Disgust is the word
What's to like about politics today?
When I saw this New York Times headline, I nodded in agreement.
How Do Americans Feel About Politics? ‘Disgust Isn’t a Strong Enough Word’
In all my years covering politics, I’ve never had the lack of faith in elected officials that haunts me daily.
Consider:
— 2024 looks as if it may produce another Biden-Trump election, even though most Americans don’t like either candidate.
— Former President Donald Trump is facing multiple prosecutions, a foreseeable result given Trump’s apparent contempt for the law.
— President Joe Biden seems to be sleepwalking through the White House.
— House Republicans allowed eight opportunist members, led by one Matt Gaetz of Florida, to hijack the speakership and leave the body without a leader.
The only member who has shown class during the leadership fight is Kevin McCarthy, who decided to walk away from the fight he lost, rather than seek re-election again. The GOP did not look good when the then-speaker lost because of eight House Republicans who seem to care more about getting on cable TV than doing their jobs.
I don’t blame Democrats for what happened — if the tables were turned, GOP members would not vote to help install a speaker from the other side of the aisle. The only good that can come from this sorry episode would be if the eight pay a penalty for putting their profiles before party.
I get that there are GOP voters who see it as a virtue to poke holes at party leadership. They see a virtue in losing — even when it helps Democrats.
Remember their names: Reps. Andy Biggs of Arizona, Ken Buck of Colorado, Tim Burchett of Tennessee, Eli Crane of Arizona, Gaetz of Florida, Bob Good of Virginia, Nancy Mace of South Carolina and Matt Rosendale of Montana. If they cared about the system, they’d have come to the moment prepared, but they just winged it, because it was all about TV.
Debra J. Saunders is a fellow at the Discovery Institute’s Chapman Center for Citizen Leadership. Please feel free to comment below.
Amen.
There is only one party who adores Orbon, or Putin, or Junping, or N Korea. Only one party has advocated to be a dictator on day one. Only one party supporter Jan 6th. Only one party has tried to distant themselves from the facts of the insurrection. Those are your parties issues. We also have issues with the right wing on policy issues. Your policy comes in the package of Donald trump. He is a very dangerous angry aggrieved man whom you nor the party either can or will be able to control.