For the past several decades of divisive American politics, there has been a game played by pundits and politicians alike: Is this Congress the least productive ever? I know it has been said before, but this 118th Congress may actually be the worst one yet. Rep. Patrick McHenry, a Republican from North Carolina who is calling it quits, labeled it “a very actively stupid political environment.”
Thank you, Dan! Some may consider this old news. Yet many need a review!! Important ! Many have no insight. Could you forward this newsletter to The NY Times? Maybe more will publish.
Thanks for the expression of confidence. I am at the stage of my life that political office is not in my future. I will continue to raise my voice fir what is right, however
Every time I hear a Republican complain about the party, or decide to retire because of the mess they have made of congress, I ask myself “Why, if they feel this way, did they not vote with Democrats to accomplish something.” They are as guilty as their comrades.
Well stated, Dan. But, we, the voters, elect these people to their jobs. Or, worse, we don’t even show up to vote! We have some responsibility here. It’s up to us to demand more from our elected officials and to show them the door when they don’t deliver. It’s our job as citizens.
Dan, off topic, but are you aware of the current ‘Nazis’ issue here at Substack? Here are a couple of takeaways from Casey Newtons post that I found compelling. Compelling to the point that I will be following him and you both, should you be unable to change the 'Accountants' position.
Google >> Why Substack is at a crossroads - by Casey Newton (platformer.news)
"But turning a blind eye to recommended content almost always comes back to bite a platform. It was recommendations on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube that helped turn Alex Jones from a fringe conspiracy theorist into a juggernaut that could terrorize families out of their homes. It was recommendations that turned QAnon from loopy trolling on 4Chan into a violent national movement. It was recommendations that helped to build the modern anti-vaccine movement." - Casey Newton
and
"Our readers understand this. During the past couple weeks, dozens of paid subscribers to Platformer have canceled their memberships. “The reason is simple,” one of those readers wrote to us today. “I don't want to fund Nazis. I'm disturbed by a Substack leadership that looks at openly pro-Nazi content and says, ‘We won't de-platform you. In fact, we'll monetize you.’"
I find it VERY hard to disagree with either of them.
I'd say we need to put them all on a commission to get paid according to how much they get done; the only problem with that is that Congress would have to pass such a law and so there you have it. Nothingburger City.
You said it and so well! Not one of them is fit to be re-elected. Not to even mention their danger to us as a democracy. And let's think about how much better spent their salaries could have been...we are in a sad and scary state.
The Republicans have spent more time on things that relate primarily to (1) getting re-elected by blaming everyone but themselves for not doing “the right things” and (2) hopelessly hoping they can hold enough hearings and investigations to find some dirt on Joe Biden. They finally got rid of Santos, but never attempted to do anything about Boebert or Greene, two of whom appear to be the stupidest people ever elected in my lifetime (my first voting election was in 1972, although I remember televised party conventions from the 1950s). The Republican Party is, at best incompetent; at worst—since 2016–a danger to the U.S. and world society. It’s also apparently home base for crazies and idiots. Let’s hope today’s younger generation will vote out as many Republicans as possible in this year’s election, keeping only the few intelligent and moderate Representatives and Senators who have the foresight to look more than 30 seconds ahead in the future.
Do the dark forces of the far right have taken over Congress. It must be a scary situation. Can you believe that those bad, evil people stopped all legislation. Look at the example you gave, they stopped millions and millions of dollars of going to Minnesota.
Oh, wait. Damn, sorry that was the Democrats that stopped that. Instead of dark, evil people I guess they are the bright, good people for doing EXACTLY what you complain that the Republicans do.
I guess my last comment about you trying to make believe that you actually care about the truth was just a retorical question.
There is no point in adding to my conversation! How would Substack just ban anything about politics? We’ll see how intelligent the people posting are.
Thank you, Dan! Some may consider this old news. Yet many need a review!! Important ! Many have no insight. Could you forward this newsletter to The NY Times? Maybe more will publish.
Thanks for the expression of confidence. I am at the stage of my life that political office is not in my future. I will continue to raise my voice fir what is right, however
This is important information to help people when they go to vote!
This says it all: “Imagine the upcoming campaign slogan: “We’ll happily take your money to sit on our hands!”
Every time I hear a Republican complain about the party, or decide to retire because of the mess they have made of congress, I ask myself “Why, if they feel this way, did they not vote with Democrats to accomplish something.” They are as guilty as their comrades.
Thank you, couldn't have said it better. If folks keep on this way, things will be much worse.
Well stated, Dan. But, we, the voters, elect these people to their jobs. Or, worse, we don’t even show up to vote! We have some responsibility here. It’s up to us to demand more from our elected officials and to show them the door when they don’t deliver. It’s our job as citizens.
Oh yes. Women especially need to vote given all that was sacrificed to gain suffrage.
Dan, off topic, but are you aware of the current ‘Nazis’ issue here at Substack? Here are a couple of takeaways from Casey Newtons post that I found compelling. Compelling to the point that I will be following him and you both, should you be unable to change the 'Accountants' position.
Google >> Why Substack is at a crossroads - by Casey Newton (platformer.news)
"But turning a blind eye to recommended content almost always comes back to bite a platform. It was recommendations on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube that helped turn Alex Jones from a fringe conspiracy theorist into a juggernaut that could terrorize families out of their homes. It was recommendations that turned QAnon from loopy trolling on 4Chan into a violent national movement. It was recommendations that helped to build the modern anti-vaccine movement." - Casey Newton
and
"Our readers understand this. During the past couple weeks, dozens of paid subscribers to Platformer have canceled their memberships. “The reason is simple,” one of those readers wrote to us today. “I don't want to fund Nazis. I'm disturbed by a Substack leadership that looks at openly pro-Nazi content and says, ‘We won't de-platform you. In fact, we'll monetize you.’"
I find it VERY hard to disagree with either of them.
As the GOP members of the House tend to do trump’s bidding, I’d like to rebrand them as the Groveling Obsequious Party and just ditch the “Grand”.
So good to see the republican majority in the House.
What are they for? NOTHING!
What are they against? EVERYTHING!
GET RID OF THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please
I'd say we need to put them all on a commission to get paid according to how much they get done; the only problem with that is that Congress would have to pass such a law and so there you have it. Nothingburger City.
You said it and so well! Not one of them is fit to be re-elected. Not to even mention their danger to us as a democracy. And let's think about how much better spent their salaries could have been...we are in a sad and scary state.
Everyone who voted not to accept the electoral college should be out of office.
The Republicans have spent more time on things that relate primarily to (1) getting re-elected by blaming everyone but themselves for not doing “the right things” and (2) hopelessly hoping they can hold enough hearings and investigations to find some dirt on Joe Biden. They finally got rid of Santos, but never attempted to do anything about Boebert or Greene, two of whom appear to be the stupidest people ever elected in my lifetime (my first voting election was in 1972, although I remember televised party conventions from the 1950s). The Republican Party is, at best incompetent; at worst—since 2016–a danger to the U.S. and world society. It’s also apparently home base for crazies and idiots. Let’s hope today’s younger generation will vote out as many Republicans as possible in this year’s election, keeping only the few intelligent and moderate Representatives and Senators who have the foresight to look more than 30 seconds ahead in the future.
Sir,
Do the dark forces of the far right have taken over Congress. It must be a scary situation. Can you believe that those bad, evil people stopped all legislation. Look at the example you gave, they stopped millions and millions of dollars of going to Minnesota.
Oh, wait. Damn, sorry that was the Democrats that stopped that. Instead of dark, evil people I guess they are the bright, good people for doing EXACTLY what you complain that the Republicans do.
I guess my last comment about you trying to make believe that you actually care about the truth was just a retorical question.
Sorry.
Jack