The House has gone home for the holidays, but I believe the Senate will do a little business this week before breaking. There will not be resolution of the issue of Ukraine funding, or the issue of Israel funding, or the issue of immigration reform this year. This is deflating.
"Look—everyone knows that both chambers have swivel-eyed loons who would gladly grind the machinery of government to a halt in order to have their way."
When the machinery of government is wildly heading headlong over the cliff, I'd say that grinding the machine to a halt is a very responsible call.
Merry Christmas Bryan, to you and your wonderful family. I had a great day of watching my blended family grow closer and it was the highlight of my year to have them all together.
I worry deeply about the future of our Republic. Our Congress and also, I truly believe, our Executive Branch, is so broken...I’m not sure how to recover it. Money in Washington is the ultimate culprit. Somehow, it needs to be nullified. (I remember something about McCain and campaign finance reform...but I suppose I’m just old).
Bryan, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family. Your posts have made my morning train rides to Boston/Cambridge entertaining, informative and always thought provoking. Thank you.
I’m looking forward to your 2024 posts, albeit I feel a sense of forbidding about how it will end. Be well and perhaps we could meet up for a cup of coffee in the new year during one of my trips to DC to see my son. Regards, Jeff
The “if I do the right thing I’ll get primaried “ seems to be the guiding principle at present. I see no evidence that will change. As the above comment indicates, the Spirit of St Louis seems to still be abroad. If trump wins, I expect the meeting with putrid to be in Munich.
Thank you for sharing the Norman Rockwell part of your life. I am totally good with it. Keep up the side.
1. Baby boomers don’t compromise. This is the problem with congress and government, generally. We all were raised being told we were the best, and just ignore Johnny over there if he doesn’t agree.
2. If we are to “go back to fifth grade civics lessons,” we might start with a “government of limited powers,” among which is NOT foreign aid. A friend is a JD & PhD (history) & writes biographies of the Founders. Nothing in the constitution delegated to the federal government the authority to redistribute our tax dollars overseas.
3. The idea of continuing to support a stupid war none of our business that we encouraged by pushing NATO east, invited by “a small incursion” would be OK, and have derailed every attempt at a negotiated settlement is absurd. And it certainly isn’t “conservative.” What’s next, when our overlords take-up Austin on his threat to send our men to die for the most corrupt country in the West, just to keep hidden the money laundering of the Bidens, Kerrys, etc? The biggest danger in Ukraine will occur when whoever is running our government finally admits to himself that Ukraine can’t win, no matter how many billions of dollars we unconstitutionally throw at them… then what? We introduce nukes? What choice will Obama [sic] have … other than losing face, which he will refuse to do?
While I appreciate his reporting on Christmas and the fact that congress is completely broken, he seems not to grasp how to fix our problems and is intent on making them worse.
"Look—everyone knows that both chambers have swivel-eyed loons who would gladly grind the machinery of government to a halt in order to have their way."
When the machinery of government is wildly heading headlong over the cliff, I'd say that grinding the machine to a halt is a very responsible call.
Merry Christmas Bryan, to you and your wonderful family. I had a great day of watching my blended family grow closer and it was the highlight of my year to have them all together.
I worry deeply about the future of our Republic. Our Congress and also, I truly believe, our Executive Branch, is so broken...I’m not sure how to recover it. Money in Washington is the ultimate culprit. Somehow, it needs to be nullified. (I remember something about McCain and campaign finance reform...but I suppose I’m just old).
Jeff--so good to hear from you, and I am grateful for your kind words. I'd be obliged for that coffee meet.
Bryan, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family. Your posts have made my morning train rides to Boston/Cambridge entertaining, informative and always thought provoking. Thank you.
I’m looking forward to your 2024 posts, albeit I feel a sense of forbidding about how it will end. Be well and perhaps we could meet up for a cup of coffee in the new year during one of my trips to DC to see my son. Regards, Jeff
The “if I do the right thing I’ll get primaried “ seems to be the guiding principle at present. I see no evidence that will change. As the above comment indicates, the Spirit of St Louis seems to still be abroad. If trump wins, I expect the meeting with putrid to be in Munich.
Thank you for sharing the Norman Rockwell part of your life. I am totally good with it. Keep up the side.
Legislation is supposed to be hard. Merry Christmas!
Three basic comments:
1. Baby boomers don’t compromise. This is the problem with congress and government, generally. We all were raised being told we were the best, and just ignore Johnny over there if he doesn’t agree.
2. If we are to “go back to fifth grade civics lessons,” we might start with a “government of limited powers,” among which is NOT foreign aid. A friend is a JD & PhD (history) & writes biographies of the Founders. Nothing in the constitution delegated to the federal government the authority to redistribute our tax dollars overseas.
3. The idea of continuing to support a stupid war none of our business that we encouraged by pushing NATO east, invited by “a small incursion” would be OK, and have derailed every attempt at a negotiated settlement is absurd. And it certainly isn’t “conservative.” What’s next, when our overlords take-up Austin on his threat to send our men to die for the most corrupt country in the West, just to keep hidden the money laundering of the Bidens, Kerrys, etc? The biggest danger in Ukraine will occur when whoever is running our government finally admits to himself that Ukraine can’t win, no matter how many billions of dollars we unconstitutionally throw at them… then what? We introduce nukes? What choice will Obama [sic] have … other than losing face, which he will refuse to do?
While I appreciate his reporting on Christmas and the fact that congress is completely broken, he seems not to grasp how to fix our problems and is intent on making them worse.
Here is Ward Carroll and Justin Bronk with another point of view.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmMclP8dlI0
Ignore the ad at the start and fast forward to the meat. Around 40 minutes in.
Goat rodeo
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours!