General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIf this administration has opened my eyes to one thing...
Its how much our system of governance is dependent on, often individuals, not behaving like childish, even apparently delusional and/or sociopathic jackasses.
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)I believe that the system of checks and balances need some updating.
BlueTsunami2018
(3,490 posts)Most of this stuff is based on tradition and honor. Gentlemans agreements. Its rather shocking that most of it doesnt have to be followed at all and that theres no one to really enforce any of it.
LuvNewcastle
(16,843 posts)One rude bastard can come along and bring the whole thing down, nearly. That desperately needs to be fixed. This shit can't be allowed to happen again.
ananda
(28,856 posts)Our system of checks and balances is
so broken right now...
Buckeyeblue
(5,499 posts)I think McConnell has demonstrated how a majority can put party politics ahead of the good of the nation. He does it with that damn chinless smirk. It's as if he is punishing the country because he has had to go through life looking so damn ugly.
genxlib
(5,524 posts)A President who loses the popular vote by 3 million and a Senate party that represent 40% of the voters is not a majority. But the warped structure of our Senate and Electoral College means that a minority party can exert power like they are a majority. Making your statement even that much more critical.
KarenS
(4,071 posts)Individualism & making your mark versus what is done in the name of the 'greater good' no matter how it impacts you.
I was raised by staunch Libertarians,,,, Now I see them as selfish and petty.
I hate having everything legislated but with this 'administration' I see that gentleman's agreements & tradition no longer work.
handmade34
(22,756 posts)I posted in another thread that applies... a quote by Wendall Berry
"We have lived our lives by the assumption that what was good for us would be good for the world. We have been wrong. We must change our lives so that it will be possible to live by the contrary assumption, that what is good for the world will be good for us. And that requires that we make the effort to know the world and learn what is good for it."
KarenS
(4,071 posts)I've not heard this quote before,,,, I will be sharing it!!
Chainfire
(17,519 posts)Is like a fine crystal vase. It can be a object of beauty and functionality for hundreds of years without people realizing how fragile it really is.
Nexus2
(1,261 posts)And imagine giving that fine vase to a spoiled toddler that thinks there's candy inside.
moondust
(19,967 posts)Too much in government depends on "norms" honored by people of "good character" with good intentions. Tonight I heard that point made by both Lawrence Tribe on MSNBC and by Amanda Carpenter, former Ted Cruz staffer, on CNN. Maybe after the 4-year Dumpster fire of lawlessness and ignoring norms some improvements can be made to codify what's permissible and what's not.
radius777
(3,635 posts)with real consequences.
Saw Lawrence Tribe on about the GSA stuff today and he said there's no legal consequence for her holding up the transition.
Nexus2
(1,261 posts)of the honor and ethical folks treat these agreements, bargains and handshake deals as essentially suicide pacts, holding to them when they're inappropriate, being abuse or even used against them.
Its what lead to this insane situation we find ourselves in. There's pathological lair amoral sociopathic grifter threatening to undo the nation in a fit of childish pique. Ans hundreds, even millions are going along with or enabling it out fear, hero worship or other reason that make even less sense and are less sane.
And apparently there is almost nothing to stop him/them from the coup and other crimes they're just planning and enacting right in the open. Yes, fortunately it has a snowball's chance, but highly unlikely isn't the same as impossible and its really illustrated weakness and openings for the would be Demagogue, who may be smarter and more stable.
Can't anyone take the pistol away from the meth addled monkey, get sugar rushing toddler away from the driver's wheel just as an act of common sense and self/all preservation without waiting for authorization or the proper papers to be filled out?