous satisfaction anticipating their own sweet welcome in Heaven? What needs doing when that's your reality scale?
American politics seems particularly given to a purist, apocalyptic religious context in human endeavours. Why fix anything if your eternal soul's on the one right path? Watching a President invoke the image of a dead soldier smiling down on his shaken widow and enjoying record-setting applause approval was unnerving. These people could destroy the world, and still glow with righteous satisfaction anticipating their own sweet welcome in Heaven? What needs doing when that's your reality scale?
28
Not to worry. Republicans have ALEC to write all of their legislative needs.
11
Trump, like his Republican colleagues, now finds out that governing is "complicated," which, actually for our country is a good thing ---yes, those executive orders and the repeal of some regulations is damaging, but, crafting legislation that could really do some damage to our safety net programs and even regulations is just not in the Republican intellectual tool box.
6
I disagree, doing damage is very much in the Republican intellectual tool box. Doing practical things that help our citizens and paying for them is where the Republican tool box comes up empty.
8
"The last time congressional Republicans have done the major lifting of making domestic policy was Mr. Bush’s first term, a productive time that included an expansion of Medicare to cover prescription drugs, the No Child Left Behind education law, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act that reshaped securities law and tax cuts in 2001 and 2003."
This would be the expansion of medicare with no accompanying taxes to pay for the huge increase, the huge increase in testing (and the money that had to pay for it) with no accompanying tax increases, and the Sarbanes Oxley Act and tax cuts that again, cost money for the government and no accompanying tax increases. In short - the Republicans were all about give give give without paying for it. Funny how they demand that Democrats pay for everything, isn't it? Or that Benghazi saw some seven investigations costing millions of dollars, but Trump's Russia scandal doesn't raise a blip on Republican radar. Strange, those Republicans...
This would be the expansion of medicare with no accompanying taxes to pay for the huge increase, the huge increase in testing (and the money that had to pay for it) with no accompanying tax increases, and the Sarbanes Oxley Act and tax cuts that again, cost money for the government and no accompanying tax increases. In short - the Republicans were all about give give give without paying for it. Funny how they demand that Democrats pay for everything, isn't it? Or that Benghazi saw some seven investigations costing millions of dollars, but Trump's Russia scandal doesn't raise a blip on Republican radar. Strange, those Republicans...
37
Neil Irwin’s ‘Why the Trump Agenda Is Moving Slowly’ seems about right insofar as it goes, but it’s also a good case in point for the need for U.S. reporters and commentators on the inside-baseball of lawmaking to keep structural barriers to progress in mind, perhaps by throwing in a few paragraphs here and there based on what political science majors learn quickly to call comparative government.
In the UK, and other Westminster-style parliamentary democracies like my native Canada, there’s an opposition “shadow cabinet” standing by to take over after an election: the finance minister faces off daily against the opposition’s finance critic, a defence [sic] minister and a defence critic are both producing policy papers, etc. And after an election, it takes days, not months, to move the levers of power into the hands of the new government.
At an opposite extreme of sorts we have European parliamentary democracies so fragmented (Italy, Greece) and/or so polarized by dueling nationalisms (Belgium) that the idling engine of U.S. lawmaking seems like it’s cruising in 3rd gear by compare.
At a time when our new President is, dangerously in many people's view, asking Americans to pay even less attention to the rest of the globe, American journalists would do us a great service if they'd give over just 10% of their “who's on first" reporting to a few paragraphs about inside-cricket, inside-hockey, etc.
In the UK, and other Westminster-style parliamentary democracies like my native Canada, there’s an opposition “shadow cabinet” standing by to take over after an election: the finance minister faces off daily against the opposition’s finance critic, a defence [sic] minister and a defence critic are both producing policy papers, etc. And after an election, it takes days, not months, to move the levers of power into the hands of the new government.
At an opposite extreme of sorts we have European parliamentary democracies so fragmented (Italy, Greece) and/or so polarized by dueling nationalisms (Belgium) that the idling engine of U.S. lawmaking seems like it’s cruising in 3rd gear by compare.
At a time when our new President is, dangerously in many people's view, asking Americans to pay even less attention to the rest of the globe, American journalists would do us a great service if they'd give over just 10% of their “who's on first" reporting to a few paragraphs about inside-cricket, inside-hockey, etc.
11
The Republicans do have a Health Care plan, its from the movie, Back to the Future. Go back to how it was before ACA and allow the industry to make handsome profits and everything is just grreeaat!. Its just how to sell it to a hostile or skeptical public that easily will recognize a "pig in a poke" as the Brits would call it.
They are slipping and sliding and using phrases like "universal access" and tax credits and Health Savings Accounts to try and con people into signing on with their model. It still might work but I, for one, am hoping on the good sense of Americans to reject this assault on their Healthcare. Once this door is opened successfully Medicaid, Medicare and SS are next in line.
They are slipping and sliding and using phrases like "universal access" and tax credits and Health Savings Accounts to try and con people into signing on with their model. It still might work but I, for one, am hoping on the good sense of Americans to reject this assault on their Healthcare. Once this door is opened successfully Medicaid, Medicare and SS are next in line.
16
You make good points, but your dependence on the good sense of Americans is clearly misplaced. Trump, Ryan, McConnel are master "Gaslighters" and Americans mostly don't see what is coming at them.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/here-there-and-everywhere/201701/ga...
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/here-there-and-everywhere/201701/ga...
3
And then there is that No Tax Pledge that all good (initimidated) Republicans have to sign. It's part of the Grover Norquist gig they signed up for. These people just want to do whatever it takes to keep their job.
9
In other words, the "Party of NO" does not know how to compromise, which is what is required when you are writing legislation. They don't know how to run a country...they only know how to become bottlenecks. Not a positive skill...
8
If somehow the Republicans can find wonks suitable to their philosophy, those wonks are going to have a big issue with, and be really angered, by the Republicans of 2008.
Suitable wonks will undoubtedly be free-market-always (i.e. market fundamentalist) wonks, having the belief that everything the market does is good, and should be based on perfect information as well.
Consistent with many of the Republican plans in circulation and being proposed, they will want health insurance with complete pre-existing-condition screening (like the old days in most states).
And they want those pre-existng-conditions to be tracked with spectacular accuracy, because that way the market can work its magic.
But there's a new wrinkle, and some of the market-fundamentalist wonks may not even be willing to take the health-care wonk job.
In 2008, with only one "no vote" in all of Congress, a Genetic non-discrimination law was passed: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/02/health/policy/02gene.html .
(Apparently Republicans signed on because they felt really otherwise they were being like the Nazis.)
So now, pre-existing propensities to disease can not be used in pre-existing-condition screening.
(There is indeed some information asymmetry: a person knowing they're likely to get sick after doing genetic tests can pick up health insurance and take advantage of the people who got insurance without doing the tests.)
So, we have a special attracting-any-wonks-at-all problem for the Republicans!
Suitable wonks will undoubtedly be free-market-always (i.e. market fundamentalist) wonks, having the belief that everything the market does is good, and should be based on perfect information as well.
Consistent with many of the Republican plans in circulation and being proposed, they will want health insurance with complete pre-existing-condition screening (like the old days in most states).
And they want those pre-existng-conditions to be tracked with spectacular accuracy, because that way the market can work its magic.
But there's a new wrinkle, and some of the market-fundamentalist wonks may not even be willing to take the health-care wonk job.
In 2008, with only one "no vote" in all of Congress, a Genetic non-discrimination law was passed: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/02/health/policy/02gene.html .
(Apparently Republicans signed on because they felt really otherwise they were being like the Nazis.)
So now, pre-existing propensities to disease can not be used in pre-existing-condition screening.
(There is indeed some information asymmetry: a person knowing they're likely to get sick after doing genetic tests can pick up health insurance and take advantage of the people who got insurance without doing the tests.)
So, we have a special attracting-any-wonks-at-all problem for the Republicans!
1
What Mr. Irwin seems to be saying is Republicans are lazy kvetchers.
19
The Tea Party loons sent to the House by the Republicans' deranged base got there by claiming that government is broken - and they've been hell-bent on proving it since they got there.
24
Wow. I'm furious and flabbergasted.
Our economy is such a fragile ecosystem, and its failing. There's so much that needs to be done.
So... what did Congress get paid for these last eight years? I thought they had a plan all this time....really? All while their retirement was secure and their health care provided for, not to mention no fine for not having any health care. This is just a big game. As I see it, one of the easiest fixes in Obama care may be as simple as taking away the fine and adding a cap to what insurance companies can charge for their premiums?? I thought insurance companies had record profits last year (look it up)....hmmm.
What is wrong with our country (profit over people)? We are one of the richest countries on this planet, and we can't look to the examples of health care that Canada, Britain and France have. Yes, there are some downsides, but they don't lose their homes or go bankrupt because they got can-cer. Oh that's right...that word socialism at its best. Oh no! Medicade, Medicare and Social Security, oh my! Oh well....dream BIG if your gonna dream.
Our economy is such a fragile ecosystem, and its failing. There's so much that needs to be done.
So... what did Congress get paid for these last eight years? I thought they had a plan all this time....really? All while their retirement was secure and their health care provided for, not to mention no fine for not having any health care. This is just a big game. As I see it, one of the easiest fixes in Obama care may be as simple as taking away the fine and adding a cap to what insurance companies can charge for their premiums?? I thought insurance companies had record profits last year (look it up)....hmmm.
What is wrong with our country (profit over people)? We are one of the richest countries on this planet, and we can't look to the examples of health care that Canada, Britain and France have. Yes, there are some downsides, but they don't lose their homes or go bankrupt because they got can-cer. Oh that's right...that word socialism at its best. Oh no! Medicade, Medicare and Social Security, oh my! Oh well....dream BIG if your gonna dream.
12
"But that’s now a decade and a half ago. Only 51 of the 238 current House Republicans were in Congress then — meaning a significant majority of Republican House members have never been in Congress at a time when their party was making major domestic policy."
Wow! Tea Party thinking and the Tea Party Movement have done a lot more damage to the Republican Party than I thought.
So much for the benefits of a mental virus, eh?
Wow! Tea Party thinking and the Tea Party Movement have done a lot more damage to the Republican Party than I thought.
So much for the benefits of a mental virus, eh?
12
I'm not convinced that "wonk gap" is an apt characterization of the Republican problem. I think "reality gap" would be better.
Take the example of Kansas. Under Governor Sam Brownback and Republican control of the state legislature. Kansas has enacted tax cuts and budgets that the Koch brothers, the Heritage Foundarion, Americans For Prosperity, ALEC, and the Tea Party/Freedom Caucus have ALL warmly endorsed.
Meanwhile, economic growth has stalled, no new jobs have been created, the schools are in crisis, teachers are fleeing to Alabama for higher salaries--ALABAMA!!--, and the state budget is red ink as far as the eye can see.
Governor Brownback and, seemingly, all Republicans deem the Kansas Experiment a smashing success. A "wonk gap" does not adequately account for this phenomenon.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/05/opinion/moderation-rears-its-head-in-k...
Take the example of Kansas. Under Governor Sam Brownback and Republican control of the state legislature. Kansas has enacted tax cuts and budgets that the Koch brothers, the Heritage Foundarion, Americans For Prosperity, ALEC, and the Tea Party/Freedom Caucus have ALL warmly endorsed.
Meanwhile, economic growth has stalled, no new jobs have been created, the schools are in crisis, teachers are fleeing to Alabama for higher salaries--ALABAMA!!--, and the state budget is red ink as far as the eye can see.
Governor Brownback and, seemingly, all Republicans deem the Kansas Experiment a smashing success. A "wonk gap" does not adequately account for this phenomenon.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/05/opinion/moderation-rears-its-head-in-k...
23
Not as bad, but similar here in Wisconsin. What's really fun is that while we did the whole "trickle down" thing, Minnesota raised taxes on the wealthy, and took the ACA money. The contrast in philosophies is striking and telling. Job growth has been much better in MN as has wage growth and receipts to their treasury. The answer to slow growth here in Wisconsin is to double down on policies that demonstrably don't work. Unfortunately the Dems have no answer to Walker who will likely get elected to a third term as Governor.
10
Obama achieved most of his goals through executive fiat, not Congressional legislation. Trump could certainly follow Obama's lead.
Let me share this fun missing-wonk or incompetent-wonk example:
Paul Ryan in January described the Republican "replace" on a CNN Town Hall and Charlie Rose. There was a further 2/16/17 Republican document presumably describing the same "replace".
The plan was a return to the pre-ObamaCare system existing in most states: pre-existing-condition-screened insurance, with state-run high-risk pools to try and cover some of the people left out of individual insurance due to pre-existing conditions. There is slight new Federal funding for the high-risk pools through "State Innovation Grants".
The high-risk-pools were miserable, closed, waiting lists, premiums too high, numerous other problems.
Further, a recent Economist article indicated the new funding was less than 1/4 of what would be needed. (http://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21715731-without-plenty-cash... )
The wonks used, if there were any, in the 2/16/17 document, argued that the state-run high-risk-pools, with (inadequate) new funding, would now work just fine.
Because (next to last paragraph in document):
"Some may suggest State Innovation Grants would lead to enrollment caps or waiting lists like certain high risk pools functioned prior to Obamacare. This is false. These new and innovative State Innovation Grants are designed to help vulnerable patients. Why would anyone allow them to potentially harm the very patients they are intended to help?"
How about that argument?
I rest Mr. Irwin's case.
Paul Ryan in January described the Republican "replace" on a CNN Town Hall and Charlie Rose. There was a further 2/16/17 Republican document presumably describing the same "replace".
The plan was a return to the pre-ObamaCare system existing in most states: pre-existing-condition-screened insurance, with state-run high-risk pools to try and cover some of the people left out of individual insurance due to pre-existing conditions. There is slight new Federal funding for the high-risk pools through "State Innovation Grants".
The high-risk-pools were miserable, closed, waiting lists, premiums too high, numerous other problems.
Further, a recent Economist article indicated the new funding was less than 1/4 of what would be needed. (http://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21715731-without-plenty-cash... )
The wonks used, if there were any, in the 2/16/17 document, argued that the state-run high-risk-pools, with (inadequate) new funding, would now work just fine.
Because (next to last paragraph in document):
"Some may suggest State Innovation Grants would lead to enrollment caps or waiting lists like certain high risk pools functioned prior to Obamacare. This is false. These new and innovative State Innovation Grants are designed to help vulnerable patients. Why would anyone allow them to potentially harm the very patients they are intended to help?"
How about that argument?
I rest Mr. Irwin's case.
13
By the way, if you want to check me, my quote is the next-to-the-last from the document embedded in the NY Times article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/16/us/politics/affordable-care-act-congr...
(Otherwise, given the preposterousness of the logic in the quote, you might assume I'm mixed up about what month this is, and trying to play an April Fools' joke.)
(Otherwise, given the preposterousness of the logic in the quote, you might assume I'm mixed up about what month this is, and trying to play an April Fools' joke.)
6
What's the party of NO to do now that they have complete control? Scratch their heads and whine about how "complicated" the job of governing is?
Almost none of the current GOP have any idea about how to engage in the endless work that is involved in governance. The party is fully of ideologues who believe it is a sin to compromise or work for the greater good. It's part of their schtick (although there is nothing funny about it) to, as John Boehner said, act as "false prophets" whose sole aim is to "whip people into a frenzy."
Is there a method to their madness or is it simply willful ignorance on their part?
Almost none of the current GOP have any idea about how to engage in the endless work that is involved in governance. The party is fully of ideologues who believe it is a sin to compromise or work for the greater good. It's part of their schtick (although there is nothing funny about it) to, as John Boehner said, act as "false prophets" whose sole aim is to "whip people into a frenzy."
Is there a method to their madness or is it simply willful ignorance on their part?
15
"Is there a method to their madness or is it simply willful ignorance on their part?"
Nah. There's just madness to their method. That plus wilful ignorance on their part.
Nah. There's just madness to their method. That plus wilful ignorance on their part.
5
It's also quite possible the ignorance isn't willful.
2
I think that Mr. Irwin is being a bit too kind. As a society we are placing more and more value on being "passionate" about something. On its face this hardly seems like a bad thing, but unfortunately, it gives license to debates fueled by ignorance--the less you know about something the more certain and decisive you can be. Intransigence wins. This sort of passion is lazy and is fully deserving of the label "slactivism".
12
I'd suggest that the main reason the agenda is sluggish: the majority of Americans don't want what the GOP is selling.
25
No kidding. For years the Republicans have talked about softening their tone, when the problem has always been their _/message/_.
3
This is what happens when you vote "to send a message," rather than vote to send the most qualified candidate to Washington.
44
The operative word is "stupidity". Eighteen months ago Trump said that he would ask Congress to change a Constitutional amendment. Never mind that Congress has no power to do so; Trump hadn't read the Constitution. I don't know that he is any more informed now.
Fixing an intricate system without causing disaster requires expertise. Current Republican Congressmen are too lazy and stupid to accumulate the requisite knowledge.
Fixing an intricate system without causing disaster requires expertise. Current Republican Congressmen are too lazy and stupid to accumulate the requisite knowledge.
32
I'm glad you included "lazy", because I'm still trying to figure out how someone golfs every weekend and reportedly watches hours of cable news everyday and still has time to get up to speed on how to run a country. Wouldn't you be spending every waking hour trying to learn as much as you could about everything? Especially since you, apparently, are the only one on the planet that didn't realize health care was complicated?
14
"If you make a career opposing even the basic work of making the government run, it’s hard to pivot to writing major legislation."
It is a generous thought that the GOP wants to make government run. It is closer to reality that they want to emasculate government: less regulation, lower taxes, fewer benefits. Chaos serves their purpose just as well as legislation, and it's easier and incurs less wrath than legislating the demise of social programs and government agency.
It is a generous thought that the GOP wants to make government run. It is closer to reality that they want to emasculate government: less regulation, lower taxes, fewer benefits. Chaos serves their purpose just as well as legislation, and it's easier and incurs less wrath than legislating the demise of social programs and government agency.
42
Our voters, angered that the government was broke and not working for them, elected the party that broke it to fix the problems. SAD!, as our esteemed leader would say.
31
The federal government is now controlled by a bunch of right wing nuts who only want to ruin the country.
19
It's the age old philosophic proposition that you cannot replace one value without losing another. Not that many of these Republicans read much philosophy. There are always trade offs exhibit A being Obamacare. There was a reason the bill ran to was it 2000 pages? It's complicated. Now Republicans are discovering that taking health insurance off 22 million people and probably de-stabilizing the private individual insurance market that covers another 7-10 million people represents a huge political risk. And make no mistake it's this risk that is causing the panic. It will be a bloodbath literally.
15
Indeed, risk is the concern, not public well-being. Unfortunately, it's far easier to sell a line of baloney to voters than to do some good.
5
The democrats found every reason in the book as a poor excuse not to confirm all of the President's Trump cabinet. And I suppose their stall tactics will surface for the Judge Gorsuch. Did you see Nancy Pelosi, Cory Booker (who did nothing for Newark but spend $ for NJ teacher union) and Bernie Sanders I the audience? Their look of embarrassment with "egg on their face" said it all. Democrats have never been in such a weak position since the 1920's and everyone continues to enjoy watching their poor show.
When Trump nominated good people who completed their ethics requirements quickly and correctly, they got confirmed quickly. Sec. of Defense nominee James Mattis was confirmed on Jan. 20(!) by a vote of 98 to 1. The Sec. of Homeland Security was also confirmed that day by a vote of 88 to 11.
You're welcome.
You're welcome.
9
Given that more people voted for Hillary Clinton than for Donald Trump, I can only conclude that Jan has a -- how to call it -- unique picture of "everyone".
8
Steve, no kidding. At least Jan didn't call it the "Democrat" Party and start slugging liberals, but of course the evil teacher unions got their usual hits.
3
The ball is in there court. I predict if they do not work with the president to accomplish some of his goals they will get routed in 2018. Just like the Democrats after the mid terms when Obama was elected. The american public will nit put up with kicking the cans down the road. Fix health care fix immigration and fix the tax code. While your at it pass a comprehensive infrastructure bill.
1
I expect the GOP line will be that any failure to govern is attributable to Trump, who couldn't get it together. So vote me in to try again.
Truth be told, of course, the Ryan-McConnell machine has practiced doing nothing for 8 years or more and have it down to a science now. It's the "less regulation, lower taxes, fewer benefits" program that is served just as well by chaos as doing something directly.
Truth be told, of course, the Ryan-McConnell machine has practiced doing nothing for 8 years or more and have it down to a science now. It's the "less regulation, lower taxes, fewer benefits" program that is served just as well by chaos as doing something directly.
9
And of course, next year is an election year so forget that for major legislation. Am I detecting a pattern here?
11
Republicans have always claimed, at least since Reagan, that government doesn't solve problems, but only creates them. Then, when they achieve power they prove this to be true.
21
What I do not understand is why you, or anyone else for that matter, would believe that the nihilistic Party that professes the belief that government is the problem would actually have any coherent idea on how to govern.
17
They had eight years to come up with a health law and didn't. Bunch of idiots.
38
Let's not forget that they refused to collaborate with the Democrats when the healthcare law was being drafted. And now they want to repeal, replace, amend or whatever they want to call it. In the meantime they are putting people, millions of them in a panic mode!
9
The Republicans may not have wonks, but they may have quants.
(Wonk: a person who is trying to make policy good in some sense. A quant uses quantitative skills for whoever can pay.)
Now, the Republicans are set on doing a "replace", which it looks like will result in lots of people getting thrown under the bus.
Congressional Republicans have some grip on health-insurance reality, and are preparing the populace with deception : "it's not the number of people with insurance that counts, its ----".
Of course, it really isn't the number of people with insurance that counts. (It's more important that older people, and people likely to get sick, have insurance than those unlikely to get sick.) But we know what the Republicans are going to do isn't insure people who need insurance more. They have a history (pre-existing-condition screening, etc.) of having people who need the insurance LESS insured. (Profitable for business.)
They may have quants working to do just that, so that the replace has more people who don't really need insurance insured, and the coverage rate statistic might go up.
The leaked-to-Politico replace has a $2000 subsidy for people under 30, and a $4000 subsidy for people 60-64. Meanwhile, rate bands that make insurance 5X as expensive for the older group as for the younger. More younger insured than older, given cost after the subsidy? Coverage rates could rise slightly, with the people covered not needing insurance that much.
Tricky, tricky!
(Wonk: a person who is trying to make policy good in some sense. A quant uses quantitative skills for whoever can pay.)
Now, the Republicans are set on doing a "replace", which it looks like will result in lots of people getting thrown under the bus.
Congressional Republicans have some grip on health-insurance reality, and are preparing the populace with deception : "it's not the number of people with insurance that counts, its ----".
Of course, it really isn't the number of people with insurance that counts. (It's more important that older people, and people likely to get sick, have insurance than those unlikely to get sick.) But we know what the Republicans are going to do isn't insure people who need insurance more. They have a history (pre-existing-condition screening, etc.) of having people who need the insurance LESS insured. (Profitable for business.)
They may have quants working to do just that, so that the replace has more people who don't really need insurance insured, and the coverage rate statistic might go up.
The leaked-to-Politico replace has a $2000 subsidy for people under 30, and a $4000 subsidy for people 60-64. Meanwhile, rate bands that make insurance 5X as expensive for the older group as for the younger. More younger insured than older, given cost after the subsidy? Coverage rates could rise slightly, with the people covered not needing insurance that much.
Tricky, tricky!
9
They're worshipping at the altars of ideology and re-election. Talk, talk, talk, stall, stall, stall, no, no, no. Hey, look what I did- I stopped Obama, re-elect me! I'm fighting for you. All play and no work.
42
I have to agree with almost everything that the article states. The Republicans will repeal Obama Care, but they will not offer anything better or even close to as good. They will spend all of their time and energy spinning and packaging what they do to make it seem better. I can imagine them removing the precondition clause so that insurers can deny those that are at high risk, and then adding in a requirement that insurance companies provide "free" aspirin to all the uninsured. They will crow, "We had to make some tough choices to save the plan, but we have added new coverage that is of great economic benefits to families. Now every American can get one of the most widely used drugs in America at absolutely no cost!"
20
You've got the plan - done the GOPs thinking for them. Doubt they could've packaged things so well themselves. It requires more imagination than Ryan could muster.
4
During the Republican primaries I would watch Senators debating and remark that they had done nothing for 8 years except say "No". Given that they had resumes with no legislative experience. One reason it was easy for Trump to beat them, as they too had no experience like him. This may be fortunate for the American people as there will be no harm done.
2
"One reason it was easy for Trump to beat them, as they too had no experience like him."
Not to mention that Mr. Trump said out loud, in plain language what they would only whisper using codewords.
Not to mention that Mr. Trump said out loud, in plain language what they would only whisper using codewords.
3
Its always easier to find fault with someone else's plans than it is to create a viable plan of one's own. Who knew John Boehner was so smart?
39
Until recently, I do not remember any serious thought that the concerns regarding the issue of the Federal budget deficit might be addressed by simply using false information and/or employing unrealistic economic projections. That sadly is not true now. It is now widely conceded that Greece essentially hid the extent of its' debt problems prior to the events that led to Greece requiring a bailout. America can print its' own currency and almost all Federal debt is denominated in dollars. Thus, there is no danger of default. However, there is a risk that the that the inconsistency between Trump administration desires for addition spending and tax cuts could be resolved, at least temporarily, with the use of deception.
The bond markets could be expected to react adversely to any use of false numbers or unrealistic assumptions. I do not think that any claim by the Trump administration that reports in the media of discrepancies between the real deficit and debt figures what the Trump administration are asserting are fake news, would impress the financial markets, even if many in the public believed the Trump administration. Hopefully, the more responsible members of the Trump administration could prevent such a use of false numbers or unrealistic assumptions, but there cannot be certainty of that...."
http://seekingalpha.com/article/4047890
The bond markets could be expected to react adversely to any use of false numbers or unrealistic assumptions. I do not think that any claim by the Trump administration that reports in the media of discrepancies between the real deficit and debt figures what the Trump administration are asserting are fake news, would impress the financial markets, even if many in the public believed the Trump administration. Hopefully, the more responsible members of the Trump administration could prevent such a use of false numbers or unrealistic assumptions, but there cannot be certainty of that...."
http://seekingalpha.com/article/4047890
5
Lance, good work, you're one of the few that understands the difference between the US and Greece, France and other countries without their own sovereign currency. It's a valuable tool but I don't think Trump and Co. know how to use it. Thanks for the link also. The US is not broke and the populace needs to know that, but funds need to spent wisely, as on single payer healthcare.
2
"Republicans are united in the desire for tax cuts, and the analysts who handicap these things remain confident that a major tax package will be enacted this year or early in 2018." . . . Of course they are . . . since it's the 'one and only' thing they have ever wanted. Furthermore it's the most important issue their donors expect of them in order to repay their masters campaign largesse.
Trump had no campaign agenda or policy. He only campaigned on 'I alone am your voice; you're gonna be so tired of winning; and flim-flam and con'.
Trump had no campaign agenda or policy. He only campaigned on 'I alone am your voice; you're gonna be so tired of winning; and flim-flam and con'.
15
GOP destroyed the democracy of America. Trump is the Angel of Death.
At a Republican retreat, at the Library of Congress, right before Obama’s 2009 inauguration, Mitch McConnell said:
“there are enough of us to block the Democratic agenda-as long as they all marched in lockstep.”
“As long as Republicans refused to follow his (President Obama’s) lead, Americans would see partisan food fights and conclude that Obama had failed to produce change.”
January 20, 2009 Republican Leaders in Congress literally plotted to sabotage and undermine U.S. Economy during President Obama's Inauguration. In Robert Draper's book, "Do Not Ask What Good We Do: Inside the U.S. House of Representatives" Draper wrote that during a four hour, "invitation only" meeting with GOP Hate-Propaganda Minister, Frank Luntz, the below listed Senior GOP Law Writers literally plotted to sabotage, undermine and destroy America's Economy.
The Guest List:
Rep. Paul Ryan(R-WI)
Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA)
Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA),
Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX),
Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX),
Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-MI)
Rep. Dan Lungren (R-CA),
Sen. Jim DeMint (SC-R),
Sen. Jon Kyl (AZ-R),
Sen. Tom Coburn (OK-R),
Sen. John Ensign (NV-R) and
Sen. Bob Corker (TN-R).
Non-lawmakers present Newt Gingrich
During the four hour meeting:
The senior GOP members plotted to bring Congress to a standstill regardless how much it would hurt the American Economy by pledging to obstruct and block President Obama on all legislation.
At a Republican retreat, at the Library of Congress, right before Obama’s 2009 inauguration, Mitch McConnell said:
“there are enough of us to block the Democratic agenda-as long as they all marched in lockstep.”
“As long as Republicans refused to follow his (President Obama’s) lead, Americans would see partisan food fights and conclude that Obama had failed to produce change.”
January 20, 2009 Republican Leaders in Congress literally plotted to sabotage and undermine U.S. Economy during President Obama's Inauguration. In Robert Draper's book, "Do Not Ask What Good We Do: Inside the U.S. House of Representatives" Draper wrote that during a four hour, "invitation only" meeting with GOP Hate-Propaganda Minister, Frank Luntz, the below listed Senior GOP Law Writers literally plotted to sabotage, undermine and destroy America's Economy.
The Guest List:
Rep. Paul Ryan(R-WI)
Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA)
Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA),
Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX),
Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX),
Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-MI)
Rep. Dan Lungren (R-CA),
Sen. Jim DeMint (SC-R),
Sen. Jon Kyl (AZ-R),
Sen. Tom Coburn (OK-R),
Sen. John Ensign (NV-R) and
Sen. Bob Corker (TN-R).
Non-lawmakers present Newt Gingrich
During the four hour meeting:
The senior GOP members plotted to bring Congress to a standstill regardless how much it would hurt the American Economy by pledging to obstruct and block President Obama on all legislation.
79
And what are those "patriots" working on today? Name anything useful, or vote them out.
8
In a recent article, the Pentagon and Dr. Hoffman of the National Defense University expressed concerned about how to combat Russia’s use of “hybrid warfare,”; stealth invasion, local proxy forces, international propaganda, conventional/unconventional forces, information warfare, propaganda, and economic measures to undermine its enemies when it annexed Crimea and destabilize eastern Ukraine.
Like the Russians, the GOP are using the very same “hybrid warfare”
The GOP & Trump, following the direction of Joseph Goebbels who said that by repeating a few very specific ideas and understanding the psychology of the people concerned you could make them believe that a square is in fact a circle by just using words, and words can be molded to disguise intent. The purpose of propaganda isn’t to be intellectually pleasing or to control a few mindless people but instead, conquer the broad masses. They also use the wordsmithing of Dr. Frank Luntz, who understands how to use words that insight people to act purely on emotions and without all of the facts, manipulate people to act against their own needs.
Walker goes to Germany & England and 47 senators send a letter to the leader of Iran, Bush goes to Estonia (Russia).
The GOP uses gerrymandering, voter restrictions, limiting information freedoms, economic warfare defunding the country’s budget, destabilizes the country using fear tactics, provoking: racism, hyper-right religion, confederacy.
More likely Russian Patriots!
Like the Russians, the GOP are using the very same “hybrid warfare”
The GOP & Trump, following the direction of Joseph Goebbels who said that by repeating a few very specific ideas and understanding the psychology of the people concerned you could make them believe that a square is in fact a circle by just using words, and words can be molded to disguise intent. The purpose of propaganda isn’t to be intellectually pleasing or to control a few mindless people but instead, conquer the broad masses. They also use the wordsmithing of Dr. Frank Luntz, who understands how to use words that insight people to act purely on emotions and without all of the facts, manipulate people to act against their own needs.
Walker goes to Germany & England and 47 senators send a letter to the leader of Iran, Bush goes to Estonia (Russia).
The GOP uses gerrymandering, voter restrictions, limiting information freedoms, economic warfare defunding the country’s budget, destabilizes the country using fear tactics, provoking: racism, hyper-right religion, confederacy.
More likely Russian Patriots!
5
Sounds like treason to me. Is there proof of this?
They made fun of Hillary for being a nerd but at least she had a plan. The most successful politicians are the ones who live in a purple state and learn at the local level how to create policy through compromise before moving to the national level.
Saying no makes a great sound bite but it's not effective leadership. You don't attract serious politicians when you declare that the government is the problem. Sounds like Republicans need a new message.
Saying no makes a great sound bite but it's not effective leadership. You don't attract serious politicians when you declare that the government is the problem. Sounds like Republicans need a new message.
7
Not really a problem for the GOP. They will just hand that job over to the lobbiests of the corporations that fund their campaigns.
11
It is not a Wonk gap whatever that might be, it is a gap in either leadership or force. Republicans are free thinkers not sheep, and that can cause delays.
Here is the republican plan (carefully thought out): cut taxes and see what happens!
18
The last piece of complex legislation that the Republicans assembled and passed was the Taft/Hartley Labor Reform Act of 1947. Senator Robert A. Taft was a brilliant legislative craftsman. We have not seen his like in the Republican Party since. It has become of a party of ideology and anti-intellectualism.
13
We need to round up some PTA presidents, fire fighters, nursing supervisors, general contractors, head librarians, etc., and ship them to Washington D. C., to show our legislators how to work hard and cooperate to get something done. All we seem to have in Congress now is performance artists (prima donnas).
28
Thank you for this - I finally understand why Paul Ryan - Paul Ryan! - passes for a 'thinker' and a 'policy expert' in the GOP. In the realm of the blind, a nonentity like him can be king.
20
Paul Krugman once said that "Newt Gingrich is A Stupid Man's Idea Of What A Smart Person Sounds Like ..."
You could just as well apply this to Ryan
You could just as well apply this to Ryan
26
It doesn't seem like slow churning to me... https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/02/16/what-donald-tr...
The " young guns ". A pathetic misfire. Premature anticipation.
6
This is the beliefs of our leaders
Paul Ryan worships Ayn Rand (Atlas Shrugged): Rand’s thinking is “sorely needed right now” because we are “living in an Ayn Rand novel”, “the reason I got involved in public service,” that he makes it (Ayn Rand) “required reading in my office for all my interns and my staff,”
Ayn Rand:
“I ask them if they believe in God. And if they say they do-then, I know they don’t believe in life.”
Ayn Rand bristles against the notion of shared sacrifice and shared rewards. She argues that individuals are not their brothers’ and sisters’ keepers; that one must only do unto oneself; that personal happiness is paramount; and that one’s greatest good is what is good for oneself rather than for the greatest number of people. (Narcissism)
Steve Bannon (the alt-president) is a Strauss and Neil Howe (general theorists) worshiper: Strauss and Neil argued that American history operates in four-stage cycles that move from major crisis to awakening to major crisis. These crises are called “Fourth Turnings”. Bannon, in interviews, speeches and writing — and especially in his embrace of Strauss and Howe — he has made clear that he is, first and foremost, an apocalypticist. Bannon believes that war is inevitable.
Donald Trump is a Hitler worshiper (Mein Kampf & Hitler’s Speeches): Has said he “loves war” “we have nukes, why don’t we use them” and now wants to increase military spending along with increasing our nuclear stockpile and abilities.
Paul Ryan worships Ayn Rand (Atlas Shrugged): Rand’s thinking is “sorely needed right now” because we are “living in an Ayn Rand novel”, “the reason I got involved in public service,” that he makes it (Ayn Rand) “required reading in my office for all my interns and my staff,”
Ayn Rand:
“I ask them if they believe in God. And if they say they do-then, I know they don’t believe in life.”
Ayn Rand bristles against the notion of shared sacrifice and shared rewards. She argues that individuals are not their brothers’ and sisters’ keepers; that one must only do unto oneself; that personal happiness is paramount; and that one’s greatest good is what is good for oneself rather than for the greatest number of people. (Narcissism)
Steve Bannon (the alt-president) is a Strauss and Neil Howe (general theorists) worshiper: Strauss and Neil argued that American history operates in four-stage cycles that move from major crisis to awakening to major crisis. These crises are called “Fourth Turnings”. Bannon, in interviews, speeches and writing — and especially in his embrace of Strauss and Howe — he has made clear that he is, first and foremost, an apocalypticist. Bannon believes that war is inevitable.
Donald Trump is a Hitler worshiper (Mein Kampf & Hitler’s Speeches): Has said he “loves war” “we have nukes, why don’t we use them” and now wants to increase military spending along with increasing our nuclear stockpile and abilities.
26
Ha ha, reality bites the republican congress. How can you possibly reform health care if you don't have a basic understanding of math and science? Rhetoric can only get you elected, it takes smarts to change stuff.
31
It' an absence of morals from a party whose main plan was to say no and make sure President # 44 was a failure. Right now the most dangerous man on the planet is Trump, and the most dangerous group is not ISIS, it's the Republican Party whose anti-environment, anti-science, anti lower middle class policies can drive the US into a 3rd world country in less time than it took too say "repeal and replace."
11
Republicans would probably prefer to be back heckling from the grandstands, criticizing the Democrats while whipping up popular support by rilin' up the folks back home with those useful social wedge issues. All the while quietly gerrymandering the home districts to consolidate power and slipping things into bills to benefit their patrons. It's not so much fun when all of a sudden you are responsible for delivering actual results for the people.
And let's stop repeating the canard that Republicans want to "shrink government" -- you can't reward friends and punish enemies that way. They want to redistribute government so that more benefits and largesse flows in the right direction: upwards.
And let's stop repeating the canard that Republicans want to "shrink government" -- you can't reward friends and punish enemies that way. They want to redistribute government so that more benefits and largesse flows in the right direction: upwards.
20
In a recent article, the Pentagon and Dr. Hoffman of the National Defense University expressed concerned about how to combat Russia’s use of “hybrid warfare,”; stealth invasion, local proxy forces, international propaganda, conventional/unconventional forces, information warfare, propaganda, and economic measures to undermine its enemies when it annexed Crimea and destabilize eastern Ukraine.
Like the Russians, the GOP are using the very same “hybrid warfare”
The GOP & Trump, following the direction of Joseph Goebbels who said that by repeating a few very specific ideas and understanding the psychology of the people concerned you could make them believe that a square is in fact a circle by just using words, and words can be molded to disguise intent. The purpose of propaganda isn’t to be intellectually pleasing or to control a few mindless people but instead, conquer the broad masses. They also use the wordsmithing of Dr. Frank Luntz, who understands how to use words that insight people to act purely on emotions and without all of the facts, manipulate people to act against their own needs.
Walker goes to Germany & England and 47 senators send a letter to the leader of Iran, Bush goes to Estonia (Russia).
The GOP uses gerrymandering, voter restrictions, limiting information freedoms, economic warfare defunding the country’s budget, destabilizes the country using fear tactics, provoking: racism, hyper-right religion, confederacy.
The GOP likes dictators…Trump!
Like the Russians, the GOP are using the very same “hybrid warfare”
The GOP & Trump, following the direction of Joseph Goebbels who said that by repeating a few very specific ideas and understanding the psychology of the people concerned you could make them believe that a square is in fact a circle by just using words, and words can be molded to disguise intent. The purpose of propaganda isn’t to be intellectually pleasing or to control a few mindless people but instead, conquer the broad masses. They also use the wordsmithing of Dr. Frank Luntz, who understands how to use words that insight people to act purely on emotions and without all of the facts, manipulate people to act against their own needs.
Walker goes to Germany & England and 47 senators send a letter to the leader of Iran, Bush goes to Estonia (Russia).
The GOP uses gerrymandering, voter restrictions, limiting information freedoms, economic warfare defunding the country’s budget, destabilizes the country using fear tactics, provoking: racism, hyper-right religion, confederacy.
The GOP likes dictators…Trump!
8
Since 2007, “The GOPs willingness to say no to everything — the fact that since 2007, they have filibustered about 500 pieces of legislation that would help the middle class just gives you a sense of how opposed they are to any progress,”( Politico)
The 27 they say they passed that were jobs bills, weren’t, GOP's Claim That House Passed 30 Jobs Bills? Bogus.
Here are some examples of bills blocked by the GOP:
Student Loan Affordability Act:
Would keep the interest rate of subsidized federal student loans at 3.4% for two years.
Paycheck Fairness Act:
Requires employers to prove differences in pay are not GENDER-RELATED. Would allow employees to discuss salaries without retaliation, and allows government to collect data on women workers to better evaluate the wage gap.
Bring Jobs Home Act:
Would grant businesses a tax credit for eliminating a business outside the US and relocating it in the US. Would deny businesses a tax deduction for outsourcing expenses related to outsourcing a business
Small Business Jobs and Tax Relief Act:
Gives small businesses a tax credit if their 2012 payrolls were higher than their 2011 payrolls
Paying a Fair Share Act of 2012:
Requires millionaires to pay a 30% minimum tax rate. Expresses the Sense of the Senate that tax reform should repeal unfair loopholes and expenditures and make sure the wealthiest taxpayers pay a fair share of taxes
Repeal Big Oil Tax Subsidies Act:
Extends tax credits for alternative energy
The 27 they say they passed that were jobs bills, weren’t, GOP's Claim That House Passed 30 Jobs Bills? Bogus.
Here are some examples of bills blocked by the GOP:
Student Loan Affordability Act:
Would keep the interest rate of subsidized federal student loans at 3.4% for two years.
Paycheck Fairness Act:
Requires employers to prove differences in pay are not GENDER-RELATED. Would allow employees to discuss salaries without retaliation, and allows government to collect data on women workers to better evaluate the wage gap.
Bring Jobs Home Act:
Would grant businesses a tax credit for eliminating a business outside the US and relocating it in the US. Would deny businesses a tax deduction for outsourcing expenses related to outsourcing a business
Small Business Jobs and Tax Relief Act:
Gives small businesses a tax credit if their 2012 payrolls were higher than their 2011 payrolls
Paying a Fair Share Act of 2012:
Requires millionaires to pay a 30% minimum tax rate. Expresses the Sense of the Senate that tax reform should repeal unfair loopholes and expenditures and make sure the wealthiest taxpayers pay a fair share of taxes
Repeal Big Oil Tax Subsidies Act:
Extends tax credits for alternative energy
17
The "Bring Jobs Home Act" is of particular interest given this President's supposed commitment to American Jobs First policies, and how despite all the rhetoric over the election that the Democrats have not been sufficiently concerned with job offshoring, it was Republicans who blocked a bill that was aimed at addressing that very issue. That's what I don't get is regardless of how inadequate the Democratic response to this issue may have been, why anyone in their right mind would believe that *Republicans* have any interest in addressing the issue at all, given the majority of Republican lawmakers don't think it's a problem in the first place!
After 18 years in Congress Paul Ryan has sponsored three bills that passed into law. 1) He named a post office, 2) He reduced taxes on arrows for deer hunters, and 3) A bill to create a Presidential Commission to study evidence based policy making. Clearly the later can't happen fast enough. Based on this record, Republicans elected him the Speaker of the House.
77
America has become a country where we don't get things done, we just rant, complain and posture.
Its going to take more than a month to unwind the monstrosity that is the ACA. Lets be patience and do it right.
My wife & I (Republicans) have had insurance thru the ACA for several years now. The state website allowed us to sign up & renew each year very easily. We have been very happy with the insurance options, choice of doctors, and cost. We started out with COBRA and moved to insurance via the ACA which reduced our cost. This year our monthly cost went down slightly. Some of our friends who 'hate' the ACA but, have private insurance & a very, very limited understanding of the benefits they also enjoy due to the requirements that coverage be comprehensive i.e. preventive care, prenatal care, etc. Most never new that Obamacare = ACA which they benefiter from. We will be ever thankful for the efforts of President Obama for our healthcare insurance.
61
And yet you voted Republican?
Enjoy your non-insurance on RyanCare - maybe that will convince you to vote for politicians who actually try to achieve something.
Enjoy your non-insurance on RyanCare - maybe that will convince you to vote for politicians who actually try to achieve something.
As an engineer, I know there dozens of theoretical ways to make an airplane fly, but only one that will actually work. Thrust, drag, lift. If you don't do it right, planes fall out of the sky, and people die.
Actually, when Congress gets it wrong, people die, but they seem to be entirely clueless, or unwilling to admit responsibility. Is incompetence a requirement for running for a Congressional office?
Actually, when Congress gets it wrong, people die, but they seem to be entirely clueless, or unwilling to admit responsibility. Is incompetence a requirement for running for a Congressional office?
43
By the way, here in MA, our Republican Governor, Baker, has notably dismissed from public service the notable policy wonk, Jonathan Gruber.
(Gruber was a main technical architect of MA RomneyCare, and had some roll in ObamaCare.)
The dismissal was asserted to be because of Gurber's position on our state health exchange, the MA Health Connector, which failed miserably at the ObamaCare rollout.
But, largely, we all suspect, a political popularity move, because of politically-incorrect, frank (insulting to the people) comments caught on cellphone video just prior to the dismissal.
Now that the state is in a bind, seeing and ObamaCare repeal, and needing technical help to lobby appropriately, and design correctly, for something like a return to RomneyCare, I've commented in the Globe that maybe the Governor ought to seek the advice of Prof. Gruber, and let bygones be bygones.
(With luck, even, a "bromance" might ensue.)
(Gruber was a main technical architect of MA RomneyCare, and had some roll in ObamaCare.)
The dismissal was asserted to be because of Gurber's position on our state health exchange, the MA Health Connector, which failed miserably at the ObamaCare rollout.
But, largely, we all suspect, a political popularity move, because of politically-incorrect, frank (insulting to the people) comments caught on cellphone video just prior to the dismissal.
Now that the state is in a bind, seeing and ObamaCare repeal, and needing technical help to lobby appropriately, and design correctly, for something like a return to RomneyCare, I've commented in the Globe that maybe the Governor ought to seek the advice of Prof. Gruber, and let bygones be bygones.
(With luck, even, a "bromance" might ensue.)
6
First, let's relax a bit. As noted, the legislature has been in session for only two months. Trump has been in office for only 5 weeks. Heck, it took God 6 days to create everything; according to some creationists, that's 6,000 years in man-time. So we can expect things to really start to roll out of the hopper over the next 60 days.
On the other hand .... when the governing party has reorganized itself for 20 years around the slogan, "no", an observer might wonder about its ability to get to the complete spelling of "yes." As for Trump, come on. Personally, I believe (although I have no fake news source to base this on) that he signs his executive orders and any legislation with starch ink, so his signature will fade and he can justifiably Twitter his later contradiction.
Really, can you think of a more stimulating time in which to live?
On the other hand .... when the governing party has reorganized itself for 20 years around the slogan, "no", an observer might wonder about its ability to get to the complete spelling of "yes." As for Trump, come on. Personally, I believe (although I have no fake news source to base this on) that he signs his executive orders and any legislation with starch ink, so his signature will fade and he can justifiably Twitter his later contradiction.
Really, can you think of a more stimulating time in which to live?
3
It could be quite simple, but Republicans don't have a forceful process to keep everyone in line. Perhaps they need more of that. For example Medicaid reform is very easy, block grant it to the states with few restrictions and allow them to do as their citizens desire and are willing to pay for.
1
vulcanalex - Tennessee doesn't have a particularly good standard of living, is that what the citizens in your state desire?
3
Another missing-wonk or incompetent-wonk example:
One recent "leaked to Politico" draft version of the ObamaCare "replace" legislation is described and full-text available here: http://healthaffairs.org/blog/2017/02/25/a-look-at-republican-intentions...
This "replace" takes away the ObamaCare Medicaid extension, and the heavier subsidies for low-income people. So in many cases, for the working poor, we're back to going to the emergency room, when they have an acute problem, that the hospital must stabilize (only) under the EMTALA law. Legally, the treated uninsured are responsible for the bills for that stabilization-only care.
(You will find many instances on the internet discussions of people stuck with bills for such care, and stressed by being hounded to pay them.)
Well, the summary of this replace says: "[The bill] ends disproportionate share hospital payment reductions".
What does that mean?
That means that hospitals in poorer areas will (again) get reimbursed, to a substantial extent, for the stabilization-only care that they have to provide, and can also extract from the patients, if possible. (Double payment to the hospitals, if somehow the poor slob who had to go the ER after we took away their insurance, can come up with the money.)
Is this the best these these wonks, if there are any over there, can do?
One recent "leaked to Politico" draft version of the ObamaCare "replace" legislation is described and full-text available here: http://healthaffairs.org/blog/2017/02/25/a-look-at-republican-intentions...
This "replace" takes away the ObamaCare Medicaid extension, and the heavier subsidies for low-income people. So in many cases, for the working poor, we're back to going to the emergency room, when they have an acute problem, that the hospital must stabilize (only) under the EMTALA law. Legally, the treated uninsured are responsible for the bills for that stabilization-only care.
(You will find many instances on the internet discussions of people stuck with bills for such care, and stressed by being hounded to pay them.)
Well, the summary of this replace says: "[The bill] ends disproportionate share hospital payment reductions".
What does that mean?
That means that hospitals in poorer areas will (again) get reimbursed, to a substantial extent, for the stabilization-only care that they have to provide, and can also extract from the patients, if possible. (Double payment to the hospitals, if somehow the poor slob who had to go the ER after we took away their insurance, can come up with the money.)
Is this the best these these wonks, if there are any over there, can do?
16
Readers may enjoy an example of inadequate, or missing, wonks (and possibly inadequate political-manipulation/consistency staff) in this juxtaposition.
We have a June, 2016 "Better Way" ObamaCare "replace", attributed to Paul Ryan: ( https://abetterway.speaker.gov/_assets/pdf/ABetterWay-HealthCare-PolicyP... )
It doesn't have screening or discrimination to people with pre-existing conditions, provided they have a certain amount of continuous prior coverage when they apply for new individual insurance.
On p. 20, it says:
"No American should ever be denied coverage or face a coverage exclusion on the basis of a pre-existing condition. Our plan ensures every American, healthy or sick, will have the comfort of knowing they can never
be denied a plan from a health insurer."
Now, in January 2017, Paul Ryan, in a CNN Town Hall, and on Charlie Rose, indicates the replace is coming soon, and it has fully pre-existing-condition-screened individual insurance. (No exemption even if you have maintained continuous prior coverage.) There is now a return to pre-ObamaCare high-risk pools to attempt and cover some of the people with pre-existing-conditions.
Well, what about the quoted line from the "Better Way" brochure from the same people, likely even the same guy (Paul Ryan) from 7 months earlier???
Where are these wonks coming from--yes???
Ref: The Ryan Town Hall: http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-hiltzik-obamacare-ryan-tow...
We have a June, 2016 "Better Way" ObamaCare "replace", attributed to Paul Ryan: ( https://abetterway.speaker.gov/_assets/pdf/ABetterWay-HealthCare-PolicyP... )
It doesn't have screening or discrimination to people with pre-existing conditions, provided they have a certain amount of continuous prior coverage when they apply for new individual insurance.
On p. 20, it says:
"No American should ever be denied coverage or face a coverage exclusion on the basis of a pre-existing condition. Our plan ensures every American, healthy or sick, will have the comfort of knowing they can never
be denied a plan from a health insurer."
Now, in January 2017, Paul Ryan, in a CNN Town Hall, and on Charlie Rose, indicates the replace is coming soon, and it has fully pre-existing-condition-screened individual insurance. (No exemption even if you have maintained continuous prior coverage.) There is now a return to pre-ObamaCare high-risk pools to attempt and cover some of the people with pre-existing-conditions.
Well, what about the quoted line from the "Better Way" brochure from the same people, likely even the same guy (Paul Ryan) from 7 months earlier???
Where are these wonks coming from--yes???
Ref: The Ryan Town Hall: http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-hiltzik-obamacare-ryan-tow...
9
Radical conservatives will ultimately win because they believe they are right. They don't really care if people are harmed by not having health insurance, just like they don't care if income inequity if completely unbalanced or that government regulations should be cut despite the consequences. Most of those who will be immediately harmed by repeal of the ACA are poor and don't vote and don't have any power. Too many people in the US see the poor as undeserving.
37
"..It is not just a coincidence that tax cuts for the rich have preceded both the 1929 and 2007 depressions. The Revenue acts of 1926 and 1928 worked exactly as the Republican Congresses that pushed them through promised. The dramatic reductions in taxes on the upper income brackets and estates of the wealthy did indeed result in increases in savings and investment. However, overinvestment (by 1929 there were over 600 automobile manufacturing companies in the USA) caused the depression that made the rich, and most everyone else, ultimately much poorer.
Since 1969 there has been a tremendous shift in the tax burdens away from the rich on onto the middle class. Corporate income tax receipts, whose incidence falls entirely on the owners of corporations, were 4% of GDP then and are now less than 1%. During that same period, payroll tax rates as percent of GDP have increased dramatically. The overinvestment problem caused by the reduction in taxes on the wealthy is exacerbated by the increased tax burden on the middle class. While overinvestment creates more factories, housing and shopping centers; higher payroll taxes reduces the purchasing power of middle-class consumers. ..."
http://seekingalpha.com/article/1543642
Since 1969 there has been a tremendous shift in the tax burdens away from the rich on onto the middle class. Corporate income tax receipts, whose incidence falls entirely on the owners of corporations, were 4% of GDP then and are now less than 1%. During that same period, payroll tax rates as percent of GDP have increased dramatically. The overinvestment problem caused by the reduction in taxes on the wealthy is exacerbated by the increased tax burden on the middle class. While overinvestment creates more factories, housing and shopping centers; higher payroll taxes reduces the purchasing power of middle-class consumers. ..."
http://seekingalpha.com/article/1543642
4
Remember "The Young Guns". thought they were ready to step up and do the heavy lifting at a moments notice? Hee, hee, hoo haw, hee....
13
The 21st Century version of the Republican Party, and conservatism in general, has an innate negative reaction to governance. Gingrich's "Contract on America" was the first salvo of not just smaller government, but government by fiat and edict. Compromise was for liberal wusses, not manly conservatives...
23
The Party of No is simply too stupid to govern,
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The "Party of No!" is now the "Party of Can't."
Let's stop blaming Congress and start blaming the people who voted these fools into office. We have vast swaths of the country where the elites are despised and readily blamed for all their ills. Well if you are so smart, why aren't your states doing better? Government is not the solution to everything, but it isn't the problem either. Turn your state around and then show me you have the answer. Lead by example.
98
WRT the uneducated voters who put Trump and his ilk in office: "Because a stable and democratic society is impossible without widespread acceptance of some common set of values and without a minimum degree of literacy and knowledge on the part of most citizens the government should pay for all children to go to school."
Milton Friedman
Milton Friedman
7
Take a good hard look at Kansas if you want to see the GOP plan in action. After one-term of Brownback led tax cuts, they cannot even pay their state's bills that are coming due, yet still refuse to look at increased taxes bask to levels that would allow them to be marginally solvent. This passes for the GOP plan - Hah!!
8
If you talk the talk you have to be able to walk the walk.
3
Given the way Republicans have been legislating and governing over the past two months, I would hazard a guess that a tax cut package will be their only major legislative accomplishment this year or next. And that tax cut package will not be a permanent tax cut, like the Reagan tax cuts of 1981, but only a 10-year tax cut like the Bush 2001 and 2003 tax cuts because of the underlying tax reconciliation rules. Oh, and the Affordable Care Act will probably keep hobbling along with slightly less funding and slightly more HSA's for the next two years until Democrats take over the House after the 2018 midterms.
11
Hope to heck you're right Pierre about that Democrat takeover!
4
Neil Irwin claims that the reason Republicans haven't come up with a replacement for the Affordable Care Act is the "usual slow grinding of legislative gears." He reminds us that it took the Obama administration 14 months to pass the ACA.
But Mr. Irwin needs to be reminded that the Republicans have had seven years to come up with a replacement for the ACA, which they have said they would. So this has nothing to do with a normal "slow grinding of legislative gears." It has everything to do with the fact that Republicans have been lying to the American people about health care for years.
But Mr. Irwin needs to be reminded that the Republicans have had seven years to come up with a replacement for the ACA, which they have said they would. So this has nothing to do with a normal "slow grinding of legislative gears." It has everything to do with the fact that Republicans have been lying to the American people about health care for years.
203
Washington Republicans are the Three Stooges. Trump is Curly, the Senate is Mo and the House is Larry. Their mean stupidity would be funny if real stuff didn't get broken and real people didn't get hurt.
41
I love it, but Trumps seems more Moe to me and the Senate Larry with the House Curly bordering on Shimp.
8
Republicans have for the last 8 years got used to Obama doing things and keeping common people content while they practiced whining and complaining as their principles position.
Now they have to actually do something while the white house is occupied by a whiner-in-chief.
Now they have to actually do something while the white house is occupied by a whiner-in-chief.
59
Every day it becomes increasingly clearer that the immutable laws of economics mean that unless the Republicans want to allow medical underwriting, that is where insurance companies can reject applicants with preexisting conditions, something very close to Obamacare must be retained.
Demand for medical care is inelastic. Controlling prices charged by doctors and hospitals via the use of monopsony like the rest of the developed world does is an anathema to Republicans. Monopsony, meaning "single buyer" is the flip side of monopoly. A monopsonist sets prices below free market equilibrium. It does not matter if there is an actual single payer or many buyers (or payers) whose prices are set by the government or by insurance companies in collusion with each other. see: Obamacare And Beyond: The Outlook For The Healthcare Sector.
http://seekingalpha.com/article/1647632
As it is dawning on the Republicans, any system that does not explicitly control prices must have mandates and subsidies similar to those in Obamacare. Otherwise, most individual insurance policies would be far beyond the reach of middle class Americans since, without medical underwriting insurance companies would have to price their policies based on the assumption that the applicant has a costly preexisting condition..."
http://seekingalpha.com/article/4042715
Demand for medical care is inelastic. Controlling prices charged by doctors and hospitals via the use of monopsony like the rest of the developed world does is an anathema to Republicans. Monopsony, meaning "single buyer" is the flip side of monopoly. A monopsonist sets prices below free market equilibrium. It does not matter if there is an actual single payer or many buyers (or payers) whose prices are set by the government or by insurance companies in collusion with each other. see: Obamacare And Beyond: The Outlook For The Healthcare Sector.
http://seekingalpha.com/article/1647632
As it is dawning on the Republicans, any system that does not explicitly control prices must have mandates and subsidies similar to those in Obamacare. Otherwise, most individual insurance policies would be far beyond the reach of middle class Americans since, without medical underwriting insurance companies would have to price their policies based on the assumption that the applicant has a costly preexisting condition..."
http://seekingalpha.com/article/4042715
2
Since the repubs have sat on their thumbs for the last 8 years, it is no wonder that they can't seem to react to their party leader fast enough. Which, while it was a sorry display of racism towards President Obama, it could work well for our country now that we are under the little hands of the most unqualified man to be not-elected president by the majority of Americans.
42
"But there’s another element in the sluggish or nonexistent progress on major elements of the Republican agenda. Large portions of the Republican caucus embrace a kind of policy nihilism. They criticize any piece of legislation that doesn’t completely accomplish conservative goals, but don’t build coalitions to devise complex legislation themselves."
This is why one should elect professionals, and not zealots
This is why one should elect professionals, and not zealots
115
Not professionals, but people who are committed to public service.
3
Yes, Congress ranks low in popularity and credibility.
But voters love their own zealots, and keep on re-electing them. Professionalism is fine, as long as it's in somebody else's district.
But voters love their own zealots, and keep on re-electing them. Professionalism is fine, as long as it's in somebody else's district.
1
"'Nobody knew health care could be so complicated,' he said Monday, to guffaws from anyone who has thought even a bit about health care reform." Good Lord, he can't even pretend to be smart. How is the country supposed to make it through four years of this aimless and weak-minded nonsense?
145
We just need to make it through a little less than two years. At the rate things are going, and given normal political gravity, a Democratic counter-wave in 2018 will be enough to trim Trump's wings beginning in January 2019. And hopefully usher him off the political stage in 2020 or sooner.
12
The Democratic Party also needs to start moving and create something of substance. There would be no point in winning the mid-terms if, if like Trump & Co., they have no clear vision to offer. They also need to stop the in-fighting, present a united front and pay attention to those they had ignored during the presidential election: they need to win back the regions that were once staunchly Democrat. They need to mount an actual battle against jerrymandering instead of helplessly standing by and letting the Republican wealth-funded candidates take over districts that should naturally have been their territory. That is a very tall order. The old guard like Nancy Pelosi might need to step aside because their vision is more than a little stale. Are the Democrats ready to take it on?
12
" At the rate things are going, and given normal political gravity, a Democratic counter-wave in 2018 will be enough to trim Trump's wings beginning in January 2019."
Pretty optimistic of you. Dems cannot crack the gerrymandered house, and even the senate is an uphill battle.
Pretty optimistic of you. Dems cannot crack the gerrymandered house, and even the senate is an uphill battle.
I fear the momentum for change will give way to single issue bills while the necessary votes to pass them can still be found.
Abolishing the "death tax" has long been in the top three of GOP's bucket list. With a (supposed) billionaire President and a Cabinet populated with other billionaires it is highly likely this tax is soon to be gone.
Privatizing the mortgage portfolios of Fannie and Freddie is another single issue that's been salivated over by they GOP .01% donor base. And they now have a champion in Mnuchin.
Same with repatriating off shore profits. The only hurdle will be how much of the farm to give away. They will deal with the heavy lift of tax reform later.
Strike while the irons hot. Get the pet projects done and out of the way while voters are still enthralled with the Trump circus that this administration has so far been.
Abolishing the "death tax" has long been in the top three of GOP's bucket list. With a (supposed) billionaire President and a Cabinet populated with other billionaires it is highly likely this tax is soon to be gone.
Privatizing the mortgage portfolios of Fannie and Freddie is another single issue that's been salivated over by they GOP .01% donor base. And they now have a champion in Mnuchin.
Same with repatriating off shore profits. The only hurdle will be how much of the farm to give away. They will deal with the heavy lift of tax reform later.
Strike while the irons hot. Get the pet projects done and out of the way while voters are still enthralled with the Trump circus that this administration has so far been.
12
Are we "still enthralled" with Trump? Some of us never were. We are just holding our noses until some great event makes him go away.
10
The one certain thing that can be predicted is that the Republican controlled congress will enact and President Trump will sign is elimination of the estate tax. This literally could be called taking from the millionaires to give to the billionaires. Estates under $5.49 million are now totally exempt from the estate tax. Billionaires are not as able as mere millionaires to employ various strategies to avoid estate taxes. Repealing the estate tax will give $billions to a fraction of the top 1%, which will ultimately have to be made up by the rest of the taxpayers. There is no doubt as to what Republican control of both congress and the presidency will be with regard to tax policy despite the revenge on the financial elites that Trump promises.
There will be a further shift in the tax burden away from the rich and onto the middle class. In contrast, the populist United Kingdom Independence Party explicitly calls for much higher taxes on the rich. Since 1966, there has been a tremendous shift in the tax burdens away from the rich on onto the middle class. Corporate income tax receipts, whose incidence falls entirely on the owners of corporations, were 4% of GDP then and were 1.77% in 2016. During that same period, payroll tax rates as a percent of GDP have increased dramatically from 3.27% in 1966 to 5.95% in 2016..."
http://seekingalpha.com/article/4047890
There will be a further shift in the tax burden away from the rich and onto the middle class. In contrast, the populist United Kingdom Independence Party explicitly calls for much higher taxes on the rich. Since 1966, there has been a tremendous shift in the tax burdens away from the rich on onto the middle class. Corporate income tax receipts, whose incidence falls entirely on the owners of corporations, were 4% of GDP then and were 1.77% in 2016. During that same period, payroll tax rates as a percent of GDP have increased dramatically from 3.27% in 1966 to 5.95% in 2016..."
http://seekingalpha.com/article/4047890
1
Looking for the silver lining to a dysfunctional congress and an incompetent president… and the word that comes to mind is inertia. Maybe we can just all live through this, like a bad movie.
For all the rhetoric from congress through the Obama years, and all the promises of the Trump campaign, there is little evidence that this group can agree on anything actionable. Sure they can agree on criticisms of the left, but there is no sign that they can articulate policy frameworks, analyze options, negotiate, and pass laws that improve the status quo.
So we are likely destined for yet more rhetoric, and a good deal of doing little and declaring victory, while reminding us who they believe is to blame. Maybe some grammatical adjustments to the ACA followed by the trumpeting of success.
I mean, after all, we do have to win some more you know.
For all the rhetoric from congress through the Obama years, and all the promises of the Trump campaign, there is little evidence that this group can agree on anything actionable. Sure they can agree on criticisms of the left, but there is no sign that they can articulate policy frameworks, analyze options, negotiate, and pass laws that improve the status quo.
So we are likely destined for yet more rhetoric, and a good deal of doing little and declaring victory, while reminding us who they believe is to blame. Maybe some grammatical adjustments to the ACA followed by the trumpeting of success.
I mean, after all, we do have to win some more you know.
11
Trumpeting of success. Excellent.
1
Given the make up of the present Congress and Trump as president any far reaching legislation is bound to be disastrous so the best one can hope for as long as Republicans control the White House and Congress is a repetition of the last two years, i.e. nothing of any importance becoming law. Trump's promises, the GOP agenda and reality are mutually incompatible.The biggest danger is on foreign policy, where Trump has much more wiggle room to mess things up. One can only hope Mattis and McMaster will keep Trump's and Bannon's worst instincts at bay. Luckily reducing the State Department's budget to increase defense spending is not really up to Trump but shows his profound ignorance of foreign policy.
59
I agree with you, serban.
"Sometimes nothing is a cool hand."
"Sometimes nothing is a cool hand."
5
But it’s even harder to carry out a sweeping agenda when you're only policy for eight plus years has been a policy of "no." Eight years of being against everything apparently hasn't given the republicans enough time to find something to be *for.* With the exception of voter suppression and controlling women's autonomy, of course, both of which translate to being against equality.
123