What happens to the Republican Party now? (2 Viewers)

This is a thought-provoking opinion piece:

SteveSBrickNJ said:

Enjoy that, because Biden won't be winning a 2nd term. He probably will not be the 2024 Nominee. Been there. Said that. This is all rehashing old talking points.

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It's nothing to be "enjoyed". It's a sad statement of where the republican party is today. It's a very low bar, kind of akin to asking someone if they agree that 1+1=2. That one would need to ask that question to determine what kind of person you are dealing with is a shame that Republicans will wear for the rest of this country's history.

Given a choice between a second Biden term and any republican not named Cheney or Romney, it's really no choice at all. Republicans cannot be trusted with power. They are easily duped and susceptible to outrageous and obvious lives. They bet their lives on it.

SFIDC3 said:

I saw an interview with Kinzinger (one of the very few sane Republicans) who said she is not the person I knew and worked with, she’s been radicalized….

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I wouldn't doubt it. They know the sounds they have to make.

SFIDC3 said:

I don’t think there is a problem with it….at all….I think all of us have friends or know someone who has been radicalized or just plain brainwashed….it’s sad but very true….I think Kizinger is expressing his frustrations with that, I’m fine with that….

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I have no problem with his statement nor his work on the committee. My issue is his belief that the rise of MAGAts is a recent and aberrant phenomenon. It is not. The Republican Party has been marching to authoritarianism for over 70 years. The pace has simply accelerated in the last 40 culminating in Trumpism. Trumpism IS the Republican Party.

bird said:

I have no problem with his statement nor his work on the committee. My issue is his belief that the rise of MAGAts is a recent and aberrant phenomenon. It is not. The Republican Party has been marching to authoritarianism for over 70 years. The pace has simply accelerated in the last 40 culminating in Trumpism. Trumpism IS the Republican Party.

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Maybe, but it absolutely shouldn't be.

Also, I'm probably more of a libertarian than a conservative, at least on social issues. Conservative when it comes to how the government is funded and run.

SteveSBrickNJ said:

I was asked that months ago and I responded "YES". I will state it again that Biden is the President because he fairly won the election. @Taurus

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Ok. Now you can look up what percentage of Republicans will say that out loud to get a rough idea of where you stand in the party.
I believe the results will sadden you.

DaveXA said:

Maybe, but it absolutely shouldn't be.

Also, I'm probably more of a libertarian than a conservative, at least on social issues. Conservative when it comes to how the government is funded and run.

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Welp, good luck. I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on how government is funded and run.

bird said:

Welp, good luck. I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on how government is funded and run.

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It's long and complicated, but to overly simplify it, there is a shirt ton of waste, there are redundant programs, and there is too much influence by special interests that stifle opportunities for the government to attempt real reforms in key areas, whether it's health care, taxation, particularly for corporate America, is a mess, and the IRS is ridiculously inefficient and more. Some departments are underfunded and some are way over funded.

And, full disclosure, I'm a federal employee.

Saintamaniac said:

It's nothing to be "enjoyed". It's a sad statement of where the republican party is today. It's a very low bar, kind of akin to asking someone if they agree that 1+1=2. That one would need to ask that question to determine what kind of person you are dealing with is a shame that Republicans will wear for the rest of this country's history.

Given a choice between a second Biden term and any republican not named Cheney or Romney, it's really no choice at all. Republicans cannot be trusted with power. They are easily duped and susceptible to outrageous and obvious lives. They bet their lives on it.

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Disagree.

DaveXA said:

It's long and complicated, but to overly simplify it, there is a shirt ton of waste, there are redundant programs, and there is too much influence by special interests that stifle opportunities for the government to attempt real reforms in key areas, whether it's health care, taxation, particularly for corporate America, is a mess, and the IRS is ridiculously inefficient and more. Some departments are underfunded and some are way over funded.

And, full disclosure, I'm a federal employee.

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I’m sure this is all true. My problem is that I don’t think Rs want to fix anything. They just want to eliminate all financial controls and then control all social acts. So between the two, I’m going to always pick the democrats for now, at least until Rs come back to their senses. Which may be never, lol.

MT15 said:

I’m sure this is all true. My problem is that I don’t think Rs want to fix anything. They just want to eliminate all financial controls and then control all social acts. So between the two, I’m going to always pick the democrats for now, at least until Rs come back to their senses. Which may be never, lol.

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Which is why I say I'm a conservative/libertarian and not a Republican. I'm open to voting for a Republican, but the odds are I won't.

Part of the problem though is Democrats are vulnerable to special interests and lobbying as well. Money talks regardless of party. We need to get corporate America out of the business of buying votes.

Spending the rainy day fund never has bad consequences
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As gas prices climbed toward record highs this May, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) secured a pause on the state’s fuel taxes — a $200 million plan he helped pay for with a pot of federal funds awarded earlier in the pandemic.


The policy was intended to save money for local drivers and state coffers alike.

But it also appeared to mark a potential violation of federal law — and the latest skirmish in an escalating clash between GOP officials and the White House over how states can use generous federal stimulus dollars.


More than a year after Congress approved a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, Republicans in nearly two dozen states have ratcheted up efforts to tap some of those funds for an unrelated purpose: paying for tax cuts.

The moves have threatened to siphon off aid that might otherwise help states fight the pandemic, shore up their local economies or prepare for a potential recession…….

In Florida, the legal wrangling has enabled DeSantis and his political allies to leverage about $200 million in federal coronavirus aid to help pay for a planned suspension of the gas tax this October, according to state budget documents.

Lawmakers essentially adopted a law that deposited its allotment under the stimulus program into the state’s general fund, then appropriated the money for the tax holiday, records show.


The policy, set to take effect later this year, could be in direct conflict with the federal tax restriction, local lawyers and advocates say. But Christina Pushaw, a spokeswoman for the governor, blasted the tax prohibition in a statement, calling it “not legally valid.”


The spending decisions have troubled some fiscal experts, who fear that the push for aggressive tax cuts this year could leave state budgets lacking much-needed revenue in the event of a recession.

The moves also have flummoxed local advocates, who say that every federal dollar devoted to lowering tax bills is one less available for targeted relief — from improvements in housing to investments in aging infrastructure…….

Optimus Prime said:

Spending the rainy day fund never has bad consequences
=======================


As gas prices climbed toward record highs this May, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) secured a pause on the state’s fuel taxes — a $200 million plan he helped pay for with a pot of federal funds awarded earlier in the pandemic.


The policy was intended to save money for local drivers and state coffers alike.

But it also appeared to mark a potential violation of federal law — and the latest skirmish in an escalating clash between GOP officials and the White House over how states can use generous federal stimulus dollars.


More than a year after Congress approved a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, Republicans in nearly two dozen states have ratcheted up efforts to tap some of those funds for an unrelated purpose: paying for tax cuts.

The moves have threatened to siphon off aid that might otherwise help states fight the pandemic, shore up their local economies or prepare for a potential recession…….

In Florida, the legal wrangling has enabled DeSantis and his political allies to leverage about $200 million in federal coronavirus aid to help pay for a planned suspension of the gas tax this October, according to state budget documents.

Lawmakers essentially adopted a law that deposited its allotment under the stimulus program into the state’s general fund, then appropriated the money for the tax holiday, records show.


The policy, set to take effect later this year, could be in direct conflict with the federal tax restriction, local lawyers and advocates say. But Christina Pushaw, a spokeswoman for the governor, blasted the tax prohibition in a statement, calling it “not legally valid.”


The spending decisions have troubled some fiscal experts, who fear that the push for aggressive tax cuts this year could leave state budgets lacking much-needed revenue in the event of a recession.

The moves also have flummoxed local advocates, who say that every federal dollar devoted to lowering tax bills is one less available for targeted relief — from improvements in housing to investments in aging infrastructure…….

https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2022/07/05/republicans-tax-cuts-stimulus/

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I think it depends. If the money isn't going to be spent otherwise, might as well apply it elsewhere. If it actually takes away from pandemic response, then nah.

DaveXA said:

It's long and complicated, but to overly simplify it, there is a shirt ton of waste, there are redundant programs, and there is too much influence by special interests that stifle opportunities for the government to attempt real reforms in key areas, whether it's health care, taxation, particularly for corporate America, is a mess, and the IRS is ridiculously inefficient and more. Some departments are underfunded and some are way over funded.

And, full disclosure, I'm a federal employee.

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Waste? In a bureaucracy? I am stunned. Just kidding. Of course there is waste. There is waste in any bureaucracy. The IRS is grossly understaffed due to ideologues refusing to staff the organization that collects funds.

The point regarding taxation is interesting. Corporate taxes are relatively small. The problem with them lies in far too many loopholes and deductions.

Special interest groups is also intriguing. I would start by making lobbying legal only in very specific manners. If a group has interest in supporting or opposing legislation then their concerns must be brought forward in committee meetings that would be open to the media and broadcast as well as streamed. media would have to carry it free of charge. No lobbyist would be permitted to meet with any legislator. This is not a limit on free speech. Much like so-called free speech zones it allows for views to be viewed but within the light of day. This would occur on any level of government which would help keep ALEC in the light of day.

I would also clarlfy the definition of “good behavior” regarding SCOTUS judges.

DaveXA said:

I think it depends. If the money isn't going to be spent otherwise, might as well apply it elsewhere. If it actually takes away from pandemic response, then nah.

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You can't just apply it else unless it's in the regulations (which it isn't) or you receive an exception (which they haven't).

We received a crap ton of federal funds during the pandemic for patient services. We asked HRSA if we could use some of that money to bring an old building back online to use for administration so that we could house more providers and expand services in the clinic nearby.

"Are you going to be seeing patients in said building?"

"No. We're going to expand services in the clinic with space we won't have if we don't move these other individuals out."

"Yeah, nope. You have until June 2023 to use up the funds accordingly."

This is the modern day Republican Party.... party over country, party over morality, party over... math?

GrandAdmiral said:

You can't just apply it else unless it's in the regulations (which it isn't) or you receive an exception (which they haven't).

We received a crap ton of federal funds during the pandemic for patient services. We asked HRSA if we could use some of that money to bring an old building back online to use for administration so that we could house more providers and expand services in the clinic nearby.

"Are you going to be seeing patients in said building?"

"No. We're going to expand services in the clinic with space we won't have if we don't move these other individuals out."

"Yeah, nope. You have until June 2023 to use up the funds accordingly."

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Indeed, I do think states are trying to bend the rules to suit their needs, which if violates federal regulations, they shouldn't be doing. I'm not sure how different that is for specific companies or agencies compared to state governments.