Drowning In An Ocean Of Hypocrisy

Posted on by under Election 2024, Global Issues, Law and justice, Political commentary, Racism & Bigotry

Just when you think they can’t possibly sink any lower, they prove you wrong.  They screamed, yelled and threatened Democrats demanding a bill to help ease what they defined as a ‘crisis’ at the southern border.  So, the Democrats in the Senate put on their bipartisan hats, worked across the aisle and hammered out just such a bill.  There was give-and-take on both sides – that’s called ‘compromise’ and it’s how things get done in any group where there are various viewpoints and opinions that sometimes conflict.  Okay, boys ‘n girls, dust off the hands … good job!  Now to get it … what … oh wait … they forgot to get permission from private citizen Trump!  So much for all those hours (and taxpayer dollars) spent on the bill’s creation …

Robert Hubbell tells the rest of the story …

Congressional Republicans surrender

By Robert Hubbell

06 February 2024

When future historians write the obituary of the Republican Party, they will debate the contributing causes and the precise time of death. But there is no doubt that the GOP’s inability to pass a bi-partisan bill providing funds to Ukraine and Israel while reforming America’s broken immigration system will figure prominently in the obituary.

In killing the bipartisan bill they demanded in the first instance, congressional Republicans surrendered their constitutional authority under Article I to a failed insurrectionist seeking reelection to escape four criminal indictments.

To be clear, you haven’t missed anything yet. The bill is still technically alive. But we need only look at the actions of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday to see the handwriting on the wall.

Mid-day on Monday, McConnell took to the Senate floor to urge his colleagues to pass the bi-partisan bill. About six hours later, McConnell told his colleagues in a private meeting to filibuster the bill. Per the Associated Press,

In a dramatic turnaround, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell recommended to GOP senators in a closed-door meeting that they vote against the first procedural vote Wednesday, according to two people familiar with the meeting who were not authorized to talk publicly about it and spoke anonymously.

It came just hours after the Kentucky Republican had urged colleagues on the Senate floor that “it’s now time for Congress to take action.”

You will remember that Mitch McConnell made a dramatic statement from the Senate floor in 2021 after refusing to convict Trump for conspiracy to incite insurrection. He blamed the insurrection on Trump and said that Trump could later be held liable civilly and criminally for his actions on January 6. For a fleeting moment, it appeared that remnants of McConnell’s vestigial backbone were intact.

On Monday, Trump squashed McConnell like a bug. He humiliated McConnell before the world. He ordered McConnell to dance like a marionette and McConnell did so without a peep.

Senate Republicans are claiming they are filibustering the bill to allow more time to consider the provisions of a 370-page bill. Don’t believe it. Trump appeared on Newsmax on Monday, calling the bi-partisan bill “a Democrat trap, a trap for Republicans” that should be rejected out of hand. Hours later, McConnell pulled the emergency brake on the legislative process.

Democrats were stunned by the turnabout. Democratic Senator Brian Schatz said,

Just gobsmacked. I’ve never seen anything like it. They literally demanded specific policy, got it, and then killed it.

Democrats will continue to urge passage of the bill. President Biden immediately issued a statement outlining the provisions of the bill, saying,

We’ve reached an agreement on a bipartisan national security deal that includes the toughest and fairest set of border reforms in decades.

For too long, going back decades, the immigration system has been broken.

Here’s how we start to fix it.

Even though the bill is likely dead, it is smart for Democrats to continue to advocate for its passage until it is clear there is no hope. At that point, two things will change.

First, until now, Trump has occupied the fact-free high-ground by claiming that President Biden is allowing an “open border.” While that claim is false, the response has been complicated and dense. Now, President Biden can simply say, “We proposed a solution drafted jointly with congressional Republicans at their request, but you killed it to advance your partisan interests.”

Second, Republicans will now be forced to vote separately on funding for Israel and Ukraine—without the cover of an immigration bill. The Putin-loving Caucus embedded in the GOP will be forced to emerge from the shadows and identify themselves. Let’s hope that enough Republicans in the House and Senate understand that supporting Ukraine is in the vital national interests of the US and democracy across the globe. (The funding for Israel seems secure.)

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45 thoughts on “Drowning In An Ocean Of Hypocrisy”

  1. I had my 500 & 5 cents worth about this subject on Keith’s post so I’ll spare you the repeat.
    It remains only to paraphrase the Berliners’ coffin humour joke of early 1945 (‘Enjoy the War. The Peace will be terrible’)

    Enjoy the Election, the Result will be ghastly:
    Trump wins- no need to say anymore.
    Biden wins – MAGA goes ballistic and sets its action toy into Hysterical Brat mode.
    Either way the US is in danger of getting a full on ‘Cultural Revolution’ experience.

    Liked by 2 people

      • This is the problem Jill; the variables.
        You’ve seen my 10% of the 10% of the 10% of the 10% of the 10% scenario.
        The Security Community in the USA to have run far more sophisticated and nuanced versions of my rough sketches.
        Not since the 1850s has the USA stood on the edge of a precipice of this nature.
        I still hope to be proven wrong and for someone to tell me a few years down the line to say:
        ‘Gee. Over-thinking much???’
        I would gladly laugh in relief.

        Liked by 1 person

        • Yes, I too would like for us all to be able to laugh a few years from now over our “over-thinking” … but today, the nightmare scenario is all to real and getting more so by the day. I read this morning that election workers are already being trained to deal with the violence that is anticipated during the election. ‘Tis a very sad state of affairs. A frightening one.

          Liked by 1 person

            • I’m not quite sure what you mean by ‘internet forum’ … do you mean like Facebook or Twitter? Heh heh … I’m probably the wrong person to ask because my ‘forum’ for stirring things up is right here on Filosofa’s Word, but I’m sure you’ll find a spot! Let me know when you do, and I’ll be sure to visit!

              Liked by 1 person

              • I get supremely and consistently ignored on Twitter or X as it is called. I suppose it would be possible to sign up again and pile into some argument or another.
                Facebook is off limits because Sheila is on it and I don’t want her getting sucked in by association.
                There again I could go stooging around WP.
                What with the issues over Biden’s ‘memory problems as opposed to Trump’s irresponsible and criminal behaviour. And some youngsters thinking they can make the world better by not voting for Biden because of the current war in Gaza, which lets Trump in I feel like poking hornets in this election year

                Liked by 1 person

  2. Jill, well said. The Wall Street Journal editorial board and former Rep. Liz Cheney both were highly critical of the GOP leadership kowtowing to Trump. The WSJ asked do you want to address your bigger concern or acquiesce to Trump who does not want the issue addressed as it would make Biden look good. It should be noted Trump reneged on a deal on $25 billion funding of his #1 issue for making DACA law which would have helped people.

    Trump cares only about himself. Everything else is a distant second. Keith

    Liked by 3 people

    • Yes, I saw both the WSJ piece and Liz Cheney’s comment and they are both spot-on. Liz’s didn’t surprise me, but the WSJ did, for it is owned by the same person who owns Fox ‘News’! You are so right when you say that “Trump cares only about himself” … human life, doing the ‘right’ thing, upholding the Constitution — none of those mean anything to him. So WHY do so many people practically worship this ‘man’???

      Liked by 1 person

      • Jill, I linked to this piece from my own. It offers good detail. It reminds me of the bipartisan Gang of Eight passing pretty good immigration reform in the Senate around 2013-14. Speaker John Boehner (r) would not take the bill up in the House as it was better politically to not pass immigration reform. So adding this to Trump’s reneging on wall funding for DACA being made into law and the latest Trump unwinding in the Senate, it is very clear the Republicans do not want to solve this problem – the hypocrites want to just talk about solving the problem. Keith

        Liked by 2 people

        • I found that earlier when I read your “Note to readers” on your post. Thank you so much, Keith! It makes me so angry that these people who WE pay to govern in the best interest of the nation and its people, are playing games with our lives! It’s all about THEIR power, THEIR career in politics, and they could not care any less about our welfare and well-being. And now, every Republican in Congress seems to be tied to Citizen Trump’s coattails … I am both angry and sad at what we have become. Thanks again for sharing this on your post!

          Liked by 1 person

    1. Why is the funding for Israel secure? They are acting outside the wishes of America right now and fighting a war of genocide against Palestinians. There should be no funding for murderers! To do so is to be a party to the unlawful aggression!
    2. To not fund Ukraine who are fighting against a war of genocide is to back Putin. If any American is party to that, let them go live in Russia.
    3. And now the Southern Border. The Democrats are letting the Republicans force them into inhumane laws. Okay, no one wants illegal aliens coming into their nstion, but based on prior actions the USA should not be recognizing anyone as alien. America stole the land they are living on! If they are going to refuse to let any others live there they are hypocrites of the highest order!
      Kowtowing to Republicans seems a very un-Democratic thing to do!

    In its present form I am glad this bill is not being passed, though I totally disagree with why the bill is not being passed. I think in the long run this bill will become a black nark on the report card of American history. It is time the Democrats stop letting themselves be pushed around and find the cohones to stand up for what is right, not for what is convenient!

    Liked by 3 people

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