13 Comments
User's avatar
⭠ Return to thread
Dean's avatar

As much as I like this essay and what generally is "going on", I hope this doesn't get reduced down to just an exercise in political partisan point-scoring. All those years, the neocons, mostly identifying as Republicans, ran amuck in foreign policy, they never used USAID for corrupt purposes? What about the riches gained by Establishment Republicans like Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham, to just name two?

I agree that Dems/liberals have a greater predilection to government waste, fraud and abuse, but letting Republicans skate on these exposures will prevent the hope of a truly transformative correction in our governance.

Expand full comment
JohnAZ's avatar

Why do folks keep calling the RINOs GOP? There is no GOP any more, Trump has destroyed it with the “MAGA” party, or “GAS” party as I said earlier.

The division now is NOT Dem and GOP. It is Deep State and MAGA, which is going to create two new parties.

Expand full comment
Dean's avatar

Then it's time to start throwing those RINO's under the bus. They might start winning more bipartisan rank-and-file support that way, or at least start easing some of their suspicion.

Expand full comment
ezinmn's avatar

Dean - I think your fear will play itself out when the budget gets hashed out over the next 3-4 weeks. They either have to come up with a new budget by I believe March 14th, or pass another Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government funded, in effect continuing the "Joe Biden" spending programs.

If they do a new budget, I doubt they'll have the guts to make the type of cuts envisioned by DOGE. There is only so much that can be trimmed by executive order. Ultimately congress will need to pass spending legislation, which is where the problem may continue.

Expand full comment
Dean's avatar

Good point, that could definitely serve as a lifeboat for Trump, Musk and Republicans to abandon the DOGE ship, claim victory and go back to business as usual without any corruption blowback hitting their side or pet projects.

Expand full comment
JohnAZ's avatar

There is no way we are going back, shock and awe is destroying the networks of DC.

Expand full comment
Kathy Christian's avatar

Yes, no one wants to be voted out of office for saving their constituents money

Expand full comment
Liber8or's avatar

Very true. But times change and people in the party change. No one can forget what Bush Jr. did to us on 9-11. People like Henry Kissinger are fading away. I think time is short and the bells toll for traitors like Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham.

Expand full comment
JohnAZ's avatar

The sooner the better for all of us. McConnell should be censored by the MAGAs in the Senate.

Expand full comment
ezinmn's avatar

They can't even keep McConnell from chairing several Senate Committees (Rules and Defense Appropriations). We've got a long ways to go.

Expand full comment
Rob Anderson's avatar

Minor spelling quibble, John: “censure”, as in “rebuke” or “condemn” (vs “censor” as in “silence”).

Or maybe Mitch the turtle should just shut up 😉

Expand full comment