Eric Trump thinks Democrats aren't people.
https://www.google.com/amp/amp.usatoday.com/story/102588850/
I'm sorry but if someone referred to me as something less than human then asked me to help them kill sick people I would most definitely refuse to vote for their bill.
But that's just me.
https://www.google.com/amp/amp.usatoday.com/story/102588850/
I'm sorry but if someone referred to me as something less than human then asked me to help them kill sick people I would most definitely refuse to vote for their bill.
But that's just me.
6
Dear Mitch,
The solution to your party's problem can be found in the Bible.
Matthew 6:24
"No one can serve two masters.
Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.
You cannot serve both Good and The Koch Brothers".
The solution to your party's problem can be found in the Bible.
Matthew 6:24
"No one can serve two masters.
Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.
You cannot serve both Good and The Koch Brothers".
6
When you view the government with complete disdain, you never master how to run it effectively. The Republicans can't govern because they really don't want to govern.
7
I have a suggestion. Instead of meeting in August, let them go on their fact-finding trips. BUT, they have to go on trips to countries that have a good working medical system and learn what makes it work. Let's send them to Denmark, Sweden and France, with the instructions that they use working models to put in place a health care system here. No need to reinvent the wheel, especially in a room full of other white male Republicans behind closed doors.
3
I believe it goes deeper than the GOP not being good at governing. At the base level, these so called "compassionate conservatives" are not very good at being human. The hypocrisy that abounds on every file, and especially with health care in which they say they "care for Americans" while giving America and all it stands for away to the rich and special interests, that hypocrisy is revolting. We can only hope that that revulsion is causing a crisis of conscience among some Republican senators who are not yet totally in the bag with the Koch brothers that there is a flicker of humanity left in them. Time will tell.
5
Go home and "face their constituents"?
Hah! These befuddled, pampered old men have been hiding from them like scared rabbits.
I could sell tickets to a town hall where one of these charlatans actually showed up.
Probably some popcorn, too.
Hah! These befuddled, pampered old men have been hiding from them like scared rabbits.
I could sell tickets to a town hall where one of these charlatans actually showed up.
Probably some popcorn, too.
7
Don't be fooled, this is a sham to allow them to pass their catastrophic 'healthcare' bill, get tRump to sign it and then when it produces the inevitable chaos for citizens these same GOPers will hang it around tRump's neck. They need to get this done before the imperial presidency implodes.
4
Completely misses the real story: Republicans are devoid of ideas. The public isn't interested in warmed over trickle down economics.
And the true political angle here is that this is more about bending Republican arms to go along with the health care bill.
And the true political angle here is that this is more about bending Republican arms to go along with the health care bill.
3
So now Republicans are doubting their governing abilities? What abilities?
Republicans stand for just two things. One is scamming US citizens so that they can give money to the monied interests who bought their seats in Congress for them. They also love spending more and more money on our bloated military and invading other countries for fun and profit. Every other legitimate function of government is disdained by them and they seek only to hobble it whenever possible, never to make it work for the majority us.
The idea that they will remain in their swamp for two additional weeks to "get results for the American people" is ludicrous. Unfortunately their Fox addled base will still stand behind them as they systematically tear down the country for the 99% to aid the 1%. Disgusting.
Republicans stand for just two things. One is scamming US citizens so that they can give money to the monied interests who bought their seats in Congress for them. They also love spending more and more money on our bloated military and invading other countries for fun and profit. Every other legitimate function of government is disdained by them and they seek only to hobble it whenever possible, never to make it work for the majority us.
The idea that they will remain in their swamp for two additional weeks to "get results for the American people" is ludicrous. Unfortunately their Fox addled base will still stand behind them as they systematically tear down the country for the 99% to aid the 1%. Disgusting.
9
Over eight years of talk and talk.
Eight years of accomplishing nothing for the American people.
Our healthcare, our sorely outdated tax "system", our infrastructure, our educational system, our job programs and many other things need major work.
They can't even pass a budget for pity's sake.
Now that they are completely in charge the Congressional Republicans still do nothing but talk and talk.
Face time on TV is good.
Actual accomplishments are so boring.
They mindlessly follow their leader who not only talks and talks but tweets as well. Who thinks only of himself and the profits he can make by pushing his brand.
AS a nation we are in "a heap of trouble" unless things change dramatically in Washington.
Soon.
Eight years of accomplishing nothing for the American people.
Our healthcare, our sorely outdated tax "system", our infrastructure, our educational system, our job programs and many other things need major work.
They can't even pass a budget for pity's sake.
Now that they are completely in charge the Congressional Republicans still do nothing but talk and talk.
Face time on TV is good.
Actual accomplishments are so boring.
They mindlessly follow their leader who not only talks and talks but tweets as well. Who thinks only of himself and the profits he can make by pushing his brand.
AS a nation we are in "a heap of trouble" unless things change dramatically in Washington.
Soon.
10
Many of us know that the bottom line for Republican governance is to give as many tax breaks to the rich as possible, cut spending in any federal programs that would benefit the disadvantaged, ramp up spending in the military and privatize as many entities that were run cheaper and more efficiently by the government. Their glaring priorities, now that they control the entire federal government, reveal who they are and what they are. They are scoundrels, plain and simple.
7
Republicans must be time wasters. Plus president who fritters away time?
In no time, Obama created a financial rescue plan, a strong national stimulus package that also kept states from financial ruin, coordinated an international response to the financial crisis.
Financial regulatory reforms + initiatives in the US, got banks back on their feet with zero cost to Treasury--able to lure private capital into our largest banks.
Wall street reform, consumer protection reforms, consumer finance protections, turned around auto industry.
Helped secure over 500 billion for the International Monetary Fund for the global community to avoid more crisis. Well regarded as genius with a highly effective Treasury Dept.
Major health care initiatives and strengthened Medicare. Ended discrimination in military, ensured right of women to sue for pay discrimination, created vital council on women and girls.
Substantial energy initiatives, made US a major energy producer, reduced reliance on Middle East Oil. Ended torture policies.
Left office having created over 15 million new jobs, a 4.9 percent unemployment rate, 74 months of consecutive job growth.
Obama didn't fritter around. Historians are already listing him as #12th best president.
In no time, Obama created a financial rescue plan, a strong national stimulus package that also kept states from financial ruin, coordinated an international response to the financial crisis.
Financial regulatory reforms + initiatives in the US, got banks back on their feet with zero cost to Treasury--able to lure private capital into our largest banks.
Wall street reform, consumer protection reforms, consumer finance protections, turned around auto industry.
Helped secure over 500 billion for the International Monetary Fund for the global community to avoid more crisis. Well regarded as genius with a highly effective Treasury Dept.
Major health care initiatives and strengthened Medicare. Ended discrimination in military, ensured right of women to sue for pay discrimination, created vital council on women and girls.
Substantial energy initiatives, made US a major energy producer, reduced reliance on Middle East Oil. Ended torture policies.
Left office having created over 15 million new jobs, a 4.9 percent unemployment rate, 74 months of consecutive job growth.
Obama didn't fritter around. Historians are already listing him as #12th best president.
10
In his business dealings, Trump often has been reported to dodge and manipulate, using laws and regulations to, for example, pay what he owes at pennies on the dollar and to gain other financial advantages. He, his team, and his family have been doing exactly that since he took office - and, as we come to learn, well before his election. It appears that he hires lawyers and others who learn exactly where the thresholds to illegality are, and then advise him and his team how best to stay (just barely) on the legal side. I can't envision yet how history will judge this conniver and his consiglieres, because I'm so sickened by living the almost-daily experience of watching them scam America...right under our noses. Trump will have the last laugh. Shame on the USA.
4
Tell me again why Americans want to cut access to health care and raise costs so the wealthiest can have a tax break. I'm not understanding this.
37
Americans don't, clueless poorly educated rightist idiots dulled by decades of Fox News lies want it because they have lost the ability to reason as adults.
3
DEMOCRATS DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM IN 2009 UNDER BARACK OBAMA. There, said. Obama unlike Trump was an actual leader with a vision for the nation, not some over grown 70 yr man-baby. The Democrats had an agenda, coalesced around that agenda and got it done. I hope the Republicans never "deliver for the American people", as that would mean suffering on massive scale for the 99 percent in this nation. Delivering to the GOP has always meant "throw the poor, colored and plain old average under the bus."
21
Anyone who needs further proof that the Republican party hasn't got the slightest interest in governing or serving the American people at all is as dim as Trump Jr.
16
Pass it when the country is on vacation is what I'm thinking. Typical McConnell tactic.
8
Spoiled, aging Republican white guys who like their scotch and side -parted, slicked down haircuts. Their eyes as the window to the soul---look souless.
Most have been there too long, and forget what an average person's life is like. So no compassion. They don't even consider us. Joe Scarborough says the place empties by 4PM and they head out for happy hours and steaks.
I did a study in graduate school on senate perks:
They get multiple thousands for everything from staff to office supplies to on site physician, to hair cuts, free postage, computers, fax machines, the best cell phones, and telephones for themselves and their excess staff.
Big masculine desks, leather chairs---office budgets are in the millions. Free haircuts, an on-site physician, physical therapy, a gym, showers, you name it.
They could give a hoot about our health care needs.
They don't even think about us.
Most have been there too long, and forget what an average person's life is like. So no compassion. They don't even consider us. Joe Scarborough says the place empties by 4PM and they head out for happy hours and steaks.
I did a study in graduate school on senate perks:
They get multiple thousands for everything from staff to office supplies to on site physician, to hair cuts, free postage, computers, fax machines, the best cell phones, and telephones for themselves and their excess staff.
Big masculine desks, leather chairs---office budgets are in the millions. Free haircuts, an on-site physician, physical therapy, a gym, showers, you name it.
They could give a hoot about our health care needs.
They don't even think about us.
18
When you vote for and elect the party that hates the government and promises to destroy it (except for the military, of course),
Do not be surprised that BAD government is the result.
Do not be surprised that BAD government is the result.
22
I am appalled at the behavior, ethics's, and attitude if most of the Republican Party. Collins and a few others really seem to care about people and their needs. The rest are simply awful.
13
The American Apprentice! It's like the Kardashians and Jersey Shore except with reality and democracy at stake. America has been moving in this direction for years. Mike Judge is a prophet.
10
Sen. Grassley: “WE WONT BE ASHAMED WE WILL GO FROM MAJORITY TO MINORITY."
The subtext missing from that statement is that elected D.C. Republicans have no shame. You don't "reform" something by completely destroying it. Taking healthcare away from 22 million people would be doing something *to* the American people, but not *for* them.
The subtext missing from that statement is that elected D.C. Republicans have no shame. You don't "reform" something by completely destroying it. Taking healthcare away from 22 million people would be doing something *to* the American people, but not *for* them.
10
The GOP is unfit to govern. Their concerns are with an agenda for the wealthy and not with serving the people. Having no scapegoat their mendacity and naked cruelty are glaring. Their lies ("trickle down" economics), racism (war on drugs, mass incarceration, immigration hysteria), and now healthcare genocide are coming home to roost. They thought they could fool all of the people all of the time. The donor class owns the Congress and the administration. The Senators fear of failure has more to do with being cut off from funding than facing folks back home. However, the locals are angry and unwilling to accept the usual GOP excuses and distractions. McConnell sees his problem as one of parliamentary maneuvering rather than terribly heartless legislation. They may just fall on their swords to appear to "die trying." The wealthy power play to corrupt the Federal process may just fail pathetically. A democracy works best via bipartisanship. The GOP would do best as an opposition party to a center/left government. They don't purport to represent the majority and they should not be in position to do so. Apparently, they are starting to realize that. Certainly, they don't have the desire or ability to 'change their spots' at this point. And, repeating the same behaviors and expecting a different outcome is, you know, crazy! Can't wait till 2018. Now if the Dems would only get a clue.
14
Key word: reluctant. The Republicans have pushed their line in the sand so far, so many times to accommodate Trump, they have no footing.
4
The most shocking development is the GOP's inability to govern with their "majority". I guess President Trump's statement that "I didn't think this job would be so tough" extends to the Congress also.
Unfortunately we are getting what we voted for. "gridlock" & "deregulation" while Rome to burns.
Maybe the electorate will think about that at the midterm and again in 2020.
Unfortunately we are getting what we voted for. "gridlock" & "deregulation" while Rome to burns.
Maybe the electorate will think about that at the midterm and again in 2020.
8
These Republicans are delusional. How can they have the gall to claim that their constituents want this bill passed? They've done nothing but hide from their constituents because they are too cowardly to face a "screaming fest," as Paul Ryan said, if they hold a town hall meeting. Forcing through legislation that no one but the 1% wants and would harm their constituents. . . Oh, wait a minute. It's the 1% they'll be afraid to face if the bill doesn't pass. Their constituents couldn't matter less.
9
I truly believe that Congress is off the rails for good until a new party takes over. We saw in McConnell's unconstitutional defiance of Obama with this tainted Supreme Court justice named Gorsuch, who should be renamed No-Such, as in legitimate sitting justice. So the idea of "bipartisanship" as some sort of lifeline to save Private Trump is absurd. Yes, we are about to witness a complete collapse of Republican "leadership." Wait for the debt ceiling.
4
A collection of deplorable, well heeled clowns whose number one priority is re-election.
50
I always refer to them as "the reluctant draggin' ". They drag their feet while trying to reluctantly convince the country that they have a workable health plan when they actually don't. A perfect example of the term "smoke and mirrors".
1
Whenever I was frustrated by the "injustice of it all", I would remind myself that karma really does work, and hope that I would be there to witness it when it did.
The Republicans brought us a corrupt and destructive president. Rather than assume responsibility for that and act to remedy it, they have chosen to take full advantage and aid and abet the destruction. This is after years of obstructing everything Obama wanted to do, culminating in the theft of Obama's SCOTUS pick.
I will take their failure to get anything done, while hypocriticallly whining that it's the result of Democratic obstruction and refusing to face their constituents, as a small sign that karma is working.
The Republicans brought us a corrupt and destructive president. Rather than assume responsibility for that and act to remedy it, they have chosen to take full advantage and aid and abet the destruction. This is after years of obstructing everything Obama wanted to do, culminating in the theft of Obama's SCOTUS pick.
I will take their failure to get anything done, while hypocriticallly whining that it's the result of Democratic obstruction and refusing to face their constituents, as a small sign that karma is working.
35
The nothing-burgers are the Republican members of Congress who try to tear one president's legacy down while simultaneously trying to turn the current sow's ear into a silk purse. This isn't governing. It's been a colossal waste of everyone's time, and they have nothing to show for it besides a disgraced president and his family.
73
But we get a chance to give power to some wonderful human beings. Real nasties.
5
Plus, that's two weeks of potential town halls they can cut short...
29
Perhaps the American people do not want what the Congress would do to the... I mean for them.
10
The postponement of the August recess was an acknowledgement of Democratic obstruction, fully championed and cheered on by the NYT.
Republicans already were forced to change Senate rules to obtain a vote on a Supreme Court justice. They should do the same with any other rule which is preventing the full implementation of their agenda. Chuck Schumer can sit down and shut up until he gets his own majority.
Republicans already were forced to change Senate rules to obtain a vote on a Supreme Court justice. They should do the same with any other rule which is preventing the full implementation of their agenda. Chuck Schumer can sit down and shut up until he gets his own majority.
3
How could Democrats be obstructing if the Republicans have a majority in both houses of congress?
They also have control of the Executive branch.
They also have control of the Executive branch.
Oh please! The Republicans did nothing but obstruct the Obama Administration at every turn. Now that they are in charge all they want to do is destroy the lives of the rest of us. The Affordable Care Act was put in place to help Americans, especially the poor, disabled, the chronically ill and the elderly. It was good for all Americans, not just a few. While not everything worked, it can be improved upon and that is where this Administration should start working on. The GOP is intent on turning back the clock on the advancements that we have made on green energy, consumer protection laws, equality for all and the environment for tax breaks for wealthy while the rest of us foot the bill. What kind of human being thinks this way? Not a Christian.
6
Perhaps we should recall that the reason the Republicans had to change the rules was their refusal to consider President Obama's nominee...
As for the recess... The poor quality of the Trumpcare bill as it stands and the ongoing revelations of the Trump teams inconclusive) involvement with Russia is much more the driver than Senator Schumer.
As for the recess... The poor quality of the Trumpcare bill as it stands and the ongoing revelations of the Trump teams inconclusive) involvement with Russia is much more the driver than Senator Schumer.
The modern day Republican Party is led by a cadre of self serving hypocrites. It is an anathema to American values. They have lost the Mandate of Heaven and should be relegated to a footnote in the history of this country.
21
Wow, what a shocker. The useless GOP admitted it finally. Now it's time to get them all out. What a mess. I thought anyone that was under investigation was not qualified to be Pres??
19
They had seven years to come up with an alternative to the ACA. They're in control of the House, the Senate, and the Presidency, and they just installed one of their own on the SCOTUS seat they usurped. They've got a de facto propaganda machine—privately funded—that makes MSNBC look like CSPAN and a captive audience hermetically sealed from the intrusion of facts. They've got ten Kochs for every Soros.
They. Have. Zero. Excuses.
They. Have. Zero. Excuses.
52
And there's a good chance the Senate bill will fail when it returns to the House. The Senate is now considering eliminating the tax cuts for the wealthy. Can't wait to see how that flies with the "Freedom" Caucus.
16
For very good reasons most of them are afraid to show up in their districts while they are publicly planning to boot grandma from the nursing home and put her out on the streets. How do you tell someone that you are representing their interests when you take away their ability to get health coverage so you can give multi-millionaires a big enough tax cut to buy a yacht?
23
What does Democrats slowing down the (awful) cabinet appointments have to do with their total failure on health care reform?
20
Nothing! And the reason jobs are vacant is a lack of appointments. Trump is a slacker on top of his other horrendous qualities.
2
“WE WONT BE ASHAMED WE WILL GO FROM MAJORITY TO MINORITY.”
A gratifying admission. While listening to Senators on both sides, I couldn't help imaging that a couple of these Republican Senators would make a satisfactory president. I was disgusted with the 17 R-presidential candidates last year. Perhaps when a candidate runs for president their appeal shrinks a great deal.
Though I didn't vote for Bernie Sanders, strategically, he was the only one impressed me, despite some of his short-comings. He was about 85% accurate & 99% impressive. I wish Hillary Clinton picked him as VP choice. Her policy manifesto was 75% impressive & 85% doable. But her demeanor was most unimpressive. Still I voted for her, with no hesitation.
I never thought Donald Trump would turn out to be this bad. The only person who could be worse than Trump is Ayn Randian Paul Ryan. If Mitt Romney hadn't picked Ryan, I wouldn't mind if they won.
Coming back to the article, I TEND to feel Republicans' instinctive partisan posture towards president Obama was more like a mob-reaction. In a mob action the mob surrenders their individuality and may do most horrific things, like the previously normal ISIS fighters.
I wish we realized this passivity of mobs & "group/partisan" activities, a lot more clearly.
A gratifying admission. While listening to Senators on both sides, I couldn't help imaging that a couple of these Republican Senators would make a satisfactory president. I was disgusted with the 17 R-presidential candidates last year. Perhaps when a candidate runs for president their appeal shrinks a great deal.
Though I didn't vote for Bernie Sanders, strategically, he was the only one impressed me, despite some of his short-comings. He was about 85% accurate & 99% impressive. I wish Hillary Clinton picked him as VP choice. Her policy manifesto was 75% impressive & 85% doable. But her demeanor was most unimpressive. Still I voted for her, with no hesitation.
I never thought Donald Trump would turn out to be this bad. The only person who could be worse than Trump is Ayn Randian Paul Ryan. If Mitt Romney hadn't picked Ryan, I wouldn't mind if they won.
Coming back to the article, I TEND to feel Republicans' instinctive partisan posture towards president Obama was more like a mob-reaction. In a mob action the mob surrenders their individuality and may do most horrific things, like the previously normal ISIS fighters.
I wish we realized this passivity of mobs & "group/partisan" activities, a lot more clearly.
11
Experts say the bill is so bad it cannot be fixed. And beware of Ted Cruz.
His amendment will let insurers charge higher premiums or deny coverage to people with preexisting conditions.
The bill discriminates against women, who will be charged more than men.
If insurers aren't required to cover maternity care/baby delivery, they likely won't. Out of pocket costs for women will be exorbitant.
How do husbands and fathers feel about that? It affects the entire family.
If the bill weakens "essential health benefits standards," then people with preexisting conditions will be harmed. Many with health insurance with any conditions will discover too late their plan won't cover the care & treatments they need--again out of pocket costs could bankrupt them. An insurer opt out clause will devastate people.
The bill kills Obamacare to give tons of money to the wealthiest 400 families in the US. To do so, it will destroy Medicare, and sickly elders will be forced out on the streets, unable to be given nursing care paid for by Medicaid.
We will become a Third World Nation, where the sick are homeless and on the streets.
https://www.cbpp.org/research/health/if-senate-republican-health-bill-we...
https://www.cbpp.org/research/health/senate-health-bill-cant-be-fixed
His amendment will let insurers charge higher premiums or deny coverage to people with preexisting conditions.
The bill discriminates against women, who will be charged more than men.
If insurers aren't required to cover maternity care/baby delivery, they likely won't. Out of pocket costs for women will be exorbitant.
How do husbands and fathers feel about that? It affects the entire family.
If the bill weakens "essential health benefits standards," then people with preexisting conditions will be harmed. Many with health insurance with any conditions will discover too late their plan won't cover the care & treatments they need--again out of pocket costs could bankrupt them. An insurer opt out clause will devastate people.
The bill kills Obamacare to give tons of money to the wealthiest 400 families in the US. To do so, it will destroy Medicare, and sickly elders will be forced out on the streets, unable to be given nursing care paid for by Medicaid.
We will become a Third World Nation, where the sick are homeless and on the streets.
https://www.cbpp.org/research/health/if-senate-republican-health-bill-we...
https://www.cbpp.org/research/health/senate-health-bill-cant-be-fixed
7
So, they've had literally 7 years to plan this, have majority control of both houses, have a GOP President, and are using a filibuster-proof mechanism to push it through and they STILL can't get it passed? What more do they need, a ritual blood sacrifice of 13 poor people to re-animate the corpse of Ronald Reagan?
19
I'd like this GOP meltdown better, if, during it, our Democratic leaders were out there on media calmly and competently explaining all of the reasons why having a government that works is a good thing. The many ways that government makes life better for people. We need to give people reasons to vote Democratic rather than just not vote GOP.
19
What for? Anyone who actually needs someone to explain to them why having a government that works is a good thing probably voted for President Sméagol and continues to blindly support him.
4
Republicans have caught themselves on the horns of a dilemma: how to repeal Obamacare while keeping the Affordable Care Act?
12
Republicans claim the Democrats are slowing things down. If you want to read about how the Senate works, read Al Franken's book, A Giant in the Senate. There is a rule in the Senate that if even one Senator objected to a vote coming up, that one senator can say, "I object" and the vote is postponed. One senator did most of the objecting and he was Mitch McConnell. Even if the Republicans backed a confirmation or a vote, McConnell objected every time for no other reason than to slow Obama's administration down.
There is an old saying, "What goes around comes around." The Republicans' old tricks came back to haunt them.
There is an old saying, "What goes around comes around." The Republicans' old tricks came back to haunt them.
29
It is easy to claim you will change the world, as a politician, it is much harder in practice. It is even harder when your plans are generalities, with no substance.
The GOP, fro example, had seven years to come up with a real concrete replacement for the ACA. All they actually had, after all that time, was "repeal and replace"; the slogan. They certainly came up with bills showed how unprepared they truly are.
All the GOP wanted was to control all three branches of the federal government. And they are quickly learning, that having control, does not mean you have absolute control. The Democrats learned that the hard way with the passage of the ACA. Or, did they?
Neither political party is capable of governing. They are too divided from within, and had made it sure that the voters are as equally divided. It has taken over four decades, but if anything has been accomplished is that this country is so fragmented, it will be a miracle to get unity on just about anything.
When voters learn to choose the best candidate, and not get vote straight party, then the governance of this country can move forward and accomplish true and needed goals. We are a very long way from that.
The GOP, fro example, had seven years to come up with a real concrete replacement for the ACA. All they actually had, after all that time, was "repeal and replace"; the slogan. They certainly came up with bills showed how unprepared they truly are.
All the GOP wanted was to control all three branches of the federal government. And they are quickly learning, that having control, does not mean you have absolute control. The Democrats learned that the hard way with the passage of the ACA. Or, did they?
Neither political party is capable of governing. They are too divided from within, and had made it sure that the voters are as equally divided. It has taken over four decades, but if anything has been accomplished is that this country is so fragmented, it will be a miracle to get unity on just about anything.
When voters learn to choose the best candidate, and not get vote straight party, then the governance of this country can move forward and accomplish true and needed goals. We are a very long way from that.
6
Trump and the Russian election interference problem must be weighing down the GOP. Time to cut loose Trump. They would be better off with President Pence. As for the Trump core, the GOP will lose them when the GOP gets their Obama repeal done and gives the 1% their tax cut. Might as well get on with with their agenda which was never Trump's agenda in the first place.
3
They could always try to be compassionate and win followers, but, then again, they'll always find jobs working for the Corporate States of America once they are kicked out.
7
Ah, yes, blame the Democrats and cause them to suffer a shortened vacation as well. Confident the faux Christians in the GOP Senate majority know well that "the good suffer for the wicked." And there is no more wicked an organization in this nation just now than the Grand Old Party. And the strategy of two weeks into August was engineered by10 Republicans, not an idea from McConnell? Two weeks will not be enough time--two years would not be enough time to "fix" the Republican health care fiasco. But then, its current status is a tax bill as they couldn't care less about your health nor mine.
18
The republican congress is governing just fine for the people they serve: corporate interests, big business and the very, very wealthy. They're doing whatever is asked (or rather told) by they're overlords: approving every deplorable, swamp-dredged choice for a so called "administration" and decimating years of the social, environmental and economic progress we've made. But I guess if you're talking about serving the American people? Yeah. True. They've done less than nothing. They've enabled the worst presidential administration in US history and have banded together to be the worst congress as well. They've shamed us almost constantly, embarrassed themselves daily with ignorant, false or insulting comments and nothing will make that change. They are without dignity, self-respect or simple common human decency. They're corporate mercenaries. And the people who voted them into office? The stupidest people in America.
The saddest part to all that: that's me putting it mildly. That's me sugar-coating it.
The saddest part to all that: that's me putting it mildly. That's me sugar-coating it.
17
The world visuals since January have been like watching an alcoholic family that is dysfunctional to the point that everyone is in denial. The mother/step mother & children have the prime roles of enablers for the father and all members will close ranks when the family name is under attack.
This is like watching a version of my childhood, only difference is the trump version has money & a white house with iron picket fence.
Fortunately for me i found ACA - Adult Children of Alcoholics and was able to move on after a bumpy start on my own.
This is like watching a version of my childhood, only difference is the trump version has money & a white house with iron picket fence.
Fortunately for me i found ACA - Adult Children of Alcoholics and was able to move on after a bumpy start on my own.
10
It is astounding that the GOP because of winner arrogance, selfishness and greed cannot just dump the Healthcare thing.
Talk about a waste of time. There's plenty of money to steal with tax reform and infrastructure.
Talk about a waste of time. There's plenty of money to steal with tax reform and infrastructure.
7
let's withhold salary and benefits of all GOP house and sanate salary and benefit till an acceptable solution is in place.
5
Grassley should be ashamed by what the Republican Party has become rather than what it has not managed to get done.
9
Claiming the democrats are no cooperating while at the same time trying to cram everything through reconciliation in order to avoid having to work with them is hypocritical at best.
9
"For instance, House Republicans on Tuesday rolled out a Homeland Security measure that would provide $1.6 billion in “physical barrier construction along the Southern border.”
The Republicans are going to cause millions of the poorest, most vulnerable Americans to lose their healthcare, but insist on the wall just because they're afraid of Trump.
The GOP really is the "party of stupid."
The Republicans are going to cause millions of the poorest, most vulnerable Americans to lose their healthcare, but insist on the wall just because they're afraid of Trump.
The GOP really is the "party of stupid."
16
As I recall, the unnecessary wall was to be paid for by the Mexicans. Can't trump supporters ever pay attention to the fact that they were duped by a slick con man? Everything that trump sold, in terms that never specified actual policy, appealed to their simple, non-thinking brains. We are a. country largely comprised of the undereducated, overly fearful and distrustful of everyone but their own ilk, voters, who are fed a daily diet of lies and misinformation to keep them in line. "1984" redux?
2
The Republicans don't want to go home and face the music from their angry constituents. How many of them have had the courage to host town hall meetings in the last couple of weeks? You could probably count 'em all on one hand.
10
Good News. Even with all of the branches of government under their control and the rules in their favor and the arm twisting that goes on they cannot pass legislation that is fundamental to their philosophy and promised over and over in their recent campaigns. What is the lesson? If the people make enough noise about lack of insurance and tax cuts for the rich, we the people can move even the Republican party. This is good news.
8
$1.6 billion to pay for the border wall that Mr. Tangerine Man promised that the Mexican government would pay for? Ridiculous. Beyond the bricks and mortar cost of the wall, it would entail compensating US citizens on the North side of the border for the land that would necessarily be seized from them, which would cost far more than the cost of building the wall. It's an idiotic idea, and the idiocy of this idea goes much further than just the cost. This puppy would be tied up in the courts until most of us are dead.
9
Hey, that's great news! The GOP is willing to rush through a bill to destroy health care coverage for some 23 to 32 million Americans for a few days vacation in August. They really are looking to impress their constituencies. I sure hope that they have a leading closed conference committee comprised of a bunch of old white guys again, because they really know how to put together a bill that has the American public's best interest a heart.
4
well, what about the Emancipation Proclamation?
oh, you mean more recently?
the ACA. was originally a Republican think tank idea. does that count?
oh, you mean more recently?
the ACA. was originally a Republican think tank idea. does that count?
4
Take away the healthcare package that Congress gets and put them on whatever plan the rest of the nation is offered when they are not covered by an employer plan. It's only fair. Then, watch them change their tune!
7
"Results for the American people?" I shudder to think what else those "results" would be besides taking health insurance away from millions so the wealthiest Americans could get tax cuts. A total sellout to Russia, maybe? A complete privatization of all the people's lands and national parks so that developers could build golf courses, resorts, hotels and condos on them?
Perhaps if the GOP truly had the best interests of the United States and its citizens at heart, it would be easier for them to govern. It's heartening to know that enough of us real Americans see through the greedy, selfish agenda that the GOP wants to ram down our throats.
Perhaps if the GOP truly had the best interests of the United States and its citizens at heart, it would be easier for them to govern. It's heartening to know that enough of us real Americans see through the greedy, selfish agenda that the GOP wants to ram down our throats.
11
Well, the admission that the GOP can't govern won't matter to the basest of the base who hate government anyway. Just as long as they have roads, medicare and social security, that is.
They vote against self-interest any chance they get and then feel angry, alienated, passed over, ignored, condescended to, then blame immigrants, off-white folk, the poor and pesky women.
And, by the way, the fact that the GOP can't govern isn't news. They haven't been doing that for the last three plus decades.
They vote against self-interest any chance they get and then feel angry, alienated, passed over, ignored, condescended to, then blame immigrants, off-white folk, the poor and pesky women.
And, by the way, the fact that the GOP can't govern isn't news. They haven't been doing that for the last three plus decades.
9
Hillary Clinton won the most votes for President. The Republicans are stuck with that reality, the majority of country just doesn't agree with them. The greater the effort to do what they want, the less likely they will be re-elected.
5
The constituents back home don't want the Republican's lousy health care bill or a simple repeal of Obamacare--they want something BETTER and more AFFORDABLE than ACA. When will the Senate GOP feel the voters real pain and understand their true suffering? It's a tiny group that wants to take us back to pre-ACA.
4
Republicans, reluctant to accept blame in current's government misrule? I'll be darned. They were so efficient, and highly reliable, in blocking all and every Obama's policy; and now with absolute power, do not know what to do? For one, get rid of a totally unreliable president, as they seem quite happy to be complicit in his corrupted ways. And next, get to work for a change, and do people's business (instead of cruelly disenfranchising them from health care the G.O.P. takes fro granted for itself).
6
'It's time to get results for the American people '. Translation 'Our wealthy donors are getting anxious for their big tax break".
15
There is a basic contradiction in the "Modern" Republican party.
Their base voters need and use government services. Some of them (voters) are in denial about how badly they need government, and they all have a (false) belief that some (Usually brown people) "other:" is fraudulently using more of those services than they receive. Which the R's play on for votes every election. So "cuts" that allegedly will purge those "others" from the rolls are very popular at election time.
But actually inflicting cuts on their voter base beyond what they have already done to education, health and nutrition programs is dangerous; Even if "only" 10% of the voters connect the dots, Republican (Gerrymandered) dominance would be doomed (See California, Kansas, and recent results in Illinois).
Their "Donor Class" just wants tax cuts and their ideological agenda. Cuts to services are just fine with those people, it will not effect them in the least, other than the odd pothole their limo might fall into.
To use a liberal concept, Cognitive Dissonance.
Good luck with that guys.
Their base voters need and use government services. Some of them (voters) are in denial about how badly they need government, and they all have a (false) belief that some (Usually brown people) "other:" is fraudulently using more of those services than they receive. Which the R's play on for votes every election. So "cuts" that allegedly will purge those "others" from the rolls are very popular at election time.
But actually inflicting cuts on their voter base beyond what they have already done to education, health and nutrition programs is dangerous; Even if "only" 10% of the voters connect the dots, Republican (Gerrymandered) dominance would be doomed (See California, Kansas, and recent results in Illinois).
Their "Donor Class" just wants tax cuts and their ideological agenda. Cuts to services are just fine with those people, it will not effect them in the least, other than the odd pothole their limo might fall into.
To use a liberal concept, Cognitive Dissonance.
Good luck with that guys.
4
Please hit "Reply" under this comment and list anything that the Republican Party has accomplished for average Americans . . . To "promote the general Welfare" of the country.
It seems that a lot of Americans would love to know.
It seems that they only serve themselves and their rich friends.
It seems that a lot of Americans would love to know.
It seems that they only serve themselves and their rich friends.
7
With two major parties only the goal seems to be we win, you lose. Is the zero sum approach to governing the root cause of political disfunction in America? Would America be better off if there were more parties and the need to build a coalition to govern?
1
"I think it is admission of the fact that Senator Schumer has been very effective at slowing things down to a crawl and blocking the confirmation of President Trump’s cabinet and other sub-cabinet level officials and making it hard to get things done,” said Senator John Cornyn, Republican of Texas. "
Wow, just wow! How can any Republican accuse the Democrats of slowing things down after 8 years of working to deny Barack Obama ANY achievements?
Wow, just wow! How can any Republican accuse the Democrats of slowing things down after 8 years of working to deny Barack Obama ANY achievements?
6
No one will know what the bill is until shortly before the vote on it, and those who are voting will likely have no clue as to the entirety of its contents. The secretive process is contemptible. Americans/employers/employees/citizens who can't afford health care coverage need health care. The ACA is providing it to many in need. The GOP Senators have faced angry people who do not want their coverage to be taken from them: it's as simple as that. Senators who vote for removing millions of people from coverage will face their wrath in 2018. So be it.
2
"It is time to get results for the American people," said the 10 Republican senators. Such a noble sacrifice–and such phony baloney. Which Americans, exactly, are these "results" aimed at? Certainly not the nation's seniors who rely on Medicaid-funded nursing homes. Certainly not those with HIV, cancer, and other pre-existing conditions who would be denied health insurance coverage. The inescapable truth is that the GOP is trying to save face, not save and protect lives. Take the full recess, please.
6
A physical barrier along the Southern border, or a border wall will do far more harm than good, and is a huge waste of money. Why is the House providing funding when on the most oft repeated promises of Trump on the campaign trail was that Mexico would pay for the wall? Let Trump use his magical negotiating skills to get the wall entirely paid for by Mexico before we the taxpayers have to pay for any of it.
2
Why aren't more Democrats in office getting the word out to their own constituents exactly what this Republican "healthcare" will do their own personal lives ? Why aren't the Dems out there in force telling those who voted for Trump what the outcome of this "healthcare" bill will do to them and exactly what it will take away from them?
4
If the Senate has not been able to come up with a bill in seven years, how do they think it can get passed in two weeks.? I admire those who recognize this bill s dead on arrival. No matter how you tweak it, if you are cutting Medicare, penalizing the sick, elderly, low-middle income citizens, with higher rates and less/no coverage, making insurance carriers able to increase premiums and limit coverage and remove regulations you have NO medical plan. You keep re-introducing the same plan over and over again. What happened to working together with the "other side" Isn't that democracy?
13
The Republican House has failed to govern for 16 of the last 20 years. Still not a budget in regular order since 1996 and counting.
4
Maybe if they didn't spend so much time and energy trying to shaft the less fortunate (i.e. the not-rich) and undoing everything the black guy did, they might actually be able to accomplish something good for the American people. But on the other hand, I doubt they would even be able to recognize something "good" if it walked up and wacked them in the face.
11
"Government is the problem..." These people swore they were going to fix it this time. Hahaha!
2
I wish the republicans would go home and stay there. The more time they spend in session, the more damage they do.
5
I think there is a failure of leadership at the top. If, after six months with a triple majority, no new health bill has been passed, then my advice is that the Senate leadership cut their losses and move on. Shore up the ACA and move on. Leading means setting priorities and acting. If the original plan is not working, revise it and move on to other business, such as budgets, presidential appointments and Congressional investigations.
The President thinks that the United States should be run like a corporation; the Vice President thinks that the United States should be run like a church. Many members of Congress think that the priorities of special interests such as the Koch Bros; the NRA; the health insurance companies, etc., etc. are more important than a sense of civic duty to work towards improving the lives of all Americans.
With this attitude, there can not be a bi-partisan relationship to solve problems in a constructive manner. We saw this for the past eight years. It is easier to blame everyone else and not to take responsibility for "failure to govern". There are members of both parties who have been guilty of this behavior, but as the Republicans are now the party of power at the moment, they no longer have the luxury to simply blame Democrats. Instead, they should figure out why they allowed their own party to be overrun with "Representatives" who don't seem to represent anyone but themselves.
With this attitude, there can not be a bi-partisan relationship to solve problems in a constructive manner. We saw this for the past eight years. It is easier to blame everyone else and not to take responsibility for "failure to govern". There are members of both parties who have been guilty of this behavior, but as the Republicans are now the party of power at the moment, they no longer have the luxury to simply blame Democrats. Instead, they should figure out why they allowed their own party to be overrun with "Representatives" who don't seem to represent anyone but themselves.
6
Let's make a mental note for November 2018.
4
The Republicans cannot govern because all they do now and have done since Obama was elected is to spew hate - hate for Obama because he is not Caucasian - hate for the 99% because any support for the mass of Americans is looked on as taking money out of their pockets, hate for women and a woman's right to control her mind and body, hate, hate and more hate. Unless and until Ryan and McConnell disavow the maniac and his failed presidency, until they act as leaders and not obstructionists, and until they start standing up for democracy and not a road to totalitarianism - then things will get only worse and worse.
3
It's bad enough that the Republicans won't get to go on their full summer vacation break. What's worse is that they'll still be in Washington.
3
I'm all for letting the Republicans own healthcare if they somehow don't weasel out of it by retaining the ACA. Two weeks of their summer vacation, no overtime please.
1
The Democrats managed to run things smoothly and on time and their leader wasn't even a (fake) billionaire, just a community organizer. Hmm.
7
Yes, the Republicans have miserably failed to govern for several reasons:
1. Their policies are against almost every single thing Americans want most and that includes decent healthcare, clean air, education, Planned Parenthood, and much stricter gun control---to just name some.
2. They have stood quietly by an obviously mentally ill, criminal, Russian leaning president when morally they should remove him from office and they know that.
3. Many of the Republicans are apparently corrupt themselves and prefer pay offs from big business to doing what is good for their constituents. They are thoroughly untrustworthy, narrow minded and inflexible and they lie almost as much as the president.
1. Their policies are against almost every single thing Americans want most and that includes decent healthcare, clean air, education, Planned Parenthood, and much stricter gun control---to just name some.
2. They have stood quietly by an obviously mentally ill, criminal, Russian leaning president when morally they should remove him from office and they know that.
3. Many of the Republicans are apparently corrupt themselves and prefer pay offs from big business to doing what is good for their constituents. They are thoroughly untrustworthy, narrow minded and inflexible and they lie almost as much as the president.
6
In my opinion, the main reason Republicans WON'T (not can't) govern is that they are acting deaf and dumb; they stubbornly refuse to acknowledge what the majority of the country wants, especially in terms of ACA improvement, and they refuse to work with Democrats to achieve that. I see little in the way of moderate Republicans splitting away to get something meaningful done on this issue.
If and when we DO see that, then I will believe maybe Republicans are not deaf and dumb. In the meantime, they are just all talk and no governing. We know from experience how well that sits with voters at midterm elections.
If and when we DO see that, then I will believe maybe Republicans are not deaf and dumb. In the meantime, they are just all talk and no governing. We know from experience how well that sits with voters at midterm elections.
3
Oh! What A Tangled Web We Weave When First We Practice To Deceive
3
The president isn't doing much better.
Turns out an intrepid reporter on the beat tracked his schedule since the first of July. Low energy Trump has a lot of free hours with nothing scheduled and oodles of free time.
People visiting have been taken by Trump to the room where he watches a huge TV set, and have to sit there while Trump spends the entire time looking for certain repeats to show them and comment on. He really is the apprentice reality television president. Several visitors said this was factual.
Since July 1st, he's called a few people, had a couple 4th of July picnics, and a single meeting with treasury/defense /adviser. That's it.
Played 5 rounds of golf. Stayed at his Bedminster NJ property for 3 days, and 2 days at his club in Virginia.
Hard working Americans should note that Trump has just 1 meeting on his schedule this whole week.
He has a ton of unfilled positions to fill in the government. Doesn't act on it. Is said to be nervous + unhappy with various staffers at various times, complaining and hollering and talking about who to fire.
Even with all this free time, Trump never bothered to complete paperwork to divest himself from his businesses, despite his promise to turn those private businesses over to his sons. Divestiture experts saw a combination of lies, incompetence, hubris, + unheard of sloppiness in the matter of not actually turning over those businesses as he is supposed to.
Turns out an intrepid reporter on the beat tracked his schedule since the first of July. Low energy Trump has a lot of free hours with nothing scheduled and oodles of free time.
People visiting have been taken by Trump to the room where he watches a huge TV set, and have to sit there while Trump spends the entire time looking for certain repeats to show them and comment on. He really is the apprentice reality television president. Several visitors said this was factual.
Since July 1st, he's called a few people, had a couple 4th of July picnics, and a single meeting with treasury/defense /adviser. That's it.
Played 5 rounds of golf. Stayed at his Bedminster NJ property for 3 days, and 2 days at his club in Virginia.
Hard working Americans should note that Trump has just 1 meeting on his schedule this whole week.
He has a ton of unfilled positions to fill in the government. Doesn't act on it. Is said to be nervous + unhappy with various staffers at various times, complaining and hollering and talking about who to fire.
Even with all this free time, Trump never bothered to complete paperwork to divest himself from his businesses, despite his promise to turn those private businesses over to his sons. Divestiture experts saw a combination of lies, incompetence, hubris, + unheard of sloppiness in the matter of not actually turning over those businesses as he is supposed to.
7
This is what happens when ultra-wealthy Super PACs decide the election, and then the agenda. There is no room for the citizens who elected these sloths.
People are anxious and suffering in this country, and the GOP is fretting that they will "only" get a two week vacation instead of four weeks.
Poor things.
People are anxious and suffering in this country, and the GOP is fretting that they will "only" get a two week vacation instead of four weeks.
Poor things.
4
Certainly not a shocker that they have an inability to govern. They DO know how to dismiss, sneer, roadblock, mischaracterize and create that alternative reality that they love to live in. I do hope they are now willing to work with the other half of congress and for the American People to make the AHA even better. Although, I do not see anything but years of problem and more tax monies wasted until we (somehow) come around to the realization that a single payer system is the only true solution. Health is not a commodity!!
1
But will the voters see them (the Republicans) for the failures they are and also realize that most of their policies do not help ordinary people?
1
The problem is that the modern GOP is not meant to govern, they are meant to get elected, pure and simple. The hard right/tea party GOP has this "its my way or no way", they don't know how to compromise, and the more moderate of the party is afraid of the hard right so they don't even try and compromise. We have a party whose president, instead of being presidential, is basically doing nothing but campaigning, and instead of doing what presidents do, finding ways to actually get things done, he spends his time tweeting to his followers.
The basic GOP platform has been to get Obama out of office and take over congress, but what they ended up with is a party that outside that, has no platform, has no message, has no idea what to do. They spent 8 years badmouthing the ACA, but did absolutely nothing to give a replacement plan, and with other things they can't agree on anything.
The basic GOP platform has been to get Obama out of office and take over congress, but what they ended up with is a party that outside that, has no platform, has no message, has no idea what to do. They spent 8 years badmouthing the ACA, but did absolutely nothing to give a replacement plan, and with other things they can't agree on anything.
2
"Republicans are failing at governance. And they know it."
Is this an op-ed or...?
If not, you should really consider toning it down. The events you are reporting are good, but make sure the tone is objective.
Is this an op-ed or...?
If not, you should really consider toning it down. The events you are reporting are good, but make sure the tone is objective.
Read the article!
1
The Constitution is in shreds, because of the pale brown of the previous president. I thought he was one of the best; I also thought this hatefulness for those other than pale skin was waning rather than gaining.
Shame! Shame! President Obama could have done so much more if a roadblock hadn't been put in his path every time he suggested a better USA.
Shame! Shame! President Obama could have done so much more if a roadblock hadn't been put in his path every time he suggested a better USA.
4
All I can say is: Not at all surprised, and Thank God. The Republican Platform was very, very draconian and counter-anyone but those who want anarchy or theocracy. The fact that Trump and Co. are so obviously unsuited for their jobs overshadowed the platform Trump ran on (sort of, when he felt like it.)
I'm not surprised because the GOP has become hostage to the ideologues on the far Right, and they can't even get along with each other, much less reach across the isle and try to legislate based on representation from the entire country, not just GOP strongholds.
Thank you Newt for your contribution to the destruction of US Democracy. I will always consider you The Not Absolved and Unrepentant Grinch, who never came to realize the evil he did, but gleefully continued to go forward being an inspiration to the likes of sleazy Ted Cruz and Co.
I'm not surprised because the GOP has become hostage to the ideologues on the far Right, and they can't even get along with each other, much less reach across the isle and try to legislate based on representation from the entire country, not just GOP strongholds.
Thank you Newt for your contribution to the destruction of US Democracy. I will always consider you The Not Absolved and Unrepentant Grinch, who never came to realize the evil he did, but gleefully continued to go forward being an inspiration to the likes of sleazy Ted Cruz and Co.
4
It would be immoral to repeal the ACA and let 22 million Americans lose their insurance as well as put many providers out of business, without a rational replacement. But morality has been outsourced to the press and public and politicians only act when the face an existential threat to their incumbency.
1
This is all well and good. Yet no shortening of vacation (let's call it what it is) will help with the daily distractions coming out of the White House.
As long as Trump has his little hands on his Twitter feed, they might as well take a permanent vacation.
As long as Trump has his little hands on his Twitter feed, they might as well take a permanent vacation.
1
An electoral process that, suddenly, no one trusts … cries of collusion, corruption, malign influence, and fraud as rancor reigns in the West Wing and town halls across the land … meanwhile, POTUS flails and fumes about the unfairness of fake news even as he fashions a flurry of fresh fabrications all his own … but his twisters and tweets prove no match for storms of the magnitude that are menacing his time … the Pacific rebranded as a firing range for ICBMs … polar ice caps collapsing … basic health care endangered for millions of citizens who desperately need it … his party in disarray, despite an inchoate opposition that seems perplexingly dumbstruck … pundits posit … a conspiracy of dunces, circular firing squads, the incapacity to govern, and mother of all brawls … this, while they watch the palace guards, themselves, scurry for safety after what promises to be an exhaustive investigation gathers stream… on and on it goes … titillation, distraction, degradation and cant … beauty pageants, reality shows, game shows, talk shows … access, bling and celebrity for sale everywhere you turn, no end to the machinations, hubris, hyperbole, and props … More convincingly, perhaps, than any of his peers, Mr. Trump serves to remind us what transpires when the ersatz and real become indistinguishable.
1
As the United States becomes a more complex and rapidly changing society, it requires more policy development and implementation. This is contrary to deep-held Republican ideology, which favors limited government, relatively unregulated markets, and individual initiative.
The modern Republican Party has always been more effective in opposition than in governing Now that they control all three branches, they have no positive agenda, except to derail and disrupt the other party's policies. That is at best a short-term strategy.
The modern Republican Party has always been more effective in opposition than in governing Now that they control all three branches, they have no positive agenda, except to derail and disrupt the other party's policies. That is at best a short-term strategy.
1
Sorry Mitch, the overwhelming majority of "the American people" don't want your results on Health Care.
5
What hypocrites Republicans are! It was Newt Gingrich who instructed his caucus to view all policy through the electoral lens. Newt told his members if they are polite, they stay on C-SPAN, but if they are nasty, they get network coverage. And finally he told them never to cooperate or compromise or they will be primaried. And most important, obstruct. Whatever it is, say no!
The entire GOP philosophy has been winning elections -- even by unsavory device such as vote suppression and gerrymandering -- and not governing.
Now, when they ended up by surprise in the majority, they have no idea how to govern. They really never prepared for the role. And now, after sitting on his hands for 20 years, Grassley is surprised?
There is only one party of government. If you want government, vote for it.
The entire GOP philosophy has been winning elections -- even by unsavory device such as vote suppression and gerrymandering -- and not governing.
Now, when they ended up by surprise in the majority, they have no idea how to govern. They really never prepared for the role. And now, after sitting on his hands for 20 years, Grassley is surprised?
There is only one party of government. If you want government, vote for it.
5
People who hate government (like the GOP) should not be part of the government. Government is supposed to be by, of, and for the PEOPLE. That has gone by the wayside. Now we have the GOP using its "governing" power to eviscerate important programs, while making sure that billionaires don't suffer.
The GOP exists, at this time, only to destroy every useful thing underpinning the well-being of the MAJORITY of the USA's citizens.
The GOP exists, at this time, only to destroy every useful thing underpinning the well-being of the MAJORITY of the USA's citizens.
5
"The poor have sometime objected to being governed badly. The rich have always objected to being governed at all." G.K. Chesterton
Q.E.D.
Q.E.D.
3
I don't want these guys to govern. The ideas they come up with are cruel and destructive. Best that can happen is nothing gets done until we have sane, intelligent adults back in power.
2
Is this Phil Murphy running for NJ Governor?
Luckily for the Republicans, working to dismantle government of, by, and FOR the people is not considered a serious problem.
2
Keep in hammering your representatives to fix the ACA so that more people get better insurance for less money! Make phone calls, write letters, faxes, emails, texts, tweets, and Resistbot.
Suggestions:
1. Put caps on drug prices and medical services.
2. Require all physicians, labs, and hospitals to accept ACA insurance.
3. Expand the income limits for subsidies, so that families making $40,000 or $50,000 a year are not faced with punishing premiums.
These measures will go a long way toward making the ACA more serviceable to more people. The ostentatiously wealthy class does not need another tax cut.
Suggestions:
1. Put caps on drug prices and medical services.
2. Require all physicians, labs, and hospitals to accept ACA insurance.
3. Expand the income limits for subsidies, so that families making $40,000 or $50,000 a year are not faced with punishing premiums.
These measures will go a long way toward making the ACA more serviceable to more people. The ostentatiously wealthy class does not need another tax cut.
3
The Republicans made a strategic error in working on the most contentious issue first: Health care. They should have tackled infrastructure, on which they could have demonstrated bi-partisanship with Democrats and achieved a big win. They could have won over many in the heartland with repaired roads, bridges, dams, and schools.
Instead, they doubled down on their main campaign promise: repeal that nasty health care law named after the last president, which provides health care for 30-40 million Americans. Geez, what could go wrong there?
Instead, they doubled down on their main campaign promise: repeal that nasty health care law named after the last president, which provides health care for 30-40 million Americans. Geez, what could go wrong there?
3
The second paragraph could have ended with "they could not afford to go home to face constituents."
1
Why am I NOT surprised? After all, the republican philosophy for the past four decades has been to dismantle the government as they perceive it to be the enemy. They can only destroy what others have built and cannot construct anything of value or permanence to improve the lives of the citizens. They continue to show in their tacit support of DT that the republican party is a party devoid of any policy ideas, principles or competence. And shame on those that vote this cancer into office.
3
Successful repealing the ACA accomplishes two major things:
1) a major victory in the ongoing campaign to redistribute wealth from the expansive, yet increasingly squeezed middle class to the select executive/investor class.
2) an eradication of Obama's (and by extension, the Democrats') legislative legacy.
As for the collateral damage, the "takers" can go pound sand.
1) a major victory in the ongoing campaign to redistribute wealth from the expansive, yet increasingly squeezed middle class to the select executive/investor class.
2) an eradication of Obama's (and by extension, the Democrats') legislative legacy.
As for the collateral damage, the "takers" can go pound sand.
1
My take? The republicans want health care voted on, and LOST, before they go home. As long as that thing is still on the table their constituents will rip them apart. Once it tanks and they move on, the protests will stop.
Smart move, really.
Smart move, really.
Fine with me if they all go on vacation. I'd prefer them to kick the healthcare can down the road all the way to 2018.
1
"...that they have not gotten the job done even while controlling the White House, Senate and House of Representatives."
And Supreme Court.
Never forget that this is the party which concocted the notion of an aggressively partisan, activist, and unprincipled Supreme Court, and then in 2000 put it into practice.
And Supreme Court.
Never forget that this is the party which concocted the notion of an aggressively partisan, activist, and unprincipled Supreme Court, and then in 2000 put it into practice.
Does the GOP actually work for Americans or have they privatized under Trump? How nice to know they wanted to get rid of healthcare for 22 million or more Americans since 2010. All in the name of giving themselves fat tax credits.
Senator Schumer is right, it is not the calendar that is your problem, it is you. Millions of Americans are telling you, as our public servants, to leave Obamacare in place for now and not remove vital healthcare from 22 million Americans or more, as well as making it unaffordable for the rest. The rest of Americans being the 90% of us not in the wealthy percentile.
Senator Schumer is right, it is not the calendar that is your problem, it is you. Millions of Americans are telling you, as our public servants, to leave Obamacare in place for now and not remove vital healthcare from 22 million Americans or more, as well as making it unaffordable for the rest. The rest of Americans being the 90% of us not in the wealthy percentile.
2
We have traitors heading and occupying all branches of our government. The only thing that has saved us during the last 6 months is the traitors' selfishness.
4
Have we democrats so lost the bubble on our government that we forget that the executive governs, and the legislative governs? Have we so betrayed the principles of democracy that we mock those who don't toe the party line? I read much more about the death of the Democratic Party in the comments here than I do about weakness in the Republican Party.
2
Put the hair shirt away.
Holding the GOP accountable for royal screw-ups that effect all citizens in America and which endanger the most vulnerable is not "betraying the principles of democracy". Using ones voice to point out injustice and demanding accountability for lies told is not being "lost in a bubble".
Holding the GOP accountable for royal screw-ups that effect all citizens in America and which endanger the most vulnerable is not "betraying the principles of democracy". Using ones voice to point out injustice and demanding accountability for lies told is not being "lost in a bubble".
3
But John, according to eric trump we Democrats aren't even people.
Why the koch owned gop would want to work with us subhuman Democrats in a bipartisan way is beyond me.
Why the koch owned gop would want to work with us subhuman Democrats in a bipartisan way is beyond me.
Can anyone name any accomplishment that the Republicans have had that benefits anyone other than the richest Americans?
I can't.
I can't.
46
Neither can I
1
Please feel free to list the in a "Reply".
The GOP has done one thing....Made the devil seem not so bad after all. Republicans are pure evil.
1
What is wrong with the word bi-partisan?
12
Bi-partisan doesn't work when one party believes that all federal government is bad government. "Believes" this to a moral certainty.
1
Sorry rightist but when the son of the sitting president of the United States publicly states that Democrats aren't even people, that makes bipartisanship kinda' hard.
https://www.google.com/amp/amp.usatoday.com/story/102588850/
https://www.google.com/amp/amp.usatoday.com/story/102588850/
The "obstructionist" arguments don't hold water. They own a majority, making it virtually impossible for democrats to obstruct any legislation.
At best, the argument comes off as hypocritical given congressional GOP members' behavior during the final years of Obama's presidency. At worst, it's dishonest, given that their failure to pass major legislation stems from their inability to get their own members to agree with each other.
Ironically, Trump should be considered "obstructor-in-chief" after his comment about the House's bill being "mean." That comment had more of an impact on McConnell's efforts than anything the democrats have done/not done.
At best, the argument comes off as hypocritical given congressional GOP members' behavior during the final years of Obama's presidency. At worst, it's dishonest, given that their failure to pass major legislation stems from their inability to get their own members to agree with each other.
Ironically, Trump should be considered "obstructor-in-chief" after his comment about the House's bill being "mean." That comment had more of an impact on McConnell's efforts than anything the democrats have done/not done.
23
Thanks to the steady, mature, informed open leadership of President Obama we Democrats passed 'The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act' without a single rightist vote.
But President trump has failed miserably time and time again to accomplish the same feat.
Apparently trump just doesn't measure up to President Obama.
"RIMSHOT"!
But President trump has failed miserably time and time again to accomplish the same feat.
Apparently trump just doesn't measure up to President Obama.
"RIMSHOT"!
91
Airball.
1
President Obama got his healthcare plan passed without a single rightist vote.
Trump has failed over and over and over to do the same and has the temerity to whine because no Democrat will vote for his "mean" plans.
I guess President Obama is just a better man.
Trump has failed over and over and over to do the same and has the temerity to whine because no Democrat will vote for his "mean" plans.
I guess President Obama is just a better man.
58
Not one repub voted because Harry Reid denied them any input.
Wrong. The ACA contained "161 Republican amendments." Also, there were "six bipartisan working groups" that "met a combined 72 times" in 2009 as well as "30 bipartisan hearings on health care reform" since 2007, half of which were held in 2009. [HELP Committee document, 7/09]
You can verify the information above on www.help.senate.gov
You can verify the information above on www.help.senate.gov
But rob, there were still ZERO rightists' votes to pass The ACA.
ZERO.
Are you denying that fact?
ZERO.
Are you denying that fact?
The republicans should ask Vladimir Putin what he thinks.
64
Is that a fiddle I hear playing away in the background?
28
More a rather tiny violin for the failing GOP.
1
The stock market loves it, it has broken record after record because of his election. Wall Street is not bothered at all by the chaos of not being able to govern..They know that if they are able to get what the 1% want nothing else matters: the welfare of the people, the environment, the endless wars, the integrity of the Presidency, the continual lying..so what, they want health care reform & tax cuts for themselves.....disgustingly gross!!
63
Kim, the stock market is a cause of alarm. While it appears to be pointing to "optimism", the fact that it takes more dollars to buy a share of stock, hence lower intrinsic value, ought to alarm you. This is a gamblers' market which means nothing. You can't trade in your shares for a piece of machinery that you can drag out of a factory, you can only sell the paper to someone else who can continue the process. Look at Tesla; can you trade in your shares for a car? Not unless you've got enough of them. And, if you bought two weeks ago and then found out they were not going to make as many, it should not concern you...because you can't afford it on a stock value basis anymore. It dropped.
From what I've read from various financial planners, the comparison you make, while tempting, is not fully accurate. And BTW, do you have a 401k, an IRA, a retirement plan, a bank account, a credit card, a mortgage? If so, then you are also benefitting from a strong stock market. Life isn't so black and white.
Meg but what is the reality? Since he has taken office it has been nothing but chaos! So what is real about the market? He could potentially be impeached, I myself do not have a whole lot in the market because I don't trust it, I want my money to be safe..I'd rather put it under my mattress!
"Winning was easy, young man. Governing's harder."
36
Republicans Reluctantly Acknowledge a Failure of Governing
[ Good grief, thinking about the sort of governing proposed by Republicans in Congress, I am pleased. ]
[ Good grief, thinking about the sort of governing proposed by Republicans in Congress, I am pleased. ]
30
So much winning to do! Im sick of all the winning, we win so much, MAGA! Drain the swamp and lock her up...
Republicans are exposing themselves for what they truly are, for their party over their country. For the billionaires' tax cuts, even if it means throming millions and millions of people, their own voters!, off of their medicaid insurance. No matter how it all works out, the American People are watching. And learning. Hopefully the ones that dont realize whats the Big Con is in conservative will turn off Duck Dynasty and pay attention to reality, not the reality shows on tv. Hopefully. But I doubt it will happen without something really really big, reading the Trumpublican comments here. I hate to thonk what that really really big thing might be that snaps them back to reality.
Republicans are exposing themselves for what they truly are, for their party over their country. For the billionaires' tax cuts, even if it means throming millions and millions of people, their own voters!, off of their medicaid insurance. No matter how it all works out, the American People are watching. And learning. Hopefully the ones that dont realize whats the Big Con is in conservative will turn off Duck Dynasty and pay attention to reality, not the reality shows on tv. Hopefully. But I doubt it will happen without something really really big, reading the Trumpublican comments here. I hate to thonk what that really really big thing might be that snaps them back to reality.
29
If the GOP passes their healthcare bill, then the conservatives who voted for trump will snap back to reality when they discover they're no longer covered, and/or their insurance rates double and triple, and they start getting billed by doctors and hospitals.
1
And I surely do hope that Schumer continues to further slow them down. Do whatever you can to make the GOP fail. They are fanatics, pushing a craven and harmful agenda.
50
And the Democrats are not really holding up the confirmation process. That takes a simple majority vote. POTUS hasn't nominated anyone for a number of positions.
Sacrifice? Today's GOP knows nothing of the meaning of the word sacrifice.
Sacrifice would be to work on behalf of the people to either improve the ACA, or craft a new bill whose main objective is to provide quality, affordable access to health care for all Americans, wealthy donors and super PACs be damned. The GOP has become incapable of thinking about anything but their benefactors and the next election.
To go on August recess without something to show for their time and bluster, even if it is a catastrophic wealth-care bill, would be to sacrifice their egos and pride as they would be publicly humiliated. The facade of caring and ability to get things done may be beginning to erode.
Let's hope their base is looking and listening, and not being swayed by their empty blather.
Waa waa waa for McConnell and the GOP.
Sacrifice would be to work on behalf of the people to either improve the ACA, or craft a new bill whose main objective is to provide quality, affordable access to health care for all Americans, wealthy donors and super PACs be damned. The GOP has become incapable of thinking about anything but their benefactors and the next election.
To go on August recess without something to show for their time and bluster, even if it is a catastrophic wealth-care bill, would be to sacrifice their egos and pride as they would be publicly humiliated. The facade of caring and ability to get things done may be beginning to erode.
Let's hope their base is looking and listening, and not being swayed by their empty blather.
Waa waa waa for McConnell and the GOP.
40
Remember that all those Republicans receive salaries until they die. They work for themselves, not the citizens of their own country. Maybe we need an amendment to the Constitution.
13
GOP could lead a bipartisan bill to fix ACA and win HUGE with it. But they won't because GOP is party before country all day everyday.
1
Sad to say the base doesn't really care. They believe Fox News, rhetoric, and lies.
2
More than half the electorate knew the GOP was not capable and voted for someone other than DJT.
It's just math!
In Congress, this party had 8 years to assemble a platform to regain and hold the WH and Congress into the foreseeable future.
As evidenced by grassely's own admission, that is now looking to be impossible.
8 years! Wow!
Bring on the 2018 midterms... and single payer is not far behind... in 2020 at the latest!
It's just math!
In Congress, this party had 8 years to assemble a platform to regain and hold the WH and Congress into the foreseeable future.
As evidenced by grassely's own admission, that is now looking to be impossible.
8 years! Wow!
Bring on the 2018 midterms... and single payer is not far behind... in 2020 at the latest!
36
So what would succeeding at governance be, depriving more than 20 million people of adequate healthcare so that a bucketful of obscenely rich and powerful people and corporations could become even more obscenely rich and powerful?
38
The GOP has cemented itself as the party of Patriarchal Rich Old White Men (PROWM) who are clinging to a world that no longer exists. We will all be better off without them. Take your recess, and don't come back. Just remember, the "O" in GOP stands for "Old."
33
No wonder they'll skip recess. They are losing at dodgeball, tag your it, and hide and seek. In no shape for races.
14
“I think it is admission of the fact that Senator Schumer has been very effective at slowing things down to a crawl and blocking the confirmation of President Trump’s cabinet and other sub-cabinet level officials and making it hard to get things done,” said Senator John Cornyn, Republican of Texas.
-------
More alternative facts from the GOP ...
Of 564 key positions requiring Senate confirmation, 374 have no nominee, 4 are awaiting notification to the Senate, 139 have been nominated and 47 have been confirmed.
https://ourpublicservice.org/issues/presidential-transition/political-ap...
-------
More alternative facts from the GOP ...
Of 564 key positions requiring Senate confirmation, 374 have no nominee, 4 are awaiting notification to the Senate, 139 have been nominated and 47 have been confirmed.
https://ourpublicservice.org/issues/presidential-transition/political-ap...
43
Bannons presidency iis designed to destroy American government not improve it. He is evil and a hater and is the brain of Trump.
Considering the type of people they're choosing for key positions, it's actually a blessing that they haven't confirmed very many.
The Republican Party transformed itself from a bunch of grouchy old busybodies into the party of depraved indifference over the last few years. But the current gaggle of losers, yes, including the White House, is a product decades in the making.
The Rs railed against virtually everything government does except kill and imprison. Their sole engagement with policy has been to wield it wherever possible to destroy any effective government work. Then they turn around and blame the Dems for whatever adverse outcomes eventuate. It's like that group of bullies who sat behind you in kindergarten has been mollycoddled by a malign public that sits as the school board throughout your academic career and is now in line to graduate believing they should be magna cum laude despite bad grades and disciplinary records to fill a file cabinet.
Their desperation is summed up by trying to blame Chuck Schumer for their plight, a laughable claim that is little better than blaming Amy Schumer for their fix. My oppo research email junk folder continues to be filled with subject lines pointing fingers at Hillary and Barack six months after the Rs took all the reins of power into their crusty little mitts.
The Republicans have no credible answers to any of the nation's problems, except to create more problems. The party of personal responsibility can't even live up to that given the corruption-fest in DC, let alone the pubic responsibilities normally expected of elected officials. So call Moscow?!!
The Rs railed against virtually everything government does except kill and imprison. Their sole engagement with policy has been to wield it wherever possible to destroy any effective government work. Then they turn around and blame the Dems for whatever adverse outcomes eventuate. It's like that group of bullies who sat behind you in kindergarten has been mollycoddled by a malign public that sits as the school board throughout your academic career and is now in line to graduate believing they should be magna cum laude despite bad grades and disciplinary records to fill a file cabinet.
Their desperation is summed up by trying to blame Chuck Schumer for their plight, a laughable claim that is little better than blaming Amy Schumer for their fix. My oppo research email junk folder continues to be filled with subject lines pointing fingers at Hillary and Barack six months after the Rs took all the reins of power into their crusty little mitts.
The Republicans have no credible answers to any of the nation's problems, except to create more problems. The party of personal responsibility can't even live up to that given the corruption-fest in DC, let alone the pubic responsibilities normally expected of elected officials. So call Moscow?!!
26
David Perdue of Georgia was one of the Senators who pressed for delaying the recess. Yes, Perdue is a member of the family that has benefited greatly by Donald Trump's illegitimate presidency (he is related to Sonny Perdue, Secretary of Agriculture). The people of Georgia say to Mr. McConnell - "keep both Perdues in D.C.; we don't want them. Period.
16
Wow. Is it too much to ask for a little less hyperbole, or do your standards dictate knee-jerk, one-sided journalism?
2
The GOP controls all branches of the government but it's the Democrats fault. L to the O to the L.
36
The Republicans should take there full August recess. In fact, lets extend it indefinitely so that the elected officials who actually care about the country and its citizens can work on solving the problems we face.
All those who will miss Mitch and boys, please raise your hand.
All those who will miss Mitch and boys, please raise your hand.
20
Fate.
4
It is also Democrats who are "failing at governance."
What the poor people, the former constituents of the Democratic Party, want is universal health care, not a Rube Goldberg device that has hundreds of special carveouts for this or that interest group, which requires the purchase of unneeded insurance, and continues to threaten medical bankruptcy for those in the working class who fail to fill out the right forms and fall in one of the protected categories.
It should be regarded as unacceptable that America's poor are denied cancer screenings, then when the cancer becomes inoperable they must wait in line at the ER behind a group of illegal immigrants who have an exponentially growing population of children at the expense of others.
Failure to provide universal health care makes it blindingly clear to the poor that vital services are being shifted from US citizens to those who broke the 1986 law that was supposed to limit immigration.
And when the poor notice, they are held up by NY Times journalists as racists and bigots who demand resources for themselves as opposed to an unlimited stream of illegal immigrants.
But neither party has the courage to bite the bullet and propose universal health care.
And liberal economists like Paul Krugman, explain that universal health care is a bridge too far, that would "penalize" the health insurance industry.
Republicans and Democrats believe a mish-mash of simplistic theories, but Democrats supplement it with sanctimony.
What the poor people, the former constituents of the Democratic Party, want is universal health care, not a Rube Goldberg device that has hundreds of special carveouts for this or that interest group, which requires the purchase of unneeded insurance, and continues to threaten medical bankruptcy for those in the working class who fail to fill out the right forms and fall in one of the protected categories.
It should be regarded as unacceptable that America's poor are denied cancer screenings, then when the cancer becomes inoperable they must wait in line at the ER behind a group of illegal immigrants who have an exponentially growing population of children at the expense of others.
Failure to provide universal health care makes it blindingly clear to the poor that vital services are being shifted from US citizens to those who broke the 1986 law that was supposed to limit immigration.
And when the poor notice, they are held up by NY Times journalists as racists and bigots who demand resources for themselves as opposed to an unlimited stream of illegal immigrants.
But neither party has the courage to bite the bullet and propose universal health care.
And liberal economists like Paul Krugman, explain that universal health care is a bridge too far, that would "penalize" the health insurance industry.
Republicans and Democrats believe a mish-mash of simplistic theories, but Democrats supplement it with sanctimony.
6
Your abstractions fail to take into account the actual fact of the GOP and the real world consequences of its policies and stonewalling.
FYI: cancer screenings were thrown out by the GOP to a large population of low income folks when they decided that Planned Parenthood was their target. Pence got an HIV epidemic rolling.
Give credit where it is due.
FYI: cancer screenings were thrown out by the GOP to a large population of low income folks when they decided that Planned Parenthood was their target. Pence got an HIV epidemic rolling.
Give credit where it is due.
It's Republicans that hate the idea of universal health care more than anything else and have been fighting tooth-and-nail against any improvements to the status quo, but sure, blame Democrats and foreign immigrants instead. Good grief.
1
Blaise Adams, 8 years ago the Democrats only had a few who would have supported single-payer. Instead they worked hard and, as a result, people with pre-existing conditions can get coverage, health insurers must use 85% of their revenues on paying medical bills, people get subsidies to afford health insurance and Medicaid has been quadrupled. There is no doubt that you mean well but attitudes like yours: "my way or the highway", put us in situations like the one we are in now where the progress made under the ACA is in jeopardy. We only have two parties in this country and one is far superior to the other. Instead of complaining, go out and do the hard work of starting a third party if that is what you believe in. Till then choose the candidates that come closest to your views.
"Senator Charles E. Grassley, Republican of Iowa, was perhaps the most blunt when he said on Twitter over the weekend that the 52 Republican senators should “be ashamed that we have not passed health reform by now."
Republican senators should be relieved that their healthcare legislation has not passed. -- legislation that would leave 22 million fewer Americans insured and more than 20,000 dead annually.
Republican senators should be relieved that their healthcare legislation has not passed. -- legislation that would leave 22 million fewer Americans insured and more than 20,000 dead annually.
21
They need to be ashamed OF THE BILL which is evil cruel and just a tax break for the wealthy. Where are our patriots? Who cares for America and its values and citizens. Not the GOP
No...please take all August off and all of September too. You add nothing constructive by your presence.
29
The Gang warfare/ Hatfield -McCoy model of governance doesnt work. Making a permanent enemy of your political opposition only helps mediocre radio hacks get rich off exploiting the "I'm more patriotic than you" niche.
Mitch McConnell is Exhibit A for a squandered public life. He is too old to change and his philosophy of greed too inbred to change. The voters will have to play hardball with these guys. They had their chance.
Mitch McConnell is Exhibit A for a squandered public life. He is too old to change and his philosophy of greed too inbred to change. The voters will have to play hardball with these guys. They had their chance.
27
In business there is an old adage that you "under promise and over perform" to maintain good client relationships. In politics the adage is always "over promise and under perform". No wonder hardly anyone likes politicians. Telling voters what they want to hear only carries you so far; at some point you do have to perform.
59
I would submit that these folks are NOT politicians. Politics is the art of getting things done. It's not supposed to be a dirty word. What we have are a bunch of pandering ideologues who have clearly forgotten that they are paid to get things accomplished, not to hear themselves talk. So I'm against lousy politicians, but all for those who are artful statesmen with the best interests of everyone in the country at heart, and who do their best to work in teamwork with others to get good things done.
8
@JW...I agree wholeheartedly....unfortunately we don't have any true politicians or statesmen/stateswomen except for a very small group who still try to lead and accomplish things by working with others.....hopefully the pendulum will swing back to the middle where the vast majority of people are. Today's "politicians" always seem to follow rather than lead so perhaps eventually they will catch up with the vast majority of the American electorate.
As the dysfunction at every level of the Republican party and the White House is displayed to everyone on a daily basis for the past six months any credibility they had in their ability to govern has been shredded. This comes as no surprise to millions of Americans as they clownishly and behaving like a bunch of spiteful brats took meaningless votes to repeal Obamacare knowing full well that Obama would veto them. Six years of meaningless votes instead of crafting a bill to provide the second half of their drumbeat of Repeal and Replace. They now come to the astonishing realization they have forgotten how to govern or if they really ever did have any clue as how to govern.
11
Why is this news?
McConnell has been failing at governance for the past 9 years, and he has become the biggest enabler of Trump.
The problem with passing the Senate health care bill is the bill itself.
McConnell has been failing at governance for the past 9 years, and he has become the biggest enabler of Trump.
The problem with passing the Senate health care bill is the bill itself.
23
“It is time to get results for the American people,” said a group of 10 Republican senators who had pressed Mr. McConnell, the Kentucky Republican and majority leader, to force the Senate to stick around.
Really, Mitch? You steal a Supreme Court seat, you build a health care bill while freezing out the opposing party of the process, your President is crumbling before your eyes, his adminstration nothing short of a disasater for "The American people" and you're hacked off the Senate didn't get behind this President who is virtually under siege?
You should just take the two weeks to go into coal country and explain how all those promised jobs were as ephemeral as butterflies. Y'all should have leveleed with those folks from the beginning.
Really, Mitch? You steal a Supreme Court seat, you build a health care bill while freezing out the opposing party of the process, your President is crumbling before your eyes, his adminstration nothing short of a disasater for "The American people" and you're hacked off the Senate didn't get behind this President who is virtually under siege?
You should just take the two weeks to go into coal country and explain how all those promised jobs were as ephemeral as butterflies. Y'all should have leveleed with those folks from the beginning.
14
To govern, you have to actually respect government. The Republicans despise it. Therein lies their intractable problem.
Like a misogynist cannot be a good spouse, a Republican cannot make a good steward of government. The epitome of this is evidenced by the current Misogynist-in-Chief.
Like a misogynist cannot be a good spouse, a Republican cannot make a good steward of government. The epitome of this is evidenced by the current Misogynist-in-Chief.
17
Since Reagan the message has been to starve the beast. Make government fail for lack of resources. This is only the latest example. Tax cuts do not benefit the Romney 47%. No real change for the next 40% but man have we been convinced that tax cuts benefit us.
City after City, State after State, and ever 8 years federally this old chestnut plays.
Playing to our greed, no matter how unrealistic, sells.
All we are left with are fewer resources for the many, but the wealthy row merrily along.
Our desire to pay less will be the death of democracy
City after City, State after State, and ever 8 years federally this old chestnut plays.
Playing to our greed, no matter how unrealistic, sells.
All we are left with are fewer resources for the many, but the wealthy row merrily along.
Our desire to pay less will be the death of democracy
7
They fail to govern because their ideas are bad,destructive, mean spirited and most people know it.
20
"Democrats cannot lead and Republicans cannot govern".
-- ancient American political proverb
To understand why everything old is new again, perpetually, one need only listen to the ugly sanctimonious twaddle peddled by two much-loved stalwart politicians: Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Ca) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tx).
-- ancient American political proverb
To understand why everything old is new again, perpetually, one need only listen to the ugly sanctimonious twaddle peddled by two much-loved stalwart politicians: Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Ca) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tx).
1
Republicans aren't merely failing at governance. They are failing to represent the majority of their constituents who favor retaining ACA. They are failing to protect the environment. They are failing to assist the most vulnerable among us. They are failing to engage with the Democrats to try to find consensus. They are failing to acknowledge the horror of Trump, his family and the damage they are doing to America's standing in the world. And most important of all, they are failing to be decent human beings, preferring instead to put PARTY OVER COUNTRY.
14
Incompetence - thy name is GOP.
9
Boo-hoo about the delayed recess. These clowns make a lot of money for the time they are actually in session and if the survive the magic 7 years ( or whatever the requirement is) they are set for life with a great pension and healthcare. Even the clowns at real circus never made out so well.
14
Isn't it outrageous that a political party heads into a national election without a clear consensus of what their health care policy should be? Isn't it outrageous that the details of Republican health care weren't worked out and agreed to at some national Republican assembly to present to voters before the election?
Isn't this failure of government a result of there being two parties within the Republican party? A moderate faction versus fundamentalist?
In Canada, if a political party were to say "we will repeal and replace health care by handing it over to the insurance industry, give the wealthy a tax cut, and we'll figure it all out after the election" they would get ZERO votes. None.
Isn't this failure of government a result of there being two parties within the Republican party? A moderate faction versus fundamentalist?
In Canada, if a political party were to say "we will repeal and replace health care by handing it over to the insurance industry, give the wealthy a tax cut, and we'll figure it all out after the election" they would get ZERO votes. None.
12
"Republicans Reluctantly Acknowledge a Failure of Governing
On Washington" so, it took since ronnie raygun was sworn in in 1981 to acknowledge they are failures at governing by just pushing the recess down the road?
On Washington" so, it took since ronnie raygun was sworn in in 1981 to acknowledge they are failures at governing by just pushing the recess down the road?
5
Is there a way this could have been written to come across a little less "us" agaisnt "them"? When "they" loose, we all loose. NYT, how can you be part of the solution?
2
@SS-
Aren't you blaming the Times for the mess the GOP has created for themselves? The GOP game plan over the last almost 50 years has been the 'US" vs "Them", with the southern strategy it was telling disaffected white voters the GOP was for them and against "those" people.....they then told the urban blue collar voter the GOP represented them, not the 'thems" ie women, minorities, etc that the Democrats supposedly represented...with each step, the GOP worked the wedge issues, divided people, and in the process divided their own party...the Times is reporting the reality, that the GOP being built to get elected using wedge tactics has divided their own house, they act like Paul Ryan and Rand Paul and the southern racist/religious right types represent most Americans, and they don't, and members of their own party know this. As Lincoln said, a house divided against itself cannot stand, a party based on divisions, rather than ideas or the idea that they can work with people who disagree and compromise, cannot govern. The GOP especially has fouled itself with the way it wins house elections, gerrymandering lends itself to extremism, but the Senate because it is districtless is a moderating influence that cannot be easily gamed, it is working as it is supposed to.
Aren't you blaming the Times for the mess the GOP has created for themselves? The GOP game plan over the last almost 50 years has been the 'US" vs "Them", with the southern strategy it was telling disaffected white voters the GOP was for them and against "those" people.....they then told the urban blue collar voter the GOP represented them, not the 'thems" ie women, minorities, etc that the Democrats supposedly represented...with each step, the GOP worked the wedge issues, divided people, and in the process divided their own party...the Times is reporting the reality, that the GOP being built to get elected using wedge tactics has divided their own house, they act like Paul Ryan and Rand Paul and the southern racist/religious right types represent most Americans, and they don't, and members of their own party know this. As Lincoln said, a house divided against itself cannot stand, a party based on divisions, rather than ideas or the idea that they can work with people who disagree and compromise, cannot govern. The GOP especially has fouled itself with the way it wins house elections, gerrymandering lends itself to extremism, but the Senate because it is districtless is a moderating influence that cannot be easily gamed, it is working as it is supposed to.
1
The August recess has been a time to return to the districts and hear from one's constituents. I can think of nothing the GOP would rather not do. Simply look at how few of them ventured out on the Fourth,
However, they have preserved family vacation time. #Priorities.
However, they have preserved family vacation time. #Priorities.
12
I don't think they're admitting they can't govern. Witness the attempt to put the blame for their failures on the minority party. Seriously? Grow up, "party of personal responsibility". These major fails are yours - all yours.
8
Southerners branding themselves as the Tea Party shows how out of touch they have been all along.
2
The GOP needs to show progress to their donors, not to the voters. They took big money from insurance companies, no-tax advocates, and the rich, guaranteeing higher insurance premiums with no oversight, tax rebates and easy-access to the gov't pork barrel. They expected Trump to just bless all of this and get his zombie army to go along. Surprise! Even some Trump voters can read and can read more than Fox News gives them. There is nothing in the GOP gameplan that can benefit families with lower-wage levels or even modest incomes.
5
For seven years the Republicans have harangued about the "flawed" ACA, while never actually saying what was wrong with it and doing everything possible to make it fail rather than fixing it so it could work. My only conclusion is that they hate it because it was proposed and signed by a black president that they despise for being black.
The repair of the ACA is simple. 1. Relax the "essential benefits" requirement and allow insurance companies to sell a variety of policies on the exchange that gives people more choice of policy and premium. 2. Increase the penalty for not having health insurance so that it hurts not to have it. 3. Convert Medicaid to a Federal, rather than a state run program and expand it nationally. 4 Tax employer provided insurance or eliminate the tax deduction companies pay get for providing it. 5. Eliminate the Congressional and White House health care plan and make the Congress and the President buy insurance from the Federal exchange like the rest of us.
The repair of the ACA is simple. 1. Relax the "essential benefits" requirement and allow insurance companies to sell a variety of policies on the exchange that gives people more choice of policy and premium. 2. Increase the penalty for not having health insurance so that it hurts not to have it. 3. Convert Medicaid to a Federal, rather than a state run program and expand it nationally. 4 Tax employer provided insurance or eliminate the tax deduction companies pay get for providing it. 5. Eliminate the Congressional and White House health care plan and make the Congress and the President buy insurance from the Federal exchange like the rest of us.
6
Sen. Toomey came clean in a recent interview that they did not expect Trump to win, so they were caught flat footed when it came time to actually write a bill. Which means they actually had no plan to go on in all those years of protesting the ACA. It was all just rhetoric. But we knew that.
1
Or fix the ACA even more simply by switching from an insurance-based system over to a single-payer system, e.g. Medicare for all. Anything insurance-based is ultimately going to profit the insurance companies more than it helps anyone else.
1
I beg to differ. The Republicans are NOT admitting any failure. They're far too full of hubris for that. They blame their difficulties on the Dems, conveniently forgetting that the Dems are only giving them a watered down version of their own antics when they obstructed every single attempt to govern by Obama and the Dems. Until the Democrats go so far as to shut the government down as did the Republicans, the R-Cs have nothing to complain about.
But, as the article does point out, the Republican's problems stem from the fact that their ideology is incompatible with the well-being of the majority of their constituents. Sure, they drum up frothing support with catch phrases and slogans, but that's a long way from actually delivering workable policies. Promising a better, cheaper healthcare system is easy...actually delivering one is much harder - "Who knew healthcare could be so complicated?" Especially when your bedrock philosophy prevents you from adopting a Single Payer approach, which would in fact be the simplest way to achieve the promise made by Trump and the Republicans.
They are a historical minority party for a reason, and holding a majority on Congress doesn't change that.
But, as the article does point out, the Republican's problems stem from the fact that their ideology is incompatible with the well-being of the majority of their constituents. Sure, they drum up frothing support with catch phrases and slogans, but that's a long way from actually delivering workable policies. Promising a better, cheaper healthcare system is easy...actually delivering one is much harder - "Who knew healthcare could be so complicated?" Especially when your bedrock philosophy prevents you from adopting a Single Payer approach, which would in fact be the simplest way to achieve the promise made by Trump and the Republicans.
They are a historical minority party for a reason, and holding a majority on Congress doesn't change that.
7
My first thought on Obamacare is that the insurance companies are the big winners because they instantly get millions of customers with guaranteed tax-payor payments. As long as healthcare's home is in a Capitalist venue, it will ALWAYS be a problem. I don't understand why Americans are either so arrogant or stupid not to follow Canada and other countries wherein the only reasonable solution is single payor. Like losing weight is to obesity, single payor is to healthcare. It's a simple solution that pharma and corporate medicine are terrified of.
8
With the complete inaction from every Democrat, it isn't any wonder. It takes more than Republicans to make appointments and run a government. And don't say "Republicans are failing to govern..." and then say"This is what you get after what you did to Obama..." If that's the case, Democrats are failing to do their jobs.
2
The Republicans have the White House and both houses of Congress. It doesn't take more than Republicans to either appointments or confirm them under those circumstances. The reason why there are so many vacancies is more a function of Trump not making the appointments as opposed to Democratic obstruction.
14
Kimbo: The Democrats are incapable of stopping the Republicans from doing what they want. If Democrats could thwart Republicans, Gorsuch would not be a Supreme Court Justice, we would not have pulled out of the Paris Accord, and the EPA, Dept. of Education and Dept. of Energy would not be under the control of people who expressed their desire to destroy them. In each case, the GOP got what it wanted because liberals do not have the means to stop them. It's part of the reason conservatives kept taunting that "the adults are in charge now." They have the power, but they are not clear-headed enough to even wield it, much less the ethical backbone to wield it responsibly.
Conservative power in government is near-total as is their responsibility for what follows. Perhaps the only good thing to come out of Trump's rise to power is that it offers a case study into what happens when conservatives are permitted to run wild.
Conservative power in government is near-total as is their responsibility for what follows. Perhaps the only good thing to come out of Trump's rise to power is that it offers a case study into what happens when conservatives are permitted to run wild.
2
Due to the nuclear option, the Republicans need only a simple majority to confirm anyone. They have the votes they need. POTUS has not nominated anyone for almost 400 positions, and is well behind other administrations at this point in time relative to the start of his term.
2
Once more no appropriations bills passed. I don't care what else they do if they can't even do the most fundamental part of their job they are failures. Oh sure they passed an omnibus appropriations bill, but is that really any way to run the most powerful country on the planet. I think not!
4
Leaving the Republican Party-Part 2
I look at the Republican Party and its presidency and I can’t understand how people can be behind and support this bunch of liars and the “Money Above All Else” attitudes. They voted for the scorch the earth for money attitude. They voted to unprotect helpless and near extinct animals for money. They voted to not care for the less fortunate, handicapped, and elderly for money. I guess they don’t agree with the “But by the Grace of God” or “What would Jesus Do” attitude unless it benefits them. They confess to be Christian but don’t treat the people like Jesus would. They spew their Christian faith on Sunday but turn their back on it on Monday.
I guess I just care more about animals, the earth, and people more than I care about having more money than I can take with me. They don’t make Hearst’s with luggage racks. I care more about leaving my children and grandchildren a place that they can live in peacefully and respectfully by living as an example of those. I hope that I can show the people I care about, and those that I come in contact with, that we need to look after one another and the earth as Christians and/or Americans. This is how you become rich in peace of mind and as the body of Christ. Not by living in mansions and hording money.
I look at the Republican Party and its presidency and I can’t understand how people can be behind and support this bunch of liars and the “Money Above All Else” attitudes. They voted for the scorch the earth for money attitude. They voted to unprotect helpless and near extinct animals for money. They voted to not care for the less fortunate, handicapped, and elderly for money. I guess they don’t agree with the “But by the Grace of God” or “What would Jesus Do” attitude unless it benefits them. They confess to be Christian but don’t treat the people like Jesus would. They spew their Christian faith on Sunday but turn their back on it on Monday.
I guess I just care more about animals, the earth, and people more than I care about having more money than I can take with me. They don’t make Hearst’s with luggage racks. I care more about leaving my children and grandchildren a place that they can live in peacefully and respectfully by living as an example of those. I hope that I can show the people I care about, and those that I come in contact with, that we need to look after one another and the earth as Christians and/or Americans. This is how you become rich in peace of mind and as the body of Christ. Not by living in mansions and hording money.
5
Probably the best and most assured plan for success would be for the GOP leadership to invite the leadership of the Democratic Party to begin discussions about forming a bipartisan solution to the health care crisis. The GOP, of course, has already once rejected this solution out of hand saying, "Well the Democrats in putting together Obamacare, wouldn't let us participate."
This argument of course is patently false. Even a quick review of the history of the ACA, in fact, reveals that the minority party GOP- under their scorched earth strategy following the election of Barrack Obama- refused multiple offers by the then majority Democrats to participate in a bipartisan effort to help develop the ACA.
So, now the choice for the floundering Republicans seems to be: Seriously consider negotiations, or suffer the consequences of being branded as no more then a well oiled campaign machine, and seemingly only the perpetual Party of 'Nyet'
This argument of course is patently false. Even a quick review of the history of the ACA, in fact, reveals that the minority party GOP- under their scorched earth strategy following the election of Barrack Obama- refused multiple offers by the then majority Democrats to participate in a bipartisan effort to help develop the ACA.
So, now the choice for the floundering Republicans seems to be: Seriously consider negotiations, or suffer the consequences of being branded as no more then a well oiled campaign machine, and seemingly only the perpetual Party of 'Nyet'
77
Republicans should also acknowledge a failure to have empathy for or show compassion for their fellow "non-wealthy" Americans regarding things such as their health, education, financial good, access to medical care, and access to legal justice.
6
"Republicans Reluctantly Acknowledge a Failure of Governing."
This could qualify as the prize for Understatement of the Year.
This could qualify as the prize for Understatement of the Year.
10
They gotcha again. This works in favor of the GOP, not the other way around. By shortening the recess, the amount of backlash that GOP senators receive will be reduced and the amount of support the Democratic senators receive will be reduced. Paul Ryan says he won't hold town hall meetings because he doesn't want to oversee shouting matches. Guess what, the senators don't have say anything like that and they still don't have to hold town hall meetings. Democrats desperately need to regroup and generate a positive message for their constituents. With the reduced recess, they will have less time for this. This is a good plan if you're in the GOP.
2
How about a Failure of being a normal, thinking Human????? Oh, that's not required, or even encouraged. Right????
2
I love this country. The preamble of the constitution says,"In order to make a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the comon defense, promote the general welfare ...." It may not be actual law or rights, but it is a statement of intention.
Just what part do they not understand?
Just what part do they not understand?
3
The GOP is not only admitting that they cannot govern, worse, they have admitted by way of how they handled healthcare that they cannot govern openly. It is one thing to fail to pass a bill after you have had open two Party committees and public hearings, but to fail after doing the whole thing in a secret one party only wither just 13 select members - now that's what you call a failure.
4
Leaving the Republican Party-Part 1
So after voting Republican for 35 years I just could not vote, with a good conscience, for trump. I just recently cleaned out my attic and found a McCain/Palin campaign banner, I threw it out. I am done with the group of Radical Christian Terrorist Right, I am a Christian by the way. The way they treat their fellow Americans is despicable. I am embarrassed to think that I may have acted as the Republican Party is. They have treated their fellow Americans as less important than money.
I started thinking about how my thinking changed from having the Republican mindset. I watched how the Republican Party treated Obama through his presidency. Though I did not vote for Obama he was now our president and deserved our respect and support for the sake of the United States of America. I may not agree with everything that Obama did through his presidency, I didn’t agree with everything the Republican presidents did either, but we are Americans and that is what we need to remember.
So after voting Republican for 35 years I just could not vote, with a good conscience, for trump. I just recently cleaned out my attic and found a McCain/Palin campaign banner, I threw it out. I am done with the group of Radical Christian Terrorist Right, I am a Christian by the way. The way they treat their fellow Americans is despicable. I am embarrassed to think that I may have acted as the Republican Party is. They have treated their fellow Americans as less important than money.
I started thinking about how my thinking changed from having the Republican mindset. I watched how the Republican Party treated Obama through his presidency. Though I did not vote for Obama he was now our president and deserved our respect and support for the sake of the United States of America. I may not agree with everything that Obama did through his presidency, I didn’t agree with everything the Republican presidents did either, but we are Americans and that is what we need to remember.
8
We need a LOT more people like you! Thank you.
2
Thank you. I think that your reaction to the current Republican Party shows integrity, and you have company.
1
Sounds like they are hitting a wall, so to speak, and are funding their own obstruction with taxpayer money. Facing their constituents would mean hearing more stories about people who would die, would be institutionalized, would suffer, or would have other serious consequences should the Republicans succeed in their repeal of the ACA.
Yes, they have failed. Senate Republicans are attempting to govern like a ruling cabal rather than as part of representative government. The Senate Democrats represents many millions more American citizens than do the Republicans, but they have been completely excluded from the legislative process.
Yes, they have failed. They constantly repeat lies about the failure of the ACA. Studies, statistics, and sources such as the CBO reveal that the ACA is not failing. The Republicans are sabotaging it, but it nevertheless provides essential services for more than 20 million Americans.
Yes, they have failed. They have almost collectively buried their heads in the sand to avoid condemning the Trump involvement with Russian government tampering in the American election.
Yes, they have failed. And their punishment is to lose two weeks. They are only in session about 135 days each year after all.
One wonders about the senators and representatives who were promoted into the Trump administration. Mark Twain defined a senator as "a person who makes laws in Washington when not doing time."
Yes, they have failed. Senate Republicans are attempting to govern like a ruling cabal rather than as part of representative government. The Senate Democrats represents many millions more American citizens than do the Republicans, but they have been completely excluded from the legislative process.
Yes, they have failed. They constantly repeat lies about the failure of the ACA. Studies, statistics, and sources such as the CBO reveal that the ACA is not failing. The Republicans are sabotaging it, but it nevertheless provides essential services for more than 20 million Americans.
Yes, they have failed. They have almost collectively buried their heads in the sand to avoid condemning the Trump involvement with Russian government tampering in the American election.
Yes, they have failed. And their punishment is to lose two weeks. They are only in session about 135 days each year after all.
One wonders about the senators and representatives who were promoted into the Trump administration. Mark Twain defined a senator as "a person who makes laws in Washington when not doing time."
6
"Republicans Reluctantly Acknowledge a Failure of Governing"
"Sacrificing" some of their "sacrosanct" month-long vacation is merely the tiniest "acknowledgement" of their utter and total failure at any pretense of "governing"!
And WHY is this vacation so "sacrosanct" now, anyway?
It dates from the pre-phone/pre-email era, when Congressional types had to travel, slowly, to their home area and meet with actual voters.
Talk about pointless "entitlements" in need of reform!
"Sacrificing" some of their "sacrosanct" month-long vacation is merely the tiniest "acknowledgement" of their utter and total failure at any pretense of "governing"!
And WHY is this vacation so "sacrosanct" now, anyway?
It dates from the pre-phone/pre-email era, when Congressional types had to travel, slowly, to their home area and meet with actual voters.
Talk about pointless "entitlements" in need of reform!
3
The Republican's acknowledgement of a failure to govern, would be an understatement and it didn't just start now, it's been going on since they tried to obstruct President Obama from the start of his term 8 years ago.
2
Reagan instructed that "government is the enemy" and Republicans can't grasp how destructive this ridiculous sales slogan is. Certainly, the party of "No" is now the party with no ideas, period. They can do nothing but oppose, object, stonewall, roll back, repeal. Republicans, the party of "No" and "you lie" hate our government, which they are supposed to run for us, the taxpayers, their employers. What began as a backlash against civil rights and equal rights in the 1980 has developed into a cancer that has eaten both political parties.
2
The Republicans have always failed to govern, or at least govern wisely. Every Republican administration has increased the deficit. Every Democratic administration has lowered it. One glaring proof of Republican ineptitude is the number of red states that dependent on federal tax dollars collected from blue states. The top 10 "welfare queens" are all Republican and guess which one is the most federally dependent of all -- Mitch McConnell's Kentucky. In other words, Republicans at both the federal and the state level cannot govern as well as Dems, are unable to look after their own and without federal help, while they're always complaining about "liberal freeloaders," are the biggest freeloaders of all.
10
It it is actually to our benefit that they can't govern because if they get their act together we are in big trouble considering their destructive agenda.
4
It's so much easier to obstruct than it is to govern, eh, Mr. McConnell?
137
The Republicans aren't failing at governing, they're simply realizing how much the country, and their voters in particular, will be grievously harmed if they destroy Obamacare. They may be ridiculous, but they're not stupid. What must really hurt is knowing that Republican voters will soon recognize how much they themselves have been played for fools by the farcical opposition of the Republican leadership throughout the Obama administrations.
121
It is possible that Republican voters will not recognize this.
6
No. The vast majority are happy with that. A few, however, need a fig leaf to protect their vulnerability at the polls. Maintaining incumbency is how constituents' suffering works into their calculations.
2
Exactly. The GOP got themselves all twisted in a knot. Somewhere along the line they shifted their message from the inanely simplistic "repeal and replace" to one that Americans would get BETTER insurance, with more choices and lower out of pocket costs. And that is a damnable lie. This is all about reducing federal outlays to fund tax cuts for the wealthiest. Now they have the problem that people believed and voted for their "better insurance" promise, and when it became clear that these bills were the very opposite of that, the support from all but their most ideological, truth-blind supporters disappeared.
How do you advance a bill that has the support of 17% of the country and that profoundly violates the 2016 incarnation of GOP campaign rhetoric? You cannot. So now they have to play for the noble failure outcome.
#sad.
How do you advance a bill that has the support of 17% of the country and that profoundly violates the 2016 incarnation of GOP campaign rhetoric? You cannot. So now they have to play for the noble failure outcome.
#sad.
58
Dear Mr. McConnell,
As your employer, I can see that you're under a lot of stress right now and- (as it's in my best interest as CEO here at USAco)- I thought I'd call you in to propose a deal to help you out:
I will give you two weeks of _my_ vacation. Every year. For the rest of my life.
In exchange, you give me- and the other 300million bosses you work- for your 100%-covered, 100%-paid-for, FREE healthcare for me and every member of my family- like the coverage YOU get.
In return for me giving up my vacation for the rest of my life, YOU and the other republican employees of USAco- have to go out and "access" whatever health insurance plan you and your fellow republicans are trying to propose to the rest of us.
Expecting your reply immediately, as I'm a busy guy,
Michael B.
CEO, USAco
As your employer, I can see that you're under a lot of stress right now and- (as it's in my best interest as CEO here at USAco)- I thought I'd call you in to propose a deal to help you out:
I will give you two weeks of _my_ vacation. Every year. For the rest of my life.
In exchange, you give me- and the other 300million bosses you work- for your 100%-covered, 100%-paid-for, FREE healthcare for me and every member of my family- like the coverage YOU get.
In return for me giving up my vacation for the rest of my life, YOU and the other republican employees of USAco- have to go out and "access" whatever health insurance plan you and your fellow republicans are trying to propose to the rest of us.
Expecting your reply immediately, as I'm a busy guy,
Michael B.
CEO, USAco
83
In the Balkanized USA, these folks only answer to their home districts.
1
With 100 senators, 52 of whom are in the majority (Repubs), why is no one working on infrastructure to get folks back to work?? Trump and Repubs cried that everyone was making low wages or out of jobs during the Obama administration, but they have not made that a priority yet. My fellow Americans who put all their hope in dumb Trump are twittling their thumbs waiting for those high paying blue-collar jobs to suddenly appear and offer them medical insurance, paid leave and such. Hmmm. It was all a lie, folks!!
34
As I understand it, since they are using reconciliation as the method to get healthcare done, they can't work on anything else until that is done, can only work on one at a time according to reconciliation rules.
1
Even with infrastructure, the details matter.
In one case we can use tax money to fix problems.
In another case, we can sell off public works to private corporations who will fix infrastructure and charge us fees and make a profit forever.
In one case we can use tax money to fix problems.
In another case, we can sell off public works to private corporations who will fix infrastructure and charge us fees and make a profit forever.
5
They're selling more weapons and franchises of public works to private investors, aren't they?
4
Works for me!
3
These anti government hypocrites like Paul Ryan, who have spent their whole lives on the government payroll, and enjoy superb government health care, are really, really, bad people. Despite control of the whole government now, they have accomplished zero. Fortunately, the voters are not totally brain dead, and have woken up to what they would be losing with the "improved" health care plan from these goons. They need to wake up even more and fight day and night for single payer plans with the rest of us. En garde!
35
Paul Ryan hasn't even got the introspective capacity to see that he is the Wesley Mouch character in "Atlas Shrugged".
6
AT last, some good news - the Repubs are failing to implement their agenda.
However, Pruit, deVos, Perry, Zinke, etc., continue to wreck our country.
(Carson at least is staying catatonic.)
However, Pruit, deVos, Perry, Zinke, etc., continue to wreck our country.
(Carson at least is staying catatonic.)
46
I bet the rest of them are jealous of Ben's serenity.
3
What is two weeks of a stalled vacation going to accomplish that couldn't have been done in 7 months? The Republicans know their health care bill is a death sentence for many Americans and a boon to the 1%. They are like a collective group of children afraid to go home and face the music. Disgraceful group - every single one of them.
38
The Republican healthcare plan is, morally, premeditated murder motivated by tax cuts for rich donors.
5
My understanding is that in addition to having to cancel a big part of their August recess is that several of the Republican Senators will also be required to stay late and clap erasers.
24
Love your comment!! Well done!!!
1
At my school clapping erasers was a privilege! So I think they should have to stay late and right 200 times, "I will not inflict Trumpcare on America"
2
I am baffled why the Republicans are hell-bent on destroying the ACA when the majority of their constituents want the ACA improved upon, not repealed. They seem clueless that the so-called health care bills they have been offering have not found a receptive audience. I will be surprised if the health care bill they will be proffering tomorrow will be less draconian than the ones already submitted.
It was so easy for the Republicans to obstruct for eight long years that they have forgotten what governing was about. You actually have to do something.
Interesting that House Republicans are going to be submitting a measure for constructing a $1.6 billion "physical barrier" on our Southern border, while decrying spending money for our crumbling infrastructure, and telling us social programs are too costly.
It was so easy for the Republicans to obstruct for eight long years that they have forgotten what governing was about. You actually have to do something.
Interesting that House Republicans are going to be submitting a measure for constructing a $1.6 billion "physical barrier" on our Southern border, while decrying spending money for our crumbling infrastructure, and telling us social programs are too costly.
22
They want to destroy the ACA, because that is what their uber-wealthy masters want: enormous tax cuts.
5
Tax cuts for rich donors.
4
It's not just a failure to govern, it's a failure to think rationally and have empathy for the greater good.
48
It is worse than a failure of rationality, it is a full court press to establish that there are superior benefits to irrationality to be redeemed after death.
3
The GOP does not really want to repeal and replace Obamacare. It is after all the health care plan of their own think tank. No what they want to do by repealing and replacing is to effect the sleight of hand that takes money out of Medicaid to fund their next project: tax reform. Note, they could have pivoted right to tax reform when the first health care bill tanked, but they cannot do reform (GOP-speak for cut taxes) unless they have a way to pay for it, in this case by tossing grandma out of the nursing home to fund another tax cut for the rich.
29
These folks don't even begin to grasp the basic physics of money movement in mixed economies. They are as inept at construction of taxation systems as they are of health care systems.
2
No ... what they really want to do, above all else ... is to spit in Obama's eye. They promised their electorate they'd do that, so,they're committed, like the metaphorical pig.
5
How can you govern the 99% when for the last 20 years you have only dealt with the 1%. They have done absolutely nothing for the most, and have distorted the truth all the while doing It!
Now here they are trying to pass a health care bill that sacrifices the 99%, and a tax cut that only benefits the 1%, it is blowing up it won't work in the long run!!
The fact that Trump is President only magnifies the ridiculous of it all!!
Now here they are trying to pass a health care bill that sacrifices the 99%, and a tax cut that only benefits the 1%, it is blowing up it won't work in the long run!!
The fact that Trump is President only magnifies the ridiculous of it all!!
24
I just don't get why US workers drink the hair of the dog that bit them, every time.
1
They're not even trying to govern. It's all about spite. They're as childish as the President. Thank goodness, so far, that a handful of them aren't willing to throw America under the bus just so they can get back at Obama.
23
They know that all of their idolatry will not avert their own oblivion no matter how preposterous their sanctified beliefs, and they are bitter that the world survived the turnover of the millennium without the slightest indication of divine interest.
Sick puppies.
Sick puppies.
1
It is nonsense to suggest the Republican Party has anything to do with governance. Instead, they figure ways to subsidize those in the Chamber of Commerce of goods and services, despite the fact many of them are essential to our well being, at the expense of ordinary people. Their message to the citizenry-step up your game.
13
I will offer this before we get there...
Based on the treasonous actions of the trump administration and the incompetence of the GOP led Congress there is no reason (none) that any Supreme Court nomination should come before the election of 2020 is complete regardless of the health or number of the justices over the next 2 years.
To quote Chris Rock:
"That's right, I said it."
Based on the treasonous actions of the trump administration and the incompetence of the GOP led Congress there is no reason (none) that any Supreme Court nomination should come before the election of 2020 is complete regardless of the health or number of the justices over the next 2 years.
To quote Chris Rock:
"That's right, I said it."
19
Republicans have proved to be incapable of governing. They spent over 7 years ranting about ACA. They wasted time and money with sham votes. Now they are so spineless that they are manipulated by their disgraceful president. Unless, they are prepared to work towards a single payer system, they will not satisfy the American people. Americans are beginning to support healthcare as a right, not a free market commodity. Capitalism only works with a prosperous middle class. The republicans' "trickle down" economics have diminished our middle class. The present mess is the end result.
23
Cornyn blaming it on democrats is ridiculous - if they can't get Susan Collins on board, how do they expect to get dems on board? And, they'll never get the alt-right and the moderate republicans on board for the same bill.
16
Mitch McConnell should resign for allowing a Russian agent to represent the GOP.
20
"WE WONT BE ASHAMED WE WILL GO FROM MAJORITY TO MINORITY."
Personally, I hope they go extinct.
Personally, I hope they go extinct.
26
The Republicans have no interest in governing.
They are there to get rich.
It's a business.
They are there to get rich.
It's a business.
20
The Republicans have been lacking in strong leadership for a very long time. Pragmatists in the party were too timid to stand up to the right-wing ideologues who ate their lunch. Mitt Romney is the perfect example of spinelessness. He laid the foundation for ORomneycare when he was governor of Massachusetts, but he spent 2012 out-right-winging the right-wingers. Can you imagine Bill Clinton, or Hillary Clinton, or Diane Feinstein, or even Nancy Pelosi handing their party over to the left wing? It was Pelosi who negotiated a basically moderate ORomneycare in the House. Republicans are incapable of the sorts of compromises, negotiation, and pragmatism that are essential to governing in a democracy.
10
We've all seen this movie before: we work somewhere with colleagues who essentially do nothing all day. They pretend to work and tell us how busy they are ("We're doing the work of the American people!"). They accomplish nothing while everyone else gets to do all the heavy lifting and take all the risks.
Well, after almost 9 years of doing virtually NO work, it's easy to see why Republicans have forgotten how to govern or how to accomplish anything.
They have devolved into mediocrity and sloth. The sad thing is the voters don't seem to care or worry that the nation is now being run by lazy incompetents.
Well, after almost 9 years of doing virtually NO work, it's easy to see why Republicans have forgotten how to govern or how to accomplish anything.
They have devolved into mediocrity and sloth. The sad thing is the voters don't seem to care or worry that the nation is now being run by lazy incompetents.
19
"reducing the recess also provided Republicans a way to inflict some punishment on the Democrats they see as a significant source of their problems."
What a joke. The republicans can not get the job done so they want to blame Democrats. The republicans are making a little fantasy world for themselves.
The republicans have had the majority in both houses of Congress for two years and seven months. They have had the White House for seven months. In all that time, what have they accomplished? Remember back two years ago McConnell and Ryan said: "Now we will begin to Govern." They still have not started.
These republicans are still keeping the Democrats from having any say in their legislation, so any claim of blame the Democrats is just a smoke screen for their own failure to "Govern."
What a joke. The republicans can not get the job done so they want to blame Democrats. The republicans are making a little fantasy world for themselves.
The republicans have had the majority in both houses of Congress for two years and seven months. They have had the White House for seven months. In all that time, what have they accomplished? Remember back two years ago McConnell and Ryan said: "Now we will begin to Govern." They still have not started.
These republicans are still keeping the Democrats from having any say in their legislation, so any claim of blame the Democrats is just a smoke screen for their own failure to "Govern."
19
What is it that the GOP stands for? Do they want to serve their constituents or their party? This question is the one that has puzzled me. Although the Democrats have not been as successful at promoting their message as they should be, their values--when they stick to them and they are not preoccupied with batting down the latest GOP lie--go way back. Their values are the opposite of what Reagan said, which has set our country on this downward spiral which has culminated in the election of Trump. Government IS the solution--private businesses are in it for the profit--not for the service. The US government is a non-profit. No wonder the GOP has failed--they're in it to serve themselves and as opposition. The jig is up.
11
What part of "only 17 percent of the American people support the healthcare plan" does Mitch McConnell not understand. What he is telling the American people is that they are going to "do" healthcare whether we like it or not. Call your reps today. And again tomorrow.
29
Republican lawmakers have always operated under the conundrum of being against government while wanting to govern. Can't do it. And when you create legislation so detested even your colleagues in Congress recoil -- well, that makes this whole health care thing kinda difficult. I'm glad they're missing their recess; most of us don't get one of those anyway. And should they get enough votes to pass what promises to be another wealthcare monstrosity, it will be their kiss of death in the next election.
8
The G.O.P. had EIGHT years in which to develop health care legislation when Obama was in office. Rather than spend that time working for the American people, they instead obstructed and criticized President Obama. The end result is that, several months into their own mandate. they have no acceptable health care plans. Rather than admit that developing an acceptable solution for the people who voted for them, they are obfuscating and trying to cram in legislation without due process. In doing so, they have shown that they incapable of governing and morally bankrupt. Sad. The American people deserve far better.
14
Senator senator Toomey's explanation is on point: we didn't expect to be in this position--Republican Senate, House, and White House--and weren't prepared. In other words, we ran for office in the expectation that we could simply continue to the obstruct while we took congressional junkets, long vacations, and accepted paychecks and other perks for doing nothing; who knew that actual governing was so complicated?
13
"It's time to get results for the American people..."
Results that will shorten lives, results that will increase medically related bankrupsies, results that will make it likely that millions of seniors and disabled on Medicaid will be denied the care they need, results that will in the long run bring back the added expense to the American people, by increasing usage of emergency rooms as primary care for the working poor.
The health plan(s) proposed by McConnell in no way either get results or improve the lives of the American people.
Results that will shorten lives, results that will increase medically related bankrupsies, results that will make it likely that millions of seniors and disabled on Medicaid will be denied the care they need, results that will in the long run bring back the added expense to the American people, by increasing usage of emergency rooms as primary care for the working poor.
The health plan(s) proposed by McConnell in no way either get results or improve the lives of the American people.
12
Stew, You forgot close down small, rural hospitals.
1
Both parties need new leadership.
3
Why does the Democratic-Republican Party dominate national elections after 1796 and the Federalist Party become extinct?
The Federalist Party became extinct because the actions of Adams turned the people from the Federalist beliefs. The following Democratic-Republican Presidents did a good job of responding to the needs and wishes of the people in the United States. During Jefferson’s administration, he encouraged Congress to erase the acts and laws passed during Adams administration. These laws were judged by many Americans to be inconsistent and unjust. By the repeal of these acts, Jefferson captured the favor of the American voters. This favor was carried out through the following Presidential elections until the Federalist Party became extinct in 1817. Also, apparently, at that time, by many policies of the Federalist Party were adopted by the Republicans. This ceased the need for a two separate parties because the ideologies between the two parties were no longer great. 90% of people were farmers, Property allowed them to vote.
Alien Sedition Acts—eliminated
Immigrants from voting.
Expansion of country brought in a new groups of voters (new states toward the west)(voting for Democratic Republican)
Naturalization Act
Excise on Whiskey.
The Federalist Party became extinct because the actions of Adams turned the people from the Federalist beliefs. The following Democratic-Republican Presidents did a good job of responding to the needs and wishes of the people in the United States. During Jefferson’s administration, he encouraged Congress to erase the acts and laws passed during Adams administration. These laws were judged by many Americans to be inconsistent and unjust. By the repeal of these acts, Jefferson captured the favor of the American voters. This favor was carried out through the following Presidential elections until the Federalist Party became extinct in 1817. Also, apparently, at that time, by many policies of the Federalist Party were adopted by the Republicans. This ceased the need for a two separate parties because the ideologies between the two parties were no longer great. 90% of people were farmers, Property allowed them to vote.
Alien Sedition Acts—eliminated
Immigrants from voting.
Expansion of country brought in a new groups of voters (new states toward the west)(voting for Democratic Republican)
Naturalization Act
Excise on Whiskey.
2
The GOP only does three things in government, deregulate (regardless of the consequences), cut taxes on the top 20%, and block smooth operation of our National Government continually with their never ending internecine battles. They are the kid that always says no.
11
Nice article, but utterly deceptive and "yellow journalistic" headling.
"Republicans Reluctantly Acknowledge a Failure of Governing"
gives the reader the impression that the Republicans are admitting to failure, even on a modest level, and the are doing no such thing.
They are shortening their recess because they are afraid to face their voters and Donald Trump without at least passing a health care bill. They are in no way admitting to "failure of governing" and you would find it impossible to get even one Republican member of the House or Senate to admit such a thing.
"Republicans Reluctantly Acknowledge a Failure of Governing"
gives the reader the impression that the Republicans are admitting to failure, even on a modest level, and the are doing no such thing.
They are shortening their recess because they are afraid to face their voters and Donald Trump without at least passing a health care bill. They are in no way admitting to "failure of governing" and you would find it impossible to get even one Republican member of the House or Senate to admit such a thing.
6
So after 8 years of "repeal and replace" Republicans didn't have a plan.
This is pretty close to admitting they can't govern:
Sen. Patrick J. Toomey offered a simple, remarkable explanation this week for why Republicans have struggled so mightily to find a way to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
“Look, I didn’t expect Donald Trump to win. I think most of my colleagues didn’t, so we didn’t expect to be in this situation,” the Pennsylvania Republican said Wednesday night during a meeting with voters hosted by four network affiliates across his state.
This is pretty close to admitting they can't govern:
Sen. Patrick J. Toomey offered a simple, remarkable explanation this week for why Republicans have struggled so mightily to find a way to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
“Look, I didn’t expect Donald Trump to win. I think most of my colleagues didn’t, so we didn’t expect to be in this situation,” the Pennsylvania Republican said Wednesday night during a meeting with voters hosted by four network affiliates across his state.
2
The opposite of conservatism is democracy, and contempt for democracy is a constant thread in the history of conservative argument. Instead, conservatism has argued that society ought to be organized in a hierarchy of orders and classes and controlled by its uppermost hierarchical stratum, the aristocracy (top 20%). Many of these arguments against egalitarianism are old, and most of them are routinely heard on the radio. One tends to hear the arguments in bits and pieces, for example the emphatic if vague claim that people are different. Of course, most of these arguments, if considered rationally, actually argue for meritocracy rather than for aristocracy. Meritocracy is a democratic principle.
5
“It is time to get results for the American people,” or so they say. Part of the reason the republicans are having such difficulty passing legislation is that they do not represent the best interests of the American people. The republicans take their marching orders from a small cadre of wealthy Americans, the Koch brothers and their like, whose interests are at odds with average Americans. All their talk about freedom to chose and getting government out of peoples' lives is just rhetorical cover for their real objective, which is to minimize government interference so the rich can get richer with less accountability.
7
I've just been reading essays from the 1711-1712 "The Spectator" by Addison and Steele. There are a couple of essays that speak to our situation in the US today. The two that are particularly pertinent are #125 by Addison titled "Party Feeling" and #126, also by Addison, titled "Whigs and Tories".
In his time, the Whigs were the equivalent of the Democrats today, the Progressive liberals in favor of globalization and world wide trade; and the Tories were the rurals, whose emphasis was on the home front, land and agriculture. Less than 100 years previously, the Great British Civil War between the Roundheads of the Commonwealth and supporters of "the divine right of Kings".
In " Party Feeling": "There cannot a greater judgment befall a country that such dreadful spirit of division as rends a government into two distinct people, and makes them greater strangers and more averse to one another than if there were actually two different nations. The effects of such a division are pernicious to the last degree, not only with regard to those advantages which they give the common enemy, but to those private evils which they produce in the heart of almost every particular person. This influence is very fatal both to men's morals and their understandings; it sinks the virtue of a nation, and not only so, but destroys even common sense.
"A furious party spirit ..fills a nation with spleen and rancor, and extinguishes all the seeds of good-nature, compassion and humanity."
In his time, the Whigs were the equivalent of the Democrats today, the Progressive liberals in favor of globalization and world wide trade; and the Tories were the rurals, whose emphasis was on the home front, land and agriculture. Less than 100 years previously, the Great British Civil War between the Roundheads of the Commonwealth and supporters of "the divine right of Kings".
In " Party Feeling": "There cannot a greater judgment befall a country that such dreadful spirit of division as rends a government into two distinct people, and makes them greater strangers and more averse to one another than if there were actually two different nations. The effects of such a division are pernicious to the last degree, not only with regard to those advantages which they give the common enemy, but to those private evils which they produce in the heart of almost every particular person. This influence is very fatal both to men's morals and their understandings; it sinks the virtue of a nation, and not only so, but destroys even common sense.
"A furious party spirit ..fills a nation with spleen and rancor, and extinguishes all the seeds of good-nature, compassion and humanity."
2
The only Republican policy is tax cuts for the wealthy. Everything they do is to serve that goal.
12
The 99.9% of Americans who do not matter to the GOP are very lucky that the GOP is having trouble legislating, since to use Bannon's words, their goal is to deconstruct the government. Why do they want to do this, to undo 100 years of progress? So the super-rich can get richer, so crony capitalists can feast on society.
The really astonishing thing is not that conservatives want to do this, but that 20%-25% or so of ordinary Americans are cheering on their own self-destruction as if this were just some sort of ball game and the GOP is their sports team.
The really astonishing thing is not that conservatives want to do this, but that 20%-25% or so of ordinary Americans are cheering on their own self-destruction as if this were just some sort of ball game and the GOP is their sports team.
215
So true. Let's do it even if it kills us.
Ya like I have heard, it appears the checks and balances are working. And the liar in chief hates it.
May be the Republicans can use their recess to visit Canada and talk to the people of the Conservative Party of Canada. I am sure they can provide them a course of How to Govern: An Introduction.
9
“It is time to get results for the American people”---is that why the GOP Congress has...twice...wasted their time and our tax dollars doing with two...two... health bills that:
--do nothing to curb the costs of health care which is double of more of every other nation with poorer outcomes
--WILL KILL MORE AMERICANS ANNUALLY, YEAR AFTER YEAR, THAN 9/11
--will return us to the days where health care was simply unaffordable for many, and unavailable once we had a serious illness that put us in the pre-existing category?
Maybe the GOP should try governing putting the welfare of our nation above Party loyalty. Any health bill that is not the equal of the ACA should be categorically rejected: IF OUR CONGRESS REPRESENTS US RATHER THAN THEIR DONORS.
--do nothing to curb the costs of health care which is double of more of every other nation with poorer outcomes
--WILL KILL MORE AMERICANS ANNUALLY, YEAR AFTER YEAR, THAN 9/11
--will return us to the days where health care was simply unaffordable for many, and unavailable once we had a serious illness that put us in the pre-existing category?
Maybe the GOP should try governing putting the welfare of our nation above Party loyalty. Any health bill that is not the equal of the ACA should be categorically rejected: IF OUR CONGRESS REPRESENTS US RATHER THAN THEIR DONORS.
8
Indeed ... and their failure to govern encompasses refusal to come to terms with the Trump/Russian sabotage of our election. Given the unmistakable moral and intellectual debasement of Trump, his electorate and the GOP leadership, does anyone seriously think they'll be moved by any of this? These people would deny the existence of the sun .. as they go blind staring at it ...
7
To redress their failure of governing, the Republicans led by Mitch McConnell should use their lost vacation time to invoke the articles of impeachment by which they will rid the country of its inept and corrupt president. In the face of Russian interference in our election, what makes the Republicans who have been largely silent on the Kremlin connections, think that they can also disembowel our healthcare system, our environmental protections, and our constitutional rights for free speech and lawful assembly? "We will be satisfied, let us be satisfied!"
9
The best thing that can happen to the Republicans is failing to pass their health bills which are disasters for ordinary Americans. The honorable thing to do would be to quit trying, go home, and think hard about what their problem is. If the Republicans fail to pass the health care bill, people will move on to their next project. If they destroy millions of lives by destroying the current safety net -- they will be hated by the public but beloved by the billionairs -- but I doubt if the billionaires will hang out with them or invite them over for dinner.
14
There is no failure to govern. They are doing just fine ‘governing’ anyone other than their donor and the top 1% into poverty and an early grave.
17
In truth, the Republican Party has little interest or skill in governing. They thought that governing really meant ruling.
33
"If you don't consent to my governance, you are an affront to God" is all they can muster for justification.
2
The GOP struggles to govern because it has not had a governing philosophy for years. Being against government makes it hard to govern. It has had wedge issues and spin. It has had Faux News and fake indignation. It has had rich donors bankrolling it all. The Republicans retain power not on the basis of their ideas, but because of their skill at gerrymandering, voter suppression and sticking to their talking points. They will pay for this, eventually.
That the Democrats haven't been able to reverse this choke hold speaks volumes about their emphasis on the wrong issues. They need to do more than play the Trump card. They need more Bernie and less of the lefty cultural issues. Said another way, they need to address the Midwestern voter who made the observation last summer that his whole town was out of work, but all the Democrats cared about was who uses what bathroom. And sooner rather than later. 2018 is coming fast.
That the Democrats haven't been able to reverse this choke hold speaks volumes about their emphasis on the wrong issues. They need to do more than play the Trump card. They need more Bernie and less of the lefty cultural issues. Said another way, they need to address the Midwestern voter who made the observation last summer that his whole town was out of work, but all the Democrats cared about was who uses what bathroom. And sooner rather than later. 2018 is coming fast.
261
The Democrats are so out of touch they can't even see when Republicans are backing duds to sabotage the party.
Hear! Hear!! It's the economy stupid--Clinton said it best.
YEP and AMEN!
"Republicans Reluctantly Acknowledge a Failure of Governing"
Gees you don't say.............
The failure of conservatism is just that, the failure of any foresight, complete complacency, and emotionally embracing the status quo.
I've got mine, don't take it and go get your own.
While handing the bill to the poorest at the table.
Gees you don't say.............
The failure of conservatism is just that, the failure of any foresight, complete complacency, and emotionally embracing the status quo.
I've got mine, don't take it and go get your own.
While handing the bill to the poorest at the table.
25
Yes, how mean of those Democrats not to jump on board the Republican plan to cut the throats of the vulnerable and the elderly to push through yet another undeserved tax cut for the wealthy.
Congressional Republicans are repellent beyond words.
Congressional Republicans are repellent beyond words.
54
Considering their evil agenda, we should consider the Republicans' inability to get anything done as a blessing.
63
The best thing that could happen to this country is for the Republicans to take a permanent vacation.
25
No legislation can be considered legitimate coming from a republican congress that continues to accept the behavior of a president that continually lies and is evidently covering up collusion with Russia regarding his own election. If McConnell and his cronies can't stand up against an incompetent, lying president who is sabotaging our country's democracy, they shouldn't be writing legislation.
38
I have a plan for the Republicas to pass the health bill: create a health plan that provides the same coverage for all Americans that they enjoy, for life.
It will get passed in a jiffy.
It will get passed in a jiffy.
11
Why would anyone be surprised at the failure of Republicans to govern?
They do not believe in government, but think it iIS the problem (as stated by Reagan).
They think everything that can be privatized, whether that is an effective model or not, SHOULD be privatized.
They do not respect doing the work of the government.
They do not respect public servants.
They do not understand that the government belongs to the people, and not the other way around. (They need to read the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution again, carefully. Maybe out loud.)
Ergo, they simply do not govern, because that is not a proper job in their eyes. (No job paid for with government money is a "real" job, right?)
One wonders why they even want to be elected. Oh, yeah, ... they can get their mitts on the biggest piggy bank in the world, the U.S. annual budget.
They do not believe in government, but think it iIS the problem (as stated by Reagan).
They think everything that can be privatized, whether that is an effective model or not, SHOULD be privatized.
They do not respect doing the work of the government.
They do not respect public servants.
They do not understand that the government belongs to the people, and not the other way around. (They need to read the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution again, carefully. Maybe out loud.)
Ergo, they simply do not govern, because that is not a proper job in their eyes. (No job paid for with government money is a "real" job, right?)
One wonders why they even want to be elected. Oh, yeah, ... they can get their mitts on the biggest piggy bank in the world, the U.S. annual budget.
34
Oh please, Mitch, don't worry. You guys take your August vacation as planned. No need to delay or cut or short two weeks for us. Don't worry about getting all the misguided legislation you want passed. The nation and I will get along fine without it.
212
Besides, Putin has your back. They never knew they were getting such a deal; that Congress would come along free along with the President.
2
In other breaking news NASA just admitted that the moon isn't made of green cheese and the curator of the National Zoo just confirmed that bears can't talk, don't wear hats and shirt collars and don't steal pic-icnic baskets.
5
Month-long recess. These guys have a better backstage perk agreement than Mariah Carey.
2
The GOP is a farce that drapes itself in the flag. They are a bunch of incapable, greedy, shortsighted, idiots. They have the majority in both houses, the executive, they planted their men in the justice department, they own all three branches. They have no excuse. The only thing they propose is cutting taxes for those who do not need it, increasing the money pit dedicated to the military, cutting our access to healthcare, returning to an all out incarceration policy, and promoting hatred and division. They have the power, they have the road map to disaster, and like Dr Evil they are fumbling, bumbling their way to failure. Thank god for that. For if they had half a brain the damage they would do to this nation would transform us into a third world country.
25
How can anyone expect that a person who runs for elected office saying that the government that he or she is seeking o become a part of is your enemy will ever be anything other than your enemy?
12
No worries Chuck. You will be back in the minority soon, no matter what you do. The orange thing is making sure of that. If you pass Mass Murder Care for tax cuts for billionaire you might even lose your seat, or see some pitchforks. Iowa is kinda purple... it voted for Obama. Twice.
14
And we get the point: it's STILL not about passing a good health care bill for our citizens--it's all about the optics and getting re-elected.
2
Cheer up republicans, Keep up the great work on health care, you'll get there! (Says a loyal democrat gleefully watching the clock run down and the trump 'honeymoon' go poof). It's almost as if they don't control every branch of government.
5
GOP outfoxed by Fox News.
8
Do those progressives who voted for Jill Stein or sat out the election:
I hope you are enjoying your purity. It really paid off, didn't it?
I hope you are enjoying your purity. It really paid off, didn't it?
20
Many of them probably got paid from the Republican budget to sabotage the Democratic Party.
1
Should begin with "to."
1
The two-party system in the U.S. makes many citizens feel that their vote does not count. Please consider the many better functioning democracies that have multi-party systems. Those systems require more effort and knowledge of all involved, including citizens. It is worth it. I admire the Americans who voted for third parties that reflected their values. The current problems need to be placed at the feet of those who are causing them. People who agreed with and voted for third parties were practicing democracy. The system, not those people, is the problem.
1
Failure to govern is a feature, not a bug when it comes to the Republican Party.
12
The Republicans would do less harm by going on recess than by passing the ACA repeal. They will lose Congress in 2018 anyway with the albatross of Trump's collusion with Putin around their necks. They don't need also the push-back from taking away access to healthcare from millions. But who knows, perhaps they rush to self-destruction, compelled like lemmings by an instinct they can't resist.
6
Let's be honest here. Of course the GOP has no idea how to govern, well they might, but why try?. But then again do the Democrats? Actually, "governing" is basically defined as following the rules set down by political contributions. The rest is fluff and simply distractions while our so-called representatives represent their own interests and work hardest to avoid any real issues, and those unavoidable are kicked down the road so they become someone else's issue to kick down the road later, and still further down the road.
5
According to Republicans, it's the Democrats' fault that Obamacare was passed without a single Republican vote.
According to these same Republicans, it's the Democrats' fault that the repeal of Obamacare is not getting a single Democratic vote.
Same old self-serving Republican double-standard.
According to these same Republicans, it's the Democrats' fault that the repeal of Obamacare is not getting a single Democratic vote.
Same old self-serving Republican double-standard.
14
Instead of repealing "The Affordable Care Act" come up with a health care product that is more reasonable and enhances a manner for all Americans to seek health care. Then let the American people decide what they want, not a 100 Senators who are so far removed from what is in the best interest of the American people.
10
While it's influence is lessening, the Tea Party Republicans are at fault for much of the dysfunction in our politics. I live in Kansas where many of the Republican "ideas" begin. Our state laws have been written by ALEC for years. We have seen the Tea Party primary any Republican who shows even a hint of reasonableness on an issue. The good news for Kansas and perhaps the country is that we see a moderating trend here.
There are a number of groups here that support doing what is right for the state and not what is right for the conservatives. Our legislature has done away with the Brownback trickle-down, economic nonsense. Even the Republicans know it does not work. Unfortunately, they inflicted a great deal of pain on the state while proving to be a failure.
Our junior Senator, Jerry Moran, has made news for being against the Wealthcare bill that will hurt more than just his constituents. Moran is still holding town halls and comes back to the state often. We haven't seen Pat Roberts since the last election. Moran can come back to Kansas and will be treated with respect because he seems to be putting the interests of Kansans above the interests of the wealthy few.
Senator Moran has not always been a good example, he is a Republican after all. If more Republicans would go back to their states and actually listen to their constituents, we would all be in better off. But that would require doing the jobs they were elected to do rather than serve the wealthiest among us.
There are a number of groups here that support doing what is right for the state and not what is right for the conservatives. Our legislature has done away with the Brownback trickle-down, economic nonsense. Even the Republicans know it does not work. Unfortunately, they inflicted a great deal of pain on the state while proving to be a failure.
Our junior Senator, Jerry Moran, has made news for being against the Wealthcare bill that will hurt more than just his constituents. Moran is still holding town halls and comes back to the state often. We haven't seen Pat Roberts since the last election. Moran can come back to Kansas and will be treated with respect because he seems to be putting the interests of Kansans above the interests of the wealthy few.
Senator Moran has not always been a good example, he is a Republican after all. If more Republicans would go back to their states and actually listen to their constituents, we would all be in better off. But that would require doing the jobs they were elected to do rather than serve the wealthiest among us.
8
They are afraid of the very mob they armed up.
2
The Republicans have a 52 to 48 majority in the Senate. Senator McConnell please explain how "Democratic obstruction" is delaying your agenda. Or is it more likely that your agenda is scaring off members of your party?
367
It is because of senate rules that allow a minority party to block legislation to come forward without 60 votes. Yes, the Senate could go "nuclear" and change that rule - it is a senate rule not a constitutional item. The senate is slow to change those rules. They changed it for court nominations and could change it for legislation also. Maybe they will.
Chuck Schumer is using arcane Senate rules to delay all ( and I mean ALL) nominations for posts and judge positions in an attempt to make our government fail. The Democrats are skewering nominees that they once supported just to be obstructionists . Harry Reid and McConnell reached agreement on how to proceed under Obamacare but Schumer thinks that retarding the time line of appointments makes him a "winner" when all he really is is a TV publicity stunt person whose pockets are lined with Democratic Wall Street funds
Sadly, the oligarchs rule and the GOP is their shill.
Only the American people can neuter the Republican Party, but they seem not smart enough to do it - yet. Let's hope there is a United States left by the time we wake up to the fact that we have been played for suckers.
Only the American people can neuter the Republican Party, but they seem not smart enough to do it - yet. Let's hope there is a United States left by the time we wake up to the fact that we have been played for suckers.
8
The specious notion that 50 competing states will provide equally protective law is one of the most naive feature of life in the US.
2
The best thing that has happened to America during the Trump Administration is that they are spending all their time fighting each other instead of unitien in their stated goal of dismantling the United States of America. I jus hope they continue this infighting for the rest of the Trump Administration.
22
You may get your wish. Dysfunction is the key ingredient in any GOP body or it's efforts to govern (rule).
1
The hypocrisy of Repubs claiming that the Democrats are responsible for their not getting anything done is outrageous; especially given their 8 years of nothing but obstruction during the previous Democratic administration. They have proven that they know how to obstruct, but not to govern. Particularly when for 7 years they wasted time and effort voting to repeal and repeal and repeal the ACA when they could have used 7 years to craft a health care policy of their own. The American people are the ones suffering; and now they introduce a bill for $1.6 BILLION for 'the wall' while they kick 23 million Americans off of heath care. Immoral idiots.
11
No matter how dishonest and psychopathological it is, it is OK when Republicans do it.
1
One thing average Americans have learned throughout this "wealthcare" bill atrocity is how much time Congress gets off for "recess". They've had more weeks off than I can count. They just got back from almost two weeks off and in three weeks they were supposed to get the entire month of August for vacation. While making $180,000/yr. with gold-plated health care for themselves. Must be nice!
11
Perhaps they are awaiting instructions from the Koch Brothers? How low can this nation fall under Trump and Republicans? We've clearly yet to reach the bottom of this amoral pit. Sad!
8
Trumps seems to be making the people who enabled his emergence very queasy.
1
You know what, Republican boys and girls? We pay you to govern whether or not your party is sitting in the White House. Is that a surprise to you? How about taking 2-4 weeks vacation like most workers do? You spend way more time off than you do actually working. SO GET TO WORK. Quit making excuses. And for God's sake, quit blaming the Democrats for "obstructing". Is that the pot calling the kettle black or what??
5
I have to say though I love it - watching the GOP bungle one thing after another has been a joy to watch - anything to wipe that self-satisfied smirk off the face of McConnell, et. al.
5
Nonsense. Republicans have succeeded insanely.
They own all of rural America and south, and everything outside of city limits. Race baiting and misogyny are in revival as a result of their singular focus.
They have transformed religious fundamentalism into a political force. Belief has triumphed, science is under attack is some way analogous to the times of Galileo. Ayatollahs are in charge of our education system, will determine funding to NSF, NIH, NASA - when Russian and Chinese kids with insane preparation in math are hacking into our computer systems. Pretty soon, reading will be outlawed, thinking taxed. They did elect presidents who don't read (Bush, Trump). Their flag bearers are Palin, Nugent, Trump, and Limbaugh. A party that can install such dangerous morons to power (social and political) is cleverer than anyone else.
Republicans have produced insanely effective outcomes for themselves. We are now suspicious, afraid, defensive, withdrawn, and isolating ourselves - all by ourselves.
Republicans have ushered in an era where the rich feel no guilt about feeding at the government teat, feel no shame in shaping laws that benefit robber barons. They have women voting for misogynists, and poor uneducated Americans dependent, addicted, and nihilistic, and bent on voting against their self-interest.
How is this not success?
You ask about governance? Well, they are just not that much into it. They are after the dollars, and they have 'em.
Kalidan
They own all of rural America and south, and everything outside of city limits. Race baiting and misogyny are in revival as a result of their singular focus.
They have transformed religious fundamentalism into a political force. Belief has triumphed, science is under attack is some way analogous to the times of Galileo. Ayatollahs are in charge of our education system, will determine funding to NSF, NIH, NASA - when Russian and Chinese kids with insane preparation in math are hacking into our computer systems. Pretty soon, reading will be outlawed, thinking taxed. They did elect presidents who don't read (Bush, Trump). Their flag bearers are Palin, Nugent, Trump, and Limbaugh. A party that can install such dangerous morons to power (social and political) is cleverer than anyone else.
Republicans have produced insanely effective outcomes for themselves. We are now suspicious, afraid, defensive, withdrawn, and isolating ourselves - all by ourselves.
Republicans have ushered in an era where the rich feel no guilt about feeding at the government teat, feel no shame in shaping laws that benefit robber barons. They have women voting for misogynists, and poor uneducated Americans dependent, addicted, and nihilistic, and bent on voting against their self-interest.
How is this not success?
You ask about governance? Well, they are just not that much into it. They are after the dollars, and they have 'em.
Kalidan
14
They got what they came for. What's everybody else standing around for?
"In conceding their lack of achievement, Republicans sought to direct much of the blame for the shortened recess and the poor Republican showing to the opposition,...".
Awww, I am sympathetic because it is hard to accomplish things that help the American people when the other party won't help in the effort. I remember how sympathetic Republicans were to President Obama after 2010 when he could not get anything done because he was blocked by the opposition at every turn...
You know, current opposition by Democrats to the appallingly bad health care "reform" proposed by Republicans is not anywhere similar to the opposition by Republicans previously because Democrat proposals try to make lives better for all whereas Republican proposals always only try to improve the miserable lives of the rich and corporations, poor things, and generally (in hidden ways) of white men. You no longer even try to disguise it because it has become so obvious to all. Look who drafted your health care bill and how you did it.
Try representing the common good for ALL people and you will see cooperation. Try telling the Kochs to buzz off.
Awww, I am sympathetic because it is hard to accomplish things that help the American people when the other party won't help in the effort. I remember how sympathetic Republicans were to President Obama after 2010 when he could not get anything done because he was blocked by the opposition at every turn...
You know, current opposition by Democrats to the appallingly bad health care "reform" proposed by Republicans is not anywhere similar to the opposition by Republicans previously because Democrat proposals try to make lives better for all whereas Republican proposals always only try to improve the miserable lives of the rich and corporations, poor things, and generally (in hidden ways) of white men. You no longer even try to disguise it because it has become so obvious to all. Look who drafted your health care bill and how you did it.
Try representing the common good for ALL people and you will see cooperation. Try telling the Kochs to buzz off.
5
Gee, I don't understand how a few, VERY FEW, GOP Senators are balking at voting for a bill that would throw millions out of health care and causing the deaths of thousands--year after year!
If the Dems are at fault--we all need to thank them!
If the Dems are at fault--we all need to thank them!
3
Clipped vacation plans makes for a bummer of a summer. But perhaps Republican Senators having a hard time with the change could carpool to New Jersey for just the weekend and hang out with Governor Chris Christie on the beach. Anyone up for a group photo?
5
They've cancelled hundreds of town hall meetings, and been no-shows in many of the ones that weren't cancelled. These cowards don't want to go home to face the music. What better kabuki than to pretend to stay in session to get "the people's work done"? Well, here's a news flash for the GOP, especially McConnell and Ryan - you broke it, you own it. Deal with it.
173
Rather than hold a series of actual town halls, Senator Joni Ernst (R) of Iowa set up a "telephone town hall" with constituents on her phone list.
I would much rather she face her constituents face-to-face, but of course she knows this would generate negative press across the state.
I would much rather she face her constituents face-to-face, but of course she knows this would generate negative press across the state.
I like this photo. The gloat is gone.
5
After 8 years of a Dem in the White House, shouldn't they have been more prepared for the pendulum swing?
78
Simply look at this picture. What does it say? It does not convey youth, vitality, hope or creativity. This bespeaks nothing but Oligarchy. Their tacit and quiet enabling of a feckless, incompetent and treasonous president speaks volumes.
What is the penalty for violating your oath of office? To protect and defend. To serve the public interest. No, this is clearly the most corrupt government we have ever experienced. Watergate on steroids and they will have none of it.
What is the penalty for violating your oath of office? To protect and defend. To serve the public interest. No, this is clearly the most corrupt government we have ever experienced. Watergate on steroids and they will have none of it.
10
What is the penalty for violating your oath of office?
How do you determine whether this has taken place? Since the only people who can raise these charges are other members of Congress, it's not going to happen.
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
How do you determine whether this has taken place? Since the only people who can raise these charges are other members of Congress, it's not going to happen.
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
They don*t want to govern. Reagan told them Government is the enemy and they have used that as a marketing tool to win elections ever since. All the trailer living citizens in America believe the Government is trying to take away their freedoms. To a man they are convinced, for example, that Obama tried to take away their guns. Obama did precisely nothing on gun control. They believe every single Hispanic in America is here illegally. I could go on but their belief system is well documented. Ironically they believed every single fact and otherwise about the Russians until quite recently. The Republican marketers play on the fears and win elections across the country nationally and locally. Then Wall St. says *We*ll take it from here*. And the 1 percent proceeds to rip off the other 99. Including and especially, the Republican base.
5
Uh, maybe if GOP didn't allow their agenda to be *dominated* by President Steve Bannon's radical "Deconstructionist" agenda, they could actually get something done. These men are in an abysmal free fall into darkness.
5
Republicans cannot govern when in the majority, and can stop government in its tracks when they are a minority. Makes a liberal shout, "People, Clean that Swamp".
4
Definition of irony - McConnell calling Democrats "obstructionists". He should have been dodging the lightening bolt when he said that.
4
How does the GOP 'control" the Senate when they have such a slim majority, barely the minimum to count as a majority? More NYT attacks on Republicans? Regarding Schumer, as a life-long Democrat, I will never vote for him again. If he is the face of the Dem party, that's just pitiful.
In these cynical times, I have to wonder if McConnell does not see an opportunity to slide a health bill through while the country is distracted by Trump's Russia mess?
1
Talk about the Elephant in the room..
2
Let's see, how do I want to enjoy my schadenfreude over the GOP's struggle to "repeal and replace" the ACA?
Should I have it straight up: If Republicans fail to pass their healthcare bill, they'll lose votes because they broke a promise?
Or should I have it on the rocks: If Republicans actually do pass their healthcare bill, they'll lose votes because they will have inflicted a most horrible legislation on the American people?
Tough decision! But either way, it's going to be delicious. Two olives please.
Should I have it straight up: If Republicans fail to pass their healthcare bill, they'll lose votes because they broke a promise?
Or should I have it on the rocks: If Republicans actually do pass their healthcare bill, they'll lose votes because they will have inflicted a most horrible legislation on the American people?
Tough decision! But either way, it's going to be delicious. Two olives please.
8
Dems can't now be "the party of no". It is time for the Dems to speak up, to point out the challenges of ACA and propose corrective actions, then the people can decide who/what to support. Who knows, they might get even some of the GOP to come aboard.
2
It is up to Mitch McConnell to set the agenda. Somehow, I don't see him allowing the Democrats to propose anything.
the GOP has proven that being "The Party of No" has its rewards. I have come to believe most Americas have no idea that Congress even exists, and just blame (or credit) the President for everything - so if the country runs into the ground, so much the better for the other party come election time.
Try holding a hearing on a bill and pretending to consider the notion that maybe the Democrats might be able to contribute to the conversation. You can always vote down their amendments. (Unless you are afraid of the campaign ads...)
2
It should come as no surprise that "that the party of 'no'" has a hard time moving legislation. The Republicans haven't practiced getting anything done. What's more surprising is their inability even to say 'no': they can't repeal the ACA, they can't say 'no' to taxes (i.e., reform the tax code). So let's not rule out simple incompetence or immaturity: the Republicans just got stuck in "the terrible 2s."
4
This is the culmination of the years (especially from 2008 on, but going back to the 1980s) of lies and misinformation - they can't lie and misinform to that extent and expect anything they come up with on that basis to work, or to back pedal to something that will work when only some understood the nudge nudge wink wink and many others BELIEVE the lies, both lawmakers and constituents. They succeeded with their uncompromising wall of lies to take both houses and the white house, but the tactic that allowed that now makes it impossible to get anything done. Congratulations.
The lies and misinformation started in the 1980s - the Reagan miracle (it wasn't his doing, as the data prove), tough Ronnie (241 servicemen dead in 1983, hostages taken for several years until the Iran-contra arms for hostages deal), cutting taxes (before Ronnie raised them again), deficit hawks (spending accelerated under Reagan as did debt accumulation). After 2008, the lies and misinformation dramatically increased by quantum leaps, as we all know (except those who believed it all).
The lies and misinformation started in the 1980s - the Reagan miracle (it wasn't his doing, as the data prove), tough Ronnie (241 servicemen dead in 1983, hostages taken for several years until the Iran-contra arms for hostages deal), cutting taxes (before Ronnie raised them again), deficit hawks (spending accelerated under Reagan as did debt accumulation). After 2008, the lies and misinformation dramatically increased by quantum leaps, as we all know (except those who believed it all).
3
Trump ran on a platform that had major planks that are anathema to the GOP establishment and big dollar donors.
Trump also ran on a platform that had only a tenuous connection with reality. There was no plausible way for him to deliver on his promises without the power of a dictator (for example, putting coal miners back to work would require the US government buying the mined coal and putting it in a big pile somewhere).
The GOP establishment has been little better in pushing back against decades of fantastical nonsense spewed by FOX and other right wing media.
It's hard to govern when your supporters believe nonsense not reflected in the real world. Maybe even impossible to govern, as we are seeing. It's not for lack of skill that the GOP can't legislate; it's for lack of contact with reality, and supporters that what the implausible.
Get better informed voters, GOP.
Trump also ran on a platform that had only a tenuous connection with reality. There was no plausible way for him to deliver on his promises without the power of a dictator (for example, putting coal miners back to work would require the US government buying the mined coal and putting it in a big pile somewhere).
The GOP establishment has been little better in pushing back against decades of fantastical nonsense spewed by FOX and other right wing media.
It's hard to govern when your supporters believe nonsense not reflected in the real world. Maybe even impossible to govern, as we are seeing. It's not for lack of skill that the GOP can't legislate; it's for lack of contact with reality, and supporters that what the implausible.
Get better informed voters, GOP.
6
The failure to govern is directly proportional of the abject failure to be bipartisan.
A fundamental ingrained flaw is very likely to remain a root cause of overall failure.
The question is whether this is a fatal flaw or fleeting flaw that can be corrected.
A fundamental ingrained flaw is very likely to remain a root cause of overall failure.
The question is whether this is a fatal flaw or fleeting flaw that can be corrected.
1
The GOP was in the wilderness for so long until 1994 that it never, as a party, learned how to govern. Their leaders constantly overstep what they view as a mandate and are routinely punished for it by the voters. In order to properly govern, the GOP first needs to decide what its constituency is, the 1% or the working class that elected the President and rely on things like medicaid expansion and government support just to get by.
3
The failure of the Republican party in the last few years is primarily based on a failure to accept the idea of compromise. When the slightest compromise is seen by primary voters as a betrayal, little is going to be done.
Ever since Reagan proclaimed that government is the problem Republicans have been campaigning on that premise. Even when in power and while enlarging government and increasing spending they continued the same antigovernment line. From the very beginning of the Obamas term the GOP declared that they would take no part in governing other than to do their best to make it fail - and that is exactly what they have done. So is it any surprise that they cannot govern? After all, they apparently believe that government, the only thing that makes a peaceful and coherent society possible, is evil. Until they step up and make it known that government is necessary and that large societies need large governments with lots of social services they will continue to wallow in the swamp they have created.
5
I doubt if GOP can get it done in another 70 years
3
Governing in an American democracy demands multi-partisan efforts and maintaining the checks and balances among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. With Republicans controlling all branches of government they could easily sway any/every multi-partisan effort more towards their liking, but instead hold one hand behind their back and hit themselves in the face with the other trying to go it alone. American democracy isn’t hard, but partisan Republicans are making it near impossible.
2
“And by the way, I have sympathy for the Republicans,” Mr. Schumer said.
Schumer's constant wisecracks are undignified and tiresome. I think this mentality is a symptom of the style of party leadership that cost the Dems the presidency.
Schumer's constant wisecracks are undignified and tiresome. I think this mentality is a symptom of the style of party leadership that cost the Dems the presidency.
1
Republicans should be "ashamed" that they have not deprived 22 million Americans of health insurance and delivered the loot to the ultra wealthy? If so, words no longer have meaning.
5
Senator Charles E. Grassley, Republican of Iowa, was perhaps the most blunt when he said on Twitter over the weekend that the 52 Republican senators should “be ashamed that we have not passed health reform by now.” He added, in all caps for emphasis: “WE WONT BE ASHAMED WE WILL GO FROM MAJORITY TO MINORITY.”
It's more shameful to pass legislation that will put Americans that have the misfortune of having diseases that need treatment at risk. Without a bill that favors the health care of average Americans No bill should be advanced.
It's more shameful to pass legislation that will put Americans that have the misfortune of having diseases that need treatment at risk. Without a bill that favors the health care of average Americans No bill should be advanced.
6
Republicans have been so bogged down by their hatred of everything Obama and their total disregard for the poor and the working class they have only a narrow agenda, repeal the ACA and pass Wealthcare for the 10%. They do so at the risk of their political health.
3
Maybe it's just me grazing, but I've noticed that when supermajorities happen, governance seems to be a problem. It seems that in-flighting is the cause as members argue about what direction to go and everyone wants control and credit. I've noticed the same phenomena in companies I've worked for. Team work involves people with various perspectives all working for the same cause, either to build a great product, or, in this case, bring changes that benefit Americans on the healthcare bill. They fail to listen to their constituents and continue to engineer a product no one wants. Even if it passes, it will be doom for the GOP. The only answer is to work across the aisle and look at the playing field. Americans want health care - all of them. That is your product and to offer anything else is a failure.
3
Electing Donald Trump guaranteed that the nation's governing would fall to Congressional Republicans. President Trump is clearly now just a volatile figurehead. Senate Republicans in Congress have largely pushed him aside in cobbling together the failing ACA repeal, and given Trump's lack of competence and mendacity, that trend is likely to continue as they take up tax reform. Considering his worsening position on Russian election hacking and collusion, Trump's safest path to finishing his term is to go along with Congressional Republicans on policy and to keep firing up the base and distracting the national media with his tweet lies and tweet nothings. That he can do -- governing is beyond him.
2
Mitch McConnell spent 8 years making sure former President Obama would not succeed.
Karma is a beautiful thing.
Karma is a beautiful thing.
8
McConnell wanted to make Obama a one term President, and he failed at that goal.
McConnell will fail again. He has lots of practice, so he is now good at that.
McConnell will fail again. He has lots of practice, so he is now good at that.
1
GOP is horrible but so are the dems
Clinton had operated nefariously in her dealings with Russia. Bill Clinton had given a $500,000 speech in Russia. Clinton had given her approval in handing one-fifth of U.S. uranium to Russia, after which her foundation received $2.35 million from the Russian-controlled company. Suspiciously, Clinton did not disclose the transaction.
Likewise, Clinton campaign chief John Podesta sat on the board of a company that received $35 million from the Russian government alongside fellow board members Anatoly Chubais, a senior Russian official, and Ruben Vardanyan, an oligarch.
Clinton had operated nefariously in her dealings with Russia. Bill Clinton had given a $500,000 speech in Russia. Clinton had given her approval in handing one-fifth of U.S. uranium to Russia, after which her foundation received $2.35 million from the Russian-controlled company. Suspiciously, Clinton did not disclose the transaction.
Likewise, Clinton campaign chief John Podesta sat on the board of a company that received $35 million from the Russian government alongside fellow board members Anatoly Chubais, a senior Russian official, and Ruben Vardanyan, an oligarch.
You are attempting to deflect from #45's current woes. Earnings from Bill Clinton's 2010 speech were disclosed at the time. The uranium deal was not for HRC to approve, or veto. As for the Podesta claim, he was on the board of a company which received over $200 million in investments, $35 million from a Russian (state controlled) company. He resigned from this board in 2014 when he joined the Obama administration. At least you aren't reporting he actually received the $35 million as once reported by Breitbart.
2
Better pray they do not pass some guaranteed-to-be-awful ACA-related legislation prior to, or instead of, an August recess.
August indeed.
August indeed.
1
I'm beginning to believe that there now exists a permanent portion of the electorate that doesn't want a functioning government. They're the direct result of decades of GOP rhetoric, Fox News and right wing talk radio, and they delight in chaos. How else to explain the polls among self-identifying Republicans or Trump's base, even as he dismantles our institutions, enriches the richest and defiles our values?
When Fox broadcast a graphic from Donald Jr.'s email, they substituted an ellipsis for sentence that named the Russian government. I wish I knew how to reach these people, calm, educate, and reason with them. But you can't reason with those who don't use logic, or believe facts, or are inherently cruel. At a certain point, I think we just have to protect against them.
When Fox broadcast a graphic from Donald Jr.'s email, they substituted an ellipsis for sentence that named the Russian government. I wish I knew how to reach these people, calm, educate, and reason with them. But you can't reason with those who don't use logic, or believe facts, or are inherently cruel. At a certain point, I think we just have to protect against them.
3
It was easy to be "the party of NO," but governing means being able to get to "YES." That is a stretch for the anti-government, ideological nihilists of the Tea Party wing of the Republican Party, whose only goal in governing is an outright "repeal" of Obamacare with no replacement other than letting the "free market" handle the replacement of healthcare insurance (the essence of the so-called Cruz amendment). Their only other objective is to slash taxes for everything except defense.
1
I can only hope that the moderate Republicans don't change their vote because either they want to go on vacation or are pressured to make the wrong decision to put party before country...like the House and most of the Senate Republican members.
2
This entire topic is political theatre.
The R's never thought they'd win - their entire platform, including right-wing radio and Fox are all ANTI GOVERNMENT. The fact that they are now the majority and have to eat their own cooking is sweet revenge for those of us appalled at a Trump/Republican administration.
They all know in their cold hearts that doing nothing is much preferred to enacting the very thing they fooled the Republican base into believing.
They will continue to falter as opposed to convincing their base that *some* government and industries are necessary and require subsidization.
It would be sad to be a thoughtful conservative these days. At least Brooks and Douthat are starting to see the light.
The R's never thought they'd win - their entire platform, including right-wing radio and Fox are all ANTI GOVERNMENT. The fact that they are now the majority and have to eat their own cooking is sweet revenge for those of us appalled at a Trump/Republican administration.
They all know in their cold hearts that doing nothing is much preferred to enacting the very thing they fooled the Republican base into believing.
They will continue to falter as opposed to convincing their base that *some* government and industries are necessary and require subsidization.
It would be sad to be a thoughtful conservative these days. At least Brooks and Douthat are starting to see the light.
96
TJake - Add to you list the NY Post, Joe Scarborough, Charles Krauthammer. [BIGLY Smiley Face]
Laughable also that the GOP blames Schumer for delaying their cabinet nominees, when most were confirmed without much Dem input, and certainly without the need for their votes pretty quickly, and most positions that have been left unfilled because there have been no nominees nominated to even haggle over.
10
The Republicans are just like a spoiled 10 year old. It is always someone else's fault.
4
The GOP constituency is the Koch brothers not the masses. Trump figured this out since no one represented them. Now the GOP doesn't know who to serve to get reelected.
21
"Now the GOP doesn't know who to serve to get reelected."
That is one of most prescient and sad comments on the current state of a party that wanted to win at any cost. It has been doing whatever it takes to win since it ordered the Supreme Court to hand the presidential election to GWB in 2000 and it can no longer recognize the obligations of governing nor the integrity it occasionally requires. KA
That is one of most prescient and sad comments on the current state of a party that wanted to win at any cost. It has been doing whatever it takes to win since it ordered the Supreme Court to hand the presidential election to GWB in 2000 and it can no longer recognize the obligations of governing nor the integrity it occasionally requires. KA
1
You're funny, as if the top 1% doesn't also control the DNC.
While Trump is a buffoon it isn't like the DNC and the Shillarites have a better message. Just ask the DNC what their message and plan is for America...
You'll get nothing of any substance. All platitudes all day long. General catch phrases with plenty of finger pointing at Trump and the GOP.
Both parties are hopeless we need a major reboot.
While Trump is a buffoon it isn't like the DNC and the Shillarites have a better message. Just ask the DNC what their message and plan is for America...
You'll get nothing of any substance. All platitudes all day long. General catch phrases with plenty of finger pointing at Trump and the GOP.
Both parties are hopeless we need a major reboot.
They are utterly dependent on the character assassination services of their dark money backers.
1
I have commented on this site many, many times over several years that the Republican Party has concentrated so much campaigning and on opposing (and it excels at both) that it no longer knows how to be a party of government. Its lust for power is motivated not by desire to govern but by a desire to rule. Now even the Republicans are admitting they can't govern, but I don't think they are capable of changing their character.
I hate to say I told you so, but - I told you so.
I hate to say I told you so, but - I told you so.
48
YOU THINK....??
The Republicans when in power never know how to govern !! Absolutely clueless.
Republicans Reluctantly Acknowledge a Failure of Governing https://nyti.ms/2vbujIb
Perhaps they should look forward instead of wasting time trying to undo everything from the Obama era.
22
The GOP has been the party of 'No' so long, they can't remember how to say 'Yes.' The old adage comes to mind: Republicans know how to get elected; Democrats know how to govern. This life-long Democrat is hoping for a clean slate in '18. Then the American people will see action instead of obstruction, even with President Pence in the Oval.
233
Many in the GOP would like to say "no" to much of governance, including setting a national policy on heath insurance, but they are stymied by the few in their party, and by Democrats who still see a role for government besides enriching the rich and building bombs.
2
I'd like to agree, Byron, but I listened to the head of Hawaii's DNC yesterday on Hawaii Public Radio. So sad. No different than the National DNC; short on new ideas, long on "aren't the Republicans awful."
"Republicans know how to get elected; Democrats know how to govern."
Bad combo.
Bad combo.
Maybe they will realize that the best way to get a bill through is to improve Obama care by ensuring the subsidies to insurance companies provided for in the ACA, but blocked by a republican lawsuit and twitch of Trumps Twitter hand. If they want to take credit, let them pass a re-naming bill. They do it all the time for post-offices, court house, etc. Call it "Better than Obamacare care"
6
in a democracy, the 4th estate should be screaming about the incompetence and ineffectiveness of the GOP. Cornyn can try to blame it on Democrats, but even the most staid FOX ideologue who is even partially awake knows this is a Republican problem and has nothing to do with Democrats. The Republicans control the Presidency and both houses of Congress, they can blame nobody but themselves in the "real universe."
36
The US is a corpotocracy, so appeasing advertisers and delivering credulous consumer eyeballs is the highest media priority.
1
Given the ex-post-facto admission of the current administration that it has sold its collective soul to Russia in exchange for untrammeled plutocrat power, none of these revelations are a surprise. Misrule is the result of the two-party system, one instance of our system of government finding its own political expression without an input from its founders. The two-party system is an abysmal failure and we are now a quasi-fascist dictatorship where money interests rule and the workers had better shut up and keep paying the lion's share of taxes.
8
If any of the current GOP leadership were junior officers in the army in combat I'm afraid they'd probably be, to use the Vietnam Era term, "fragged". The largest group of incompetent politicians since 1859 when America was on the brink of Civil War. How low and far have we fallen?
16
"It is time to get results for the American people..." Only if Mitch defines "American people" as 30 - 50 white Republican Senators waging a war against the fictional evil of Obamacare. The country has overwhelmingly woken up, and moved on.
11
"It's too hot," said Momma Republican.
"It's too cold," said Poppa Republican.
"We don't care," says those who elected you to office.
Repeal Obamacare. Do your job.
"It's too cold," said Poppa Republican.
"We don't care," says those who elected you to office.
Repeal Obamacare. Do your job.
2
Yes, Please Repeal, GOP. I'm begging you. THAT can be your grand achievement for 2018. See you then.
Their job is to benefit the people of the USA. If they repeal Obama care,at lest 20 million people will lose their medical insurance so that people who are so rich they can't spent their money even it they were to live for 500 years can have more money. . How is that doing their job for the Americal People?
The GOP and their Overlords have lied and used false propaganda for so long to manipulate their base they don't have the moral strength to carry the true load of National Leadership. Selling their souls happened long before the Trump Crime Family.
8
Will 10 days accomplish what 7 years could not?
21
I was not very approving of Pelosi's approach of "hunker down, stay together, and let the chips fall on the Republicans". To me it seems putting forward better proposals is the way to go.
However, as time has passed, I realize its not easy to hunker down with all of this going on. The Republicans cr#pped all over all proposals in the Obama Era, and continue to be divisive and mean spirited. So? "They're animals anyway—let them lose their souls."
However, as time has passed, I realize its not easy to hunker down with all of this going on. The Republicans cr#pped all over all proposals in the Obama Era, and continue to be divisive and mean spirited. So? "They're animals anyway—let them lose their souls."
4
Mitch McConnell STILL REFUSES TO OWN HIS JOB and get it done. He blames Democrats for blocking the confirmation of cabinet positions? Try blaming the president for submitting nobody for the positions.
You republicans are incompetent and need to be voted out of office.
You republicans are incompetent and need to be voted out of office.
39
The GOP got played by the Trumps. They got played by Fox News. Four years ago, when Romney lost, they were told they would need to diversify. Instead they hooked their wagon to a candidate that blamed diversification as a sin. They allowed a news agency to push lies and they vocally denounced a program that helped Americans. Now they are trapped with Trump who changes horses in midstream. And a news agency that's is blatant in their hatred of Democrats. And the program that they want to eradicate will be the nail in their coffin. Trump will drag their support of him through the mud. When you dance with the devil, you pay a price.
24
You can only govern when you have an agenda, and "no" is not an agenda.
40
"NO" seems to have been a perfectly accepted agenda when republicans were not in control. Why is it not so now? What comes around, goes around...
"Just say no" was the deeply profound advice of Saint Nancy Reagan.
Independent
The Republicans were the "Party of NO" when President Obama was in office. They gleefully said so. Ask Mitch McConnell. The Democrats got as much done as they could in the face of the obstruction by Republicans.
Republicans are still the "Party of NO" and now they are obstructing even themselves, with full control of the Presidency and both Houses of Congress.
That is called "INCOMPETENCE."
The Republicans were the "Party of NO" when President Obama was in office. They gleefully said so. Ask Mitch McConnell. The Democrats got as much done as they could in the face of the obstruction by Republicans.
Republicans are still the "Party of NO" and now they are obstructing even themselves, with full control of the Presidency and both Houses of Congress.
That is called "INCOMPETENCE."
1
What Senator Grassley and his Republican brethren should be ashamed about is that for 7 years they said they had a replacement plan for health, and the whole time they were lying. Lying to their constituents for 7 straight years is what's truly shameful.
Their inability to pass a bill now is simply a consequence of never spending a single moment the last 7 years to consider what their replacement bill would look like.
Their inability to pass a bill now is simply a consequence of never spending a single moment the last 7 years to consider what their replacement bill would look like.
71
These people are no wiser or smarter than dogs that chase cars. Observing them in positions of reaponsibility for millions affirms my belief that Enrico Fermi correctly assessed human capacity and compulsion to destroy our planet and ourselves.
1
How the devil did Iowa become the THE place people must camp out in for a year to run for US president?
TheUglyTruth
Passing a repeal bill in the House 60+ times worked so well for them that they figured one more time would be a walk in the park, right? That has to be it.
Walking and chewing gum? Nah, that is too hard for them.
Passing a repeal bill in the House 60+ times worked so well for them that they figured one more time would be a walk in the park, right? That has to be it.
Walking and chewing gum? Nah, that is too hard for them.
Don't blame Donald Trump! Donqald Trump is an entertainer not a philosopher, strategist or a competent executive.
When Reagan tore the solar panels from the White House it was an acknowledgement that government would no longer assist in drawing a road map to the future. It was the end of government of the people by the people and for the people.
In ceding the future to big money Reagan performed his last honest act as President of the United States because indeed he had no idea where the future would take us.
The biggest mistake Reagan made was believing America's corporate elite had any concerns beyond the bottom line of the next quarter.
I do not understand why anyone is concerned that congress can't govern. When you don't know where you have been, don't know where you are and don't know where you want to go it is very difficult to draw a map.
Donald J Trump is President because people believed he at least had a vision of the future. It mattered not that the emperor had no clothes. America has great engineers, scientists, lawyers and business promoters but has been so preoccupied with growth it has demeaned and ridiculed the people it now needs for survival. It is time to listen to philosophers , English Majors and apolitical justices and they have gone into hiding rather than subject themselves to the abuse of again being messengers of bad news. There is too much wood and nails lying about to dare speak truth to power.
When Reagan tore the solar panels from the White House it was an acknowledgement that government would no longer assist in drawing a road map to the future. It was the end of government of the people by the people and for the people.
In ceding the future to big money Reagan performed his last honest act as President of the United States because indeed he had no idea where the future would take us.
The biggest mistake Reagan made was believing America's corporate elite had any concerns beyond the bottom line of the next quarter.
I do not understand why anyone is concerned that congress can't govern. When you don't know where you have been, don't know where you are and don't know where you want to go it is very difficult to draw a map.
Donald J Trump is President because people believed he at least had a vision of the future. It mattered not that the emperor had no clothes. America has great engineers, scientists, lawyers and business promoters but has been so preoccupied with growth it has demeaned and ridiculed the people it now needs for survival. It is time to listen to philosophers , English Majors and apolitical justices and they have gone into hiding rather than subject themselves to the abuse of again being messengers of bad news. There is too much wood and nails lying about to dare speak truth to power.
22
When Reagan fired the air traffic controllers, he mortally wounded collective bargaining on behalf of all workers in the US.
Well said, Montreal Moe. You hit the nail on the head!
It remains VERY disturbing that the GOP seems completely oblivious (or just doesn't care) that Trump is steadily leading our country down a disastrous path. Does Party over Country mean THAT much to them?? Trump told us if we voted for Hillary Clinton we MIGHT end up with a President under constant investigation. I voted for Hillary and the President was right - we now have a President and family under constant INVESTIGATION!
25
The GOP still can't figure out whether Trump can be useful to their agenda. If and when the decide he can't, they'll throw him under the bus.
They probably expect God to send in Jesus Redux to save them from themselves.
All they know is that their base rejected every single more conventional Republican running for president in 2016.
2
Robbing the poor and (what's left of) the middle class, to reward the ultra-wealthy is, in NO way, "governance". Taking away health care from millions of Americans, which was once deemed unconscionable, while throwing more wasted tax dollars at our already bloated defense budget, is not "governance".
Greed, avarice, corruption, bigotry, and downright meanness are what the republican party has come to represent, all the while appealing to the most base and paranoid fears among our citizens. At no time do we hear them offering ANYTHING to "promote the general welfare", or to improve the living conditions of U.S. citizens. Not one word.
Greed, avarice, corruption, bigotry, and downright meanness are what the republican party has come to represent, all the while appealing to the most base and paranoid fears among our citizens. At no time do we hear them offering ANYTHING to "promote the general welfare", or to improve the living conditions of U.S. citizens. Not one word.
35
I'm honestly not sure what would be the best outcome here: to have the repeal and replace succeed, so we can all see what the Republicans think is "great" health care, or not doing anything and leaving the ACA in place. The problem they're facing is they have been arguing against their own ideas. I think most liberals in the country would prefer single-payer, and both outcomes above seem to lead to it within the next four years.
This means the ACA is as close to a Republican bill you can get while also paying the check. The Republicans just don't want to pay the check. Well, the meal's over guys and gal. Pay up.
This means the ACA is as close to a Republican bill you can get while also paying the check. The Republicans just don't want to pay the check. Well, the meal's over guys and gal. Pay up.
133
And to think it was once called "Romney Care"
Remember the angry Republicans who helped George W. Bush steal the election in 2000?
"At one point, officials in Dade County who were carrying out a legally mandated automatic recount were forced to stop by an unruly mob of Republican staffers who busted into their building — an actual case of physical intimidation preventing public officials from carrying out their election duties."
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/10/the-rigged-2000-florida-rec...
That same rage still fuels the Republicans who are determined to destroy our democracy. With Trump as their leader, victory seems assured.
"At one point, officials in Dade County who were carrying out a legally mandated automatic recount were forced to stop by an unruly mob of Republican staffers who busted into their building — an actual case of physical intimidation preventing public officials from carrying out their election duties."
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/10/the-rigged-2000-florida-rec...
That same rage still fuels the Republicans who are determined to destroy our democracy. With Trump as their leader, victory seems assured.
8
Bullies only hire thugs for aides, because extortion is the only way they can persuade.
1
There is so much wrong with this Republican Congress, one does not know where to begin. But as a start, I would like to make these folks all aware how many times we everyday citizens had to either forgo our vacations or shorten them. I would venture to say that more times than not, to put food on the table, roofs over our heads, and clothes on our kids back - not to mention try to educate them - we went without the pleasure of R and R's.
But they are the elite, so out of touch with our needs that it is not only laughable but also amoral. So, here they are trying to take away our health care just to line the pockets of CEO'S. Trying to redo the tax code so the wealthy can pay less taxes while we end up proportionally "owing" the government more.
They need to go, to be voted out of office. I am sick and tired of their destructiveness toward their own constituents, including Republicans. They and their president have wrought shame upon this democracy.
But they are the elite, so out of touch with our needs that it is not only laughable but also amoral. So, here they are trying to take away our health care just to line the pockets of CEO'S. Trying to redo the tax code so the wealthy can pay less taxes while we end up proportionally "owing" the government more.
They need to go, to be voted out of office. I am sick and tired of their destructiveness toward their own constituents, including Republicans. They and their president have wrought shame upon this democracy.
13
Actually these smarmy sanctimonious cheats have thrown a spotlight on what a fraud US ersatz democracy is.
How can these craven bigots govern when all they do is obstruct.The only way GOP candidates for ANY office win is by cheating..be it gerry mandering,having a Bush fix an election in Fla.,colluding with a foreign enemy,being bribed by the koch brothers and having mitch[blowfish]mcconnell and rotten ryan in command of this pathetic party.Name one thing they did during Obama's 8 years.They should all be fired for not doing their jobs
12
They hate government, especially if it doesn't help billionaires. Why should they be good at it?
November 2018. November 2020. We go to the ballot box and rid ourselves of this pernicious, seditious, criminal, and treasonous concierge service for the super wealthy, which has been masquerading as political organization under the name of the Republican Party.
NO REPUBLICANS IN 2018!!! NO REPUBLICANS in 2020!!! NONE! NOT ONE!
November 2018. November 2020. We go to the ballot box and rid ourselves of this pernicious, seditious, criminal, and treasonous concierge service for the super wealthy, which has been masquerading as political organization under the name of the Republican Party.
NO REPUBLICANS IN 2018!!! NO REPUBLICANS in 2020!!! NONE! NOT ONE!
19
Here's a great example of an op-ed masquerading as a news story. I agree with every word written, but implore the New York Times to label op-ed columns as just that, and report the news in a more straight-forward manner. The US is headed for all out civil conflict if we can not bridge our divisions, and the news media will play an important role in this. The New York Times should lead the way.
10
@ Philip, thanks so much for this. Speaking as a long-time liberal and NYT reader, I hope your comment makes it to the NYT Picks.
The US should fight it out with squirt guns, as befits its public mental age.
Just heard McConnell say that the Democrats are obstructionists regarding the health care bill. Obstructionists? How's that for hypocrisy?
28
Isn't it rich? The Democrats are the obstructionists, McConnell says, when they weren't even represented in the 13 who hatched the current plan. Americans just need to realize Republicans really are that dishonest, and that corrupt.
2
If Republicans want to try real governance, there are several parts of the ACA that could be reformed without repealing it altogether. Sadly, Republicans have learned that there is no surer way to be subjected to a primary challenge than cooperating with Democrats.
95
they might as well take the full month off since they can't seem to accomplish much while in DC. And what they will finally offer won't pass muster with all the different factions of the party. They do best when they do nothing. First do no harm.
4
Unpaid time off, like the rest of us.
1
Hi Mutchens, what do you mean by "Unpaid time off, like the rest of us"?
Don't you have mandatory paid vacations?
This is a serious question, I would appreciate an answer,,,,Thanks, Rod.
Don't you have mandatory paid vacations?
This is a serious question, I would appreciate an answer,,,,Thanks, Rod.
GOP did everything they could to block Pres Obama for full 8 yrs, Gerrymandered to affect not only balance of Congress but Electoral College, got the WH, Congress and can't get a thing done. There is no governance with this party, only factions and agendas that put the country last. The WH is a mess with the lies and infighting caused strictly by 45 putting his family and distructive forces like Bannon, Miller in place. Spice, Sanders and Conway are just worthless.
How did this happen? 45, turn around and look in the mirror.
So much for maga.....
How did this happen? 45, turn around and look in the mirror.
So much for maga.....
13
Like Wiley E. Coyote over the cliff sensing with his toes the void seconds before plunging, Republicans are starting to to figure out that they have the government now and people expect them to act and they don't know how. All they ever knew for 8 years was to say no and do nothing.
11
They sincerely believe that idolatry will win them divine intervention.
Obstructing, deflecting, deceiving, distorting, undermining, sabotaging, rigging, outright lying....Yup! Masters at the arts. The art of actual governing? Not so much!
6
Trump: "...beautiful new HealthCare bill..." I didn't know legislation could be "beautiful". Nonetheless, that brings his vocabulary word count up to 78.
11
Remember the drunken loudmouth at the end of the bar during happy hour who complains about everything but never has solutions to anything?
Well, America, you elected a whole Senate and House full of those people.
What on Earth did you expect?
Well, America, you elected a whole Senate and House full of those people.
What on Earth did you expect?
23
McConnell is a hypocrite. He is the king of legislative dysfunction and obstruction of traditional norms. Remember: He would not allow a vote on SCOTUS nominee Merrick Garland. The majority voted for Obama and we deserved, had a right to a vote on Garland -- at least a vote. Now he wants to act like he is a functional, responsible leader? Such a reactionary opportunist blowing in the wind. He is no leader. He has been corrupted by his power. Party first, not country. He is big part of the problem, if not THE problem.
26
As a newly minted citizen and having lived here for nearly twenty five years my impression of the GOP is that once the Democrats finally have repaired the damage to the country of the previous GOP administration, the GOP demands power back (and for whatever bizarre reason the electorate gives the country back to them) so that they can mess it all up again and the cycle repeats. This time however, the GOP shows that it is so dysfunctional that they are unable to govern with any semblance of of a functioning political party. The damage being done by the GOP to the country and its standing in the world is beyond compare to any previous actions of this destructive party.
16
McConnell wants Senators in DC in order to insulate them from angry constituents back home. One more step away from representative democracy.
11
A couple of years ago, tapping into my political science background, I developed a theory that attempted to explain a wealth of data about governance. The Several equation is Republicans=nf2g, where n is not, f is fit, 2 is to, and g is govern. With Republicans controlling all branches of government, I realized this year was going to be an crucial test of the theory. It appears the theory is holding up with the validity of E=MC squared.
5
The last time the Confederate States of America tried to govern they chose a violent secession. This time the rebels have chosen a peaceful siege from within to reverse the outcomes of the Civil War and the Civil Rights eras disguised as the Party of Lincoln. Where are the spirits of John Brown and Abraham Lincoln when we so desperately need them to maintain our union while preserving, protecting and defending our Constitution?
5
And the Democrats suggest what?
Uh, did you miss the part where the republiCONS are running the White House & both Houses of Congress? The ball has been in the republiCONS court, yet none of them can decide on how to serve!
2
Fix the parts of the ACA that aren't working, and restore the parts that were working before the GOP eliminated them.
You never even read Sec. Clinton's website, did you? She had all of her policies clearly written.
1
Philosophically and ideologically, the Republican Party is not a party of governance. The blind allegiance to small government, low taxes, and less regulations coupled with a tendency to regulate social mores is anathema to modern, complex and diverse society. The Republicans have been able to win elections not by proposing or implementing programs benefiting the mass but by appealing to prejudices and skillful use of misinformation. Thus, facing with the difficult task of governing that requires compromises and increased revenue, they could not summon the political will to contradict their orthodoxies.
The challenge for the Democratic Party is to connect with the white voters who vote Republicans and to deliver well paying jobs and affordable health care.
The challenge for the Democratic Party is to connect with the white voters who vote Republicans and to deliver well paying jobs and affordable health care.
5
The best Republicans can do is serve up people even worse off to look down upon.
The most chilling - and true - words in the language: "I'm from the GOP and I'm here to grab."
3
" ... a beautiful new Health Care bill ... "?
Trump has the vocabulary of a 5 year old: beautiful and tremendous on the one hand, and crooked, sad, and fake on the other.
Trump has the vocabulary of a 5 year old: beautiful and tremendous on the one hand, and crooked, sad, and fake on the other.
5
Would someone please inform McConnell that "the American people" don't want the ACA repealed, they want it fixed. It's the Republicans blind faith in their own ""promise" to repeal that's casing them to pick politics over doing the right thing for the American people.
10
The Republicans are proving that they are nothing more than a fringe, protest party incapable of governing. May they ve swept out of office in 2018 and into the dustbin of history.
8
You can govern, or you can do the bidding of the .1%, but you can't do both.
328
If the majority party members in Congress disdain government, the Constitutional principles they are to uphold above all else, and defend the indefensible (strong evidence that the man and team on the White House colluded with the Kremlin), then what can you expect except dysfunction?
14
The GOP has been the party of obstructionism, which is nothing short of treason. Their desire for a GOP coup is the only reasonable explanation for their treasonous behavior. They have voluntarily turned their backs on Americans for decades and refused to do their jobs. The GOP has wanted the government to fail since Reagan just to prove their point that the government is broken. As a result of your dereliction of duties to work in our best interest, the country is dysfunctional and in chaos. The ruination of the country is the only credit you should take. Congratulations.
16
Please, governing requires good will, dialogue, and compromise. Not a chance!
10
The nihilist portion of the republican party has created this gangster plot of "nobody moves, and/or 10's of millions die" scenario. And if it wasn't so potentially tragic, it would be funny because the gangster concept is in play everywhere - Russia, Israel, Egypt, Syria, New Jersey, etal. And none of it is worth the inches of political or financial gain versus the untold pain of the innocents.
At some point our gangsters will smack their own foreheads, but the question is will it happen before or after they commit millions of souls to death?
At some point our gangsters will smack their own foreheads, but the question is will it happen before or after they commit millions of souls to death?
6
Modern Republicans have not failed at governing. Good government was never their goal. They set out to dismantle a legitimate government by the people and for the people. As Grover Norquist put it, "I don't want to abolish government. I simply want to reduce it to the size where I can drag it into the bathroom and drown it in the bathtub." That turned out to be a bit of double speak.
Despite all the rhetoric about small government, freedom, liberty, balanced budgets, etc., the true agenda of the Republicans has has been to defund, disempower, and destroy the parts of government that serve common wage earning citizens while handing the most powerful corporations and super wealthy individuals unfettered control over the military, finance, "justice," and natural resource elements of the government.
Now, the Republicans are so far along in their plan they can no longer simply divide the interests of the people to come up with a a plausible plurality of the electorate. What is left of their agenda is to finish dismantling the parts of government that are vital to the common people of every political stripe and strip from them the last tranches of social welfare they have paid into (e.g., Social Security).
These robbers can no longer disguise their caper. They are left with the uncomfortable task of imperiling almost all of us while we still have the power to vote (for now). Not all of them are comfortable with looking us in the eyes while they pull their triggers.
Despite all the rhetoric about small government, freedom, liberty, balanced budgets, etc., the true agenda of the Republicans has has been to defund, disempower, and destroy the parts of government that serve common wage earning citizens while handing the most powerful corporations and super wealthy individuals unfettered control over the military, finance, "justice," and natural resource elements of the government.
Now, the Republicans are so far along in their plan they can no longer simply divide the interests of the people to come up with a a plausible plurality of the electorate. What is left of their agenda is to finish dismantling the parts of government that are vital to the common people of every political stripe and strip from them the last tranches of social welfare they have paid into (e.g., Social Security).
These robbers can no longer disguise their caper. They are left with the uncomfortable task of imperiling almost all of us while we still have the power to vote (for now). Not all of them are comfortable with looking us in the eyes while they pull their triggers.
10
Added benefit of staying in DC during August, they won't have to face their constituents back home.
5
The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight.
1
Gang-dumb Style.
2
The Daily Show said it best with the song No More Excuses:
http://www.cc.com/video-clips/m00jor/the-daily-show-with-trevor-noah-the...
http://www.cc.com/video-clips/m00jor/the-daily-show-with-trevor-noah-the...
1
I would like to join Sen. McConnell and House Republicans to express my personal frustration and doubt about their ability to lead the country.
If they don't pass a health care bill, it would demonstrate their lack of leadership. Worse yet, if the pass anything like the bill they have been proposing, it would be a disaster.
Maybe they need to dissect the ACA, and "repair" what needs to be fixed, rather than keep trying to "repeal and replace" it just because Trump, Ryan, and McConnell promised to do so.
That would be real leadership the likes of which we've not seen from the Republican House, the Senate, or the White House.
If they don't pass a health care bill, it would demonstrate their lack of leadership. Worse yet, if the pass anything like the bill they have been proposing, it would be a disaster.
Maybe they need to dissect the ACA, and "repair" what needs to be fixed, rather than keep trying to "repeal and replace" it just because Trump, Ryan, and McConnell promised to do so.
That would be real leadership the likes of which we've not seen from the Republican House, the Senate, or the White House.
2
Their internal divisions and the truly lousy nature of their tax cut for the rich (masquerading as a health care bill) partly account for the GOP failures to this point and their need to reduce the August recess. But two other factors are the absolute lack of presidential leadership and the growing realization that they'd better get something done this summer before Trump and Washington get totally consumed by the Russian scandal.
The Republicans know that in the long run they and the country are far better off with President Pence, who despite his despicable policy positions is at least stable, competent. not a threat to world peace and less of a threat to our democracy. But for now they're afraid to take on Trump for fear of electoral retribution from his supporters. Ironically, then, they're paying a price for being so craven and for putting party over country. And we all pay a price and run huge risks along with them.
The Republicans know that in the long run they and the country are far better off with President Pence, who despite his despicable policy positions is at least stable, competent. not a threat to world peace and less of a threat to our democracy. But for now they're afraid to take on Trump for fear of electoral retribution from his supporters. Ironically, then, they're paying a price for being so craven and for putting party over country. And we all pay a price and run huge risks along with them.
3
Oh the poor dears won't be able to go on their overseas "fact-finding missions". Well maybe if they went overseas and looked at how the rest of the developed world provides superior medical outcomes at a lower cost instead of just hanging out with their money in the Cayman Islands they could actually justify a summer recess.
3
What happened to infrastructure? What happened to the wall?
1
Both lies, told to appease his voters.
2
This is what happens when party comes before country. Republicans excel at getting elected; governing, not so much. With all three branches of government in their pocket (yes, I'm looking at you, SCOTUS) how can they not get anything done? All that matters in keeping their power and everything else is collateral damage that they can blame on the Dems.
Voters need to remember this in Nov 2018.
Voters need to remember this in Nov 2018.
4
Well, they certainly weren't willing to work with the duly-elected Barack Obama, beginning in January, 2009, so the precedent for do-nothingness in Congress has long been established.
Republicans, driven by racial animus, stubbornly refused to work with a Democratic president and pull together for the best interests of the nation. After all, isn't that why they all signed up? Oh, silly me; I forgot about the lobbyists and the tax attorneys who write the financial codes; the wealthy donors who fund the legislators' (laughing yet?) re-election campaigns the moment they're sworn into office.
So now, having whittled away at "we the people" since Newt Gingrich launched his domestic political terrorist war upon American citizens on American soil in the "people's house," Republicans have wrested control of the House, the Senate. Now, thanks to gerrymandering and naked partisan political opportunism, they have control of all three levers of the American government. And they can do nothing. Why? Well it's because the Republican Party is driven by factions: by the Koch Bottles on the hard-right; Grover "drown government in a bathtub" Norquist; by the Secessionist Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell; by the seditionist House of Representatives who cannot agree on whether shutting down the government is a good idea or whether they fear the condemnation of their shadow money bosses to write bills for their--and only their--good.
"We, the people," are an afterthought.
Republicans, driven by racial animus, stubbornly refused to work with a Democratic president and pull together for the best interests of the nation. After all, isn't that why they all signed up? Oh, silly me; I forgot about the lobbyists and the tax attorneys who write the financial codes; the wealthy donors who fund the legislators' (laughing yet?) re-election campaigns the moment they're sworn into office.
So now, having whittled away at "we the people" since Newt Gingrich launched his domestic political terrorist war upon American citizens on American soil in the "people's house," Republicans have wrested control of the House, the Senate. Now, thanks to gerrymandering and naked partisan political opportunism, they have control of all three levers of the American government. And they can do nothing. Why? Well it's because the Republican Party is driven by factions: by the Koch Bottles on the hard-right; Grover "drown government in a bathtub" Norquist; by the Secessionist Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell; by the seditionist House of Representatives who cannot agree on whether shutting down the government is a good idea or whether they fear the condemnation of their shadow money bosses to write bills for their--and only their--good.
"We, the people," are an afterthought.
3
Thank God for the Republican failure of governing. We can only hope that it continues.
3
The Republicans don't want to face their constituents, not because they haven't accomplished anything, but because they are afraid of the growing hostility among their constituents. This Congress has done very little to actually represent the people who elected them, and the citizens are beginning to understand that they have no voice in this government. Sad.
2
Blinders and Walls
So Republicans want to spend billions on a wall--which has always worked so well, physically and politically for other countries!--but not fund an international effort to reduce air pollution and green house gases--which will cause the US to build many more walls, around all our coastal cities.
So Republicans want to spend billions on a wall--which has always worked so well, physically and politically for other countries!--but not fund an international effort to reduce air pollution and green house gases--which will cause the US to build many more walls, around all our coastal cities.
2
The Popular vote in November's Election was already aware of the "Failure to Govern", specifically for the good of ALL Americans.
1
I am surprised that they don't just go home and blame Obama for their lack of progress. This recipe for keeping their jobs has been working for many years.
3
The Republican Party has made a Faustian bargain. In order to preserve white privilege in the face of demographic inevitability, it throws the dark skinned, the poor, the immigrant under the bus, to the cheers of white know-nothings. And in order to repay its election financiers, it couples every conceivable statute with tax reductions that benefit only the wealthy.
But in health care it may have met its Waterloo. Even know-nothings will turn on the Permanent Republican Majority when they finally comprehend that it is their children with congenital heart conditions, their spouses with cancer, their traffic accident siblings, their poor old parents, their brain damaged Friday night lights jocks, that wind up with no medical care, no way of buying insurance, no one to rely on but the kindness of strangers.
But in health care it may have met its Waterloo. Even know-nothings will turn on the Permanent Republican Majority when they finally comprehend that it is their children with congenital heart conditions, their spouses with cancer, their traffic accident siblings, their poor old parents, their brain damaged Friday night lights jocks, that wind up with no medical care, no way of buying insurance, no one to rely on but the kindness of strangers.
4
Perhaps another reason for shortening their August recess is that this is two weeks they wont have to face angry voters over their heartless and immoral proposed health care bill.
5
Tremulous
Republicans
Unconscionable
Mendacious
Patsies
Republicans
Unconscionable
Mendacious
Patsies
5
The GOP Senate's only problem is that they're trying to pass a bill no one wants. They're playing purely political power games, the American public -- what's good for the people -- be damned.
1
The GOP have collectively been involved in nothing but the obstruction of activity that was once called government. Now, as a result of their constant efforts to derail the government efforts of the older, elder political faction of the US, the Republicans have allowed whatever skill or willingness to compromise with others in Washington to devolve into a a weak and pusillanimous set of responses , calling anyone trying to work the controls of government, 'tax and spend' and wastrels who merely want to tax American businesses and spend their m oney. Even as they run up immense bills for themselves and their families , never leaving the lovely high end, Southern living Washington DC provides. Here, theyhave become a permanent extra organ, originally a parasite, now attempting to be recognized as a permanent part of the body politic.
Now, when the onus is upon them to actually direct the body of the republic, all they know how to do is suck more blood and nutriment and watch as the US stumbles along, headless with no one in control of the brain , the mouth or the rest of the once powerful US government. They are now working to obtain aid from Democrats who have governing experience to rescue them from disaster. If that works, they will claim all credit and damn the Democrats for their own shortcomings.
Now, when the onus is upon them to actually direct the body of the republic, all they know how to do is suck more blood and nutriment and watch as the US stumbles along, headless with no one in control of the brain , the mouth or the rest of the once powerful US government. They are now working to obtain aid from Democrats who have governing experience to rescue them from disaster. If that works, they will claim all credit and damn the Democrats for their own shortcomings.
2
`Republicans Reluctantly Acknowledge a Failure of Governing'
Does this mean The Times will mercifully drop the reference to McConnell as the `master tactician'?
Does this mean The Times will mercifully drop the reference to McConnell as the `master tactician'?
3
Yesterday, I heard a crack in support. NPR interviewed people in rural Kentucky who were receiving REAL benefits from ACA, esp. with regard to mental health and opioids addiction. They admitted to voting for Trump and are now having a "Oh shit" moment. They're still hoping Trump will deliver but are truly scared. I expect any taking away ANY healthcare benefit will be viewed as a massive betrayal of trust.
13
Lookit, Bozo and Mitch the Snitch: Congress and the White House ain't an R&R facility a la Trump Towers.
You have to WORK. Again, that’s “W-O-R-K”. We’re footing all the bills for you — airfare — hotels (some of which are yours, Duh Big D) — video — PR — We even have your wife covered while she’s in NYC and you, Snitch, get almost the same.
These perks are probably now totaling well into the tens if not hundreds of millions, and what have you accomplished?
NOTHING!
That’s Right!
N-O-T-H-I-N-G.
Nothing but lies and crude insults, which is why WE-THE-PEOPLE now feel free to hurl verbal eggs at you and your buddies.
If you can’t take the heat, get out of the bleepin’ W-H-I-T-E H-O-U-S-E!
Or are you by nature a whiner?
[My wife just leaned over and said “That’s all he is”]
Next time you hear from me it’ll be The People’s Way or DUH Highway.
DUH.
You have to WORK. Again, that’s “W-O-R-K”. We’re footing all the bills for you — airfare — hotels (some of which are yours, Duh Big D) — video — PR — We even have your wife covered while she’s in NYC and you, Snitch, get almost the same.
These perks are probably now totaling well into the tens if not hundreds of millions, and what have you accomplished?
NOTHING!
That’s Right!
N-O-T-H-I-N-G.
Nothing but lies and crude insults, which is why WE-THE-PEOPLE now feel free to hurl verbal eggs at you and your buddies.
If you can’t take the heat, get out of the bleepin’ W-H-I-T-E H-O-U-S-E!
Or are you by nature a whiner?
[My wife just leaned over and said “That’s all he is”]
Next time you hear from me it’ll be The People’s Way or DUH Highway.
DUH.
2
Still hoping that this the party surge toward toppling Trump from power.
They are ready for Trumpcare to fail, for Trump to try and throw the Senate under the bus, and for enough people to have had enough of Trump to let him float off into his ocean of misery on his own self built raft.
They have the 2018 midterms to think of, after all!
They are ready for Trumpcare to fail, for Trump to try and throw the Senate under the bus, and for enough people to have had enough of Trump to let him float off into his ocean of misery on his own self built raft.
They have the 2018 midterms to think of, after all!
Their failure is America's success.
5
How partisan can the NYT get! The negative spin on anything Republican is just ridiculous. Had this been the Democrats postponing the August recess the headlines would have read, In a Comprehensive Act of Patriotism and Dedication to the Country Democrats Postpone Coveted August Recess to Work on Delivering on Their Promises to The American People!
Of course the NYT won't ever publish this comment.
Of course the NYT won't ever publish this comment.
1
LOL. They did publish your comment.
However, the Republicans are doing just fine at creating negative perceptions without the assistance of the New York Times.
However, the Republicans are doing just fine at creating negative perceptions without the assistance of the New York Times.
3
“It is time to get results for the American people,” said a group of 10 Republican senators . . .
To which "American people" were they referring? Only 17% of Americans support the G☭P "health care" bill; I put "health care" in qutes because the Republican bill is not about health, it's about payment. President Obama's Affordable Care Act honestly implies payment in its very name; it declares, rightly so, that care should be affordable. The Republican "health plan" is disingenuously called the "American Health Care Plan," when in fact it is far more about money than health -- who pays more to stay alive and who saves on taxes. Quite ironically, they call it the "American" plan when only 17% of Americans support it. That is not "American" at all. 17% percent support is not representational governance. It's merely "Republican." Their bill, named properly, is the "Republican Medical Payment and Elite Class Tax Savings Plan."
Republicans, stop claiming to be working for "Americans." You are working for G☭P party power only. Single party rule. Karl Rove's dreamed-of permanent majority. The G☭P is becoming a police-state operation, like the old communist USSR. Uber-secretive hearings on your "health care" bill, ending with 17% support of the people, is the grandest possible proof of your disingenuous clain to be working for the "American people."
To which "American people" were they referring? Only 17% of Americans support the G☭P "health care" bill; I put "health care" in qutes because the Republican bill is not about health, it's about payment. President Obama's Affordable Care Act honestly implies payment in its very name; it declares, rightly so, that care should be affordable. The Republican "health plan" is disingenuously called the "American Health Care Plan," when in fact it is far more about money than health -- who pays more to stay alive and who saves on taxes. Quite ironically, they call it the "American" plan when only 17% of Americans support it. That is not "American" at all. 17% percent support is not representational governance. It's merely "Republican." Their bill, named properly, is the "Republican Medical Payment and Elite Class Tax Savings Plan."
Republicans, stop claiming to be working for "Americans." You are working for G☭P party power only. Single party rule. Karl Rove's dreamed-of permanent majority. The G☭P is becoming a police-state operation, like the old communist USSR. Uber-secretive hearings on your "health care" bill, ending with 17% support of the people, is the grandest possible proof of your disingenuous clain to be working for the "American people."
4
So far, I must reluctantly agree that congressional Republicans have failed at governing effectively, largely for the same reason Democrats got themselves into such trouble 2009-2010 that they turned the country decidedly against them: a failure to craft solutions through compromise that attract at least SOME bipartisan support.
I'm not sure that there's an actionable solution in the House before the results of the next mid-terms give an opportunity for retiring the Freedom Caucus, but in the Senate we might start with Mitch McConnell's retirement.
I'm not sure that there's an actionable solution in the House before the results of the next mid-terms give an opportunity for retiring the Freedom Caucus, but in the Senate we might start with Mitch McConnell's retirement.
103
Yes but Barack Obama won popular and Electoral College majorities without any assistance from Putin, Netanyahu, Comey and Assange.
3
Since the primary governing objective for the Republicans since 1980 has been to "starve the beast" and cut every program they can, while the Democrats want to make government work FOR the people of the United States, it's hard to see how bipartisanship can come to pass.
3
blackmamba:
True, but bananas are known to exacerbate an inclination to ill winds.
True, but bananas are known to exacerbate an inclination to ill winds.
They are all guilty of colluding with Trump et al.
4
"I think it is admission of the fact that Senator Schumer has been very effective at slowing things down to a crawl and blocking the confirmation of President Trump’s cabinet and other sub-cabinet level officials and making it hard to get things done,” said Senator John Cornyn, Republican of Texas. “I think it is important we demonstrate we are productive starting next week with the health care bill, and that is what I’m focused on.”
So now it's the minority leader's fault that they can't get enough votes to transfer morbidity and economic risk to society's poor and most vulnerable, despite having an outright majority in the Senate and the House, and with a dimwitted signer who will sign anything without looking?
Look in the mirror, GOP. It's your character and credibility that's the problem. You don't have any of either.
So now it's the minority leader's fault that they can't get enough votes to transfer morbidity and economic risk to society's poor and most vulnerable, despite having an outright majority in the Senate and the House, and with a dimwitted signer who will sign anything without looking?
Look in the mirror, GOP. It's your character and credibility that's the problem. You don't have any of either.
53
Here's an idea. How about electing individuals who actually understand and appreciate government, and want to govern and pass laws that help their constituents. A novel approach, to be sure.
16
Here's another one: How about all students graduating from elementary school (commonly known as eighth grade) be required to pass a civics test on the working of the federal government. Such an experience might help citizens to be able to assess the likely truth of what campaigning politicians claim to be true. "Freedom" for politicians to lie should be met with freedom of citizens to be educated on relevant subjects.
1
"What we have here, is a failure to communicate."
Strother Martin, from the movie "Cool Hand Luke".
Strother Martin, from the movie "Cool Hand Luke".
4
And oh! How the GOP hopes that Robert Mueller will be the "Boss with no eyes" and see nothing.
It isn't "health reform" that they want to pass, it is wealth transfer reform.
8
BINGO! Nail. On. The. Head.
Last night I watched Oklahoma whiner senator Jim Inhofe treat a reporter who asked about the Trump intrusion/invitation of Russia into the very guts of our democracy's election system as "you all have been out to get Trump" on the evening news last night with incredulity. What is it going to take for these guys to drop the gang-level thinking???
John Cornyn, who even dares to blame the party out of power for not being able to govern despite controlling every lever is past maddening to citizens who seriously will start rummaging around for the pitchfork.
These guys hate the very institutions that the Founders said were to be stocked by, of, and FOR the people. Quit defining your party's duty as tweaking your enemies and Do Your Job.
John Cornyn, who even dares to blame the party out of power for not being able to govern despite controlling every lever is past maddening to citizens who seriously will start rummaging around for the pitchfork.
These guys hate the very institutions that the Founders said were to be stocked by, of, and FOR the people. Quit defining your party's duty as tweaking your enemies and Do Your Job.
14
They are quite flagrantly using and abusing -easily with that ego and self-absorption- until they are done with him, then they will impeach, and implant the far more destructive, deceptive, and ultra-conservative waiting in the wings.
Good grief .... you can't obstruct for 8 years, then gain control of government and just sit around complaining about how the minority party is making it so tough. Man up you toddlers... do you job, write legislation that supports the general welfare, and work with your opponents to compromise. You can't possibly do any worse ... I say that with tongue in cheek, knowing full well if there's a way to do worse, Congressional Republicans will find it and elevate it to an art form.
20
A vote for the Ds delivers to me a healthier society, workers who have the money to put back into the economy, an educated and literate citizenry, clean air and drinking water, and peaceful diplomacy. Those things and more are a return on my investment viz. my vote.
What does your leadership do for you, exactly, Republican base? What is the return in your investment viz. a vote for the Rs? Depressed wages? An unhealthier society? Unearned, undeserved, and unnecessary tax breaks for billionaires paid for by you and stashed on some island 50 miles east of Miami?
Sure looks like it, and the fact you're okay with that really boggles.
What does your leadership do for you, exactly, Republican base? What is the return in your investment viz. a vote for the Rs? Depressed wages? An unhealthier society? Unearned, undeserved, and unnecessary tax breaks for billionaires paid for by you and stashed on some island 50 miles east of Miami?
Sure looks like it, and the fact you're okay with that really boggles.
17
The reign of Trump and the GOP should be frictionless. They have drained the swamp of lobbyists and placed them all in the administration and congressional staff positions. Only the frail reed of the NYT and the citizens are holding them in check.
11
Can anyone here point to just ONE THING Republicans have done to help the people of American in the last 25 years? Anything at all? I can't.
Yet, the republican zealots all seem to think Democrats are the devil incarnate and are out to destroy their way of life. How sad that these people live in their self-enforced false reality.
Yet, the republican zealots all seem to think Democrats are the devil incarnate and are out to destroy their way of life. How sad that these people live in their self-enforced false reality.
10
They can't govern because they are not trying to govern. Taxes make for a civil and functioning society. The republican platform is only for war and tax breaks for the wealthy. We have reached a wall that is illuminated by the fact that Too few pay too little and we are involved in too many adventures that we have not asked our society to make sacrifices to support
We don't sell war bonds
We have lower tax rates for investors than workers
We have no limit on deductions
We collect too few tax dollars
We have millions of working Americans on Medicaid, food stamps and the Eitc that is actually corporate welfare.
The GOPs answer to everything is cutting taxes and that is not the answer to any of our issues.
We don't sell war bonds
We have lower tax rates for investors than workers
We have no limit on deductions
We collect too few tax dollars
We have millions of working Americans on Medicaid, food stamps and the Eitc that is actually corporate welfare.
The GOPs answer to everything is cutting taxes and that is not the answer to any of our issues.
25
How did they come to power?
Did they offer records of success, evidence of doing positive things?
NO!
They came to power by spending millions on negative ads to muddy the waters and destroy their opposition.
Any expectation of good governance is based on wishful thinking, not past performance.
Did they offer records of success, evidence of doing positive things?
NO!
They came to power by spending millions on negative ads to muddy the waters and destroy their opposition.
Any expectation of good governance is based on wishful thinking, not past performance.
28
The fruits of the GOP's outrageous gerrymander in 2010 are now on full display.
Democrats can cast a majority of the votes--but only the voters in the rural areas matter.
They successfully gave a minority of rural voters in southern and midwestern states power over all the rest of us. The voters of Union County, TN count for more than those of Nashville or Memphis (you know, where working people of all races actually LIVE.) These overwhelmingly white, older, xenophobic, racist, Fox-watching populations are calling the shots for all of us.
The GOP has promoted this anti-government rhetoric--never mind that the majority of us don't want to see America turn into Afghanistan and Somalia (places with very small, weak governments). They have no ideas that can actually work in real life, to accomplish real tasks. They only have a goal of cutting all public services so the .001 percent can get huge tax breaks.
Not only must Democrats persuade their voters to turn out--they need to impress upon the importance in 2020 of the next redistricting election, else my grandchildren will be living under this GOP incompetency.
Democrats can cast a majority of the votes--but only the voters in the rural areas matter.
They successfully gave a minority of rural voters in southern and midwestern states power over all the rest of us. The voters of Union County, TN count for more than those of Nashville or Memphis (you know, where working people of all races actually LIVE.) These overwhelmingly white, older, xenophobic, racist, Fox-watching populations are calling the shots for all of us.
The GOP has promoted this anti-government rhetoric--never mind that the majority of us don't want to see America turn into Afghanistan and Somalia (places with very small, weak governments). They have no ideas that can actually work in real life, to accomplish real tasks. They only have a goal of cutting all public services so the .001 percent can get huge tax breaks.
Not only must Democrats persuade their voters to turn out--they need to impress upon the importance in 2020 of the next redistricting election, else my grandchildren will be living under this GOP incompetency.
25
Back in the Good Ole Days of President Obama, The Republican party was known as The Party of NO. What we did not realize then was that is all The Republican Party is, even today. The Republican Party has perfected political attack, intense negative criticism, and destruction of a sense of a common American national identity. The Republican Party is devoid of values, including Christian values they claim so strongly to have, and devoid of rational ideas for the Nation and of common sense expected of American citizens.
45
To put it in Reince speak "This party is a big nothing burger".
I assume that the Democratic senators will stay as well. Make good use of the time to work together. It is a novel idea but, possibly, both parties working together could accomplish something. The key is to put Trump's agenda in trash along with those of big funders and focus on what is good for the country.
2
"Republicans Reluctantly Acknowledge a Failure of Governing." This is obviously a slanted untruth. You would never catch the Republicans saying this no matter how close to reality. Do not distort or put words into mouths.
5
1) Obfuscate for nearly all of eight years so that Obama cannot accomplish anything;
2) Abrogate anything by President Obama;
3) Elude constituents yet claim to speak for them;
4) Pass anything, anything so Democrats cannot participate in policy.
Government of the absolutist by the corporate for the tyrannical.
2) Abrogate anything by President Obama;
3) Elude constituents yet claim to speak for them;
4) Pass anything, anything so Democrats cannot participate in policy.
Government of the absolutist by the corporate for the tyrannical.
13
McConnell and Ryan will never, ever admit this in public (probably not even in private, given that nothing in the political sphere seems to stay private for long these days), but if you strapped each of them to a chair and injected truth serum, they would both probably say that they actually wanted Trump to lose last November. Why? Because they both know, better than most, how divided their party is in Congress, with the tug-of-war between the moderates and Freedom Caucus/conservatives very much present in both the Senate and House. They know that these divisions would have been much easier to paper over in the name of unified opposition to a President Hillary Clinton, but were bound to break open with a Republican in the White House. They know that a Clinton presidency would have been the Republicans' ticket for an even bigger House majority, and perhaps a filibuster-proof Senate majority, after next year's midterms. They no doubt wish, and will wish, probably for a long time, that Hillary had won last fall.
4
I don't think the Rs wanted Hillary to win, because they knew she would veto the tax cuts they want for the uber-wealthy. They held their noses and voted for the crass, craven man-child because they know he will sign anything they put in front of them.
Unfortunately for them, their pandering to the bigoted part of the electorate, which when compared to the stupid part is almost a perfect circle Venn diagram, got them hijacked in too many of their gerrymandered districts by the far-right Tea Partiers, who have no interest at all in really governing.
Unfortunately for them, their pandering to the bigoted part of the electorate, which when compared to the stupid part is almost a perfect circle Venn diagram, got them hijacked in too many of their gerrymandered districts by the far-right Tea Partiers, who have no interest at all in really governing.
Republicans gave up governing when Obama was elected president and Democrats controlled the House and Senate. They committed themselves to complete and relentless obstruction of the Obama administration and the Democratic agenda, no matter the consequences to the functioning of the federal government.
They've lost the ability to govern. They don't even know where to begin.
The dysfunction they created has only grown worse. Responsible citizens must join together to vote them out of office at every level before they completely destroy every aspect of what constitutes a functioning government. The threat they pose to this nation is worse than anything we've faced since the Civil War.
They've lost the ability to govern. They don't even know where to begin.
The dysfunction they created has only grown worse. Responsible citizens must join together to vote them out of office at every level before they completely destroy every aspect of what constitutes a functioning government. The threat they pose to this nation is worse than anything we've faced since the Civil War.
16
It's not a healthcare bill; it's a fleece-health-care-from–millions-and-rob-the-money bill. And the cat's completely out of the bag. But Kentuckians will still march into that booth and pull the red lever with McConnell's name on it. In a more just world, they would be harming only themselves. I'd be fine with that.
11
Has anyone ever given thought to the theory that maybe Republicans simply aren't interested in governing? Maybe the party only exists to win elections and to keep Democrats from governing. If that's the case, they're doing a fantastic job.
8
The GOP is having trouble bridging the gap between their free market only doctrine and the reality that for that to work with healthcare, they have to be willing to let people die until the market sorts it out. The people that support them were willing to throw aside their Christian moral stances in order to get a pro-life justice on the Supreme Court, but their pro-life sensibilities might balk at watching their loved ones die miserable deaths, unable to afford medical care.
So here the GOP is, having to confront the fact that the flying rainbow colored unicorns they promised people don't exist and wondering how to fool them for a few more years.
So here the GOP is, having to confront the fact that the flying rainbow colored unicorns they promised people don't exist and wondering how to fool them for a few more years.
5
So Texas Senator John Cornyn is upset about Democratic obstruction? I guess he is not paying attention to the war currently going on within the the Republican Party that is paralyzing them.
And Texas Senator Ted Cruz thinks that Texans do not care about Russian interference in our last Presidential race? I guess he, like so-called President Trump, watches only Faux News.
These two clowns are an embarrassment to Texas, check that, they are an embarrassment to the United States of America. Yet we Texans are stuck with them due to the rampant gerrymandering that gives the Republicans, the party of racist Whites, more political power than their numbers would ordinarily give them.
I hope the Federal Courts reviewing the drawing of voting districts in Texas remember "one person, one vote". I hope they don't fall for the bogus argument that the gerrymandering is to advantage one party over the other.
Because when one party, the GOP, is made of almost all White people then giving that party a political advantage is tantamount to discriminating against minorities in Texas. Which is supposed to be illegal under US law.
I guess it is high time to find another state to move to. Heck, given how broken the USA currently is it may be time to find another country to emigrate to.
And Texas Senator Ted Cruz thinks that Texans do not care about Russian interference in our last Presidential race? I guess he, like so-called President Trump, watches only Faux News.
These two clowns are an embarrassment to Texas, check that, they are an embarrassment to the United States of America. Yet we Texans are stuck with them due to the rampant gerrymandering that gives the Republicans, the party of racist Whites, more political power than their numbers would ordinarily give them.
I hope the Federal Courts reviewing the drawing of voting districts in Texas remember "one person, one vote". I hope they don't fall for the bogus argument that the gerrymandering is to advantage one party over the other.
Because when one party, the GOP, is made of almost all White people then giving that party a political advantage is tantamount to discriminating against minorities in Texas. Which is supposed to be illegal under US law.
I guess it is high time to find another state to move to. Heck, given how broken the USA currently is it may be time to find another country to emigrate to.
9
It appears their concept of governing is to destroy every shred of evidence that Barack Obama was ever President; that is neither a strategy nor evidence of patriotism. Remember the good old days when Republicans were apoplectic because it didn't look like Barack Obama was wearing a flag lapel pin? Yeah, I remember that, too. I don't expect much in the way of patriotism or devotion to America's fundamental principles from Mr. Trump. But I'm stunned by the cynical gaze aversion by the so-called Republican leadership.
44
The Republican Party ceased to be a party of serious ideas and governance a long time before the Trump clown car arrived in the scene. For the last two decades they have been a party of resentment and attitude, with leaders like McConnell who have no guiding principles other than the love of power and money. It's not surprising that this gang or reactionaries has no idea how to govern - the truth has been in plain sight for a long time!
10
Ever since they got rid of earmarks. That really opened Pandora's box.
So...it's hard work passing tax cuts for the wealthy. Who knew?
7
"Government doesn't solve problems. Government IS the problem".
Thus spake St. Ronald. This philosophy of non-governance has come to full fruition. It sounds good to the angry mob, plays well on FOX News and talk radio, but, in practice, it's a rolling disaster.
Thus spake St. Ronald. This philosophy of non-governance has come to full fruition. It sounds good to the angry mob, plays well on FOX News and talk radio, but, in practice, it's a rolling disaster.
13
Republican controlled governments are the problem.
1
Repealing Obamacare was never a "top priority", merely a "top talking point" to rally a base that understood little about the law besides that it was supported by the hated Barack Obama. We're now watching that same base slowly come to terms with the fact that they've (gasp!) been lied to, and that Obamacare is a market-oriented approach crafted by the Heritage Foundation and test driven by Massachusetts under Republican Governor Mitt Romney.
10
You give "the base" too much credit. They will continue in their hatred in spite of the fact that the GOP is going stiff them every time. It is more a couture war, the base wants "our guys" governing no matter ho ineffective they are.
I don't see any mystery here. Since Reagan declared that the government was the enemy (even more so than Russians or immigrants!) the Republicans have internalized the idea (they "love" it). Bowser finally caught the bus after years of barking and chasing. He is finally in the drivers seat.... what's he going to do now??
6
It is clear to the public that the Republicans have no plans of any real substance, aside from making the rich richer and doing away with anything that President Obama accomplished. And, when Senator McConnell speaks about the "American people," which he does often, we know that he is not speaking about the general population, but a small group of his supporters.
10
Congress is choosing the lesser of two discomforts--staying in Washington rather than facing the voters at home.
5
If the state of our democracy was a comedy...no wait...it's a tragedy.
We see our representatives, who got there through lies and gerrymandering, telling us that they are going to help us by getting legislation through that poll after poll says we don't want to be signed by a president* that has bats in his belfry. And that's okay...somehow.
Our morality is gone. Our economy is rusting, literally, and all these clowns are worried about is their summer junkets...to gather 'facts' they won't ever act on. I say go on the vacations, er ah, fact finding trips... just to get away and leave us alone.
We see our representatives, who got there through lies and gerrymandering, telling us that they are going to help us by getting legislation through that poll after poll says we don't want to be signed by a president* that has bats in his belfry. And that's okay...somehow.
Our morality is gone. Our economy is rusting, literally, and all these clowns are worried about is their summer junkets...to gather 'facts' they won't ever act on. I say go on the vacations, er ah, fact finding trips... just to get away and leave us alone.
3
... said people who held a Supreme Court candidate hostage for a year. In the meantime, the whole country, if not the world, suffers.
17
August in DC. Hot and humid!
Senators all in one place. So much easier to buttonhole as the White House Scandal gathers steam. As rumors fly. And reporters dig. While leakers dish. And lawyers bill.
D.C. is gonna look like an amusement park. As each different scandal takes on the trappings of a scary ride. The guilty riders trapped inside. The onlookers gasping as rides teeter and possibly crash to the ground. Or into each other.
There are so many legs to this story. So many tentacles. So many reporters. So many digital subscribers. It's a pretty cheap vacation, folks!
Thank God for our Free Press! And Mueller's Crew working in the background.
Senators all in one place. So much easier to buttonhole as the White House Scandal gathers steam. As rumors fly. And reporters dig. While leakers dish. And lawyers bill.
D.C. is gonna look like an amusement park. As each different scandal takes on the trappings of a scary ride. The guilty riders trapped inside. The onlookers gasping as rides teeter and possibly crash to the ground. Or into each other.
There are so many legs to this story. So many tentacles. So many reporters. So many digital subscribers. It's a pretty cheap vacation, folks!
Thank God for our Free Press! And Mueller's Crew working in the background.
3
Hrmm... I'm all for covering the facts regarding how inept the Republicans are at governing, but this piece belongs in the opinion section. No matter how well the facts may support the conclusion / thesis that Republicans have failed to govern, that is nevertheless a subjective judgment, not an objective truth.
The article is indeed littered with language indicating it is not objective, with words such as "painful" and "essentially" in just the first few paragraphs. Foregoing the recess was not literally a "public confession."
Please be careful, lest the Fox News lot actually be right when they describe the "liberal media."
The article is indeed littered with language indicating it is not objective, with words such as "painful" and "essentially" in just the first few paragraphs. Foregoing the recess was not literally a "public confession."
Please be careful, lest the Fox News lot actually be right when they describe the "liberal media."
1
Governance requires ideas. Ideas require expertise, The anti-knowledge party has essentially stripped the party of anyone with more than a primordial brain programmed to say guns, Jesus, and no taxes.
8
It's as much as a failure of good policy ideas as it is about governance. Their ideas for healthcare are so out of sync with what hardworking Americans want, it's amazing.
Hearing you will lose your coverage to the whims of the "market" with no regulation of rising premiums--all to make the rich even richer-- has opened the eyes of the American people as to which party really has their backs.
Hearing you will lose your coverage to the whims of the "market" with no regulation of rising premiums--all to make the rich even richer-- has opened the eyes of the American people as to which party really has their backs.
8
A failure to govern is the least of it. It's actually the failure of a mindset, of an overarching mantra going back at least to Reagan. Cut taxes, shrink government, reduce regulation - resulting in "borrow and spend" - and enshrine the right to bear arms, opposition to abortion rights, and deny anything based on scientific research.
28
There's a REASON the GOP has yet to pass any kind of reform or replacement for the ACA. Every proposal they put forth is unworkable or devastatingly cruel in its implications. They were great at being the Party of NO, now we see they are the Party of No Good Ideas.
21
Great post!
There is a minority in this country that fully supports Trump and the GOP, no matter what. There is an ignorance there, the lack of understanding or the appreciation for the government and how it works, or who it serves. They have had the "wool pulled over their eyes" because they hear what they want to hear by people who know how to manipulate them. What about the rest of us? The majority of people in this country to who want our government to work fairly for the people of this country? This country belongs to us, not the GOP and their 35 years of failed ideas. So, it seems there are some people in this country who simply do not vote, locally, statewide or nationally. Get up and do so or this country will be lost.
670
Take heart. When 538 looked at Trump's favorability numbers, they concluded that only 20-21% of them were strongly supportive, with the tepid supporters slowly peeling away. Becoming moderates.
As the support for Obamacare (shoring up) grows and the skepticism and outright outrage against Trump also grows and the scandals surround Trump mount exponentially, there's a Tipping Point. We may be there. Now. Or soon.
Keep up the Pressure!
Cuz this baby is coming down....
As the support for Obamacare (shoring up) grows and the skepticism and outright outrage against Trump also grows and the scandals surround Trump mount exponentially, there's a Tipping Point. We may be there. Now. Or soon.
Keep up the Pressure!
Cuz this baby is coming down....
4
Your idea of voting is one sided. It assumes that the people who do not vote would vote Democrat if obligated to do so, as if their self interest is universally in tune with the Democrat platform of big government, expanded social spending, and ever more onerous taxation of the wealthy to fund that agenda. "Failed ideas"? Any sane person only has to look at the dismal state of Obamacare, the bankrupt Social Security system, and the exponential growth of food stamps, welfare, and public housing to see that these programs, which were all created by Democrats, are the real failures of the federal government. Anyone who would vote for more of the same is themselves the very definition of stupidity.
Paul: Taxes are lower than ever and should be raised. See Kansas. Obamacare, based upon a Republic plan, is also easily amended, though Republic intransigence will usher in Medicare for all which will be better. Social security is a blessing and also easily shored up. The Republic Party of the past would be capable of sensible reform, but this crop can't govern and has a criminal enterprise at its helm. Democrats are so incompetent that I wouldn't be surprised if Republics stay in power though.
2
If the GOP really cared about getting anything done then there's a pretty easy solution: Resign. The people who are left can easily do the job.
20
I kind of like that they are ineffectual losers.
74
The extremists within the Repubs (and these days, who isn't?) aren't so much interested in governing as they are in simply ruling...
19
Of course they cannot govern. The interests of their voters are diametrically opposed to the interests of their moneyed backers and puppet masters, the wealthy elites. The wool has been pulled from the eyes of the voter sheep and they see the dishonesty of the GOP. The GOP is in a pickle. You cannot lie your way out of this one.
336
It would be nice if elections either had a low cap on campaign costs or better still, the taxpayer funded the campaigns with limits attached. As it is, he who pays the piper calls the tune - it's the best government that money can buy.
1
If they ever pass their ridiculous health care bill then they will forever own it as "Trumpcare". Kind of an oxymoron, though.
1
Or perhaps call it the Unaffordable Care Act.
1
The Republican party in Washington and around the country wants to rule, not govern. They have abdicated their responsibilities to create legislation to ALEC and other lobbyists. Look at the abysmal health care legislation that they worked on for 7 years as a shining example of their disdain for working the details. They've become intellectually uncurious and craven in their desire to protect their jobs above all other matters. If they had a shred of pride of country they would stand up to the despotic behavior of the president. Instead they pander to him and the baser instincts of their party to protect their position and their money. If you want to change this you need to place limits on the influence of unlimited money injected into the political system.
530
What needs to be done is send the GOP to the corner for a dozen or so election cycles to allow the venality and dysfunction to possibly dissipate from their systems.
1
1) term limit for congress; 2) repeal United Citizen ( Supreme Court owns this one ); 3) strip all congress people of the tax-payer funded healthcare coverage.
How can they succeed at governing when they hate government? Republicans do all they can to neuter, shrink and hobble government. Now that they are in charge, they find it impossible to effect a positive outcome.
Would you hire a surgeon that thinks surgery is a waste of time. Would you hire a carpenter that thinks carpentry is inherently evil and must be eliminated? A teacher that hates kids?
Paul Ryan bragged and gloated that now America can reap the benefits of unified Republican government. I believe that is what is called a contradiction in terms.
Would you hire a surgeon that thinks surgery is a waste of time. Would you hire a carpenter that thinks carpentry is inherently evil and must be eliminated? A teacher that hates kids?
Paul Ryan bragged and gloated that now America can reap the benefits of unified Republican government. I believe that is what is called a contradiction in terms.
154
Great analogies---applies perfectly to trump's cabinet appointees --a perfect example of how the Republican's "govern".
1
When all else fails, Republicans blame Democrats for their failings.
Luckily, using one of his best talents, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is having none of it, fighting back and slamming them for their inability to govern in any possible way. Schumer is the only major Democratic leader in Washington who seems to be hearing what the Democratic base is saying: Stop rolling over to Republicans, and stop trying to be Republicans-Lite!
Luckily, using one of his best talents, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is having none of it, fighting back and slamming them for their inability to govern in any possible way. Schumer is the only major Democratic leader in Washington who seems to be hearing what the Democratic base is saying: Stop rolling over to Republicans, and stop trying to be Republicans-Lite!
136
I haven't heard schumer at all.
Thanks for the reminder but you forgot also to remind everyone that one would be hard pressed to find any significant legislation outside the healthcare ruse, that Obama actually passed through the legislature and not presidential power.
1
The 111th congress was actually pretty busy. There was a lot of action surrounding the recession: the Stimulus (American Recovery & Reinvestment act), Dodd-Frank, the unemployment benefits extension, the the Helping Americans Save Their Homes act, and the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery act. Plus the Lilly Ledbetter act.
3
I remind you that President Obama experience nothing but bad faith from the fools who had expected McCain to beat him in 2008, from the moment of his inauguration. Trump has it easy compared to him.
1
Legislative Initiatives in the First 100 Days of Obama Presidency:
Stimulus Package passed with bipartisan, but not tea party support, that kept the nation from sliding into depression.
Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
CHIP.
What Congress was not doing at that time? Corruption and treason investigations and being forced to counter junior high school style tweet storms coming out of the oval office.
Stimulus Package passed with bipartisan, but not tea party support, that kept the nation from sliding into depression.
Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
CHIP.
What Congress was not doing at that time? Corruption and treason investigations and being forced to counter junior high school style tweet storms coming out of the oval office.
1
No problem, they'll just start a war. Deflection, urgency, all pull together. Worked for W. Too bad for the rest of us.
20
This all started when Newt Gingrich courted the Tea Party crazies in order to obtain a Republican majority in Congress. This "southern strategy" in the wake of the civil rights movement encouraged people to vote against their interests by appealing to their worst natures--xenophobia, homophobia, misogyny and racial hate. Additionally, there is the Calvinist feeling that no one should get anything "for free," particularly not people who are "not like me." The Republicans can talk all they want about being a "big tent," but the truth is, their majority is thanks to hate and hetero-Christian-white privilege.
This is not to say that all Republicans are motivated by these dark sentiments--not by a long shot. But the presence of such a strong alt-Right influence in the party creates insurmountable divisions that the Republicans have not been able to deal with internally.
Take a look--John Boehner couldn't deal with this split in the party, but he was still able to keep things together by opposing President Obama. The same was true with Mitch McConnell, who upped the ante by making President Obama's administration the enemy. That didn't exactly create party unity, but it gave all Republicans a common cause.
Now they are in full power, and the party divisions are palpable and blatant. They have nothing to oppose except themselves.
If they have any hope of governing, they must purge the alt-Right members in their party or at least stop pandering through winks and nods.
This is not to say that all Republicans are motivated by these dark sentiments--not by a long shot. But the presence of such a strong alt-Right influence in the party creates insurmountable divisions that the Republicans have not been able to deal with internally.
Take a look--John Boehner couldn't deal with this split in the party, but he was still able to keep things together by opposing President Obama. The same was true with Mitch McConnell, who upped the ante by making President Obama's administration the enemy. That didn't exactly create party unity, but it gave all Republicans a common cause.
Now they are in full power, and the party divisions are palpable and blatant. They have nothing to oppose except themselves.
If they have any hope of governing, they must purge the alt-Right members in their party or at least stop pandering through winks and nods.
78
In reply to William O. Beeman - I agree with your analysis. But why accept the other side's euphemism,"Alt-Right"? Let's continue to call them what they are: White Supremacists. It's more powerful.
1
@William O. Beeman: yes, you hit the nail on the head. This is precisely what is going on in Texas. We have fanatic religious zealots running the Senate, and old-school, "business-friendly" Republicans in charge of the house. The religious bigots introduce all of the terrible legislation: bathroom bills, anti-abortion bills disguised as "women's health" bills, anti-immigration bills, voter suppression bills ... the list is endless.
In the meanwhile, the House is sick and tired of the theocrats who are trying to turn the state into a mini-Christian fascist realm. They are literally coming to blows on the floor. Just recently, Joe Strauss, speaker of the House, turned to a reporter as they both witnessed a near fistfight, in which members had to pull the opponents apart, and commented dryly: "These are the guys who have to figure out how to spend 280 billion dollars."
That's the Republican party in a nutshell. Bigoted crackpots on one side, and the amoral one percenters on the other.
In the meanwhile, the House is sick and tired of the theocrats who are trying to turn the state into a mini-Christian fascist realm. They are literally coming to blows on the floor. Just recently, Joe Strauss, speaker of the House, turned to a reporter as they both witnessed a near fistfight, in which members had to pull the opponents apart, and commented dryly: "These are the guys who have to figure out how to spend 280 billion dollars."
That's the Republican party in a nutshell. Bigoted crackpots on one side, and the amoral one percenters on the other.
1
If the Republicans in Congress really wanted to get the job done they would compromise with the Democrats and pass a health care law that was really good for all Americans and not just for the fat cats who feed money into their re-election campaigns. They would ignore the ideologues who think trickle-down economics works, even though it has been proven a false idea many times over. They could easily pass a universal affordable health care law which covers all at reasonable cost to individuals and the government. But of course, they would have to raise taxes on the wealthy to pay for it all.
38
Let's not forget who put this non-functional Congress in their seats: extremist votors (on both sides of the aisle), our primary system, and gerrymandering. Looking to the future, we have the Bernie fans looking to replace extremist Republicans with extremist Democrats.
This Congress is not the problem; it is a symptom of the problems. The problems are our polarized citizenry and our systemic empowerment of them.
When governments don't work, they tend to get replaced. A black hole that I don't even want to think about.
This Congress is not the problem; it is a symptom of the problems. The problems are our polarized citizenry and our systemic empowerment of them.
When governments don't work, they tend to get replaced. A black hole that I don't even want to think about.
10
The republicans own the executive, the house, the senate and the supreme court. Yet, somehow, they insist their inability to govern is the fault of the powerless democrats. Meanwhile they are trying to throw many of their voters under the bus and undermine their health care, and they call their inability to get that done, in secret, a failure.
The gall is stupefying.
The gall is stupefying.
200
I wish Republicans would stop claiming they speak for "The American People." Contained within that propaganda fallacy is the root to all their troubles governing.
20
"Failing at governing" is actually the objective of the many GOP activists and lobbyists who pull the puppet strings of people like Ryan and McConnell. Their approach to the U.S. government is similar to what European imperialists did in sub-Saharan Africa in the late 19th century. The British, French, Belgians, and others sent marauding and pillaging soldiers and mercenaries to the assorted kingdoms and states of the continent, then through violence and plundering they completely and deliberately wrecked what had in fact been coherent and functioning societies governed by and for Africans, and then pointed to the wreckage that Europeans had inflicted as evidence that African self-governance didn't work and therefore needed to be taken over by outsiders.
The same process is at work in the United States today. The objective is largely the same--plunder, pillage, and extract wealth. What's extraordinary about the American case is that the attack is coming from within, with leaders of one of the country's two major political parties happy to go along with the planned implementation of a kind of "shock doctrine."
The same process is at work in the United States today. The objective is largely the same--plunder, pillage, and extract wealth. What's extraordinary about the American case is that the attack is coming from within, with leaders of one of the country's two major political parties happy to go along with the planned implementation of a kind of "shock doctrine."
8
Republicans have got to stop calling Trump Mr. President. He should be called
BOSS! He is no more a President than a head of a Mafia family. Lying, half truths, strong arm tactics and threats are just a few of his BOSS mentality.
And you guys only look like cowards not to sand up to him.
Only a handful of GOP Congressmen and Senators have the guts, the rest of you guys are a disgrace.
BOSS! He is no more a President than a head of a Mafia family. Lying, half truths, strong arm tactics and threats are just a few of his BOSS mentality.
And you guys only look like cowards not to sand up to him.
Only a handful of GOP Congressmen and Senators have the guts, the rest of you guys are a disgrace.
11
Nobel prize winner Gerhard Domagk, the discoverer of prontosil, the first 'magic bullet' antibiotic, said "It is easier to destroy a thousand lives than it is to save a single one". He wrote that from a Gestapo prison. The Republicans main skill set besides lying, is destroying lives for millions of American families, while always denying any responsibility.
12
You can't get water from a rock. You can't get governance from an intellectually bankrupt movement that has grown to numerical dominance by simply being against things. The GOP is a party of hacks whose only skills lie in re-election via gerrymandering, playing on fears, and erosion of the social fabric - including the role of an elected government - that binds us as a nation. Where are the Rockefellers, Percy's, Lodges, et. al. that actually knew something about policy?
21
How can the Paul Ryans possibly "govern?" Republicans are being paid by their donor base to hold down their voter base while the donor base cannibalizes their voter base, while the right-wing media anesthetizes the victims.
When they wake up without limbs, Republicans and right-wing media chants that "the left and the liberals" stole their flesh.
Republicans cannot serve the most sociopathological of the the super-rich and "govern." The closer they get to "governing," the more palpable it is that they serve the interests of the cannibals.
Nothing shows this better than their attempt to kill millions by cutting Medicaid.
When they wake up without limbs, Republicans and right-wing media chants that "the left and the liberals" stole their flesh.
Republicans cannot serve the most sociopathological of the the super-rich and "govern." The closer they get to "governing," the more palpable it is that they serve the interests of the cannibals.
Nothing shows this better than their attempt to kill millions by cutting Medicaid.
19
The gall of the Republicans, complaining about Democratic obstruction. Neil Gorsuch should be on the Supreme Court! Obama faced 8 years of downright open hostility from the GOP. Now that they have control of all three branches of government, we see how incompetent they really are. I can only hope the pendulum swings back when we head into the midterms next year.
13
You mean Merrick Garland, I think! Unless Trump goes out in chains, we are stuck with Gorsuch. I wish the whole election could be nullified and we could roll back the clock and start over, including appointing Garland.
Please, PLEASE, let's retire the shibboleth that Republicans control both Congress and the White House. It may look good on paper, but fails in reality for several reasons:
1. The GOP LOST seats in both chambers in last year's election -- 6 in the House and 2 in the Senate. Never mind his hands; Donald Trump has teeny-tiny coattails.
2. Speaking of Trump, he's been no help at all as he keeps shifting and changing his legislative priorities. Had he not promised to replace the ACA, Republicans would have happily repealed it and quietly let things revert to the status quo ante had they not been forced to kludge together a replacement.
3. In each chamber of Congress there is a conservative faction -- the Freedom Caucus in the House and the Lee-Cruz-Rand axis in the Senate -- that insists on being the tail that wags the dog by being more conservative than thou.
The Party cannot control itself; no wonder it's having issues controlling the government.
1. The GOP LOST seats in both chambers in last year's election -- 6 in the House and 2 in the Senate. Never mind his hands; Donald Trump has teeny-tiny coattails.
2. Speaking of Trump, he's been no help at all as he keeps shifting and changing his legislative priorities. Had he not promised to replace the ACA, Republicans would have happily repealed it and quietly let things revert to the status quo ante had they not been forced to kludge together a replacement.
3. In each chamber of Congress there is a conservative faction -- the Freedom Caucus in the House and the Lee-Cruz-Rand axis in the Senate -- that insists on being the tail that wags the dog by being more conservative than thou.
The Party cannot control itself; no wonder it's having issues controlling the government.
6
luckily for the republicans, they have the western world's most ill informed electorate to fall back upon.
147
In his infinite wisdom, Sen. McConnell resorted to budget reconciliation to ensure the ACA "Repeal & Replace" - limited debate, limited amendments, 51 votes - a slam dunk. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way the ACHA became radioactive and nobody wants to get near it.
2
I agree with your observation in the first sentence that the "Republicans are failing at governance". But based on the contents of the article, I think your headline is more on point, that this is a "Failure of Governing". (Sorry to be a nitpicker.)
1
The Republicans know they must pass "a HealthCare bill" as quickly as possible before anyone back home realizes that their bill will take away their health insurance and close their local rural hospital.
13
But it's summer! So many students with time to protest!
And a scandal that just won't stop. In fact a bunch of them.
Senators all in one place. Easier for reporters to question.
And a scandal that just won't stop. In fact a bunch of them.
Senators all in one place. Easier for reporters to question.
1
The reason the Republicans are struggling so much is simple: their policies are terrible (deplorable!) and now people are beginning to figure it out. You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people for some of the time....but you can't fool all the people all the time. A famous Republican supposedly said that.
12
The only reason the recess is being cut back is because the financial backers of the GOP are becoming concerned about the return on their investment.
4
Too little, too late. The big donors are fleeing the ACHA issue in droves...
1
Democrats need to start talking about a platform to rally around, and quickly. That should come from presumably Tom Perez and Keith Ellison together. We can't wait. We need to hash out the anger and animosity that both Hillary and Bernie supporters have toward each other. We can't deny the anger is still there. We must craft a platform, and the platform absolutely must address jobs and working class people of all races. People are going to have to put their special concerns aside -- for instance, I am gay and so the "gay marriage" issue while important must take a back seat to economic security for all. If we don't do this, there is no way we will win on the "hate Trump" momentum we currently have.
There, somebody said it.
There, somebody said it.
18
How horrible losing a taxpayer funded 4-week vacation! That must be at least as stressful as all the people who are wondering if their loved ones will live or die with or without healthcare.
835
Touche'
Did you know both the House and Senate only work a total of 50% of the time when you count the fact they work 1/2 day on Fridays? They claim they go home to their states and districts to see the voters, but actually go back fro $25,000 a plate fund raisers or work with lobbyists.
1
I'm sure there are some unemployed white males who would love to trade places with these republicans. Just imagine the congressional health care they would receive.
Insofar as their death care bill is concerned it seems clear to me that the GOP is acting in the interests of virtually no one. Check out the polls, guys! The ACA is now favored by over 50% of your fellow citizens. More importantly, your replacement plan has the support of The Donald (who neither knows nor cares what's in it) and a few like-"minded" conservative dead-enders who are opposed to anything and everything that President Obama accomplished. Give it up, guys. No repeal, no replace- REPAIR, until such time as Americans have gotten used to the idea that single-payer with a government option is the only rational fix for what ails our system of health care.
8
Remember when the GOP said that they couldn't do anything because they couldn't work with the man in the Oval Office? Remember when that man was Obama, an African American who Trump claimed was not born in America, not a citizen and how the GOP supported that? Well, now the GOP has everything they need: a man in the Oval Office who is one of theirs (they nominated him), a majority in both houses of congress, a majority in the governorships across the nation. But they still can't get anything accomplished. It might be better if they don't however. Not one of them seems to be interested in representing Americans, doing what's right for working Americans, fixing our infrastructure, creating situations for good jobs that pay good money. No, they're more focused on satisfying their large campaign donors who have no interest in us or the country except to loot it, destroy it, and leave us with the bill.
And yet people will continue to vote for the GOP. Why? Because the GOP says what they want to hear: that it's all the fault of undocumented immigrants, that getting a college education makes people elitists (though the GOP has more than its share of alumni from Harvard, Yale, etc.), that all African Americans are incipient criminals, and that it's a God given right to own a gun and shoot anyone they feel threatened by. The Democrats, unfortunately, have not been able to reach these people. And part of it is because of who they don't talk to, us, working Americans.
And yet people will continue to vote for the GOP. Why? Because the GOP says what they want to hear: that it's all the fault of undocumented immigrants, that getting a college education makes people elitists (though the GOP has more than its share of alumni from Harvard, Yale, etc.), that all African Americans are incipient criminals, and that it's a God given right to own a gun and shoot anyone they feel threatened by. The Democrats, unfortunately, have not been able to reach these people. And part of it is because of who they don't talk to, us, working Americans.
622
That's crud. No that's what you've been told. Let's just say many people can't hear democrats because they're being fed propaganda like the words you just said. It's not the democrats it's the republican oligarchs that are warping and controlling minds. You can't speak to the working stiffs when they're ears are like cauliflower and have been muted due to propaganda. They will continue to vote like mindless unthinking sheep herded by controllers and abusers. They think and hear no evil.
2
well stated
3
Excellent!!!!!
1
The party of "NO", of obstructing the President for 8 years, and of government shutdown has been elected to change our democracy into a plutocracy. Will they fail? Let us all hope so.
88
It all starts at the top. From the odious, illegitimate president to the coterie of dunces, to the speakers - all of whom are willing to put self-interest and party over country.
I agree with Senator Schumer: "...it wasn't the calendar, it's the substance of their health care bill."
SAD!
I agree with Senator Schumer: "...it wasn't the calendar, it's the substance of their health care bill."
SAD!
48
This is a time for profiles in courage in government.
I think Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan would be serving the country and the constitution better by scrapping this nonsense regarding a non-healthcare bill, and start discussions and proceedings on the Impeachment of the most corrupt, dishonest and Un-American President in the history of the country.
It's more than obvious now, that Trump and his family, campaign and surrogates have been lying and covering up this tawdry affair in colluding with Russia, it is more than obvious that the only fake news around this Whitehouse has been the fake news being pushed by the Trump's.
This infection to the country and government needs to be cleaned out, so the country can have a fresh start with their government doing the business for the people and not for the Trump's.
I think Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan would be serving the country and the constitution better by scrapping this nonsense regarding a non-healthcare bill, and start discussions and proceedings on the Impeachment of the most corrupt, dishonest and Un-American President in the history of the country.
It's more than obvious now, that Trump and his family, campaign and surrogates have been lying and covering up this tawdry affair in colluding with Russia, it is more than obvious that the only fake news around this Whitehouse has been the fake news being pushed by the Trump's.
This infection to the country and government needs to be cleaned out, so the country can have a fresh start with their government doing the business for the people and not for the Trump's.
16
The Business of Politics was very good for the mere millionaire Clintons that have become fabulously wealthy while "serving" the people.
Obamacare was designed to fail in order to get a single-payer system.
Liberals/Democrats don't know or even care what that would cost...and all one needs to do is look at what is happening to the states of Illinois and Connecticut to understand what their idea of "government" really leads too. Complete and utter collapse.
Liberals/Democrats don't know or even care what that would cost...and all one needs to do is look at what is happening to the states of Illinois and Connecticut to understand what their idea of "government" really leads too. Complete and utter collapse.
1
Sorry Al, your premise is incorrect. It was designed to succeed and does pretty well in States that actually implemented it. It could be refined, but that's not what we're talking about here is it? States that didn't expanded Medicaid or support the exchanges have suffered from these mistakes. Speaking of misrule; how's Kansas doing? And you know States are constrained by a need to balance their budgets in a way the Federal government is not.
5
I am highly aware, as a Dem, what the cost of single payer would be and I welcome the freedom it would bring to all in this country. Ultimately, it all costs the same, if not less. Yes, many jobs in the insurance and billing industry would be lost; hopefully some of the big pharma sales would go away too. But ultimately we ALL pay, no matter the system because the costs are the costs. If 25million are uninsured, then my actual employer-based insurance/costs go up, because those 25 million do not stop going to the emergency room. We ALL need healthcare at some point in our lives.
6
Al, please travel a bit and study all the other advanced nations where it works, then get back to us. If you are available in your foxhole.
5
As long as they pretend to care about freedom, liberty, the working Joe/Jane, etc., they will keep failing. Why don't they be more honest about what they are really about: a political front for the rich, for large corporations and religious conservatives? Once they are honest, they will find it much easier to pass destructive tax cuts because they will no longer need to twist themselves into a pretzel pretending to care.
33
I would like to know who the 10 were that asked McConnell to do this. How many town halls and open forum meetings did any of them have over the July 4th break. Are they staying in DC to get more work done or hide from their constituents. In PA, with Pat Toomey, it would be the latter.
13
Who knew responsibility was such a drag? So much more politically expedient to sit on the sidelines and spew nonsense that you know has no chance of working but appeals to a certain segment of voters.
56
But they sure have remodeled the swamp in their own image.
How can they continue to give their support to the Liar Donald Trump?
The Hadron Colluder couldn't produce more obvious examples of collusion. (sic)
How can they continue to give their support to the Liar Donald Trump?
The Hadron Colluder couldn't produce more obvious examples of collusion. (sic)
3
Let them stay in session in August but they must hold all of their deliberations outdoors, in the heat. I don't want to pay to keep the air-conditioning on as well as other overhead expenses. Also, all those senators and representatives who like to sleep in their offices or bunk with their buddies can, instead, go to a hotel .
8
In these days, with these leaders and politicians, and with these events, deeds and words, the Republicans are showing their moral, political and intellectual bankruptcy. Conservatism died long ago. Now what passes for it consists of right-wing demagoguery and meanness against the poor, women, non-whites, non-Christians, and so on, and anything to wrangle a tax break for the richest among us. Please, let this disgrace finally hit bottom, let the train wreck happen soon, so the country can repair itself and move on.
17
How many hospitals in rural Republican areas will close if they are successful? How many have already closed in the South where they rejected Obamacare? How many people have suffered or died because of missing and substandard health care? They should give it up, there's no scenario that benefits them here.
And what about the real reform of affordable medicine? Oh, but that doesn't help their millionaire friends, does it? Richest nation in the world has the worst health care system and overwhelmingly in Republican states.
And what about the real reform of affordable medicine? Oh, but that doesn't help their millionaire friends, does it? Richest nation in the world has the worst health care system and overwhelmingly in Republican states.
23
The Republicans are successful as the SA and Ernst Rohm were successful.
1
You know things are bad when staying at work is an excuse for not going home.
24
Considering their agenda, thank the gods that the Republicans are failing to govern
17
I have advice for the Republican party: represent your constituents. All of them. Base your legislation on what the majority of the public wants, and what you are pretty sure -- based on research and analysis -- will work.
Most people are against the healthcare reforms Republicans are touting. Most people want Medicaid expansion, not contraction. Most people want background checks for gun purchases. Most people want the two parties to work together.
What is the role of government? What did we elect our leaders to do?
I keep thinking of what Lincoln said in his Gettysburg Address, standing in a cemetery amid the graves of fallen soldiers: "we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain —that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
Of the people, by the people, for the people.
Most people are against the healthcare reforms Republicans are touting. Most people want Medicaid expansion, not contraction. Most people want background checks for gun purchases. Most people want the two parties to work together.
What is the role of government? What did we elect our leaders to do?
I keep thinking of what Lincoln said in his Gettysburg Address, standing in a cemetery amid the graves of fallen soldiers: "we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain —that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
Of the people, by the people, for the people.
22
and "... a house divided against itself cannot stand"
Now is the time for Democratic senators to step up. Hold town halls. Speak, and more importantly, listen. I'm tired of outrage and scandal. Scratch that - I'm exhausted. Start building a platform for change that will improve all American lives. Show us now. Do it now. We want it now.
10
It actually gives me hope that our democracy will prevail. They "ought to be able" to pass an ACA replacement, but can't, not because of Chuck Schumer or obstruction, but because nervous senators are actually acceding to their constituents' wishes. Nobody wants this turkey of a bill, that's why they can't get it done. McConnell's comment about "results for the American people" is actually true - most American people want this effort to fail, that's the result we'll hopefully get. Then Mitch, why not try shoring up the exchanges? Real results would be working with Democrats to fix remaining issues with the ACA.
17
Failure at governing is a GOP hallmark. But I would be perfectly happy if the Republican Party gets absolutely nothing done before the next election, because inaction is far less damaging than any legislative action these right-wingers try to advance.
14
Let's be clear that none of this is about healthcare policy or reform. This is purely an effort to deliver something, anything, that can be characterized as a repeal and replacement of the ACA. The content of the bill is completely irrelevant to Senate Republicans as long as 50 of them will vote for it. This is only politics and nothing like governance. As others have stated articulately, when you don't believe in government, you get what we now see from complete Republican control, i.e., nothing but empty symbolism, dishonesty, and hypocrisy.
11
They will never acknowledge their real, bottom-line failure: being a decent
human being. The party of Greed, Ignorance and Spite. Now and forever.
human being. The party of Greed, Ignorance and Spite. Now and forever.
14
The republicans practiced non governing for 8 years during President Obama's tenure. Practice makes perfect.
21
Just think how much work could get done in Congress if they didn't spent 70% of their time fund raising...
14
They can hardly govern their own bodily functions; we can't expect much here.
6
Sad truth is, nothing has been achieved by anyone in Congress. Chuck Schumer ought not be too proud, as his leadership is taking us nowhere.
Shumer didn't say he was proud,
7
Also, a failure of Courage. Don't want to face the folks at home, right, Boys??? Cowards. Seriously.
7
After 8 years of Obama-struction, the Republicans now blame Schumer for delays, and want him to cooperate? McConnell, Cornyn, Barrasso and the other core cult members actually need the summer vacation to get a better perspective on what it means to govern, and not just posture every day as a gang of thugs at the microphone. Set them free, Mitch!
14
The GOP failures you point out hardly need reviewing or acknowledging. The Republicans are no better at governing than they are at keeping secrets. They cannot even get doing wrong right..........
13
Every time I hear a republican say something about "the American people", I want to throw up.
18
That's what happens when you elect chair of the Animal Liberation Front for dog catcher.
2
Earth to NY Times readers: it doesn't matter. Trump and every reprobate republicon Congressional representative could go out on Main St. in their home town and shoot a constituent, and their followers would still love it, while blaming it on the Democrats.
I repeat: It doesn't matter. There is nothing these people can do that will change the mind of their followers. Nothing.
I repeat: It doesn't matter. There is nothing these people can do that will change the mind of their followers. Nothing.
271
Sadly yes. Recently saw a survey that showed that deep red republicans prefer the Russians to the Dems. Country first!
8
What if Fox News turned on Trump -- so you think that would matter?
4
You are most likely correct, but the question revolves around how many, what percentage, are in love with Trump and Trumpism. My guess is fewer than 30%. This minority got some sort of emotional high from last year's campaign. At last! Someone is telling the truth!, they thought. So, having done a brain meld with Trumpy, they are along for the ride as far as it goes on the Moscow Express. It is going to be a bumpy ride and they will blame everyone but themselves when it is time to get off.
11
Let's stop calling a bill that will strip health insurance from 22 million Americans and diminish health insurance coverage for all of us a "health care bill". It's a tax cut for wealthy Americans.
914
Someone called it "death care", and I chuckled, but only for a moment. It's not "death care" either--it cares for you in neither life nor death.
7
Taking health care away from 22 million Americans while so many of the wealthy pay to belong to elite concierge medical practices is obscene!
5
Yes.
Let's stop pretending that they don't know what they are doing.
They know exactly what they are doing.
Let's stop pretending that they don't know what they are doing.
They know exactly what they are doing.
4
Karma.
To all of my fellow town hall protesters, keep it up. It's working.
To all of my fellow town hall protesters, keep it up. It's working.
462
Trump is riding the Karma elevator to new depths.
6
Indeed, this is precisely what must happen to educate those who have been following the GOP like so many cattle. More than town hall meetings is needed. Community meetings that simply present the sides to this issue are needed in areas with low voter participation to get those who have never registered or rarely vote to decide to participate.
6
Schumer has sympathy for Republicans, totally misplaced. We still prosecute Americans who try to join or support ISIS, which wants to destroy the country - yet too many Americans vote for Republicans who want to do exactly the same thing.
No, they will never devise a valid health care bill. They are still intent on destroying access to health care, preferably funneling all the liberated cash into their own pockets.
No, they will never devise a valid health care bill. They are still intent on destroying access to health care, preferably funneling all the liberated cash into their own pockets.
149
Thank you Dr. Dave. This is what I say all the time - the GOP and the current regime are nothing but domestic terrorists. Why do republican supporters continue their support of this terrorist group - which right at their very doorstep threatens their and all of our lives? Why this group condones these domestic terrorists is beyond me.
8
Wow - the GOP feels the desperation, the urgency, to destroy access to health care for millions of citizens. Some great republican achievements just can't wait until September -- some poor person might actually get treated for a health problem.
WHAT A NIGHTMARE
WHAT A NIGHTMARE
422
The Republicans are finally realizing that was easier to criticize and obstruct the Democrats than it is to actually develop workable bills and govern. Time to grow up and do the job they were elected to do.
335
They've had their opportunity. It's time for the relief team.
3
After spending 35 years trying to assassinate government, it will take more time before these nihilists learn that government actually serves a societal purpose aside from gilding the rich, the corporate and plundering the earth.
They can't govern because they detest government... and by extension, they detest the people that government is supposed to serve the overwhelming majority of citizens.
Endless, mindless tax cuts is not government....it's intellectual, moral and economic bankruptcy.....hence the remedial Republican sessions in actual governing.
They have no shame, decency or ideas.
They can't govern because they detest government... and by extension, they detest the people that government is supposed to serve the overwhelming majority of citizens.
Endless, mindless tax cuts is not government....it's intellectual, moral and economic bankruptcy.....hence the remedial Republican sessions in actual governing.
They have no shame, decency or ideas.
759
They are not nihlists. They care very much about the happiness of the wealthy and powerful.
7
You know, it would be nice of you to use your status and platform as a top NYT commenter to start promoting unity and a way forward for democrats, rather than yet another clever republican take down that allows you to bask in your fame.
1
Just so, Socrates. Government for the wild right and corporatists is a piggy bank of subsidies and no-bid contracts. A piggy bank to be raided and despised.
You can't do business without government. You cannot do business without a court system and enforcement of its decisions in police and jails. The biggest companies get all that and more—an entire Commons—for free. They pay nothing. They take take take—the biggest of all welfare monarchs.
I do not understand men like McConnell, Grassley, Hatch and Ryan. How do they stand, breathe and move without hearts or minds.
You can't do business without government. You cannot do business without a court system and enforcement of its decisions in police and jails. The biggest companies get all that and more—an entire Commons—for free. They pay nothing. They take take take—the biggest of all welfare monarchs.
I do not understand men like McConnell, Grassley, Hatch and Ryan. How do they stand, breathe and move without hearts or minds.
11
The tiny minority of republicans who didn't sell their souls to the koch brothers are, of course, going to butt heads with the vast majority who did.