389 Comments

Santos, or whatever his real name is, epitomizes the state of the Republican Party which has become the party of lies and liars and operates in a total moral, ethical, integrity and intellectual vacuum. It is not only the Republican leadership that is failing America, but those in the party who stand silent or tacitly accept such deviant behavior as well. Republicans should be ashamed of such blatantly dishonest behavior but shame is not something the GOP is capable of. Power and control at all costs is their obsession which has serious implications for this country. The GOP cannot be trusted and is bad for this nation. They are frauds.

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We need Congresspeople who understand their job is to legislate, not to be there for their 15 minutes of fame. Sadly, many lack this appreciation of their role. Worse yet, the people who elected them seem to understand even less this concept.

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“Serving” the people who elect officials is a lost art…unless you have lots of money. Whatever happened to one man one vote? Money creates an imbalance in that equation.

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Ty-One-on

Donald Hodgins <silencenotbad@gmail.com>

5:01 PM (3 minutes ago)

I'm at a loss as to how things work in this country. In August of 2022, Nancy Pelosi visited the island nation of Taiwan. The Republicans almost without exception ridiculed the visit and called it "political theater." Whatever that means. Nancy was, at that time, the Speaker of the House a position not unfamiliar to Kevin McCarthy. Now filling the shoes of Speaker of the House, the same Kevin McCarthy, is actively courting Taiwan's Tsai as she visits California this week. I hear no dissension from the ranks of the same Republican party that criticized Nancy for committing a similar act. Years ago there was this court case where Erin Brockovich reportedly performed sexual favors in order to obtain the necessary signature for her company's suit to reach its "climax." I'm sure the term "hyperbolization" was used in earnest. What bothers me is what did Kevin have MTG do to pacify the Republican's latent anger that they expressed so wholeheartedly when Nancy visited Taiwan back in 2022. It's no wonder she walks like a bull-dog. What does "double-standard" mean

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For some people power is like a narcotic. It drives you to do or say or promise anything to achieve your goal, even if that means running over anyone who gets in your way. It also includes lying or cheating. Yes, politics gets very messy, but it blinds some.

McCarthy saying he is now going to open up the Capitol ( and I assume the balcony) to all and any Americans is skating on thin ice since only 2 years ago the Capitol was breached. That statement was like a whistle call to extremists.

Shocking.

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It was a show of clowns and henchmen who somehow made it into our legislative processes. The fringe right will get rid of McCarthy within the coming year. And then what? Where did the Republican Party go? I think McCarthy just forced the sale of what was left of the soul of their party. He sold it for the illusion of power.

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I can’t believe McCarthy actually won Speaker of the House!? He will NEVER be the Speaker that Pelosi was!

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So thoughtfully written. I especially love the analogy of gavel and baton. Another brilliant piece, Mr. Rather, thank you.

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McCarthy really has sold himself away piecemeal. The very transparent exhibition of a person with no personal creed, no core of values and no shame.

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First of all if you actually read my opinion I never said I was lied to. Science changes with additional facts. It's a fact that the shots don't stop you from getting it or transmitting it they help in keeping you from getting very sick.

Second I am far from a MAGA, just because I have a different opinion then you does not make me the enemy. I've made more mistakes then you but I try to learn from each one so I don't repeat them.

As to who said the things about which I just wrote, it was Dr. Fauci.

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Question, again: 1st, Is it a fact that the Speaker needn't be a member of the House, as was posted here? 2nd, if true, what would prevent the Majority from electing Mr. Trump?

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The framers of the Constitution didn't specify, but obviously assumed, that US representatives would elect one of their own to be their speaker. Find the Constitution's wording and related commentary on Wikipedia and other sites for verification.

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Dan and Elliott. I love your writings! I'm posting on this late, but kudos to you for using a word I had to look up LOL

"spelunker" - one who makes a hobby of studying or exploring caves.

Now that sentence makes great sense: 'McCarthy has caved more than a spelunker'

Thank you for intelligent writing!!

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Listen to this anytime you have a moment free today. Talking Heads are prescient and brilliant! “Burning Down the House”! Have a great weekend everyone.

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B001OB662K?do=play&trackAsin=B001OB2I3Q&ref=dm_sh_HJZEJu5EVXrMufZxrUSASBooS

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I listened. I guess I don't get it.

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I don't trust Kevin McCarthy as far as I can see him. He's a spineless man who does not deserve to have his hands on the gavel as a leader in our great American Hall!

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The chaos and idiocy being exhibited is embarrassing, shameful, and scary as hell. These foolish people who can’t govern themselves, who lack the appreciation of what our government has done for their sorry selves shouldn’t even be in congress. If they had any sense they would work across the aisle to choose someone acceptable. They don’t even have the sense to be humiliated as most all of them participated in 1/6!

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Excellent article as usual, Dan Rather! Unfortunately, it is a circus and it is putting our government imperil.

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Excellent article. Thank you.

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Wow! FDR's policies basically saved this country but he too had his detractors. This is all too familiar...

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This behavior is abhorrent. The first two or three votes were within reason , given the schism in their party. I personally find Kevin McCarthy to be extremely distasteful and even downright shady, but, even with that said, I keep wondering how much more humiliation he is willing to endure to grasp that brass ring. How much longer is the GOP willing to publicly flagellate and eviscerate itself in the name of of hatred and false pride.

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