Good morning,
JANUARY 6TH—NOT A GREAT DAY IN 2021 OR 2023
Shortly after the January 6th insurrection, Kevin McCarthy seemed to have developed his own voice, moral compass, and spine. He repudiated the former president and (although he didn’t vote for it) didn’t stand in the way of stripping conspiracy theorist Marjorie Taylor Greene of her committee assignments. Her relevance was further diminished in part by McCarthy’s unequivocal condemnation of her comments. Could it be that Mr. McCarthy was prepared to finally break with Mr. Trump after his incitement to riot and attempt to steal the election?
No such luck. Mr. McCarthy returned to form only a month later. He visited Mr. Trump to pledge his fealty, he consorted with crazies, and he tried to appoint to the January 6th committee two Trump loyalists setting out with their sole objective to disrupt that inquiry and deflect the committee from its purpose. McCarthy proved his lack of scruples, political ideology, or self-esteem in his surrender to the right wing conspiracy theorists, election deniers, and Mr. Trump by kowtowing to the former president, a man whom he claimed only weeks before was responsible for the insurrection.
Fast forward two years. Here we are, on the two-year anniversary of the President’s incitement of a riot and the majority of House Republicans voting not to certify a valid election, and Mr. McCarthy has proven that his lows from two years ago pale by comparison to the new lows to which he has abased himself (and, in so doing, diminished the House of Representatives’ ability to conduct business), in return for the prize he has sought for his entire career. McCarthy is now Speaker of the House, albeit one with considerably less authority, and with the ultra-right possessing a Sword of Damocles that it holds above his head. “Don’t step out of line, Little Kevie, or we’ll bring up no-confidence votes and obstruction the likes of which the world hasn’t seen.” [okay, so I’m using one of Trump’s favorite tropes for effect…but you get it]
In the new Congress, look for Ms. Greene, she who says the January 6th insurrection would have succeeded if she and Steve Bannon were in charge, to have plum committee assignments. Look for Jim Jordan, who claims the FBI is manipulating the files on the January 6th insurrection, to go medieval on those seeking to enforce justice on insurrectionists for their attacks and on Mr. Trump for trying to remain in power. The holdouts against Speaker McCarthy demanded that a subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee will have extensive authority to go on a witch hunt of government agencies enforcing our laws, and they will have their wish.
Mr. McCarthy has willingly accepted the role of plaything and pawn of both Mr. Trump and Ms. Greene and her ilk in Congress. His authority has been subordinated to the 20 extremists on the right. They will have considerable control over the agenda, particularly in the Rules Committee, which determines what legislation reaches the floor, and in investigating imagined wrongdoing by the Biden administration (“You went after Trump. Now the shoe’s on the other foot. See how you like it!”). Never mind the mountains of evidence implicating Mr. Trump, including his own words and those of his subordinates. This is all about theatre for those following right-wing media and for those afraid the Jews are out to replace them with hated minorities and immigrants.
Not much will happen in this Congress. Look for endless investigations and impeachment articles to be voted upon for at least one member of the administration. Look for attacks on the FBI and the “deep state” as tools of the “radical lib-tards” harassing Mr. Trump.
Actually, this House sadly may achieve a few notable accomplishments. In the debate this Summer on raising the debt ceiling, we well may find us crossing the “red line” that places our economy and the dollar in jeopardy. And we can expect legislation to reduce funding of the social safety net and reduce taxes for the wealthy (neither of which will stand a chance of adoption by the Democratic-led Senate, but we are in the era of performative art).
If you thought we were out of the storm because the Democrats retained control of the Senate, think again. Donald Trump is a factor in the House, while he leads the Republican field for the nomination two years from now. The far-right crazies of book burners, conspiracy theorists, and others control the Speaker and will control much of the agenda. Strap in. We are not out of the woods.
AMIDST THE DARKNESS, THERE IS LIGHT
Last month I attended a convention in Phoenix, at which my wife spoke. It is an organization called the “Lions of Judah.” Its general premise is simple enough—to raise money for the Jewish Federation and the myriad of services it performs. And while I knew there were shared learning opportunities and a social aspect, I could not have anticipated what this gathering entailed. You really have to see it to believe it.
The convention consisted of some 1500 women from around the country who came together to talk about issues that plague our community, engage in meaningful dialog and problem-solving, and support each other and local initiatives undertaken to make the world a better place. The stories I heard were moving and the work being done profound.
I am sure there are other organizations like this around the country. It gives me hope and inspiration that their ranks and their visibility can grow and serve as models for others and for the elevation of our discourse from invective to action.
FINALLY, DON’T LET LIFE PASS YOU BY
“Oh my God, what if you wake up some day, and you’re 65, or 75, and you never got your memoir or novel written; or you didn’t go swimming in warm pools and oceans all those years because your thighs were jiggly and you had a nice big comfortable rummy; or you were just so strung out in perfectionism and people-pleasing that you forgot to have a big juicy creative life, of imagination and radical silliness and staring off into space like when you were a kid? It’s going to break your heart. Don’t let this happen.” –Anne Lamott
Have a great day,
Glenn
Couldn’t McCarthy and Dems have worked together to get him elected? Thus making the right wing GOP more irrelevant. And he wouldn’t have had to agree to these hurtful new rules. Or would this have poisoned his chances of re-election?