A century ago, in October 1910, Democrats and progressive Republicans united to state a “coup” in the House of Representatives, stripping Speaker of the House Joseph Cannon of his absolute power to decide committee appointments and control the legislative agenda all by himself.
Now in June 2016, the Democrats have staged a one day sit down, demanding a vote on a gun control measure. They proceeded to prevent normal routine in the House of Representatives, and to shout down any attempt at taking action on other legislative business.
While Speaker of the House Paul Ryan was befuddled, and waited until 10pm to attempt normal legislative business, which failed, and led to the end of the official session until after the 4th of July recess, the Democrats have drawn attention to the issue of gun regulation, and it is clear they will defy Ryan again when the House of Representatives comes back into session next month.
The effect will be to put the Republicans on notice, that it is time that they stopped being captives of the National Rifle Association and Wayne La Pierre. The issue will be a major one in November, and hopefully, might cause a massive switch of seats, putting the Democrats into the majority again, although that is still highly difficult to do, as 30 or more seats would need to be gained.
But taking action, led by the icon civil rights leader Congressman John Lewis of Georgia is better than just doing nothing! Hope springs eternal!
Speaking of historical moments, the results of the Brexit vote is in. Sounds like it’s not a good thing. http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/24/politics/brexit-what-this-means-us/index.html
Warning from Van Jones. The Brexit proves that Trump can win. https://www.facebook.com/WinningProgressive/posts/1313641895312980
Washington Monthly’s take on it. http://washingtonmonthly.com/2016/06/24/english-tantrum-will-have-uncertain-consequences/
Saw some poll results this morning…Brexit was supported overwhelmingly by people who are against multiculturalism, feminism, social liberalism, and environmentalism. That sounds very much like Trump’s base here.
Conservative columnist George Will is leaving the GOP. http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/25/politics/george-will-donald-trump-leaving-republican-party-election/index.html
For a hard-right, climate-science-denying Republican like George Will to leave that party shows you how far they’ve lurched off to the far, far, far-right-wing-extremist deep end.
It’s amazing we even have a party like this in the United States, let alone that it’s a major one, but these are truly bizarre, scary, disturbing times we live in.