politics and politicians
See other politics and politicians Articles
Title: The Tea Party [Freedom Caucus], Not Democrats or Republicans, Is the Problem
Source:
The Daily Beast
URL Source: https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-t ... -or-republicans-is-the-problem
Published: Oct 20, 2013
Author: JON FAVREAU
Post Date: 2018-02-12 06:00:36 by Gatlin
Keywords: None
Views: 7677
Comments: 52
The Tea Party [Freedom Caucus], Not Democrats or Republicans, Is the Problem. It’s de rigueur to decry ‘partisanship’ as Washington’s ‘real problem.’ Let’s get real—the most destructive force in American politics today is the Tea Party, says Jon Favreau. So now that our government is open and able to pay its bills, what soon-to-be-forgotten lessons have we learned from this sorry fiasco? Perhaps most important is the reminder that political temper tantrums in Washington exact a toll that goes far beyond unfavorable headlines and worse-than-dog-poo poll numbers. This decision hurt people. Some families couldn’t pay their bills. Others had nowhere safe to send their children while they worked. Poor women lost vouchers that helped buy food and formula for their newborns. Cancer treatments were put on hold for patients who didn’t have much time to waste. All told, the shutdown and flirtation with default cost America north of $20 billion. The countries that weren’t busy mocking us were frightened by our behavior, wondering if the world’s wealthiest nation would become the world’s deadbeat nation, taking everyone else down with us in a global collapse worse than 2008. And for what? For what purpose was this pain and humiliation inflicted upon the American people? Yes, you, Rep. Marlin Stutzman from Indiana. Do you have an answer? “We’re not going to be disrespected. We have to get something out of this. And I don’t know what that even is.” Oh. Which brings me to the second shutdown lesson. As a country, we may never get a more revealing, disturbing look at the true source of Washington’s dysfunction than we did over the last few weeks. Together, we endured a 21-hour non- filibuster speech from White Castle enthusiast Ted Cruz that was so devoid of self-awareness I’m not even sure he knew he was giving it. We saw Sarah Palin come all the way back from the small town of Irrelevancy, Alaska, to lead the charge against an open-air memorial that was blocked by a 3-foot barricade, while a few assholes waved Confederate flags outside the White House and reminded each other that Obama’s a Muslim, just for good measure. We saw the shutdown rationale shift from defunding Obamacare to delaying Obamacare to cutting spending to reforming entitlements to charging congressional staffers more for health insurance to cutting taxes for stethoscope manufacturers to something, anything that would embarrass the president. As we inched closer to the abyss, we witnessed a parade of right-wing mathletes run the numbers and confidently deny the economic catastrophe that would result from America’s first-ever financial default. And as the speaker of the House made one last half-hearted effort to save his caucus from total defeat, we watched Jim DeMint’s Heritage Foundation kill the plan with a press release, a move just about everyone saw coming that only served to remind us who’s really in charge. In Official Washington, decrying “partisanship” as the “real problem” is the prerequisite for being taken seriously as a smart, unbiased political commentator. But from where we stand right now, partisanship is not the problem. Democrats are not the problem. Republicans are not the problem. The relationship between President Obama and John Boehner is not the problem. The Tea Party is the problem. The Tea Party is the most destructive force in American politics today. Over the last few weeks, it has demonstrated again that its intent is not to shake up the establishment but to burn down the village. As a Democrat, I disagree with its policy positions, but its policy positions alone are not what make the Tea Party so dangerous. What makes the Tea Party dangerous is its members’ willful disregard for the most basic tenets of American democracy. They do not believe in the legitimacy of our president. They do not believe in the legitimacy of decisions handed down by our Supreme Court. Unlike President Obama, Harry Reid, Mitch McConnell, John Boehner, or a host of other Democratic and Republican lawmakers who grasp the basic reality of politics, they have never, not once shown a willingness to compromise on anything. Merely uttering the word is enough to draw a primary challenge. All this, despite the fact that the Tea Party represents the views of a small, ever- shrinking fraction of Americans. Even within the Republican Party, its members’ favorability hovers around 50 percent, the lowest of all time. Their recent legislative strategy, a word that can be used only in its loosest sense, led to 144 Tea Party House members voting against a bipartisan compromise simply to open the government and avert default. But when Reuters polled people who weren’t satisfied with last week’s outcome, only 2 percent said it was because the House passed the Senate’s bipartisan bill. Only 5 percent said it was because Republicans compromised. Only 3 percent said it was because default would have taught our government an important lesson. Most people said their main dissatisfaction was with the ugly process the Tea Party dragged us all through. And yet, somehow, this small minority of Tea Party House members, who represent less than one half of one legislative body in one branch of government, has been given enormous influence over the national agenda—a situation without precedent in American political history. It’s insanity. The president and Boehner can hang out, drink beers, play golf, and shake hands on all kinds of deals. Boehner has been open to revenue in the past. Obama has put entitlement cuts on the table that made his party uncomfortable. The Senate has already passed bipartisan immigration legislation, and there are enough Republicans and Democrats in Congress who are willing to compromise and make progress on any number of issues. But Boehner was, in his own words, “overrun” by the Tea Party during the shutdown, and so long as he and other Republicans fear challenges from the fringe more than the frustrations of the majority, nothing will get done. And we will find ourselves in the same predicament again and again, regardless of who is elected president or speaker or majority leader. The Republican Party is at war with itself. And as tempting as it might be for Democrats to gloat from the sidelines, it is in all of our interests—Democrats, independents, and Republicans—to make sure the Tea Party doesn’t win. In 2014, candidates of both parties should challenge their rivals to sign a No Shutdown Pledge and a No Default Pledge. In House races, candidates should be asked whether they’re willing to violate the ridiculous Hastert rule and allow simple up-or-down votes on legislation that could pass with bipartisan support, no matter who holds the majority. In Senate races, they should be asked whether they’re willing to make it harder for bipartisan legislation to be filibustered by a Ted Cruz or a Mike Lee. Democrats and Republicans can argue all they want over the role of government, but we cannot allow the Tea Party to continue holding the country hostage over its kamikaze mission to destroy government. The vast majority of Americans reject that mission, and we’re not about to sacrifice ourselves or our democracy as collateral damage. It’s time for all of us to get together and fight the crazy. Poster Comment:
Jon Favreau is a Democrat and wrote this article for The Daily Beast back in October, 2013. He says that the Tea Party [Freedom Caucus] is the most destructive force in American politics today. And what makes the Tea Party dangerous is its members’ willful disregard for the most basic tenets of American democracy. They have never, not once shown a willingness to compromise on anything. Where is Jon Favreau wrong?
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
Comments (1-11) not displayed.
.
.
.
#12. To: VxH (#10)
If you do, you will. Bon Appetit, Mr. "Elite" Jesuitard! Thank you for your kind words, Christian.
Why don't you tell the class how AIDS improved the performance of Grandpa Viscount and his "nurse"; and how it's all their fault you didn't get a L.I.F.E.R. payoff from your "elite" navy "career", Grifter.
We are NOT a democracy,you shithead. We are a Republic. Learn the difference and then get back to me. In the entire history of the world,the only nations that had to build walls to keep their own citizens from leaving were those with leftist governments.
We are NOT a democracy,you shithead. We are a Republic. Learn the difference and then get back to me. There is not a chance in Hell that Jon Favreau will ever read your post and “get back to you.” However, you may reach him @jonfavs ...
... by holding the federal budget hostage.
I am not debating that point...I only pointed out the date for your edification.
They have been THE problem ever since the Dim Party was formed because their goal from day one was to destroy our Republic and replace it with a Stalinist Democracy. "Fairness" demands that everyone but the leaders suffer equally. In the entire history of the world,the only nations that had to build walls to keep their own citizens from leaving were those with leftist governments.
WTF does AIDS have to do with it? How many viruses are registered to vote or hold office? If you are not a homo,WTF are YOU so focused on AIDS? Someone can mention the temperature in Chicago,and idiots like you want to jump on the thread and start screaming about faggots and AIDS. Methinks thou protests too much. In the entire history of the world,the only nations that had to build walls to keep their own citizens from leaving were those with leftist governments.
There is not one chance in hell of him responding. He's a Dim,which means he likes echo chambers where all he hears the live-long day is how wonderful and smart he is. In the entire history of the world,the only nations that had to build walls to keep their own citizens from leaving were those with leftist governments.
What do Condoms have to do with the "elite" Olympics? Sure, let's take the Uberfruit cakes off the ice and put MORE of 'em in the White Hut. FAIL.
My father died of AIDS, that is true. How kind of you to bring it up. His live-in nurse stole all of the money I had invested over many years of Naval Service. He was able to do it, while I was deployed to Kuwait/Iraq and then Somalia because my mail went home, and he had many months to take it out of the mailbox, represent himself as me, and liquidate it all. I came back to zero dollars and a dying father. It was a crappy circumstance to be sure. So I took care of my father until the end. The thief spent all the money and died of AIDS. I never got it back. Now that you've brought that all up, sprinkled with all sorts of comments about my "elite" navy "career" - yes, it was an elite Navy career: I am a graduate, with honors, from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, and I was a naval aviator who served twice under combat conditions, and earned a NCM with a combat "V" for something that happened in one of those. You blithely dismiss - even attempt to weaponize, apparently - other people's personal tragedies and military service. Where did YOU serve? For how long? Ever get shot at serving your country? I'm not going to ask you about the death of your father, because it's such an indecent thing to do in a political argument that I can't even comprehend the mind that would stoop to it. But you go on being you. Men like I was will go on out there in the fleet defending your right to say such things. I tell people to grow a thick skin, and I have one. Know why? Hardships like the one you mocked above. My father died of AIDS. It was horrendous. Are you happy to bring it up? Does it make you feel big? Does it make you feel like you just pulled a "gotcha"?
And No Retirement? Play "elite" games, win "elite" prizes, Mr. Überviscount. More of your kind of "elite" is the last thing this country needs running the show, Comrade. GFYSelves!
You're calling all Olympians "faggots".
You too.
No.
That's true ...
Evidently one that ended without retirement benefits or a career in civilian aviation. He didn't die from AIDS. But yours did, Mr. Überviscount. That "Elite" Überblood you're so Überproud of, full of HIV. Tsk Tsk. Boohoo for Überyou.
Retirement requires 20 years of active duty. I left active duty at the 12 year point. Civilian aviation pays considerably less than what I chose for my second career. I did not much consider civilian aviation as something I would want to do after Navy Air. Not interested in driving a bus. Yes, my father died of AIDS. You seem to think that you are making a "point" by dragging this up into a political discussion. Everybody dies, VxH. The only point that you are making is that you are a cockroach.
Flushing a$$paper into the global economic sewer system. Uhuh. Meanwhile, you still got a mortgage while most of the Commercial Aviators I've run into have several homes... all paid off. Was it Elite Über HIV that infected the Überblood, or just the regular kind? And, just how far did the "elite" Überapple fall from the "elite" Übertree? One of the things my dad, and the coworkers who were at his bedside when he died, taught their kids was -- nobody is smart enough to lie. YÜMMV, Comrade!
Cockroach.
Liar.
Are you a Christian?
What do Condoms have to do with the "elite" Olympics? That's the best lame shit you can come up with? I don't want to shock you,but condoms are also used to prevent pregnancy,as well as to prevent catching venereal diseases besides AIDS. And at the risk of putting you further into shock,Olympic athletes tend to be young in amazing physical condition. Which means sex drives pegging the meter. Boys and girls WILL do what boys and girls do when they are away from home. Deal with it. In the entire history of the world,the only nations that had to build walls to keep their own citizens from leaving were those with leftist governments.
Do you tongue wrestle with your mother using that mouth? Or maybe your father and brother? Either way,you have all the class of Bill Maher. In the entire history of the world,the only nations that had to build walls to keep their own citizens from leaving were those with leftist governments.
IF there is a GOD,he must be looking down on you and wondering to himself,"HTF did THAT happen? That SOB should have miscarried instead of living long enough to become a miscarriage. At any rate you can believe he's not pointing down to you as one of his finest works. In the entire history of the world,the only nations that had to build walls to keep their own citizens from leaving were those with leftist governments.
He seems pretty typical to me. Have you seen AKA or any of the other Bible Thumpers here calling him out over this? In the entire history of the world,the only nations that had to build walls to keep their own citizens from leaving were those with leftist governments.
Why, you planning on assuming dominion over my faith with your "elite" Jesuit bullshyte, Comrade?
XX+XY=Human Think about that with every wheeezing breath, turd burglar.
Are you a Christian? You talk like one.
So, allegedly, you got a 4 year degree courtesy of the U.S. Taxpayers at one of our Military academies. And, out of that "education" you find pondering how your French surrender monkeys managed to instill your revolutionary spirit into Pol Pot "humorous". What an embarrassment graduates like you must be to the old school instructors there, Comrade.
Are you a Christian?
Whatever I am, that doesn't change the fact that you think trying to understand the educational history of Pol Pot, "humorous", Comrade.
Embarrassed to admit you're a follower of Christ?
Nope. I just don't feel particularly compelled to play your religious taxonomy game. You embarrassed about which Aircraft the Navy supposedly qualified you on courtesy of the American tax payer, Comrade; which one was it?
So sheing continues to be a winter olympic sport whats wrong with bringing your own
Could we have a constitutional amendment so her form of bullshit can never again be inflicted on the world
Plenty of laws that could probably put her away on her Email antics alone. But, actual law enforcement requires an actual Republic - not the facade of one wearing a banana peel.
Where did YOU serve, cockroach?
Which aircraft was it, Liar?
SMH. Generation Gimedat's pot-head finest.
ESAD/FOAD.
#13. To: Vicomte13 (#12)
(Edited)
#14. To: Gatlin (#0)
What makes the Tea Party dangerous is its members’ willful disregard for the most basic tenets of American democracy.
#15. To: misterwhite (#6)
What makes the Tea Party dangerous is its members’ willful disregard for the most basic tenets of American democracy. The shutdown was the result of Mr. Schumer and his clan insisting on amnesty for 700,000 illegals in exchange for passing a budget. A) What did the Tea Party have to do with that and, B) How did that follow "the most basic tenets of of American democracy"?
I will not attempt to answer your questions to Jon Favreau (@jonfavs). However, in reading your post, I feel it necessary to mention that this article was written on 10/2013. In 2013, Republicans sought changes to Obamacare in the shutdown fight and were accused of hurting people by refusing to budge during the 16-day closure. In the 2018 shutdown fight, Democrats are seeking protection for some 700,000 illegal immigrants granted protection by the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
I hope this information is of some use ...
#16. To: sneakypete (#14)
(Edited)
What makes the Tea Party dangerous is its members’ willful disregard for the most basic tenets of American democracy.
#17. To: Gatlin (#15)
In the 2018 shutdown fight, Democrats are seeking protection for some 700,000 illegal immigrants granted protection by the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program ...
#18. To: misterwhite (#17)
#19. To: A K A Stone (#2)
He is Wrong and so are you. Democrats are always a problem.
#20. To: VxH (#13)
Why don't you tell the Class how AIDS improved the performance of Grandpa Viscount and his "nurse"?
#21. To: Gatlin (#16)
There is not a chance in Hell that Jon Favreau will ever read your post and “get back to you.”
#22. To: sneakypete, Vicomte13 (#20)
(Edited)
WTF does AIDS have to do with it?
#23. To: VxH (#13)
(Edited)
Why don't you tell the class how AIDS improved the performance of Grandpa Viscount and his "nurse"; and how it's all their fault you didn't get a L.I.F.E.R. payoff from your "elite" navy "career", Grifter.
#24. To: Vicomte13 (#23)
(Edited)
I was a naval aviator
My father died of AIDS.
#25. To: A K A Stone (#3)
Haha yes let's go like the poop and embrace faggots.
#26. To: VxH (#24)
GFYSelves!
#27. To: Vicomte13 (#25)
#28. To: sneakypete (#21)
#29. To: Vicomte13 (#23)
(Edited)
yes, it was an elite Navy career:
I'm not going to ask you about the death of your father,
#30. To: VxH (#29)
Evidently one that ended without retirement benefits or a career in civilian aviation.
#31. To: Vicomte13 (#30)
(Edited)
Civilian aviation pays considerably less than what I chose for my second career
Yes, my father died of AIDS.
#32. To: VxH (#31)
#33. To: Vicomte13 (#32)
#34. To: VxH (#33)
#35. To: VxH (#22)
WTF does AIDS have to do with it?
#36. To: VxH (#13)
Why don't you tell the class how AIDS improved the performance of Grandpa Viscount and his "nurse"; and how it's all their fault you didn't get a L.I.F.E.R. payoff from your "elite" navy "career", Grifter.
#37. To: VxH (#29)
(Edited)
But yours did, Mr. Überviscount.
#38. To: Vicomte13, VxH (#34)
(Edited)
Are you a Christian?
#39. To: Vicomte13 (#34)
(Edited)
Are you a Christian?
#40. To: sneakypete (#35)
(Edited)
Deal with it.
#41. To: VxH (#39)
#42. To: Vicomte13 (#41)
#43. To: VxH (#42)
#44. To: Vicomte13 (#43)
#45. To: VxH (#44)
Whatever I am,
#46. To: Vicomte13 (#45)
Embarrassed to admit you're a follower of Christ?
#47. To: VxH (#7)
(Edited)
Protest over quality of condoms
#48. To: VxH (#8)
Clinton called to a constitutional amendment
#49. To: paraclete (#48)
Could we have a constitutional amendment so her form of bullshit can never again be inflicted on the world
#50. To: VxH (#46)
You embarrassed about which Aircraft the Navy supposedly qualified you on courtesy of the American tax payer, Comrade; which one was it?
#51. To: Vicomte13 (#50)
#52. To: All (#7)
(Edited)
Throw them all out and replace them with the Olympians when they come home from Korea.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
[Home] [Headlines] [Latest Articles] [Latest Comments] [Post] [Mail] [Sign-in] [Setup] [Help] [Register]