Actually, it was Paul Ryan that started the obstruction. McConnell learned from him, and readily exploited that ability. It’s shameful how these republicans, and they really and truly are not real republicans, are attempting to be hateful obstructionists. If this is their mantra, they should handily lose the 2022 election. If they take ant more seats in Congress from the Democrats, then maybe the Democrats need to rethink their strategy. The previous administration has done extreme damage to our journalists. The basis to undermine good and honest information. Now that seems to be the republican way for everything. Make false claims and ruin people’s integrity and keep the big lie going.
Before and NOW, you said it best "principled" republicans. Will we ever find any who care about our country and ALL their citizens they have been chosen to represent, more than their party ? Will they ever open their eyes and hearts and see the damage they are causing before it's too late and work toward Bipartisan solutions at this time of need
I'm what you'd call a social democrat if we had such a party. I have never expected, nor do I now expect, that to be a majority position in this country. I don't see much of a future in not compromising, not moving forward with a balanced approach to wants/ needs as disparate as mine and, say, the Bundy's. I don't expect it to always make me happy, but I'm prepared to move forward slowly. I don't find much of that sentiment in the country. History teaches us that change is hard, uneven, and painful. What seems lacking is a similar patience from the other side. Not despairing, but this swing of the pendulum has been very long and horrible. We need to somehow engage with people who literally would rather kill us or themselves than engage in the actual process of governance. It's a hard place to start from. The story of the golden goose comes to mind.
The issue in the US is that we have fallen into a governance system where members are more interested in re-election and the money that brings them than actually the job elected to do. There is no actual representation of what their constituents want, it's only what the donors are asking them to do. The rest is "speak" to get elected. Corporate contributions to candidates needs to end. PACS of any kind need to be limited in scope and what they can contribute. And the election cycles need to be contained, especially for presidential elections. And as an added note--- congressional members MUST be present and working a specified number of days per cycle. Working from home is fine, but many only show for votes and don't even attend their own committee meetings. No wonder some of the ne'er do wells are running....they don't have to actually "work". We hired them to do a job, you don't meet requirements of attendance, holding town halls, bill legislation,, you are off the ballot. I'm also all for a required civic-constitution test before they can run for a federal seat.
We are not on any path to a functioning government and we cannot change course until we remove money from politics. Both of the big 2 parties are addicted to money and have fought side by side against any reasonable change for decades. This article has focused on the Republican party, but the Democratic party carries some responsibility as well. They are not equally at fault and not for the same reasons, but they both are to blame.
The Republican party has chosen to be the abusive parent in this dysfunctional family and the Democratic party is the codependent parent. The Republican party could never have become such a threat to the security of our country without the tacit (and sometimes active) support of the Democratic party, even if that support was simply standing back and letting the Republicans do their damage. But most often it was because the Democratic party desperately needed the approval of their Republican "counterparts" to the point that they valued befriending Republicans over representing their own base.
We are here because we have 2 broken political parties, not 1.
Really enjoyed this piece, Dan. Like you, I’m cautiously optimistic that we are on a path to a government that functions instead of one bent on self-destruction. Thanks for Steady. I have missed your journalistic voice and welcome it back wholeheartedly!
The problem , in my mind, seems to be this-How do we attract more public servants and less ego- driven individuals? Until we can answer that question, we will continue to suffer as a country.
Journalists are the story tellers of history. Accountability should always be front and center when telling it. Expressing what is really broken and asking hard questions prepares those being asked to search deep into their moral obligation to the people they serve instead of themselves. Elected officials should come down off the pedestal they have created in their minds and serve. There is an enormous amount of disgusting follow the leader syndrome politics, partly due to the reality of this cancel culture syndrome in media no doubt. It is critical that bipartisan support get involved and focus on healing by truly getting involved with the work needed to elevate the problem. Clearly the oaths taken has been broken and none of them seems to care who they represent.
While I agree with what Mr. Rather has written, my thoughts on Congress may be a bit different. If there are term limits for the President, why not for other elected officials. Some of these people are in office for decades with their out of touch thinking. We need to have some fresh faces and younger people to bring a different prospective. Of course I don't know quite how we would accomplish this, but it's just something that I would like to see.
RECOUNT KENTUCKY!!!
Is Mitch McConnell the main factor in the Republican party for the decrease of bipartisanship and increase of gridlock evident when Obama took office?
Actually, it was Paul Ryan that started the obstruction. McConnell learned from him, and readily exploited that ability. It’s shameful how these republicans, and they really and truly are not real republicans, are attempting to be hateful obstructionists. If this is their mantra, they should handily lose the 2022 election. If they take ant more seats in Congress from the Democrats, then maybe the Democrats need to rethink their strategy. The previous administration has done extreme damage to our journalists. The basis to undermine good and honest information. Now that seems to be the republican way for everything. Make false claims and ruin people’s integrity and keep the big lie going.
Before and NOW, you said it best "principled" republicans. Will we ever find any who care about our country and ALL their citizens they have been chosen to represent, more than their party ? Will they ever open their eyes and hearts and see the damage they are causing before it's too late and work toward Bipartisan solutions at this time of need
Well said Dan! I am enjoying your posts very much. Keep up the great work.
Thank you for your commitment to the good and the fair.
TMarie: I could not agree more. Thank You!
Only way to solve this ,is the Ballot Box . That's why the Republicans want to suppress the vote
I'm what you'd call a social democrat if we had such a party. I have never expected, nor do I now expect, that to be a majority position in this country. I don't see much of a future in not compromising, not moving forward with a balanced approach to wants/ needs as disparate as mine and, say, the Bundy's. I don't expect it to always make me happy, but I'm prepared to move forward slowly. I don't find much of that sentiment in the country. History teaches us that change is hard, uneven, and painful. What seems lacking is a similar patience from the other side. Not despairing, but this swing of the pendulum has been very long and horrible. We need to somehow engage with people who literally would rather kill us or themselves than engage in the actual process of governance. It's a hard place to start from. The story of the golden goose comes to mind.
The issue in the US is that we have fallen into a governance system where members are more interested in re-election and the money that brings them than actually the job elected to do. There is no actual representation of what their constituents want, it's only what the donors are asking them to do. The rest is "speak" to get elected. Corporate contributions to candidates needs to end. PACS of any kind need to be limited in scope and what they can contribute. And the election cycles need to be contained, especially for presidential elections. And as an added note--- congressional members MUST be present and working a specified number of days per cycle. Working from home is fine, but many only show for votes and don't even attend their own committee meetings. No wonder some of the ne'er do wells are running....they don't have to actually "work". We hired them to do a job, you don't meet requirements of attendance, holding town halls, bill legislation,, you are off the ballot. I'm also all for a required civic-constitution test before they can run for a federal seat.
I agree!
We are not on any path to a functioning government and we cannot change course until we remove money from politics. Both of the big 2 parties are addicted to money and have fought side by side against any reasonable change for decades. This article has focused on the Republican party, but the Democratic party carries some responsibility as well. They are not equally at fault and not for the same reasons, but they both are to blame.
The Republican party has chosen to be the abusive parent in this dysfunctional family and the Democratic party is the codependent parent. The Republican party could never have become such a threat to the security of our country without the tacit (and sometimes active) support of the Democratic party, even if that support was simply standing back and letting the Republicans do their damage. But most often it was because the Democratic party desperately needed the approval of their Republican "counterparts" to the point that they valued befriending Republicans over representing their own base.
We are here because we have 2 broken political parties, not 1.
Really enjoyed this piece, Dan. Like you, I’m cautiously optimistic that we are on a path to a government that functions instead of one bent on self-destruction. Thanks for Steady. I have missed your journalistic voice and welcome it back wholeheartedly!
The problem , in my mind, seems to be this-How do we attract more public servants and less ego- driven individuals? Until we can answer that question, we will continue to suffer as a country.
Journalists are the story tellers of history. Accountability should always be front and center when telling it. Expressing what is really broken and asking hard questions prepares those being asked to search deep into their moral obligation to the people they serve instead of themselves. Elected officials should come down off the pedestal they have created in their minds and serve. There is an enormous amount of disgusting follow the leader syndrome politics, partly due to the reality of this cancel culture syndrome in media no doubt. It is critical that bipartisan support get involved and focus on healing by truly getting involved with the work needed to elevate the problem. Clearly the oaths taken has been broken and none of them seems to care who they represent.
Amen. Preach truth to the masses.
While I agree with what Mr. Rather has written, my thoughts on Congress may be a bit different. If there are term limits for the President, why not for other elected officials. Some of these people are in office for decades with their out of touch thinking. We need to have some fresh faces and younger people to bring a different prospective. Of course I don't know quite how we would accomplish this, but it's just something that I would like to see.