{7/15/17} Race to the Bottom
In the Trump area I think we’re learning how much of America’s democracy is built on norms and precedent. Or if we’re not learning it now we’ll realize it once the whole thing is dismantled. I hope history is not kind to the Republicans who could put a stop to this, and don’t.
And what’s the endgame here? If Republicans succeed in “repeal and go f*ck yourself”, they’re going to economically destabilize millions of people. Not just people who will lose their insurance, but the young people who will have to quit school and get a shitty job to help someone in their family; parents who won’t be able to invest in their children because of healthcare bills; and so on and so forth. This will weaken the resilience of individuals, families, and communities. And for what, so rich people can have nine 0’s on their income instead of eight? And the fact that Republicans continue to push this agenda — which has a paucity of support — practically by any means necessary, does not bode well for the future of the legislative process. Not only that, it begs the question, why do they think they can get away with this? On the latest Pod Save America, Ana-Marie Cox put forth the theory that these are the actions of people who aren’t afraid of losing because they don’t expect a fair election.
And I wouldn’t put it past Mitch McConnell. The White House and members of the House and Senate knew about Russian intervention in the election, but Mitch McConnell refused a bi-partisan statement. This is also around the same time he was refusing to move on confirming Obama’s Supreme Court nominee.
And again, I ask, for what? Yes, now you have your guy on the Supreme Court, you’re making a buttload of money for your cronies, and you have the power you crave… But you’re selling your whole country up the river. You’re betraying the values of the office you hold and the country you claim to support. And if you do this so cravenly, and you get away with it, don’t think you’re not setting an example. Don’t think you will be the last person to do this, and don’t think you’re always going to come out on top. Fuck you, Mitch McConnell, for accelerating this race to the bottom.
