On the first day of the government shutdown, firebrand Democratic Congressman Alan Grayson told Salon that Republicans’ on-the-job drinking was partially to blame. Now he says the current showdown will end the party – for good.
Snip from Tuesday's interview - still relevant even though the shutdown is over - in the nick of time too eh? Oh my, they do know how to milk a drama!
Are you suggesting the voters will prevent it from happening again?
The voters will prevent this from happening again. Even a dog knows when it’s being kicked.
How will they do that?
By voting the Republicans out of power and relegating the Republican Party to the ash heap of history.
Does that mean a new era of liberal legislation out of Washington?
I don’t know. You know, eventually the Whig Party was replaced to some degree by the Republican Party. I don’t know what’s going to replace the Republican Party. I just hope that it’s more benign and less malignant.
What about if there’s a deal in the next couple days?
It’s irrelevant. They keep dragging America into heavy traffic. They’ve done this over and over again. The fact that there’s some kind of temporary deal until December or January doesn’t change the fact that they are anarchists. To the extent that responsible people want to continue having our society function, the Republicans will have to be rejected. They’ll have to be expelled from the body politic.
Re my highlighted & underlined portion:
The Democrats should replace the Republicans and a proper left wing party should replace the Democrats.
There y'are: done and dusted!
27 comments:
I find the current politics so interesting, but in a discouraged, disheartened fashion, yet the recent events can be a political turning-point for many voters, which gives me hope.
The Republicans for the past several decades have seemed more cohesive and able to outwit the disorganized Democrats, yet lost the last two presidential cycles, supposedly due to weak Republican presidential-elect candidates. I think that the inherent weakness of the Repubs is their diversity of conservative subgroups, which has led to presidential candidates that have been weakened by their one-size-fits-all generic appeal.
The T-Party was a stand-alone faction at its inception, yet was adopted quickly by the Republicans to gain internal voter strength. It should be apparent now that the T-Party deserved an independent status, much like the Libertarians...the merging of the Libertarians with the T-Party would have been a better fit. Perhaps the Republicans recognized the potential for stolen votes and realized that they had a better chance by absorbing the T-Party.
I believe that the Repubs next step will be to re-organize, disavow the T-Party as too radical, appear more bipartisan, and eliminate the fringe conservatives. The party will concentrate on a select number of popular issues to appear cohesive and not diluted. The T-Party and other fringe will be exiled to SarahPalinville.
It's one thing to observe the Repubs self-implode, but voters have now had the experience of reality imposed upon them, not just ideology. We voters have had the opportunity to listen to the experts' advice about where this political showdown would take us and the picture ain't pretty. Many voters now know they were not prepared to fully walk-the-talk of their political convictions.
I hope that I'm wrong, but I don't believe that a third party has much of a chance right now, unless it's something strange such as the Libertarians joining with the exiled T-Party. It will depend on how successfully the Republicans re-brand themselves and regain a moderate, conservative image.
"Nobody's happy about the government shutdown. In fact, the Taliban just issued a statement where they criticized Congress for putting themselves before everyone else. You know things are bad when Americans are saying, 'Yeah, gotta go with the Taliban on this one'".
Jimmy Fallon
mike ~ Well - yes US politics right now could be described as interesting: that not-able-to-turn-away-from-car-wreck-one-passes-on-road kind of interesting.
;-)
I do wonder if the Tea Party infection will die or flourish after this has died down? If it flourishes again it could become stronger than what's left of the standard old guard Republicans.
That'd be interesting! In a way I'd prefer that, because that's what could, at last stir the true left to organise. At the very least it could bring forth a lot of more left-wing Dem. challengers. This is so, so very necessary, and unlikely to come about if the old duopoly keeps rumbling along - two-headed monster that it is.
I don't know, maybe that'd be reckless. But we badly need a left - a real left to begin to organise and grow. there'll never be a better time. I've never understood why all the small leftist groups don't amalgamate and let go of petty differences in ideologies.
Sigh.
So... we go on for a few months more until the next performance.
LOL at Jimmy Fallon. :-)
In watching this most recent political farce, there's no doubt many Americans are being persuaded of *something*, though I think much will depend upon which side of the debate they've chosen to listen to. If it's true that many will continue to choose one side over the other -in lieu of the TRUTH, which exists independent of any political party or affiliation- then we'll have learned very little from this experience. Much as I'd like for it to be so, I haven't observed any significant changes in the fundamental *way* people use their minds to make choices. Until that happens, we're more likely to exchange one set of problems for another.
I've been thinking a lot lately about how much of what I believed to be true about the world (and myself) was really based on illusion. I believed it because it was comfortable and easy, didn't demand much and because it didn't challenge me to think holistically - about *everything*.
The illusion of truth in politics was shattered for me long ago, yet I continued to live with other significant blind spots in other areas of my life. It never occurred to me to peel back those layers and examine what was underneath, or maybe there was some nagging sense of awareness tugging at me from around the edges, but I always pushed it back, afraid it would demand too much and I'd be left with nothing.
I think that's where many Americans are right now when it comes to a great many things, including our political system, still unaware or pushing that awareness back. I understand your feelings Twilight, but more than a true left or a true right (or even a true center), maybe what we all need most is an inner transformation that allows us to think, act and choose more mindfully.
This morning I googled "Truth and illusion" and found this very insightful article on how we're all persuaded to believe. According to author, Marco Torres:
"Easy to understand = true"
"This is what psychologists call the illusion of truth effect and it arises at least partly because familiarity breeds liking. As we are exposed to a message again and again, it becomes more familiar. Because of the way our minds work, what is familiar is also true. Familiar things require less effort to process and that feeling of ease unconsciously signals truth (this is called cognitive fluency).
As every politician knows, there's not much difference between actual truth and the illusion of truth. Since illusions are often easier to produce, why bother with the truth?
The exact opposite is also true. If something is hard to think about then people tend to believe it less. Naturally this is very bad news for people trying to persuade others of complicated ideas in what is a very complicated world."
http://www.unhealthyearth.com/2012/09/repetition-persuasion-and-illusion-of.html#.UmAZYlPic4c
who CAN replace ALL republicans ??
Daffy Duck gets my vote and I am secure in the fact his intellectual abilities are more superior.
"The Democrats should replace the Republicans and a proper left wing party should replace the Democrats."
Adding, though your point is well-taken Twilight, I don't think it's as simple as that.:)
LB ~ Some insightful thoughts there - yours and from the link too.
It's equally easy (without wishing to contradict anything you or the link proposed) to be of that contrary nature when nothing we are told is true - which spawns the legions of conspiracy theorists out there. It's difficult to achieve the right balance, or to know whether one has done so or not.
Re my "Democrats should replace Republicans and proper left wing party replace Democrats" - I know - it was really with tongue in cheek, and a bit of fantasy and wishful thinking :-) I can't help but feel that would be most appropriate though - unless, of course, the Dems are allowed to bring forth some primary challengers, new candidates with more progressive left-leaning aims.
Sonny ~ Now there's an idea! Though it could be a bit unfair to ol' Daffy.
I wouldn't wish it on a duck!
:-)
Twilight ~ I know what you mean. Some of the popular conspiracy theories floating around bug me, it's as if the truth isn't dramatic enough. It's also another symptom of the same underlying problem, which has to do with our rejection of the Truth.
Humans! We tend to oversimplify complex issues and overcomplicate the simple ones.:(
LB ~ Exactly!
A favourite quote:
“The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.”
― Gloria Steinem.
Ha! Gloria got that right.
"Let the flame of anger free you of all falsity." John O'Donahue
The challenge for most of us is how to make our way through the flames without being consumed by them.
That's the second time today I've used a John O'Donahue quote, but if fits.
“What happens to people living in a society where everyone in power is lying, stealing, cheating and killing, and in our hearts we all know this, but the consequences of facing all these lies are so monstrous, we keep on hoping that maybe the corporate government administration and media are on the level with us this time.
Americans remind me of survivors of domestic abuse. This is always the hope that this is the very, very, very last time one's ribs get re-broken again.” Inga Muscio
mike (again) ~ Good analogy. The right thing to do would be to pack our bags and hit the road - but that's not an option for most of us. Or call the cops - but they won't get involved. So, what? Learn karate or kick boxing? :-/
To continue to take it shouldn't ever be an option.
In a rather different country, the Democrats would be the right wing party and there would be another large party to the left of them.
N...O...NO, Twilight! We quit the role of being a victim of our own co-dependency and kick the abusers out. Just as your post infers, it's time to wake-up and see our own demise. Too many voters are complacent regarding the status quo of politics...not realizing there are other options to be had on the menu...we've been eating at the same diner with the same daily specials for way too long. If only others would realize there are other options.
Vanilla Rose ~ Exactly, VR! That's what I had in mind. As you say, it'd have to be a rather (rather a lot) different country. :-(
mike (again)~ Well - the kick boxing would be a big help there, wouldn't it ?! ;-)
I'm with you all the way - there are other options, for some. Not for us in OK darn it, but other states have other options. Kick this lot out anyway, even if others of the same parties replace them.
I just cannot see the crazy mixed-up people of Oklahoma voting out Inhofe and Coburn.
Maybe a few Reps will change, but remain Republican....best OK could hope for.
The analogies are flowing fast! LOL! I hardly ever choose "specials" in diners. :-)
I decided to write a letter to the editor of my local paper, Twilight. I submitted...we'll see if they publish.
"I watched Blake Farenthold's televised interview yesterday and was dismayed by his comment that his "yes" to the government shutdown and debt limit impasse were to express the desires of the individuals that voted him to office. He claimed his efforts were in the name of freedom. He won the 2012 election with 57% of the total votes, mostly Republican. A much smaller fraction of his total received votes are probably identified as the extreme, conservative right, also known as the Tea Party.
It seems to me that Mr. Farenthold is serving his own political ideology and pandering to a small portion of his voter base. I find his remarks condescending and self-serving toward his collective, diverse constituency.
I have to appreciate the responses I've heard from the more seasoned and mature Congressional Republicans stating that this political cul-de-sac served no productive purpose, cost a fortune, and created a maelstrom of public disapproval. Maybe Mr. Farenthold can acquire a modicum of humility while he contemplates the true meaning of a constituency."
mike ~ Good for you! I've tried that on two occasions in the past - my words never did see the light of newspaper day though. I hope you have more success.
You make a very good point. 57% may be a majority but it's hardly "everybody" - that'd be more like 85% or even 75% assuming many don't vote at all. A similar thing is a continuing thorn in my side too, in OK politics.
I wrote to our Rep. Tom Cole re the Syrian thing some weeks ago.
I eventually got a written reply a few days ago. He, too, was against any military action in Syria, so the response was quite
charming really, considering we'd probably disagree on every other issue there is (he didn't know that).
I've softened towards him a teeny tiny bit - he's of Chickasaw blood, and really ought not to be a Republican - but I retain hope that his background might, eventually, seep through on the most important issues.
As my husband would sing at this point:
On the good ship Lollipop... waving his hands Shirley Temple style. :-D
It's not just Oklahoma, Twilight. Here in California, we have Rep. Pelosi, who defended the Obama administration’s classified surveillance of U.S. residents’ phone and Internet records, supported the President's proposed cuts to Social Security earlier this year, and more recently, the President's proposed military response to Syria.
Also, Rep. Pelosi is *not* a co-sponsor of HR676, which would provide single-payer, universal health insurance coverage for *all* Americans, including: doctor, hospital, preventive, long-term care, mental health, reproductive health care, dental, vision, prescription drug and medical supply costs.
While she's done some good too, overall her record is terribly disappointing when it comes to standing up for those of us who'd hoped to have a more consistently principled and trustworthy voice.
LB, I can't figure-out what's going on with CA representatives. Diane Feinstein and Barbara Boxer can be added to the Pelosi list of disappointments, too. I may not have agreed with their total political points, but there was a time I did have respect for their outspoken, liberal views. Those went down the tube a decade ago. As Twilight said, the Democrats are the new Republicans.
mike ~ Sad, isn't it?
LB ~ Ah! Ms Pelosi - I've been disappointed in her for many years - found my 2007 post about it
http://twilightstarsong.blogspot.com/2007/11/disappointment.html
She's tuened out to be one of the cabal of Establishment Democrats - no better than Republicans - in fact worse because they become what a journalist has called "the most effective evil" - wolves in sheep's clothing. :-(
mike ~ Yep! And I take no pleasure at all in saying so. Women in politics can, quite often, turn out to be disappointing. Think Thatcher, Palin, Bachmann, Pelosi and the two you've named - for starters. :-(
Twilight ~ Thanks for the link to your 2007 post and for fighting the good fight, even back then.
"Wolves in sheep's clothing" kind of sums up politics. In spite of all evidence to the contrary, I still have quite a few friends who continue to believe. Denial helps make the world seem like a better place.
Wendy Davis (pro-abortion filibuster in TX senate) is taking-on the TX governor race in 2014! I'm excited about her...just hope she can stay ahead of her competition. Her birth date is May 16, 1963, West Warwick, RI. Her chart does not indicate an easy road on this Earth, but that may be what propels her.
mike (again) ~ Oh good show!! I hope, even if it doesn't work out this time around, that she'll stick with the efforts she's making. People of her ilk are so badly needed in Texas - wish we had a few of 'em in Oklahoma too.
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