GOP’s Three Biggest Fears in 2012

[xchrom]

http://www.alternet.org/gops-three-biggest-fears-2012



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Fear #1: Majority Rule in the Senate

A very revealing thing happened in Washington last week. On Wednesday, the Senate held two tax cut votes that were not blocked—filibustered—by Republicans. Both times, simple majorities voted to reinstate higher federal income tax rates on the wealthiest Americans. In any other decade, in any other economic downturn, this outcome would seem utterly predictable and common sense. But today’s anti-tax GOP is different.


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Fear #2: Open Elections

The GOP’s need to game voting has spread like political cancer. In state after state since 2010, Republican-controlled legislatures have gone to great lengths to complicate many aspects of the voting process, from registration to ballot-access rules. The goal, as yet another Republican legislator bragged last week in Wisconsin, is to suppress perceived Democratic voting blocks, particularly people of color, the poor and students.

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Fear #3: Standing By Their Words in Public

The political party that wants to end all campaign finance regulation so there can be unfettered speech—that’s their high-minded line—doesn’t want members and backers to stand up in public saying, essentially, "I paid for this ad and I approve of this message."

[1-Old-Man]

1. The first of those fears may be realized this Fall

There is a very narrow window of opportunity during which the Senate may amend its rules and that window opens up right after the election. During that lame-duck period Harry can do away with the requirement for a super-majority to end debate (the filibuster) if he has the gumption (balls) to do it.

[xchrom]

2. Reid doesn't inspire a lot of confidence in me.

He's not nearly tough enough on repukes.

[1-Old-Man]

3. I agree that he has been a horrible disappointment many time

For a while there I almost thought he had signed up with the Tea Party, but he has been making the right noises about this one. That and he isn't up for election again for another 4 years, something that can't hurt.

[xchrom]

4. on the occasion when he breaks out of mr mild mannered persona

he can really inspire -- i don't think he knows he has it in him?