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| Sadly, many MAGA politicians are simply puppets for greedy, big-money, anti-American power brokers. |
I have no respect for Kevin McCarthy and I have less respect for the MAGA Republicans that oppose him. McCarthy and MAGA Republicans have proven that they put their personal wealth, power, privilege, and pleasure ahead of what is right and good for the American people. Rather than do the hard work of good lawmaking and leadership, they've chosen to be showy propagandists that distract, confuse, and manipulate via their inauthentic, self-serving, greedy theater and words.
As I watched the clown-like drama unfold yesterday via CSpan (I like CSpan because there's little commentary and I can come to my own conclusions), I carefully observed what was happening. I noticed that most of the "McCarthy" and "Republican Other" votes came from White men while the Hakeem Jeffries votes came from a far more diverse crowd, the kind of crowd that better represents who the American people are. I also noticed that the Republicans nominating Speakers were mostly politicking for themselves and the persistent, repetitive, propagandist MAGA script rather than simply nominating a Speaker due to his character, experience, and potential. On the other hand, the nominations by Representative Pete Aguilar focused on Jeffries' character, experience, and leadership skill.
Further, I noticed smugness in both the Republican and Democratic camps. I didn't like seeing that smugness during such an important process. Optimal lawmaking and leadership is hard work, and when people get smug, they lose sight of the importance of such processes. Rather than smugness, I like to see earnest effort with regard to electing a Speaker who will serve the American people well--an effort to convince one another to do the right thing and elect a true leader, an individual who has proven they are honest, hard working, intelligent, knowledgeable, respectful ,and collaborative. Character matters in this regard and the members of Congress who are displaying good character throughout this process are setting the stage for positive lawmaking careers, leadership, and service to the American people.
McCarthy, as we know, sold his soul to the Trump MAGA goal of insurrection, lawbreaking, and the use and abuse of the American people. Those Republicans who oppose McCarthy for the most part actively supported the January 6th domestic terror attack on the United States Capitol--an attack that vandalized, terrorized, obstructed justice, harmed, and killed people, and an attack that cost the United States lots of money, time, and potential. Those same Republicans spread the Big Lie and were election deniers. Many of those Republicans saw tremendous increases in their financial accounts in the past few years. They appear to work not only for MAGA America but for foreign interests/leaders and organizations such as the NRA that work against what creates good living in the United States.
The right choice for 2022 Speaker of the House is Hakeem Jeffries. If a half dozen Republicans get up the courage to do the right thing, they will forever be known as the politicians who dramatically helped to strengthen our democracy after the MAGA Mania that greatly challenged our government by the people for the people. Let's hope there are six Republicans and more who will do the right thing.