Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsGOP’s Three Biggest Fears in 2012
http://www.alternet.org/gops-three-biggest-fears-2012***SNIP
Fear #1: Majority Rule in the Senate
A very revealing thing happened in Washington last week. On Wednesday, the Senate held two tax cut votes that were not blockedfilibusteredby Republicans. Both times, simple majorities voted to reinstate higher federal income tax rates on the wealthiest Americans. In any other decade, in any other economic downturn, this outcome would seem utterly predictable and common sense. But todays anti-tax GOP is different.
***SNIP
Fear #2: Open Elections
The GOPs need to game voting has spread like political cancer. In state after state since 2010, Republican-controlled legislatures have gone to great lengths to complicate many aspects of the voting process, from registration to ballot-access rules. The goal, as yet another Republican legislator bragged last week in Wisconsin, is to suppress perceived Democratic voting blocks, particularly people of color, the poor and students.
***SNIP
Fear #3: Standing By Their Words in Public
The political party that wants to end all campaign finance regulation so there can be unfettered speechthats their high-minded linedoesnt want members and backers to stand up in public saying, essentially, "I paid for this ad and I approve of this message."
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
4 replies, 1357 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (12)
ReplyReply to this post
4 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
GOP’s Three Biggest Fears in 2012 (Original Post)
xchrom
Jul 2012
OP
1-Old-Man
(2,667 posts)1. The first of those fears may be realized this Fall
There is a very narrow window of opportunity during which the Senate may amend its rules and that window opens up right after the election. During that lame-duck period Harry can do away with the requirement for a super-majority to end debate (the filibuster) if he has the gumption (balls) to do it.
xchrom
(108,903 posts)2. Reid doesn't inspire a lot of confidence in me.
He's not nearly tough enough on repukes.
1-Old-Man
(2,667 posts)3. I agree that he has been a horrible disappointment many time
For a while there I almost thought he had signed up with the Tea Party, but he has been making the right noises about this one. That and he isn't up for election again for another 4 years, something that can't hurt.
xchrom
(108,903 posts)4. on the occasion when he breaks out of mr mild mannered persona
he can really inspire -- i don't think he knows he has it in him?