GOP long-time insider Kevin McCarthy had a a tough time with his coronation as Speaker of the House. Is that a sign that the Rinocene era is finally drawing to a close?
Help keep these messages coming by becoming one of our elite team of anti-elitists, right here: https://billwhittlecom.wpenginepowered.com/register
9 replies on “Slow-Motion Revolution?”
From what I understand, term limits, the Fair Tax, and the balanced budget were written off by McCarthy as promises because he didn’t believe he had the votes and “those items couldn’t pass”. Term limits apparently are too in line with our founding principles and need to be abandoned. The Fair Tax is too simple and rational for a federal government whose very existence depends on the opaque and the unexplainable, with a massive bureaucracy to justify. And a balanced budget is unattainable because they’ve passed laws that the federal budget has to expand by 7-10% annually or else it’s a “Tax Cut!!!!” and entitlement programs will be the first to scream unfair.
The votes are now in and McCarthy is speaker with concessions to the “far right radicals”. And we will at least get to see who is a conservative when they vote on these positions.
Just curious but, exactly, how binding are the concessions McCarthy made? I see him forgetting/ignoring any and all of the “promises” he made. He obviously does not take his oath of office seriously, why is this any different!!
Now that the dust has settled, it would be nice if those members of the Freedom Caucus who ran to microphones all during the voting process step up again. Being a humble and gracious ‘winner’ is something that is in short supply in politics. Anyone who was animated by a grudge or personal animosity can clear the air. I know I may be in the minority for thinking this, but I think that now it’s time to get busy and work as a team. They are in a very dynamic group, with egos and voices that demand to be seen and heard. Lowering the heat will heal some wounds and confound the media and Democrats who want to stir the pot.
I fear that expecting congress critters to act like adults may be a bridge too far. But I agree with you optimism. Time to figure out the 3 or 4 things upon which they can agree and move on them. Doesn’t matter that the senate may not act, the House should do its job.
Here a question I posted in a different location, but I received no replies:
How does a limited-government-supporting conservative remain in office long enough to effect change when he supports the notion of term limits? Obviously, the population of the Congress must be dominated by such individuals for multiple terms. This seems to me to be a highly-improbable series of events in American politics — at least a peaceful one.
When that lawmaker has success in the two terms he resides in Federal government and therefor makes the opportunity to continue his example be a desirable one.
Just imagine how much less external monies would matter if they didn’t always run for re-election.
I was on the side of I don’t care how long it takes. I thought the Freedom Caucus had some really good points.
However, the item where only 1 member of the House can call for a vote on the speaker’s removal? That will backfire in a big way. Much like Harry Reid and eliminating the filibuster on judges. There are 212 on the other side of the aisle that will probably try that quite often. And they vote in total lockstep.
Are we going to have a vote every week to keep the SOTH in place? Will any of those 20 vote with the 212?
I also think the D’s missed an opportunity. Before McCarthy gave in, they could have had a handful of members vote for him, or even all 212, thereby making themselves look like they are non-partisan and playing nice. They would have gotten huge press from that. Really surprised they didn’t do it.
Guess it was more important to show everyone that McCarthy has no nads.
Totally agree that Dems missed their opportunity, in the name of embarrassing McCarthy. None of the demands of the Freedom Caucus seem to benefit the Dems, so why didn’t they vote McCarthy in before he was forced to give the FC what they wanted? Maybe they secretly wanted some of those things too, but couldn’t be seen siding with Repubs? I am interested to see where this goes, because McCarthy will not be able to be the Congressional Dictator like Pelosi was.
McCarthy ended up with the gavel, though. For his sins, perhaps. But also because he didn’t give up.