dagblog - Comments for "Snails and Republicans"

I might add, we will find out

stillidealistic — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 19:30:26 +0000

In reply to Thanks for the suggestion and

I might add, we will find out if this is really what people want in 2012. If people vote for more of the tea party types, we'll know that this IS what many of our fellow Americans want. If they lose, maybe not so much...

Right. I think the creepy

Oxy Mora — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 18:22:36 +0000

In reply to But how does one stop a group

Right. I think the creepy unholy alliance of (Christians of a stripe which I have trouble labeling without recrimination but who I think are bent upon forcing their beliefs, esp. about abortion, on everyone else) with the(combination which I would never label but tend in the most part to be corporate--connected, members of financial industry, the entire health care industry, and those who have definitely "made it" in the financial arena) came to fruition in 2010 and now is the time of reckoning within the Republican party, and perhaps, elsewhere. I think the establishment Republicans running for re-election have less options than the Democrats. They will be challenged by the Tea Party which ever way the debt debacle turns out. That's the worrying thing, that establishment Republicans may only bring the TP to heel after the market tanks.

I'm hoping that if push comes

stillidealistic — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 18:14:47 +0000

In reply to Think of it like quitting

I'm hoping that if push comes to shove, Obama will use the 14th amendment to pay the bills anyway, and let congress take him to court. They may win, given the make-up of the SCOTUS, but it would be interesting to watch. If the country is going to implode, we may as well go to the mat.

I'm not politically sophisticated, so I can't play the game out 10 steps, but I'm sensing the dems have nothing to lose by trying to avert disaster. Somehow, no matter how bad things are, the repubs end up on top. When they are the majority they get their way, when they are the minority they get their way. I don't know if that says more about the repubs or the dems.

But how does one stop a group

Beetlejuice — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 18:08:58 +0000

In reply to Agree. I take it for granted

But how does one stop a group hellbent on disrupting the political process legally? They hold enough votes in the House to force the GOPer's to do their bidding. Otherwise, Boner would have to go to Polosi and ask for her help which wouldn't look good for GOper's in 2012.

As for creeping religious undertones, it's been a part of the GOP platform for years. It just finally broke free from it's cage and has their master on short leash ... they're finally going to get what they've been promised all these years even if it means we all go broke in the process.

Think of it like quitting

Beetlejuice — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 18:01:59 +0000

In reply to I can't deny there is truth

Think of it like quitting smoking or drinking ... you have to hit rock bottom before you can pull yourself up.

Tea-baggers have no clue, but know they have the political ability to bring everything tumbling down if they don't get their way.

BTW, the 14th Amendment is a warning to Congress not to question the debt of the United States. So if the debt ceiling isn't raised and it hit the fan, I would expect either the President and/or SCOTUS to look into who is responsible for violating it. It's kinda difficult to expect Congress to police themselves and organize hearings and dish out punishments.

naw... Snails have a purpose

Beetlejuice — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 17:54:55 +0000

In reply to I think you are saying, "Let

naw...

Snails have a purpose in a garden, just as worms, bees and other bugs. You have to figure out how to control them by using as honey pot ... something that attracts them more than your petunias.

IMHO, I believe the tea-baggers have gotten away with screwing up the political debate simply because they are clueless and everyone's afraid to take them to task for being fools.

What makes matters worst is without the tea-baggers in their ranks the GOPer's would be political roadkill. The problem is they're ignorant and the GOPer's need them to hold the majority in the House. The fact is that to pass any legislation without them requires Boner to work with Democrats - something that eats at their guts and won't happen because they've spent too much political capital painting Democrats as incapable over governing.

Well, I hope the paychecks of

stillidealistic — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 17:54:16 +0000

In reply to Agree. I take it for granted

Well, I hope the paychecks of the obstructionists are put on the bottom of the pile, along with their healthcare premium bills. Maybe if their health care lapses due to lack of payment, they'll reconsider. Perhaps the most frustrating part of what congress does, is that they don't have to experience the consequences of their actions the way regular people do.

I can't deny there is truth

stillidealistic — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 17:49:39 +0000

In reply to But the Constitution gives

I can't deny there is truth in what you say. There is something to be said for being in a position to say "I told you so." My fear is that it will come at a cost too high. I keep thinking these people will come to their senses, then I think about my tea party uncle and realize they don't have any.

It's frustrating to have to sit by and watch it happen. I'm trying not to watch the blow by blow, but I can't seem to stay away for long.

But the Constitution gives

Beetlejuice — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 17:38:49 +0000

In reply to The problem with letting them

But the Constitution gives them as much right to fuck it all up for everyone just as it gives you and me the opportunity to steer the country to a better future for all. As a minority, they have the enumerated rights to force the country to go in a direction the majority doesn't by simply refusing to cooperate and let the clock run out. They're hoping the majority will get so worked up, they'll capitulate and give in to their extortion. By refusing to throw in the towel and surrender to their ransom, we should just let the shit hit the fan. Once it's over with and the damage is done, the public will get their chance to weigh in on the governments inability to govern in 2012. The real problem isn't so much with the members of Congress as it is with the public that elects them. We have a serious problem with a portion of the public that is clueless of our history and how government works - city, county, state and federal, and is being exploited by the GOPer's to trump the larger public's interest in favor of the party's interest.

Agree. I take it for granted

Oxy Mora — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 16:29:02 +0000

In reply to Is it the snail's fault or

Agree.
I take it for granted that we are going to suffer some economic hardship regardless of how this comes out. IMO the uncertainty caused by stalling raising the debt ceiling has already had a negative effect on the economy, thus helping the Tea Party bring down Obama but what's left of the Republican establishment.

And I do not underestimate the intent of the Tea Party, which imo has as much or more of a repressive religious agenda than a fiscal one.

I think the worst outcome is for Obama to sign a short term extension of the debt ceiling--which would only encourage the Tea Party obstructionism. I say stop the Tea Party now, it will only get worse if we capitulate now.