The U.S. federation is a corporation and, like birds of a feather, corporations fly together. So, from the start, the federal government has been organized to benefit the commercial enterprise which produces the taxable profits the feds needed to spend. All of that really changed when the U.S. ditched gold and silver and printed paper IOUs. However, bankers thrive on scarce currency and Congress went along because it was the bankers back home that put them into office. Universal suffrage in 1970 introduced a new wrinkle. How was the growing population of voters going to be controlled? It turned out their corporate employers were keen to deliver votes on election day in exchange for ever more favorable legislation, especially when the natural resources they used to sell or lease out started to run out. Corporate money to those who are in charge of the currency merely served as a token of support, especially for incumbents. People who have to stand for election every two years do not stay in office for decades without a base of voters. Everyone gets the message when a Congress critter visits the factory floor. Which also explains why we now have military contractors in all fifty states. Katie Porter and AOC are doing small donor fundraising in order to sponsor like-minded qualified candidates. They do not accept corporate donations which means they do not have to spend their days cold-calling potential donors.
Kevin McCarthy Fails to Win Majority in First Round January 3, 2023 at 1:43 pm EST By Taegan Goddard Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) failed to win a majority of votes for Speaker — with 19 Republicans voting for someone else. Interestingly, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) won the most votes, though not a majority.
The vote totals: Hakeem Jeffries – 212 Kevin McCarthy – 203 Andy Biggs – 10 Jim Jordan – 6 Other – 3
There is currently no Speaker of the House. A second round of voting is forthcoming.
Bill, Patrick Aloysius says thank you for the good wishes. Come to find out, he was holding out on me. His full name is Patrick Aloysius Ignatius. Phew!
My day got derailed by getting interested in the House Speaker election. As if my opinion of the Republicans could fall any lower!
Patrick is welcome. (I hope he will forgive me using the short form of his name.) My reaction to the Republican kerfluffle over the Speakership is a big yawn. Even they will manage to work out something somehow sometime.
The second round produced the same result. Republicans are in no hurry to stop grand standing. It is a fact that the Speaker need not be a member of the House. But, Republicans are keen to maintain the illusion of power instead of just getting to work. The newly elected get to vote even though they are not yet sworn in. This is another one of those ministerial functions, like the selection of electors, which provide an opportunity for factional interference.
This morning we had beautiful blue skies, but now (1:30 PM) the sky is covered with seemingly thin clouds. The news programs say there is a bigger and wetter storm headed for northern California. The predicted rainfall here is half an inch tomorrow, 0.4 inch the next day, and no rain the day after that. This morning we could see more snow on the mountains than we have seen in a long time, but none on the foothills. ----Alan
^^^^^ Alan I suppose the poor dears must really be all tuckered out after half a day of accomplishing nothing other than locating the restrooms (which IS important).
CNN — Republican leader Kevin McCarthy suffered a third rebuke for speaker before the House adjourned Tuesday evening.
Twenty Republicans voted against him – an increase from the 19 defections in the first two rounds of balloting. McCarthy, who needed 218 votes, had failed to secure the speaker’s gavel by the third round, earning 202 votes in the final tally.
All 20 voted for Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, who himself voted for McCarthy. Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, who had initially voted for McCarthy in the first two rounds, shifted his support to Jordan.
Leaving the floor Tuesday, Jordan told CNN there is “no” chance he will become speaker, adding he wants to be House Judiciary chairman. He said he would lobby his colleagues to back McCarthy once the chamber resumes Wednesday.
Here are the lawmakers who voted against McCarthy on the third ballot:
Rep. Andy Biggs Rep. Dan Bishop Rep. Lauren Boebert Rep. Josh Brecheen Rep. Michael Cloud Rep. Andrew Clyde Rep. Eli Crane Rep. Matt Gaetz Rep. Bob Good Rep. Paul Gosar Rep. Andy Harris Rep. Anna Paulina Luna Rep. Mary Miller Rep. Ralph Norman Rep. Andy Ogles Rep. Scott Perry Rep. Matt Rosendale Rep. Chip Roy Rep. Keith Self Rep. Byron Donalds
Rep. Jeffries is only six votes shy of the needed majority. It has occurred to me that, at some point, at least six grownup Republicans may get so thoroughly fed up with the Freedom Caucus and its antics that in disgust they vote with the Dems for Jeffries. Unlikely? Sure. Impossible in the current climate? I venture to say not entirely impossible.
Anderson Cooper asked him if he think the Dems should help McCarthy. Immediately he said "No!" They're discussing how McCarthy has always told anyone anything to get what he wants and no one believes him anymore.
Via politicalwire.com: “Staff throughout the West Wing wouldn’t cop to watching live coverage of Rep. Kevin McCarthy failing to get enough votes to become speaker of the House,” Politico reports. “But make no mistake: this administration is about as distraught over all this as a flock of vultures happening upon a freshly killed gazelle. For whatever headaches a Republican-controlled House will create for President Joe Biden through investigations and its ability to control the floor, the disorder and rancor likely to characterize the new GOP majority, administration aides believe, will benefit the president politically.” ---Alan
I finally got the results of my prostate MRI fraom last thrusday. There is a lesioni (PI-RADS 5) that extends beyond the capsule into the adjacent neuromuscular zone. I assume this is cancer, although it appears that will not be definitive until a biopsy is done. There is no evidence of lymph node involvement so it appears we caught it in time.
I have an appointment with my urologists for January 19, the day after I get back from Arisia. We'll see where we go grom there.
{listener}
ReplyDeleteSenator Joe Manchin wants EV tax credits suspended
Manchin is Chair of the [get this!] Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
[YouGottaBeKiddingMe!]
Would he favor tax credits for coal-fired automobiles? Just asking for a friend.
Delete---Alan
{listener}
ReplyDeleteHCRichardson’s pithy word for today, as the 118th Congress gets started
The U.S. federation is a corporation and, like birds of a feather, corporations fly together. So, from the start, the federal government has been organized to benefit the commercial enterprise which produces the taxable profits the feds needed to spend. All of that really changed when the U.S. ditched gold and silver and printed paper IOUs.
ReplyDeleteHowever, bankers thrive on scarce currency and Congress went along because it was the bankers back home that put them into office.
Universal suffrage in 1970 introduced a new wrinkle. How was the growing population of voters going to be controlled? It turned out their corporate employers were keen to deliver votes on election day in exchange for ever more favorable legislation, especially when the natural resources they used to sell or lease out started to run out. Corporate money to those who are in charge of the currency merely served as a token of support, especially for incumbents. People who have to stand for election every two years do not stay in office for decades without a base of voters. Everyone gets the message when a Congress critter visits the factory floor. Which also explains why we now have military contractors in all fifty states.
Katie Porter and AOC are doing small donor fundraising in order to sponsor like-minded qualified candidates. They do not accept corporate donations which means they do not have to spend their days cold-calling potential donors.
Kevin McCarthy Fails to Win Majority in First Round
ReplyDeleteJanuary 3, 2023 at 1:43 pm EST By Taegan Goddard
Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) failed to win a majority of votes for Speaker — with 19 Republicans voting for someone else.
Interestingly, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) won the most votes, though not a majority.
The vote totals:
Hakeem Jeffries – 212
Kevin McCarthy – 203
Andy Biggs – 10
Jim Jordan – 6
Other – 3
There is currently no Speaker of the House.
A second round of voting is forthcoming.
Bill, Patrick Aloysius says thank you for the good wishes. Come to find out, he was holding out on me. His full name is Patrick Aloysius Ignatius. Phew!
ReplyDeleteMy day got derailed by getting interested in the House Speaker election. As if my opinion of the Republicans could fall any lower!
Patrick is welcome. (I hope he will forgive me using the short form of his name.) My reaction to the Republican kerfluffle over the Speakership is a big yawn. Even they will manage to work out something somehow sometime.
DeleteThe second round produced the same result. Republicans are in no hurry to stop grand standing. It is a fact that the Speaker need not be a member of the House. But, Republicans are keen to maintain the illusion of power instead of just getting to work.
ReplyDeleteThe newly elected get to vote even though they are not yet sworn in. This is another one of those ministerial functions, like the selection of electors, which provide an opportunity for factional interference.
This morning we had beautiful blue skies, but now (1:30 PM) the sky is covered with seemingly thin clouds. The news programs say there is a bigger and wetter storm headed for northern California. The predicted rainfall here is half an inch tomorrow, 0.4 inch the next day, and no rain the day after that. This morning we could see more snow on the mountains than we have seen in a long time, but none on the foothills.
ReplyDelete----Alan
I'm hearing 8-10" for northern California, complete with mudslides and power outages. Yikes!
Delete^^^^^ Alan
ReplyDeleteI suppose the poor dears must really be all tuckered out after half a day of accomplishing nothing other than locating the restrooms (which IS important).
From the “Things are tough all over” file:
ReplyDeleteRussia's war drains Ukraine's rich list of power [Click]
---Alan
McCarthy as lost the 3rd vote. LOL
ReplyDeleteCNN
ReplyDelete—
Republican leader Kevin McCarthy suffered a third rebuke for speaker before the House adjourned Tuesday evening.
Twenty Republicans voted against him – an increase from the 19 defections in the first two rounds of balloting. McCarthy, who needed 218 votes, had failed to secure the speaker’s gavel by the third round, earning 202 votes in the final tally.
All 20 voted for Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, who himself voted for McCarthy. Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, who had initially voted for McCarthy in the first two rounds, shifted his support to Jordan.
Leaving the floor Tuesday, Jordan told CNN there is “no” chance he will become speaker, adding he wants to be House Judiciary chairman. He said he would lobby his colleagues to back McCarthy once the chamber resumes Wednesday.
Here are the lawmakers who voted against McCarthy on the third ballot:
Rep. Andy Biggs
Rep. Dan Bishop
Rep. Lauren Boebert
Rep. Josh Brecheen
Rep. Michael Cloud
Rep. Andrew Clyde
Rep. Eli Crane
Rep. Matt Gaetz
Rep. Bob Good
Rep. Paul Gosar
Rep. Andy Harris
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna
Rep. Mary Miller
Rep. Ralph Norman
Rep. Andy Ogles
Rep. Scott Perry
Rep. Matt Rosendale
Rep. Chip Roy
Rep. Keith Self
Rep. Byron Donalds
Just have to grin that Rep Hakeem Jeffries (D) received all 212 Dem votes each time.
ReplyDeleteRep. Jeffries is only six votes shy of the needed majority. It has occurred to me that, at some point, at least six grownup Republicans may get so thoroughly fed up with the Freedom Caucus and its antics that in disgust they vote with the Dems for Jeffries. Unlikely? Sure. Impossible in the current climate? I venture to say not entirely impossible.
DeleteIf that were to happen, I should feel entitled to cut myself a couple nice slices of good nibbling cheese.
Delete---Alan
Okay, so just to totally make your day, see this:
ReplyDeleteHouse Adjourns Without a Speaker
Howard Dean is on CNN right now
ReplyDeleteAnderson Cooper asked him if he think the Dems should help McCarthy. Immediately he said "No!"
DeleteThey're discussing how McCarthy has always told anyone anything to get what he wants and no one believes him anymore.
Interestinger and interestinger. . .
Delete---Alan
Via politicalwire.com:
ReplyDelete“Staff throughout the West Wing wouldn’t cop to watching live coverage of Rep. Kevin McCarthy failing to get enough votes to become speaker of the House,” Politico reports.
“But make no mistake: this administration is about as distraught over all this as a flock of vultures happening upon a freshly killed gazelle. For whatever headaches a Republican-controlled House will create for President Joe Biden through investigations and its ability to control the floor, the disorder and rancor likely to characterize the new GOP majority, administration aides believe, will benefit the president politically.”
---Alan
I finally got the results of my prostate MRI fraom last thrusday. There is a lesioni (PI-RADS 5) that extends beyond the capsule into the adjacent neuromuscular zone. I assume this is cancer, although it appears that will not be definitive until a biopsy is done. There is no evidence of lymph node involvement so it appears we caught it in time.
ReplyDeleteI have an appointment with my urologists for January 19, the day after I get back from Arisia. We'll see where we go grom there.
Good luck, Bill; it does indeed sound like you caught it in good time. Amazing what they can do without exploratory surgery these days.
Delete---Alan