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Stonewalling the Greater Good [1]

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Date: 2022-12-18

The land fell into fewer hands, the number of the dispossessed increased, and every effort of the great owners was directed at repression. – from “The Grapes of Wrath”

We’ve been spoiled the last two years.

Spoiled by a Democratically controlled Congress and White House that, although often moving in fits and spirts, led by a party that’s sometimes its own worst enemy, were able to tack a pretty good list of accomplishments onto their place in history.

A Covid bill, a bipartisan infrastructure bill, a bipartisan gun bill, efforts to address drug costs and climate change, bipartisan legislation to protect same-sex and interracial marriage. All positive -- albeit not always perfect -- steps to move our country closer to its lofty vision and further from its actual reality.

For all our bitching and moaning and handwringing, President Joe Biden was able to combine legislative accomplishments, actual governing, and leadership both at home and abroad into a two-year record worth applauding if you’re a Democrat, and worth lying about if you’re a Republican hoping to win back the presidency in 2024.

But now, that’s over.

Next month the Republicans take over the House, while Democrats will hold a 51-49 advantage in the Senate. That’s enough to stop the type of damaging legislation the GOP lusts for, but not enough to accomplish much else other than hopefully assuring that Biden can continue to fill open federal judgeships at a strong clip.

And the actual issues – things like wealth inequality, climate change, immigration, voting rights – forget about it.

I know, you’d think immigration might be one area where some kind of compromise could be reached to pass much-needed legislation. I hope that happens, but looking at the white-hot hate some elected Republicans have for immigrants, it’s going to be tough to find a consensus that results in effective and compassionate solutions.

And while we’re distracted by all the repulsive shenanigans the Republicans will engage in through sham investigations and impeachments, don’t lose sight of their top two goals – attaining power and protecting the interests of their rich donors.

As for the latter, this will include trying to make sure that the rich and corporations don’t pay their fair share in taxes, that efforts to help the poor, middle class and senior citizens are kept to a minimum, and that the fossil fuel and financial industries are able to operate at maximum profit and minimum responsibility to the planet and their customers, respectively.

Yes, repression of those burdened by an unfair system will be at the top of the GOP wish list. The fruits of wealth inequality benefitting the rich will be used in attempts to make the financial divide even greater and to keep down those who benefit the least from our current system.

The changing economy was ignored, plans for the change ignored; and only means to destroy revolt were considered, while the causes of revolt went on. – “The Grapes of Wrath”

Republican know they’re facing changing demographics in our country and that a key component of their base – older while people – is shrinking.

That’s why their efforts to establish minority rule – through things like gerrymandering, voter suppression, and packing the courts -- is so important to them, much more than actually addressing the issues facing so many Americans today.

These scams are what they see as the means to maintain power for as long as possible. A way to hold back the revolt of the country once enough of us figure out that its rule makers are stacking the deck for the rich.

But the GOP is in the process of cutting its own throat. It lost elections this year that it could have won with better candidates. Some in the party are slowly starting to eye someone other than disgraced twice-impeached ex-president Donald Trump as its nominee in 2024.

So, it will lean even more heavily on cheating and lying – often bankrolled by big donors who don’t want to see the type of economic fairness our current situation is crying out for. That’s why the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court decision on the so-called “independent state legislature theory” could be so important.

The great owners formed associations for protection and they met to discuss ways to intimidate, to kill, to gas. And aways they were in fear of a principal – three hundred thousand – if they ever move under a leader – the end. – “The Grapes of Wrath”

The Republicans fear a lot of us. They fear the rank-and-file. They fear our vote. They hope and pray that enough of us will kept buying their lies and their racism and keep voting against our own best interests. But, can that go on forever?

As was said earlier, our country is changing. The GOP is a walking handbook for political failure. The party often goes against what a majority of Americans believe in service to their wealthy benefactors.

All this means that in this closely a divided nation it’s not going to take a landslide either way to tip the scales in one direction or the other. That’s why Republicans lie. That’s why they cheat. That’s why corruption has become their bedfellow.

That’s why, in the end, the answer is right in front of us.

We’ll find it at the ballot box.

***

Thank you for reading my post. You can see my other writings on my blog: Musings of a Nobody.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/12/18/2142533/-Stonewalling-the-Greater-Good

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