Republicans, Failing To Steal The NC Governorship, Emasculate It
By Thom Hartmann A...
Republicans tried virtually everything to steal the governor's election in North Carolina.
They used Kris Kobach's Interstate Crosscheck system to throw hundreds of thousands of people off the voter rolls.
They passed the harshest voter suppression ID law in the nation.
They closed polling places.
They cut early voting.
They banned same-day registration.
They even flirted with a plan to allege mass voter fraud and thus get the state legislature to overturn the results of the election and put Pat McCrory back in the governor's mansions.
Fortunately for North Carolinians, all of those election-rigging schemes failed.
On December 5, almost a month after the election Republican Pat McCrory finally conceded to his Democratic challenger, Attorney General Roy Cooper.
That should have been the end of it, but North Carolina Republicans, who have to be the most insidious Republican Party in the entire country, weren't done yet.
On Wednesday, just about half an hour after it finished up a special session called to pass a hurricane relief bill, the Republican-controlled North Carolina state legislature called for ANOTHER special session.
The purpose of this second special session was pretty clear once it got started.
One after another - legislators put forward a series of bills - all aimed at weakening the power of incoming Democratic governor Roy Cooper before he takes office on January 1.
As NPR reports-
"The proposed laws strip the incoming governor of powers his predecessor held, including the power to appoint his Cabinet without legislative approval, the power to appoint trustees for the University of North Carolina and the power to oversee the state's election board."
The North Carolina legislature is debating all these measures as I speak behind closed doors and out of the view of the press and the public.
This is for all intents and purposes a legislative coup - and it raises the question: why DO Republicans have such a hard time accepting reality when they lose elections fair and square?
Is that because they only know how to win by cheating?
Comments
#2
For a long time the republicans have been what I consider a criminal org. They have no honor nor do they care one iota about the people of this nation. North Carolina is just one small example of the crimes they will try and commit to get their way. Michigan is bad too. There so far it lookd like Synder is getting away with a proven crime. This party has become so vile I am hoping, that someday it can be put out of our misery! It may take the Earth it's self to do the job for us though sadly alot of good people and wonderous creatures will be sacrificed.
#3
Winning, power, subjugated others, and reducing their awareness of their fear is the neocons/ right wing repubs end game. Therefore, any means necessary is accepted even promoted.
#4
The North Carolina GOP must be Stalinists-in-training, and must be very close to graduating.
#5
Republicans, the party of the double standard. They believe in democracy if they win, then reject it when they don't. They believe in capitalism for big business when it makes money, but want socialism for big business when it loses money.
#6
Revolution!
That's the fire being played with by the GOP, the corporate Dems, and their obscenely wealthy donor class. When the rules of the political game no longer allow the majority of people to have any meaningful outlet to express their will, to effect a more positive direction for their country, or to alter the course of their lives for the better, then, historically, all-out rebellion against a depraved ruling elite becomes the only option available.
Personally, I do not advocate violence; however, with a population awash in anger and weaponry, it won't take much of a spark to ignite the unthinkable. For the last several years, we've already been witnessing the first rumblings of revolution on the mean streets of our cities and in the even meaner minds of a truly disgruntled populace.
Trump just might be the low-intelligent dupe that unwittingly strikes the match. Once his armed-to-the-teeth minions finally realize they've been totally suckered by his completely false campaign promises, while he consolidates power with the worst of the worst establishment players and fellow con-men, does anyone honestly think that everyone will just shrug it off, lay down their arms, and go home to watch the fantasy world on TV?
The fascist billionaires had better hope so. Their wispy yellow police tape flapping in the wind will be the only thing that separates civilization from chaos.
#7
#4 - You could say communist or fascist the modus is the same, some would argue the outcome is also
#6 - Totally agreed... let the chaos begin from which only order can arise
#8
The NC legislators work for the Oligarchy. They're just doing their jobs. The citizens of NC have no place in this.
#9
Robertcd
You haven't seen anything until you take a look at what Sam Brownback has done to Kansas. Today's republican party are the answer to a question no one asked.
#10
The reason Republicans have such a hard time accepting reality is because these people in government are basically businessmen and not statesmen. Business people are brought up on a steady diet of not accepting reality; like the power of positive speaking and thinking which gives us a Trump who sounds like an ego-maniac because he only ever speaks of himself in glowing terms instead of humble or terms of humility. But, in all fairness, to say that the Republicans are the only ones lying, cheating, stealing, deceiving the public is totally false. The Democrats (Obama, Reid, Pelosi, Schumer) ALL do the same things and for We, the People to deny this and turn a blind eye to our thoroughly corrupt system of New World Order troglodytes puts us all in the same boat right along with these Republicans. Our system of government is broken. Obama didn't step in and help the people at Standing Rock. Obama has done nothing over the rigging of our elections. Obama lies to us constantly about everything from "clean coal," to Russia tampering with our elections, to closing Gitmo. Obama has abducted Julian Assange and done god-only-knows what to and with him for telling the truth to We, the People, just like Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden. But Obama and the Establishment don't stand for the truth or doing the correct things; they stand for subjugation of We, the People at the behest of and for the benefit of an oligarchy of men who believe they deserve to rule by Divine Right of Kings (and other fairy tales). The whole thing is a rotten, corrupt mess and we have The Billie Club (billionaires) and a totally rotten SCOTUS to thank for it plus a dumbed down populace that has been trained that democracy is a spectator sport. We are on the eve of destruction. The FEMA (detention) camps are in place. Trillions of dollars of military equipment have been moved into each state across this whole country. The police are militarized. UN forces are on US soil and are engaged in training ops getting set to grab this country. I'm getting emails asking if Obama should have a third term. The economy is in terrible shape, and the banks are getting ready to fail thereby precipitating Martial Law. To blame just the Republicans for all of this is just another lie. It's all of the above and We, the People, for not rising up and throwing all of this corruption out and holding all of these people (and that includes Kissinger, Rumsfeld, the Bushes, Karl Rove, etc.,) accountable. They all need to go to the Hague for what they have done and I hope I live to see it.
#11
Viva la revolucion!
#12
By far the most effective political cheating leading to non representative government comes in the form of propaganda. When a population votes with their minds foxmerized with misinformation and lies, that's when we end up with guys like Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell.
Nobody votes to have social security slashed, nobody votes for climate change, nobody votes for increasing the cost of health insurance, nobody votes for jobs to get shipped overseas, and very very few vote for tax breaks for billionaires. With this in mind, why would any democrat ever consider compromise with teapublican legislation. To do so is not only mis-representing the will of your own constituents, but also the will of those who voted for the billionaire's useful idiots...guys like Paul Ryan.
I see the CIA isn't going to release the email evidence of Trump's treason before tomorrow....we're going to end up with a Pence presidency. In my opinion the fear of a violent uprising by brainwashed Trump nuts is driving this delay in hauling Trump off in handcuffs. Rather than declare the election invalid it's been determined that Pence as president along with the Trump's insane clown posse cabinet will be enough to placate the foxmerized. The CIA will release the bombshell well after tomorrow. The CIA is forced to eventually release this info, otherwise Putin owns Trump...Putin can threaten Trump with release of the collusion evidence anytime he chooses. If Tillerson doesn't make it as head of the state dept...all deals are off...Putin will out Trump without reservation.
Giuliani will get dragged down with Comey !
#13
@deepspace #11
"Viva la revolucion!"
Idea,
Lets all grab a Starbucks, ride our bicycles or drive our Smart cars to DC, and on Jan. 20, 2017, throw our Birkenstocks at Trumps motorcade.
For the next eight years we should resist everything, block all, occupy, curse at, proudly proclaim "he is not MY president", and use cute little disparaging phrases when speaking of Trump and his family members.
Then in 2024, should we progressives promise enough voters to give them whatever they want for free, and actually get do into the WH, we can whine and stamp our feet when the Republicans do the very same thing we just did to them.
#14
Another idea.
Why don't we hop in our gas guzzling Hummer, back it out of the three car garage of our McMansion, load up at the local steakhouse or the all-you-can-eat buffet and waddle our fat bigoted asses down to the Trump "Thank You Tour" and rant and rave about how bad things are, and how corrupt Democrats are, and how all our problems can be solved by building a wall?
On the way back home, maybe we can stop by and burn down one of the local Black churches or go around harassing any people of color or members of the LGBT community that we see. Or maybe we can cheer on, out of control cops, while they shoot unarmed people with relative impunity.
Maybe we can go on hoggishly plundering the earths resources without any regard for the consequences and we can then make light of, and show our disdain, for those that are actually taking steps to do something to save the planet for ourselves and our children.
Maybe we can claim "sour grapes" to those that have watched their democracy being stolen by the Fascist Billionaire class who buy politicians to undo the constitution with their "Fake News" false narratives, twisted facts, character assignations, voter suppressions via Operation Crosscheck, and so on.
Maybe we can applaud rightwing bigoted, ideological lawmakers that strip the power of any candidate that is the choice of the people when it interferes with our Nazi/Fascist agenda.
HEIL TWITLER!! HEIL TWITLER!!
#15
@Diane#13:
Hah! I can't really add much to stopgap's very apt rebuttal above, other than to say, even though the self-flagellatory part of me rather enjoys your imaginative flights of fancy, I suspect that come the revolution you and I will find ourselves on opposite sides of the police tape.
#16
You people really need to get a life. You're borderline psychotic. I say these words out of kindness. Get help..
#17
And, another asylum heard from!
#18
(Dianereynolds - #13)"@deepspace #11 "Viva la revolucion!"
Idea,
Lets all grab a Starbucks, ride our bicycles or drive our Smart cars to DC, and on Jan. 20, 2017, throw our Birkenstocks at Trumps motorcade.For the next eight years we should resist everything, block all, occupy, curse at, proudly proclaim "he is not MY president", and use cute little disparaging phrases when speaking of Trump and his family members.
Then in 2024, should we progressives promise enough voters to give them whatever they want for free, and actually get do into the WH, we can whine and stamp our feet when the Republicans do the very same thing we just did to them."
(stopgap - #14)
"Another idea.Why don't we hop in our gas guzzling Hummer, back it out of the three car garage of our McMansion, load up at the local steakhouse or the all-you-can-eat buffet and waddle our fat bigoted asses down to the Trump "Thank You Tour" and rant and rave about how bad things are, and how corrupt Democrats are, and how all our problems can be solved by building a wall?
On the way back home, maybe we can stop by and burn down one of the local Black churches or go around harassing any people of color or members of the LGBT community that we see. Or maybe we can cheer on, out of control cops, while they shoot unarmed people with relative impunity.
Maybe we can go on hoggishly plundering the earths resources without any regard for the consequences and we can then make light of, and show our disdain, for those that are actually taking steps to do something to save the planet for ourselves and our children.
Maybe we can claim "sour grapes" to those that have watched their democracy being stolen by the Fascist Billionaire class who buy politicians to undo the constitution with their "Fake News" false narratives, twisted facts, character assignations, voter suppressions via Operation Crosscheck, and so on.Maybe we can applaud rightwing bigoted, ideological lawmakers that strip the power of any candidate that is the choice of the people when it interferes with our Nazi/Fascist agenda.
HEIL TWITLER!! HEIL TWITLER!!"
Outrageous. Full spectrum reflection:
..., stopgap says what it is ...
Dianereynolds says, 'it-is-what-it-is' (as a way of saying, it sure as shootin' ain't-what-it-ain't ... ).
Well stated on both fronts!
So, what shall we-all do about it now ...?
Oh, I know ... we can all buy foot long hot dogs made of factory farm raised animal parts, ram them down our open gullets always yawning for more, follow with deep-fried batter-caked butter-on-a-stick ... and call ourselves having a real pic-nic ...!!
Then, we can take our leftover buttersticks and make yard signs for our doll houses - or, butter yet, picket signs for our finger puppets.
It's the winner's choice!! Yum!!
... now, let's talk about health care ... (((just don't talk about nutrition or lifestyle issues ... Hillary Clinton tried to convince America those things matter to health ... and we all know by now anything she says cannot be trusted ... right?)))
... right ....
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They ought to dismantle both political parties, That's obviously not going to happen. But at the very least their leadership needs new blood. The system of campaign financing and lobbyists needs at the very least drastic changes -- actually both should be prohibited but you know that's not going to happen either. Our government is so dishonest and corrupt that few people would believe it if they knew the truth. It makes the era of the robber barons seem like child's play. Even someone as honest as Thom Hartmann needs to stop taking sides in this battle between two totally immoral behemoths who deserve neither our support or our respect.