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Trunked

Lalo Alcaraz
© Lalo Alcaraz

Now the far right media are attacking Paul Ryan, claiming that he is not conservative enough.

The Republican civil war is upon us.

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13 Comments

  1. Babe of the Boom wrote:

    My heart bleeds purple fizzies for the GOTP.

    Monday, October 19, 2015 at 8:27 am | Permalink
  2. ThatGuy wrote:

    It appears we’ll find out who the least intelligent Republican in the House is, based on who ends up taking the gig.

    Monday, October 19, 2015 at 9:17 am | Permalink
  3. Iron Knee wrote:

    Remember, however, that the Speaker doesn’t have to be an actual Congress-critter, or even a politician. I’ve already mentioned Donald Trump for the job, but other possibilities are mind boggling. Just imagine Megyn Kelly as Speaker – at least she knows how to speak! Or Clarence Thomas – he knows how to keep silent.

    Who else would make an awesome Speaker?

    Monday, October 19, 2015 at 10:37 am | Permalink
  4. wildwood wrote:

    Trump would be amazing. After all he is known, (in his own mind), for being a negotiator. I think Sarah Palin might bring some fun to the job. But she would probably quit after a few months. Dick Cheney would get them all in line, maybe. Either that or scare them to resign. Another great possibility would be Glen Beck. They might all end up wearing foil hats, but it would be interesting to watch. Soooo many possibilities, soooo little intelligence.

    Monday, October 19, 2015 at 1:11 pm | Permalink
  5. redjon wrote:

    “Paul Ryan not Conservative enough.” At least these people are honest.

    As opposed to towing the normal GOP line, “Paul Ryan is not business-friendly-at-the-expense-of-everything-else enough.”

    The people who are not lining up are true Conservatives who honestly feel their party has been taken over by Conservatives in name only… which it has.

    Is it interesting watching the GOP implode? Yes. Has the time finally come for the GOP to split into two or even three separate parties, one which honestly represents the interests of the aristocracy of inherited wealth, one the interests of businesses that subscribe to the idea of profit-no-matter-what and one the interests of the non-Muslim religious right? They’re working on it.

    It is becoming clear to most, at least, that these three factions really tend to have very little in common and that what is good for one is NOT good for the others. Again, the enemy of my enemy is NOT necessarily my friend.

    Time to rethink the two-party system? Oh, but that would leave the Democrats as the genuine “mainstream” party representing the huge majority of America, and we can’t allow a perception like that to fester and take hold, now can we?

    Monday, October 19, 2015 at 1:23 pm | Permalink
  6. Ralph wrote:

    I’d be surprised if Ryan really wants the job, regardless of his recent wavering; it’s considered a graveyard for Presidential candidate wannabees.

    I can see Bozo the Clown as SOTH, driving up to the Capital steps in a fire engine his first day on the job to save the Republican House on fire. Of course, the hose is shooting confetti.

    Maybe they’ll figure it out after they finish up their 8th (count ’em, 8!) Congressional Investigation on Benghazi. That flushing sound you hear is our tax dollars circling the drain, $4M and counting.
    http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/20151018_Worldview__Long_past_time_to_end_Benghazi_committee.html

    Has there ever been a more self-destructive party in American history? More alarming, has there ever been a less informed, more gullible sector of the electorate. Mind boggling.

    Monday, October 19, 2015 at 3:59 pm | Permalink
  7. Mike wrote:

    I’m sorry to say, but Democrats – who seem to have taken their eye off the state ball – have only themselves to blame. State legislatures largely get to set congressional districts – hence the almost election-proof Republican seats. This is not an issue that gets resolved until after the 2020 census, and then only if Democrats recognize that there are state governments that matter too.

    Monday, October 19, 2015 at 4:23 pm | Permalink
  8. Ralph wrote:

    Great point Mike. Gerrymandering should be illegal if not unconstitutional. That and the plutocracy the country is becomng are arguably the greatest threats to our democracy.

    Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 10:43 am | Permalink
  9. PATRIOTSGT wrote:

    Correct mike, but Gerrymandering is played by both parties. There is however some hope in that some states are taking on the issue. Here in MD it has long been a thorn as each governor tries to rig the game against the other party. We have only our 2nd republican governor in the last 70 years in office, but like Trump he is not a politician and seems to be taking a what’s best for the state approach. He has set up a bipartisan commission along with independent outsiders and input from the community to fix the problem permanently via a state constitutional amendment at the end of the process.

    The most surprising thing of all is that even if reelected he will not be in office when the next re-districting takes place.

    Take a look:
    http://governor.maryland.gov/2015/08/06/governor-larry-hogan-signs-executive-order-establishing-maryland-redistricting-reform-commission/

    Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 2:03 pm | Permalink
  10. Mike wrote:

    PatriotSgt: I didn’t in any way suggest that only Republicans gerrymandered; I lamented that Democrats have done such a poor job in state houses that they couldn’t create more election-proof seats for themselves.

    Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 4:19 pm | Permalink
  11. PatriotSGT wrote:

    Mike – i wasn’t trying to ding you, but I was trying to say neither side should be gerrymandering. Whether the Dems or Rep’s do it it’s still wrong.

    Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 4:36 pm | Permalink
  12. Mike wrote:

    PatriotSgt: Completely agree – but with selected southern states currently doing their best to disenfranchise minority voters, I don’t think gerrymandering reform is too likely in the near future.

    In the meantime, I’ll happily accept Democratic gerrymandering until true reform comes along, or until someone can successfully make the constitutional argument to a SCOTUS which has recently gutted the VRA and which doesn’t seem to care much about protecting the right to vote when a state asserts a contrary “interest.”

    Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 7:00 pm | Permalink
  13. Iron Knee wrote:

    Quite a number of states have attempted to reduce gerrymandering in various ways. Also, courts have thrown out redistricting plans if they violate the Equal Protection Clause, or the Voting Rights Act of 1965. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerrymandering_in_the_United_States

    Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 7:40 pm | Permalink