Elections Have Consequences

[ProSense]

Flashback:

A GOP Plan to 'Fix' the Democrats

By E. J. Dionne Jr.

Tuesday, May 10, 2005; Page A21

The stakes in politics are about to get a lot higher.

The partisan battles in the coming weeks -- on judges, Social Security and the future of Tom DeLay -- are part of a larger struggle in which Republicans are seeking to establish themselves as the dominant party in American politics. Essential to their quest is persuading Democrats, or at least a significant number in their ranks, to accept long-term minority status.

<...>

DeLay's fate will depend on how long his party stays loyal to him and whether there are new revelations. But even on the issues of Social Security and judges, there can be no easy compromise, because both sides understand the stakes in these battles in exactly the same way.

DeLay himself drew the line sharply the day after the 2004 elections. "The Republican Party is a permanent majority for the future of this country," DeLay declared. "We're going to be able to lead this country in the direction we've been dreaming of for years."

Grover Norquist, the president of Americans for Tax Reform and a leading figure in both the DeLay and Bush political operations, chose more colorful post-election language to describe the future. "Once the minority of House and Senate are comfortable in their minority status, they will have no problem socializing with the Republicans," he told Richard Leiby of The Post. "Any farmer will tell you that certain animals run around and are unpleasant. But when they've been 'fixed,' then they are happy and sedate. They are contented and cheerful."

If you wonder in the coming weeks why Democrats are so reluctant to give ground, remember Norquist's jocular reference to neutering the opposition party. Democrats are neither contented nor cheerful over the prospect of being "fixed." Should that surprise anyone?

That was then, this is now:

Elections Have Consequences

Woot.

Senate Democratic leaders plan to cut Republican committee seats to reflect the new balance of power in the upper chamber, according to Democratic aides.

Republicans will lose at least one seat on most committees and may lose as many as two on some of the larger panels, such as the powerful Appropriations committee.

[still_one]

1. Change is coming

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/08/AR2008110801856.html?hpid=topnews

[judasdisney]

13. $1.14 Quadrillion dollar meltdown -- that's the change.

Not enough money in the world to save the world from bankruptcy and worldwide currency collapse:

http://jutiagroup.com/2008/07/24/global-derivatives-market-now-valued-at-114-quadrillion/

http://baltimorechronicle.com/2008/101308Floyd.shtml

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derivative_(finance)

[old mark]

2. Please recall this when anyone suggests we make nice with the republicans because they lost. They su

[Lasher]

6. Well?

What were you about to say? They suck? They sure are stupid? They ffer the fate they planned for Democrats?

[old mark]

10. ck.

(Sorry - sinusitis = brainlesness.)


mark

[DeepBlueC]

3. thanks for that perspective

looks pretty good from here. :)

[ProSense]

11. I like the reality of

kicking a couple of Republicans off Senate Committees.

[PretzelWarrior]

4. We don't want ZERO Republican Party, we just want to shrink it

down to a size where we can drown it in a tub of bathwater. <gurgle><gurgle>

[RagAss]

5. Fix Us??? We just kicked their nuts in !

"Let's hit them now, while we got the muscle !"

[BrklynLiberal]

7. And that's the truth!! pffffft..

[ellie]

8. I often sit

and reflect how much I hate that slimy toad Grover Norquist. He is a vile motherfucker. Would it be too much to ask to see him reduced to tears? Because that is what I want.

[Danger Mouse]

9. Hey Grover, what do you think now, you fucking shit? Huh? How does it feel?

How does it feel you sack of stinking festering pus-ridden maggot-filled horse shit?

[Laelth]

12. Grover Norquist is reprehensible.

I hope my party shows spine and completely marginalizes the opposition. No need for "bi-partisanship" now.

The United States is a LIBERAL Country.

:dem:

-Laelth