This is the year that Republicans in both Concord and DC have absolutely are out of excuses to get things that the base has been demanding for years. The excuses started after the Democrats won the House, Senate, and the Corner office(s) – we can’t get anything done as we don’t have a majority! Safe to to say, they didn’t go into much detail as to WHY they lost – they had everything before and didn’t get it done then.
They said – things will be different if we get the House. So, we gave them the House. Then the whining started in on “what do you expect from us – we only have 1/2 of 1/3 of Government. We need the Senate, too”. So we did – and the whining didn’t stop even then: “that Obama, he keeps blocking everything we try to do….Waaaaaa” (but in the meantime, they gave Obama all the funding for all the stuff they campaigned against). GIVE US THE OVAL OFFICE (and here in Concord, the Governorship, even as the turncoat Republicans GAVE Maggie “The Red” Hassan the Obamacare Medicaid Expansion she and other Dems wanted (and not just a few Republicans, too).
So now both sets of Rs have a complete run of the three branches twice over. There can be no more excuses. Right? Am I right?
I’m not holding my breath. In fact, I polled the other Groksters because from the GOPe, I expect that things will go just how they treated us in the TEA Party – used us to get into office in 2010 and then not only trashed the reasons and issues we sent them to work on but then made common cause with the Dems (who realized that we were an existential threat to their Socialistic tendencies) by turning on the hand(s) that helped them because their Power Table was only for them and no one else (unless one was co-opted) – and the TEA Party was certainly an existential threat to them far more than to the Dems for a whole bunch of reasons..
Yes, in doing so, they brought Trump upon themselves. I think this line from Glen Reynolds says it well:
“When politeness and orderliness are met with contempt and betrayal, do not be surprised if the response is something less polite, and less orderly.”
The TEA Party became the object of retribution – contempt and betrayal. And it this “second TEA Party” wave, a la Trump supporters, are certainly treating the GOPe with the all of the full amount of respect the GOPe deserve. Which is to say, not much!
So, back to the important question – will Trump achieve all of his campaign promises? Not sure although his cabinet picks bode well. I can nitpick most of them (except for General Mattis – the more I read about him the FAR better I like him) I’m pretty satisfied with it. But it is the GOPe that I worry about as he’s the equivalent (but different) of the TEA Party – an outside. We asked to share the power – he arbitraged it out from underneath them – there may well be a price that will be paid. In my estimation, however, I’m hoping that that it is the GOPe that will be paying that price.
So that’s why I did that poll (sorry, got distracted). Here’s the choices
- Manically happy?
- All happy feet?
- Broad smile
- Slight smile – but feeling ok
- Cautiously optimistic but this is my blank face
- This may not end well but I’m still hopeful
- Concerned – big talk, little action. Do nothings -aGAIN!
- They’ll cave on all the big issues – those faint hearted weasels!
- All hat – no cattle (H/T: Susan)
- UniParty – Democrat-Lite all around
- Oh crap. This is the TEA Party crucifiction all over again (e.g., we got used and then hunted down by the GOPe worse than by Dems)
- This may not end well but I’m still hopeful
- “They’ll cave on all the big issues – those faint hearted weasels!”
- DC better than I’m expecting. Locally -worse
- Warily hopeful….
- Cautiously optimistic. Surprisingly.
- Slight smile – but feeling ok
- No Clintons in office or in government – not even Web Hubble’s daughter!
Not a bad way to start a year.
- Cautiously optimistic.
- More worried about the Uniparty weasels than I am about Trump’s intentions thus far.
- This may not end well but I’m still hopeful. I’ve got my Belichick face on for now.
As you can see, the Groksters don’t always follow my rules….sigh (but that’s why they’re Groksters!).
Me?
Concerned – big talk, little action. Do nothings -aGAIN
So, what’s the moral of the story?
Keep on their collective asses. Keep telling, reminding, screaming at them why they got our votes this time. And IF they don’t follow through or go the UniParty route (like with Obamacare Medicaid Expansion here in NH or NOT going full nuclear option in DC for appointees / Supreme Court…
Oh wait – that will be Part 2: what am I demanding they do now that we have deigned to let them govern.
