Expand the court

[Tortoise]

Today's quote of the day is brought to you by AOC!

Expand the court.

https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1320881248861126663?s=20

[Kbg]

I agree with the sentiments. Can't cry if you play hardball and then someone throws a beanball right back at you. Not processing Obama's nominee and then jamming yours through under pretty much the exact same conditions is about as cynical and hardball as you get.

I think if the D's win the Senate, goodbye filibuster as well.

This whole evolution toward a no compromise approach to politics has been super unhelpful. We are heading for a world of increased presidential directives and constantly changing policy that is bad for everyone involved.

Odds are good we are in a classical escalation cycle.

[doodle]

Kbg, I appreciate your ability to cut through all the bullshit in a nonpartisan way. If one party wants to fight dirty then one can't blame the opposition for doing the same. This will quickly turn into a race to the bottom

[Kbg]

This will quickly turn into a race to the bottom

That's what I'm afraid of. What is so sad is that for most of the major issues of the day there is bipartisan consensus in "middle" America. Of course there is zero at the extremes and unfortunately our wonderful party system penalizes non-extreme candidates.

[Mountaineer]

This will quickly turn into a race to the bottom

Race to the bottom began quite a while back. The current race to the bottom will now probably accelerate. Shades of the Roman Empire collapse! The pursuit of pleasure killed them (entertainment, sex, etc.) and belief that the state (Caesar) was god who was there to take care of it all did not help.

Quotes from "The Benedict Option" by Rod Dreher:

"Trusting Republican politicians and the judges they appoint to do the work that only cultural change and religious conversion can do is a big reason Christians find ourselves so enfeebled."

"But it can't be repeated often enough: believers must avoid the usual trap of thinking that politics can solve cultural and religious problems."

"If there is no real participation in the eternal - that is, if we do not regard matter, and even time itself, as rooted firmly in God's being - then the life of the church can scarcely withstand the torrents of liquid modernity."

[doodle]

This will quickly turn into a race to the bottom

That's what I'm afraid of. What is so sad is that for most of the major issues of the day there is bipartisan consensus in "middle" America. Of course there is zero at the extremes and unfortunately our wonderful party system penalizes non-extreme candidates.

That's what I'm afraid of. Our political system by it's very structure rewards this behavior. Unfortunately, we can't even get basic legislation like stimulus packages passed. The idea that our so called leaders could work together to restructure the elements in our system that foment the radicalization of our parties is beyond comprehension. Things could get really bad. Honestly, the fall of Rome isn't a bad analogy at this point. Once America loses its ability to capture the best and brightest minds in the world and we have to rely solely on our native intelligence it will be another big fall down on the ladder. After the last few years I wouldn't be surprised if many intelligent young individuals are revaluating their desire to make this country their home.

[pp4me]

Quotes from "The Benedict Option" by Rod Dreher:

Haven't read the book and I'm not much interested but I do read his column on "The American Conservative" website. He wrote about the tweet below today.

The bottom line is that the appointment of supreme court justices doesn't change the fabric of society enough to justify the Dems hysterical reactions....

[WiseOne]

I agree with the sentiments. Can't cry if you play hardball and then someone throws a beanball right back at you. Not processing Obama's nominee and then jamming yours through under pretty much the exact same conditions is about as cynical and hardball as you get.

Agree. There was absolutely no reason to deny the opportunity for a confirmation vote on Merrick Garland. That more than anything else fed into Democratic rancor, and why they are in a pot calling the kettle black situation now.