What happens to the Republican Party now? (3 Viewers)

[MT15]

This election nonsense by Trump may end up splitting up the Republican Party. I just don’t see how the one third (?) who are principled conservatives can stay in the same party with Trump sycophants who are willing to sign onto the TX Supreme Court case.

We also saw the alt right types chanting “destroy the GOP” in Washington today because they didn’t keep Trump in power. I think the Q types will also hold the same ill will toward the traditional Republican Party. In fact its quite possible that all the voters who are really in a Trump personality cult will also blame the GOP for his loss. It’s only a matter of time IMO before Trump himself gets around to blaming the GOP.

There is some discussion of this on Twitter. What do you all think?

 

[Optimus Prime]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Moms for Liberty, a “parental rights” group that has sought to take over school boards in multiple states, is looking to expand those efforts across the country and to other education posts in 2024 and beyond. The effort is setting up a clash with teachers unions and others on the left who view the group as a toxic presence in public schools.

The group’s co-founder, Tiffany Justice, said during its annual summit over the weekend in Philadelphia that Moms for Liberty will use its political action committee next year to engage in school board races nationwide. It also will “start endorsing at the state board level and elected superintendents.”

Her comments confirm that Moms for Liberty, which has spent its first two years inflaming school board meetings with aggressive complaints about instruction on systemic racism and gender identity in the classroom, is developing a larger strategy to overhaul education infrastructure across the country.

As the group has amassed widespread conservative support and donor funding, its focus on education ensures that even as voters turn their attention to the 2024 presidential race, school board elections will remain some of the most contentious political fights next year.

Moms for Liberty started with three Florida moms fighting COVID-19 restrictions in 2021. It has quickly ascended as a national player in Republican politics, helped along the way by the board’s political training and close relationships with high-profile GOP groups and lawmakers. The group’s support for school choice and the “fundamental rights of parents” to direct their children’s education has drawn allies such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a leading GOP presidential contender, and the conservative Heritage Foundation.


The group has been labeled an “extremist” organization by the Southern Poverty Law Center for allegedly harassing community members, advancing anti-LGBTQ+ misinformation and fighting to scrub diverse and inclusive material from lesson plans.…….

So far, the group has had mixed success at getting its preferred candidates elected. In 2022, slightly more than half of the 500 school board candidates it endorsed across the country won. In the spring of 2023, fewer than one-third of the nearly 30 candidates it endorsed in Wisconsin were elected.

Focusing on state-level candidates could give Moms for Liberty an opportunity to assert its influence on some of the positions that have more control in determining curriculum, said Jon Valant, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution who has studied education policy.


A close partnership with the conservative training organization the Leadership Institute and added money from a growing donor base also could help the Moms for Liberty run more electable candidates and help them win in 2024.

Monty Floyd, vice chair of the Moms for Liberty chapter in Hernando County, Florida, knows what it’s like to have the group’s support in a political campaign. He ran for school board in 2022 and received the group’s endorsement, as well as $250 from its Florida-based PAC.

Floyd lost that race but plans to run again in 2026, he told The Associated Press at the summit. He looks forward to seeing how the group’s political influence grows and said that even more than the money, the national network of Moms for Liberty provides a “great resource” to a candidate.……

Moms for Liberty's focus on school races nationwide sets up political clash with teachers unions

The “parental rights” group Moms for Liberty is looking to expand its efforts to elect school board candidates in 2024 and beyond, as well as get involved in other education races.

apnews.com

 

[Optimus Prime]

Guess this can go here

Is this even legal? Maybe @superchuck500 can weigh in
==============

The 17 June groundbreaking of a future suburban neighborhood in Gastonia, North Carolina, had all the trappings of a campaign rally. Brock Fankhauser, the real estate developer of 1776 Gastonia, waved to onlookers from the open top of a sport-utility vehicle; his wife, Nicole, was by his side, wearing a cowboy hat and matching T-shirt with the development’s namesake year, referring to the American Revolution.

Video footage of the event shows a crane dangling a giant US flag over the site where 43 lots are for sale. Parcels range from $17,500 to $75,000 for land, and homes cost $410,000 and up in this city 20 miles from Charlotte. A young girl rode a horse down a newly paved street flanked by American flags. She gripped the saddle with one hand; in the other, a giant flag. Her sandy blonde hair flowed in rhythm with the Stars and Stripes.

There will be even more flags. This development, which the company has described as “where freedom lives”, is for homeowners 55 and older. And not just any homeowners: “patriots” who will be required to fly the US flag on their properties, on a pole provided and maintained by the subdivision. Each 1776 community (Fankhauser plans on more) will also donate a home with no mortgage, free of cost, to a wounded veteran through the nonprofit Building Homes for Heroes.

With ambiguous ideals and an insistence on a disinterest in politics, the 1776 brand builds off the contentious history of the US flag. Historically, the flag has been a symbol of protest, pride and polarization. When Donald Trump kissed and caressed the American flag after a 2020 speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), he mouthed the words: “I love you, baby.” The gesture landed favorably with his conservative base.

When asked how this community will define patriotism, Fankhauser responded obliquely that patriotism is a mountain landscape. “We’re in a valley right now, and to the extent that I can have any impact whatsoever on bringing us from a valley towards a peak, it would give me tremendous satisfaction,” he said via phone.

As for how he plans to identify potential homeowner-patriots for the 1776 community, Fankhauser said: “There is no screening process that’s different than how one would buy a home in any other neighborhood. We’re only as strong as the pledges that individual homeowners make to one another.”…..

Fankhauser says the 1776 brand is a “movement” and the Gastonia project is “only the beginning”.

“We think that commonality and unification is a critical element in patriotism because it brings us to the broadest denominator of being in America,” Fankhauser told the Guardian. “We will shun any attempts to make this a political movement.” (Fankhauser donated to the Republican party and Donald Trump in 2020 and had previously donated to Republicans in 2003, according to Federal Election Commission records).……

Fankhauser’s nonspecific brand leans into what American studies professor Ben Railton refers to as mythic patriotism, which “creates and celebrates a mythologized, white supremacist vision of American history and identity”. Railton, author of Of Thee I Sing: The Contested History of American Patriotism, argues that such thinking led to the January 6 insurrection and the Trump-initiated 1776 Commission that targeted professors and other educators.……

But is requiring the flag even legal?

1776 Gastonia will use a restrictive covenant that includes the flag stipulation. Restrictive covenants, a norm in residential real estate, allow homeowners associations to enforce rules and consistency in planned communities. Fankhauser defines them as a “pledge of allegiance” to the United States and “promises” among neighbors.

He doesn’t anticipate that enforcing the flag provision will be an issue and has not included repercussions in the covenant if anyone refuses to fly the flag. The Guardian obtained the 1776 Gastonia covenant via email, but it had not yet been recorded in a Gaston County, North Carolina public database at the time of publication and is therefore not enforceable.

Harmony Taylor, the Charlotte real estate lawyer, wrote about the rules governing flags and political signs in HOAs for a legal blog in 2020.

“Typically, restrictive covenants are designed to protect the rights, not impose a speech,” she said. The Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005 did just that, legislating that condos, co-ops, residential associations or housing management groups could not ban any of their members from flying the US flag within their properties. Under North Carolina state law, the right to fly a United States or state flag in a planned community or condominium is similarly protected, with some exceptions.……

The housing community that will require ‘patriots’ to fly the US flag

Developer of North Carolina neighborhood for homeowners 55 and older says his brand ‘only the beginning’ of a ‘movement’

www.theguardian.com

 

[DaveXA]

That's just invective, though.

Can you give me some examples?

There are dozens of examples of Congrssional reps attempting to either prevent legislation from being passed or grandstanding with stuff like impeaching Biden for literally no reason and attempting to open nonsensical investigations that ends up wasting everyone's time and money.

As it should be. Nearly every time a new federal law is passed, either we lose more freedom, spend more money, or often both. The less the two parties work together to do that, the better off the American people are.

I completely disagree, but I don't think we'll see eye to eye here.

The the concern of the poster above about politicians affecting the number of PUBLIC SERVANTS (sic) in the federal work force is unnecessary?

I don't know about unnecessary, but, there are budget limits on every agency, so, it's not like they can just hire people willy-nilly. And usually, getting a federal job is hard. There are often hundreds of applicants for a given position and for most people looking for a federal job it takes a minimum of 12 months and often 2-3 years of active looking to get hired.

 

[Snarky Sack]

There are dozens of examples of Congrssional reps attempting to either prevent legislation from being passed or grandstanding with stuff like impeaching Biden for literally no reason and attempting to open nonsensical investigations that ends up wasting everyone's time and money.

Then it should be easy to name some of those dozens.

I completely disagree, but I don't think we'll see eye to eye here.

I don't know about unnecessary, but, there are budget limits on every agency, so, it's not like they can just hire people willy-nilly. And usually, getting a federal job is hard. There are often hundreds of applicants for a given position and for most people looking for a federal job it takes a minimum of 12 months and often 2-3 years of active looking to get hired.

That's good, isn't it? Federal jobs typically pay far more than a civilian job would pay a person with comparable skills. Which means that people not fortunate enough to have federal jobs are paying taxes so that others can have more lucrative jobs.

Given that it would be nearly impossible to convince the federal government to stop overpaying its employees, keeping the numbers to the minimum keeps the overpayments to the minimum.

Are you aware of how many federal employees are still staying home in the wake of COVID?

Of course you are not. Neither am I or anyone else. Not even the heads of the agencies are aware, according to their congressional testimony.

 

[DaveXA]

Then it should be easy to name some of those dozens.

You're well aware of what they are, so I'm not gonna do work that's not needed.

That's good, isn't it? Federal jobs typically pay far more than a civilian job would pay a person with comparable skills.

I actually am a federal employee. I took a pay cut to join the agency i work for. And objectively, your comment isn't remotely true, not even close. Federal job salaries on average pay almost 25% less than comparable private sector jobs. There are some benefits, but that in no way makes up the 25% salary gap. And it's been getting worse in recent years as private sector wage growth is substantially higher than federal wage growth.

If anything, federal employees have been losing salary due to inflation. Two years ago, inflation was running around 8% and our salary went up 5%, so purchasing power actually went down due to inflation. Same this year. COLA adjustments again trailed inflation numbers.

New Data Suggests the Federal Pay Gap With the Private Sector Is Widening

Union officials called on the Biden administration to provide a more generous raise than the 4.6% average increase slated for next year, while a group representing executives urged officials to explore broader pay reform efforts.

www.govexec.com

Which means that people not fortunate enough to have federal jobs are paying taxes so that others can have more lucrative jobs.

Lmao, what a joke.

Given that it would be nearly impossible to convince the federal government to stop overpaying its employees, keeping the numbers to the minimum keeps the overpayments to the minimum.

If federal employees were actually overpaid, you'd maybe have a point.

Are you aware of how many federal employees are still staying home in the wake of COVID?

Depends on the agency and position. I actually am a federal employee. I work 1 day in the office and 4 days at home. Some have remote positions, some hybrid and some work in the office full-time.

Of course you are not. Neither am I or anyone else. Not even the heads of the agencies are aware, according to their congressional testimony.

Lmao, this is one of the most arrogant piece of sheet posts I've ever seen.

 

[Snarky Sack]

You're well aware of what they are, so I'm not gonna do work that's not needed.

I actually am a federal employee. I took a pay cut to join the agency i work for.

Why would you do that? Your story already makes no sense, the first sentence into it.

And objectively, your comment isn't remotely true, not even close. Federal job salaries on average pay almost 25% less than comparable private sector jobs. There are some benefits, but that in no way makes up the 25% salary gap. And it's been getting worse in recent years as private sector wage growth is substantially higher than federal wage growth.

Your union may be telling you that.

If anything, federal employees have been losing salary due to inflation. Two years ago, inflation was running around 8% and our salary went up 5%, so purchasing power actually went down due to inflation. Same this year. COLA adjustments again trailed inflation numbers.

New Data Suggests the Federal Pay Gap With the Private Sector Is Widening

Union officials called on the Biden administration to provide a more generous raise than the 4.6% average increase slated for next year, while a group representing executives urged officials to explore broader pay reform efforts.

www.govexec.com

Lmao, what a joke.

If federal employees were actually overpaid, you'd maybe have a point.

They are.

Depends on the agency and position. I actually am a federal employee. I work 1 day in the office and 4 days at home. Some have remote positions, some hybrid and some work in the office full-time.

Lmao, this is one of the most arrogant piece of sheet posts I've ever seen.

By Allah!

Way to come on and prove my point!

Let me guess: your agency counts you as an employee who returned to the workplace?

Dude, go to work every day. Like I do. I'm certainly paying you enough to at least show up!

 

[DaveXA]

Why would you do that? Your story already makes no sense, the first sentence into it.

Because I changed careers. Went from a technical writer position to a financial management specialist position. I am deaf, and the federal government has more accessibility provisions than do most private sector positions. I worked 30 years in the private sector. What I value in the federal service is stability, benefits for my family and a position that fits the skills I have. I worked my arse off for 3 years to find the job I'm in currently.

Your union may be telling you that.

I have yet to speak to a union representative since starting my current position 3 years ago. So...

They are.

So you ignore the actual statistics and make sheet up. Says a lot about you as a person who doesn't give a sheet about federal employees.

By Allah!

Way to come on and prove my point!

Let me guess: your agency counts you as an employee who returned to the workplace?

Dude, go to work every day. Like I do. I'm certainly paying you enough to at least show up!

I work as hard from home as i do from the office. You don't know me, and you're just proving you're what we all thought, a troll and an ignorant idiot.

 

[Snarky Sack]

I work as hard from home as i do from the office. You don't know me, and you're just proving you're what we all thought, a troll and an ignorant idiot.

This is life under a bloated federal government. We work harder and harder to pay the salaries of people who work less and less, and then they insult us in the vilest terms.

The hand that feeds you says "ouch!"

 

[Snarky Sack]

You're the one making sheet up. I'm done talking with you.

We'll see how long that lasts.

 

[Snarky Sack]

We'll see how long that lasts.

Lol, you like being a dick don't you?

About one minute . . .

Dave, did you even look at the vid I posted? Why did that lady refuse to answer if working at home is such a good thing?

She could have said, "yes, most of our employees are working at home or working most days at home. I'm hoping that number will grow. Here are my reasons why that is a good thing . . . "

There are legit reasons why working at home can benefit the employer as well as the employee. But instead of going into them and making her case, she stonewalls representatives of the taxpayers who are paying for all of it.

Why?

 

[SFIDC3]

You don't know me, and you're just proving you're what we all thought, a troll and an ignorant idiot.

Dave, he is not worth your time or effort to respond to.....he is one of the worst trolls I've seen on this board.....perhaps the board he will be "going back to" is Tigerdroppings or the like, he would be a very valued poster there......

 

[Snarky Sack]

Dave, he is not worth your time or effort to respond to.....he is one of the worst trolls I've seen on this board.....perhaps the board he will be "going back to" is Tigerdroppings or the like, he would be a very valued poster there......

Because, of course . . . it's all about me.

 

[DaveXA]

About one minute . . .

Dave, did you even look at the vid I posted? Why did that lady refuse to answer if working at home is such a good thing?

She could have said, "yes, most of our employees are working at home, and I'm hoping that number will grow. Here are my reasons why that is a good thing . . . "

There are legit reasons why working at home can benefit the employer as well as the employee. But instead of going into them and making her case, she stonewalls representatives of the taxpayers who are paying for all of it.

Why?

I can't speak for her, but I can speak for myself, I get far more done working at home than I do at the office. For example, it takes me less time to process entires at home because the office location where I work has more service interruptions than I do at home.

I get interrupted from what I'm working on much less than I do in the office. Meetings go quicker when done via teams and we don't have to spend time reserving an interpreter for a given on site meeting. Same for individual meetings. I use Teams and the relay service. I can use them in the office as well, but it's easier from my home office.

And there's travel. Instead of wasting 2 hours a day commenting, I can put in a little extra time to finish projects or transactions I'm working on.

I'm frustrated with you because you're attacking people like me who are actually trying to make an honest living and and you have no idea until you're in my shoes. Until you do, I suggest you have a little empathy. The way you talk makes me feel like you're only interested in winning an argument and don't care about people. That's what I get from reading your posts.

Fwiw, I deleted a couple of posts because yeah, I was angry.

 

[cuddlemonkey]

Why would you do that? Your story already makes no sense, the first sentence into it.

Your union may be telling you that.

They are.

By Allah!

Way to come on and prove my point!

Let me guess: your agency counts you as an employee who returned to the workplace?

Dude, go to work every day. Like I do. I'm certainly paying you enough to at least show up!

For all of the complaining you do about how you are treated here- and this is for @SaintForLife to look at as well since he has an issue with how conservatives are treated- this is the most ridiculous personal attack I've seen on this board. If you are genuinely a 60-something-year-old guy, you ought to be ashamed that you behave like a child.

 

[cuddlemonkey]

I can't speak for her, but I can speak for myself, I get far more done working at home than I do at the office. For example, it takes me less time to process entires at home because the office location where I work has more service interruptions than I do at home.

I get interrupted from what I'm working on much less than I do in the office. Meetings go quicker when done via teams and we don't have to spend time reserving an interpreter for a given on site meeting. Same for individual meetings. I use Teams and the relay service. I can use them in the office as well, but it's easier from my home office.

And there's travel. Instead of wasting 2 hours a day commenting, I can put in a little extra time to finish projects or transactions I'm working on.

I'm frustrated with you because you're attacking people like me who are actually trying to make an honest living and and you have no idea until you're in my shoes. Until you do, I suggest you have a little empathy. The way you talk makes me feel like you're only interested in winning an argument and don't care about people. That's what I get from reading your posts.

Fwiw, I deleted a couple of posts because yeah, I was angry.

F him. He deserves a lot more than what you gave him, tbh.

 

[Bigdaddysaints]

This is life under a bloated federal government. We work harder and harder to pay the salaries of people who work less and less, and then they insult us in the vilest terms.

The hand that feeds you says "ouch!"

really? everyone that works for the gov't is a slacker and is living off the bloated gov't tit?
My wife works from home Mondays and Fridays, and in the office Tues-Thurs. I guess she's a slacker who just doesn't want to do real work.
Only an idiot would insinuate these things. People who complain about others that work from home are just butt hurt that they can't. They love to say stuff like 'Life aint Fair!", but cry about it when life aint fair...

 

[efil4]

really? everyone that works for the gov't is a slacker and is living off the bloated gov't tit?
My wife works from home Mondays and Fridays, and in the office Tues-Thurs. I guess she's a slacker who just doesn't want to do real work.
Only an idiot would insinuate these things. People who complain about others that work from home are just butt hurt that they can't. They love to say stuff like 'Life aint Fair!", but cry about it when life aint fair...

He 61.

Probably spent the good part of his adult life going from job to job, looking for that one good paying career, found it, worked stupid crazy hours, and now sees folks making 2x what he did, working from the comfort of home.

and it bothers him. Because he still has to put on his white pleather New Balance sneakers and head out to work every day.

or he just likes to play antagonist ( my guess ) here on the board. No real angst, just looking to stir the pot.

Either way, ill continue to lurk and watch yall engage this dude. Try as you might, he aint changing his mind - old people like that- set in their ways.

 

[Bigdaddysaints]

He 61.

Probably spent the good part of his adult life going from job to job, looking for that one good paying career, found it, worked stupid crazy hours, and now sees folks making 2x what he did, working from the comfort of home.

and it bothers him. Because he still has to put on his white pleather New Balance sneakers and head out to work every day.

or he just likes to play antagonist ( my guess ) here on the board. No real angst, just looking to stir the pot.

Either way, ill continue to lurk and watch yall engage this dude. Try as you might, he aint changing his mind - old people like that- set in their ways.

@Snarky Sack i know you have mentioned it in other threads,but i don't remember. what do you do for a living?