The words catch in my throat, but it’s time for Democrats to lay off the Senators from West Virginia and Arizona. All we ever hear on MSNBC is Manchin this and Sinema that. We almost never hear about the 50 Republican Senators who stand united against the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act that will be debated and voted on this week. They aren’t named and shamed the way our two recalcitrant Democrats are. Also ignored in most of the political coverage are the 203 Republican members of the House who voted against it last Thursday. Hell, the whole Republican Party stands in opposition to the bill. Those Republicans are the enemy, not Joe Manchin and Krysten Sinema who we can be angry at for not signing on to suspending the filibuster, but at least they support the bill itself and are pledged to vote for it if it comes up for a vote.
This is who we are now, like it or not. The future doesn't look very bright. I worry and fret for my 12 year old and for her kids and her kids kids when they come. They deserve better than what they're going to be handed. It's so very sad.
Nope. Sure, the repugnicans are racist and out for ultimate power. But the bills will NEVER EVER COME UP FOR A VOTE if Manchinema (who are bought, paid for and doing their corporate masters' bidding) keep pretending that their positions are righteous. Plus - I don't believe for a split second that if the bills do come up for a vote, they will follow through on their promise to support them. Rubbish. Easy to say, when they know their obstructionism will prevent them from ever having to be put to the test. They are corrupt, self-serving criminals. Their "virtue signaling" reasons/excuses are utter BS.
yeah, it's hard to argue the point...they are, in fact, OUR assholes. I just don't understand their position on this. both of them talk "bipartisanship," but I can't really figure out what that means in this context. Sinema keeps talking about "listening" and working "across the aisle," but as far as I can make out, it's the republicans who have determined that EVERY relatively "controversial" (as defined by republicans, ten of whom (as you take pains to point out) voted to re-authorize in 2006. if (as some people have suggested) the objection not allowing a filibuster on this bill with a democratic majority is that the republicans can do the same thing if the Senate flips and pass horrible legislation well, uhh, haven't we been there already? and didn't they do exactly THAT? for a lot of this stuff, I can sort of understand Manchin's position, since he's a democratic senator in an insanely red state, although both of them seem to really love being the center of attention, which they have been for months now. but okay, they're OUR assholes. I just don't especially want to eat with them.
Being foreign born I'm not too knowledgeable on how certain rules came about, Did the founding fathers stipulate that states would formulate their own voting rules? If so that would certainly make sense for state and municipal elections, but for president and matters affecting the whole country it would seem the voting rules should be universally identical. Such a ruling would ensure a level playing field in any given state and certainly for the election of the president. I don't understand the Electoral College rules but it seems to me that if a candidate for president gets more voted throughout the country than anyone else that would be completely fair. Why complicate the situation and invite subsequent manipulations. It would certainly avoid all the complications and attempted manipulations of the past.
The filibuster rule is also a bit of a mystery to me.I guess it keep the majority party from ruling the roost, But if the minority party can void it temporarily as they did to get their man elected to the supreme court and to block all debate on a suggested legislation by the House something isn't right .I think it's very immature and childish when two political parties won't work together in good faith for the good of the people as a whole. They can have vigorous debates and disagreements but in the end they could form small committees from members of both parties and then present the result for further debate and modification and vote on it. After all each member has been sent to Congress to represent their communities interests, not their own interests. And they are paid very well for it including great medical plans and other perks plus generous pensions. hey need to earn all that, not sit all day dreaming up ways to sabotage the opposition. I think they all forget thjat are living the good life apn the taxes paid by their hard working folk back home. But I know some not only ignore their constituents but decide only they know what's best for their constituents, and some don't give a damn for anyone but themselves and sell out to corporate interests or other special interest groups.
interest groups. (Forgive me for a lack of understanding in a lot of areas. At 89 now and a vey limited education in England (school leaving age was 14 in those days), I know I have certain limitations. .
One last comment or rather amusing observation. The two Democratic Senators holding out on the filibuster situatin may have valid reaons of their own not to touch it, but it seems to me that if you are the only one among many with an opposing viewpoint and you won't budge, doesn't that indicate not only a very stubborn nature and a very inflated ego to think you are without a doubt right and everyone else wrong. In other words it's like saying "I am smarter than all of you. put together, Finally, although I am ot religious in the traditional sense, I like to believe that those who put personal gain above normal ethical standards, will in the end face some kind of divine justice, even if it is just reaping what they have sown.
Here's what I don't get: If the GOP picks up another Senate seat in 2022 or 2024, I guarantee McConnell won't hesitate for a minute to nuke the filibuster to further his agenda - he already did it to pack the Supreme City. With the likelihood of losing the Democratic majority in the House, that leaves our President's veto power as the last bastion of democracy.
Manchin and Sinema know this. Hell, everyone in Washington must know it. I understand why 50 GOP senators are obstructing any reforms - it's become their brand. So why defend the filibuster when it's almost certain to disappear in the next year or two anyway?
Lucian, I almost agree with everything you ever talk about but not on this. Manchenema have been visited by many POC over this last year in trying to persuade them to vote for what is right…get rid of the filibuster. They give bullshit excuses as to why they simply can’t go along with the rest of their Dem friends. I wish Schumer would just take them off of committees until they cry “uncle”. Drastic times = drastic measures.
The 10 Repubs who voted in 2006 are still in the Senate. Let’s not forget that they have occupied that space for way too long! They do deserve to get vilified by us but so do Manchenema!
That was a necessary corrective and reminder. Let's put some pressure on these GOP scoundrels. It would help if the Fourth Estate took more trouble to point out these things (as a whole, not just lonely bloggers!)
Lucian, I agree with your point about the Republicans being the enemy. I am sick of the media constantly bashing Biden and the other Democrats while refusing to recognize that some things can not be accomplished against united opposition from the Republicans. The Republicans should be called out and made to justify their stance.
I agree with both points. That the left needs them, "flawed" as their views may be; and the real enemy are the Republicans who stand resolutely in the way.
Of course you're right, Lucian. It's long been clear that berating the two Dems was a waste of energy. We'll never know what might have happened if the attention had been concentrated on the GOP 50 instead. If left alone, M and S might even have responded to their better angels.
Let’s not forget that the Democrat’s margins in both houses of Congress are slim. That makes legislating difficult at best. The way to fix this is to mobilize Dem voters in 2022 in spite of the new state legislation. Work around it and stop whining. When life gives you lemons….
Well, trying to shame Republicans is a waste of time because if they were capable of shame they wouldn't be Republicans. The same may be true of Manchin and Sinema, but I'm not sure it really matters. They've both dug themselves so deep into their respective positions that they don't have much room to move, and when was the last time you changed your mind because someone was yelling at you?
About "what changed" between the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act in 2006 and now -- racism (spurred by the election and then re-election of the country's first Black president) and lust for power are surely part of it, but I'd take a hard look at the influx of "dark money" and the rise of the Tea Party in 2009–10. These aren't unrelated to racism and lust for power, of course, but along with the carrot (campaign contributions and other perks) they've spawned ever more violent rhetoric and real-life threats and intimidation. The cost for stepping out of line keeps going up, and those senators are nothing if not self-protective.
As much as I dislike those two, you're right. I'm particularly tired of how great Mitt Romney is while he follows party lines.
This is who we are now, like it or not. The future doesn't look very bright. I worry and fret for my 12 year old and for her kids and her kids kids when they come. They deserve better than what they're going to be handed. It's so very sad.
Exactly... The Republicans who have and are continuing to eviscerate voting rights are the ones the media should be talking about.
Nope. Sure, the repugnicans are racist and out for ultimate power. But the bills will NEVER EVER COME UP FOR A VOTE if Manchinema (who are bought, paid for and doing their corporate masters' bidding) keep pretending that their positions are righteous. Plus - I don't believe for a split second that if the bills do come up for a vote, they will follow through on their promise to support them. Rubbish. Easy to say, when they know their obstructionism will prevent them from ever having to be put to the test. They are corrupt, self-serving criminals. Their "virtue signaling" reasons/excuses are utter BS.
yeah, it's hard to argue the point...they are, in fact, OUR assholes. I just don't understand their position on this. both of them talk "bipartisanship," but I can't really figure out what that means in this context. Sinema keeps talking about "listening" and working "across the aisle," but as far as I can make out, it's the republicans who have determined that EVERY relatively "controversial" (as defined by republicans, ten of whom (as you take pains to point out) voted to re-authorize in 2006. if (as some people have suggested) the objection not allowing a filibuster on this bill with a democratic majority is that the republicans can do the same thing if the Senate flips and pass horrible legislation well, uhh, haven't we been there already? and didn't they do exactly THAT? for a lot of this stuff, I can sort of understand Manchin's position, since he's a democratic senator in an insanely red state, although both of them seem to really love being the center of attention, which they have been for months now. but okay, they're OUR assholes. I just don't especially want to eat with them.
Being foreign born I'm not too knowledgeable on how certain rules came about, Did the founding fathers stipulate that states would formulate their own voting rules? If so that would certainly make sense for state and municipal elections, but for president and matters affecting the whole country it would seem the voting rules should be universally identical. Such a ruling would ensure a level playing field in any given state and certainly for the election of the president. I don't understand the Electoral College rules but it seems to me that if a candidate for president gets more voted throughout the country than anyone else that would be completely fair. Why complicate the situation and invite subsequent manipulations. It would certainly avoid all the complications and attempted manipulations of the past.
The filibuster rule is also a bit of a mystery to me.I guess it keep the majority party from ruling the roost, But if the minority party can void it temporarily as they did to get their man elected to the supreme court and to block all debate on a suggested legislation by the House something isn't right .I think it's very immature and childish when two political parties won't work together in good faith for the good of the people as a whole. They can have vigorous debates and disagreements but in the end they could form small committees from members of both parties and then present the result for further debate and modification and vote on it. After all each member has been sent to Congress to represent their communities interests, not their own interests. And they are paid very well for it including great medical plans and other perks plus generous pensions. hey need to earn all that, not sit all day dreaming up ways to sabotage the opposition. I think they all forget thjat are living the good life apn the taxes paid by their hard working folk back home. But I know some not only ignore their constituents but decide only they know what's best for their constituents, and some don't give a damn for anyone but themselves and sell out to corporate interests or other special interest groups.
interest groups. (Forgive me for a lack of understanding in a lot of areas. At 89 now and a vey limited education in England (school leaving age was 14 in those days), I know I have certain limitations. .
One last comment or rather amusing observation. The two Democratic Senators holding out on the filibuster situatin may have valid reaons of their own not to touch it, but it seems to me that if you are the only one among many with an opposing viewpoint and you won't budge, doesn't that indicate not only a very stubborn nature and a very inflated ego to think you are without a doubt right and everyone else wrong. In other words it's like saying "I am smarter than all of you. put together, Finally, although I am ot religious in the traditional sense, I like to believe that those who put personal gain above normal ethical standards, will in the end face some kind of divine justice, even if it is just reaping what they have sown.
Here's what I don't get: If the GOP picks up another Senate seat in 2022 or 2024, I guarantee McConnell won't hesitate for a minute to nuke the filibuster to further his agenda - he already did it to pack the Supreme City. With the likelihood of losing the Democratic majority in the House, that leaves our President's veto power as the last bastion of democracy.
Manchin and Sinema know this. Hell, everyone in Washington must know it. I understand why 50 GOP senators are obstructing any reforms - it's become their brand. So why defend the filibuster when it's almost certain to disappear in the next year or two anyway?
Lucian, I almost agree with everything you ever talk about but not on this. Manchenema have been visited by many POC over this last year in trying to persuade them to vote for what is right…get rid of the filibuster. They give bullshit excuses as to why they simply can’t go along with the rest of their Dem friends. I wish Schumer would just take them off of committees until they cry “uncle”. Drastic times = drastic measures.
The 10 Repubs who voted in 2006 are still in the Senate. Let’s not forget that they have occupied that space for way too long! They do deserve to get vilified by us but so do Manchenema!
That was a necessary corrective and reminder. Let's put some pressure on these GOP scoundrels. It would help if the Fourth Estate took more trouble to point out these things (as a whole, not just lonely bloggers!)
Lucian, I agree with your point about the Republicans being the enemy. I am sick of the media constantly bashing Biden and the other Democrats while refusing to recognize that some things can not be accomplished against united opposition from the Republicans. The Republicans should be called out and made to justify their stance.
I agree with both points. That the left needs them, "flawed" as their views may be; and the real enemy are the Republicans who stand resolutely in the way.
Of course you're right, Lucian. It's long been clear that berating the two Dems was a waste of energy. We'll never know what might have happened if the attention had been concentrated on the GOP 50 instead. If left alone, M and S might even have responded to their better angels.
————————
"So let’s stop trashing our own"
They're not my own.
Let’s not forget that the Democrat’s margins in both houses of Congress are slim. That makes legislating difficult at best. The way to fix this is to mobilize Dem voters in 2022 in spite of the new state legislation. Work around it and stop whining. When life gives you lemons….
Absolutely on target!
Well, trying to shame Republicans is a waste of time because if they were capable of shame they wouldn't be Republicans. The same may be true of Manchin and Sinema, but I'm not sure it really matters. They've both dug themselves so deep into their respective positions that they don't have much room to move, and when was the last time you changed your mind because someone was yelling at you?
About "what changed" between the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act in 2006 and now -- racism (spurred by the election and then re-election of the country's first Black president) and lust for power are surely part of it, but I'd take a hard look at the influx of "dark money" and the rise of the Tea Party in 2009–10. These aren't unrelated to racism and lust for power, of course, but along with the carrot (campaign contributions and other perks) they've spawned ever more violent rhetoric and real-life threats and intimidation. The cost for stepping out of line keeps going up, and those senators are nothing if not self-protective.