They always come back to "pro-life" and they clearly don't care about anyone after they're born. Sure, women should die of sepsis, sure kids don't need childcare nor free lunch nor public schools nor healthcare because... Democrats. 🤬
““Burke believed western civilization was something of a miracle that had slowly evolved over time. His version of conservatism stressed being grateful and giving thanks for the institutions we have. Tweaking and improving things are commendable, but we shouldn’t stress the system too much. And we certainly shouldn’t attempt to overturn society via revolution.”
Substitute “Trump” for “Burke.” See how dumb and clueless it sounds. Then try “Biden.” The last sentence would actually make sense.
What would happen if some how Nikki Haley did win the nomination. Would Trump and his 35% cultists back down and admit defeat? Would the RNC suddenly decide that we would no longer have two sets of rules for the party. Would our current house speaker suddenly decide that he represents all of the people and not just the populist republican voters. Would the Republican Party become less extreme? Biden has been pretty good at staying close to his center-left legacy. I am not so sure that any Republican could do the same. One party still has restraints and the other party does not. Look at the Republicans still in office now and see how many are anti-Trump. Only Mitt Romney is left, and he said he is not coming back. I am not convinced that any republican has the courage to stand up against what the party has become. I also worry that the Democratic Party could follow in the other direction.
If the shrinking moderate/sane contingent quit the GOP in my state, it will be overrun by MAGA in one election. I am one primary election away from extreme policy ideas being enacted. Right now, holding the MAGA contingent at bay is barely working. The GOP primary is the only meaningful vote I have. General elections are already known outcomes and that is not changing. I do not have the luxury of leaving the GOP.
As soon as there is another organized political party to replace the structural power the GOP holds in my state, without increasing the MAGA power in my state, I will gleefully drop them in a second. The Dems have not been able to convince enough voters in my state that they are that alternative. That is beyond my control and I have a practical decision to make.
Stopping the GOP in your state may not be possible, but finding ways to unelect the MAGA crowd might be. Or, convincing the Dems to stand on their hind feet and fighting back fiercely could help to get the MAGA crowd unelected.
The People aren’t stupid, but they are very ignorant about what TFG and the MAGA crowd actually intends to do. When it starts, if TFG is elected, they will be dropped like a hot rock and wonder what happened to their Constitutional free speech, elections, civil rights and a blind justice system, and more.
I quit the GOP after 51 years as a registered Republican. My decision was not so much about what the Democrats stand for as it was about the radical anti-American and constitutional perversions promulgated by TFG and his Senate and House henchmen that continue to today.
Brilliant! Thank you for this clearly stated description of the GOP descent into madness and the need for the rest of us to make a choice. Thanks, Reed.
I admire your principles, and mostly agree, but not voting at all is a vote for TFG by default because of the way the highly gerrymandered Electoral College works. In this race every vote counts.
A vote against him and the GOP creates a shot at correcting course.
Conversely, if TFG wins there will never be another opportunity to do that by his own statements and those who support his causes.
Worse, there’s a chance some form of a Constitutional but uncorrectable bible based theocracy could result because those folks are hitched to his coattails.
The GOP is driven by PAC and blind pool corporate and oligarch $$ donations. The only way to stop them is to cut off their money supplies and vote the current group out.
My current observation is that these are not ordinary times where whomever wins the next election will result in a return to business as usual in an unchallenged Constitutional system. In that, I’m not interested in trying to “fix” anyone. My sole interest is in retaining our unfettered Constitutional and legal rights, such as they are, and to be able to address any and all issues under our current democratic Constitutional system by preserving it. I’m willing to bet that any issue, or issues, can be corrected or diffused over time within that system if TFG and the GOP MAGA minions currently and prospectively elected within it are defeated, and unelected.
TFG and his MAGA minions are currently proposing to eliminate the democratic Constitutional system that allows free speech, along with free elections, free political expression, religious freedom, and more, while using military action and the courts to enforce one man’s dictatorial will.
Conversely, the Dems make no such radical Constitutional change proposals. The People, collectively, will remain with their historically demonstrated imperfect opportunity to effect and affect whatever course is chosen with democratic action, over time, because our Constitutional system will remain intact. It will take time; the GOP has used the last 50 years to create the current circumstances that led be to quit the party.
However, we’re still a country with free political choice, and, If anyone, on the basis of principle in the 2024 election cycle, or at any time, is a proponent of unfettered “free speech” in any form, including lies, disinformation, or any form of unsupported counterpoint, conspiracy theory or fantasy, however outrageous or untrue, or has any other concerns, and is willing to accept whatever consequences come from inaction in the upcoming elections, please proceed at will. It’s your right to do that.
the only people I hear using the term 'woke' these days is right wingers. which is to say, don't expect Dems to say that. And also just what 'woke stuff' has been taken too far?
Terrific piece
IMO, You, TLP, and the supporting donors are our modern-day “Wolverines” fighting for our democracy. Thank you!
Eh, a lot of this is about identity, sense of self, etc. There's nothing morally objectionable about the things Dems stand for.
They always come back to "pro-life" and they clearly don't care about anyone after they're born. Sure, women should die of sepsis, sure kids don't need childcare nor free lunch nor public schools nor healthcare because... Democrats. 🤬
Do you think Matt is trying to defend a lifetime believing in something that no longer exists?
Hank I'd phrase that it as "defending a lifetime believing in something that never really existed."
““Burke believed western civilization was something of a miracle that had slowly evolved over time. His version of conservatism stressed being grateful and giving thanks for the institutions we have. Tweaking and improving things are commendable, but we shouldn’t stress the system too much. And we certainly shouldn’t attempt to overturn society via revolution.”
Substitute “Trump” for “Burke.” See how dumb and clueless it sounds. Then try “Biden.” The last sentence would actually make sense.
What are your thoughts on The Federalist Society? Seems they taught the leopard how to attack, and now they're attacking everyone they can catch.
Insightful and thoughtful piece.
What would happen if some how Nikki Haley did win the nomination. Would Trump and his 35% cultists back down and admit defeat? Would the RNC suddenly decide that we would no longer have two sets of rules for the party. Would our current house speaker suddenly decide that he represents all of the people and not just the populist republican voters. Would the Republican Party become less extreme? Biden has been pretty good at staying close to his center-left legacy. I am not so sure that any Republican could do the same. One party still has restraints and the other party does not. Look at the Republicans still in office now and see how many are anti-Trump. Only Mitt Romney is left, and he said he is not coming back. I am not convinced that any republican has the courage to stand up against what the party has become. I also worry that the Democratic Party could follow in the other direction.
If the shrinking moderate/sane contingent quit the GOP in my state, it will be overrun by MAGA in one election. I am one primary election away from extreme policy ideas being enacted. Right now, holding the MAGA contingent at bay is barely working. The GOP primary is the only meaningful vote I have. General elections are already known outcomes and that is not changing. I do not have the luxury of leaving the GOP.
As soon as there is another organized political party to replace the structural power the GOP holds in my state, without increasing the MAGA power in my state, I will gleefully drop them in a second. The Dems have not been able to convince enough voters in my state that they are that alternative. That is beyond my control and I have a practical decision to make.
Stopping the GOP in your state may not be possible, but finding ways to unelect the MAGA crowd might be. Or, convincing the Dems to stand on their hind feet and fighting back fiercely could help to get the MAGA crowd unelected.
The People aren’t stupid, but they are very ignorant about what TFG and the MAGA crowd actually intends to do. When it starts, if TFG is elected, they will be dropped like a hot rock and wonder what happened to their Constitutional free speech, elections, civil rights and a blind justice system, and more.
I quit the GOP after 51 years as a registered Republican. My decision was not so much about what the Democrats stand for as it was about the radical anti-American and constitutional perversions promulgated by TFG and his Senate and House henchmen that continue to today.
Brilliant! Thank you for this clearly stated description of the GOP descent into madness and the need for the rest of us to make a choice. Thanks, Reed.
Very well stated.
It was time three years ago.
Better late than never.
Do I want Nikki Haley to be president? Not really.
She's been too mealy mouthed and I think she'll bend the knee in a heartbeat.
But in my fantasy world, Chris Christie is the Republican nominee and I can sleep easy election night before the votes are counted.
I'd rather have Joe Biden but Chris Christie or Asa Hutchinson would mean a Republican administration run by the rule of law.
Unfortunately, the Republican base doesn't want the rule of law.
Edmund Burke is rolling in his grave.
So heartfelt and to the point, Reed.
I admire your principles, and mostly agree, but not voting at all is a vote for TFG by default because of the way the highly gerrymandered Electoral College works. In this race every vote counts.
A vote against him and the GOP creates a shot at correcting course.
Conversely, if TFG wins there will never be another opportunity to do that by his own statements and those who support his causes.
Worse, there’s a chance some form of a Constitutional but uncorrectable bible based theocracy could result because those folks are hitched to his coattails.
The GOP is driven by PAC and blind pool corporate and oligarch $$ donations. The only way to stop them is to cut off their money supplies and vote the current group out.
My current observation is that these are not ordinary times where whomever wins the next election will result in a return to business as usual in an unchallenged Constitutional system. In that, I’m not interested in trying to “fix” anyone. My sole interest is in retaining our unfettered Constitutional and legal rights, such as they are, and to be able to address any and all issues under our current democratic Constitutional system by preserving it. I’m willing to bet that any issue, or issues, can be corrected or diffused over time within that system if TFG and the GOP MAGA minions currently and prospectively elected within it are defeated, and unelected.
TFG and his MAGA minions are currently proposing to eliminate the democratic Constitutional system that allows free speech, along with free elections, free political expression, religious freedom, and more, while using military action and the courts to enforce one man’s dictatorial will.
Conversely, the Dems make no such radical Constitutional change proposals. The People, collectively, will remain with their historically demonstrated imperfect opportunity to effect and affect whatever course is chosen with democratic action, over time, because our Constitutional system will remain intact. It will take time; the GOP has used the last 50 years to create the current circumstances that led be to quit the party.
However, we’re still a country with free political choice, and, If anyone, on the basis of principle in the 2024 election cycle, or at any time, is a proponent of unfettered “free speech” in any form, including lies, disinformation, or any form of unsupported counterpoint, conspiracy theory or fantasy, however outrageous or untrue, or has any other concerns, and is willing to accept whatever consequences come from inaction in the upcoming elections, please proceed at will. It’s your right to do that.
the only people I hear using the term 'woke' these days is right wingers. which is to say, don't expect Dems to say that. And also just what 'woke stuff' has been taken too far?