34 Comments

It is always baffling to me that "compromise" is sold as turn coat or conspiracy. Giving and taking is the ONLY way; "reaching across the isle" is what so many elected officials quaintly preach to us, yet claim others are turncoat when they. It is an absolute shame and yet they continue to sell thier dog food under the prime rib column.

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5dEdited

Jan 3 @1:30 PM

Speaking of the conspiracy nuts, Allan Sander is off his rocker, I can't listen to his ranting anymore. Seriously, make up your mind, you selectively believe what we are being told and attribute malice and conspiracy to other parts.

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“The distrust in government and the press continues to contribute to our nation’s unraveling.”

And it will continue for at least the next 4 years and probably worsen. It’s difficult to be optimistic that our civics will improve.

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The Republicans in Congress remind me of a bunch of Presbyterians arguing about some fine point in theology. I appreciate Mike Johnson and hope he remains speaker, but we have some congressmen like Chip Roy and Thomas Massey who are so highly principled that they find it impossible to compromise. And compromise is the essence of politics and governing. I applaud their stand on the debt, but the problem needs to be solved incrementally.

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I agree but someone has to say enough is enough about this government’s spending. 34 trillion in debt is absolutely absurd. The waste and the ridiculousness of what this government spends our money on is just mind boggling. It has to stop.

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I agree that someone needs to say enough is enough. It is the when of that statement that can make a difference. Doing it right now by revolting against the only person who is interested in being Speaker is suicide for the republicans in general, not a bold stand for cutting the spending.

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I agree not now but when?

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When they are doing the next budget. Hold the line for individual funding bills that spend less. When DOGE recommends eliminating and cutting, do it. Those things are the "hills to die on". Not when choosing a speaker when only one is in the running.

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Tuesday, my daughter and I leave for a week in Spain, France and Italy. I’ll give you a book report when I return. Yes, I know it’s short but my only hobby is work and I feel guilty leaving work and having someone cover and leaving my patients. I know it is a sickness. My women’s group meets once a year to announce our word of the year. Mine is “consecrate.” Matthew Kelly has said, as Catholics, this is the year of consecration to the Eucharist. So this year, I’ll touch some grass, consecrate my self to all that is Holy and really matters, and try to not feel so guilty for working less. May it be a good year.

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Safe travels and have fun.

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If we stop with the CR and do a budget quit the BS spending even if it means shutting down the government that would bring stability to the speaker chair no matter who the speaker is. As for Liz Cheney she got her medal and was returned to Virginia now to receive a participation medal from Joey from Scranton

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"Instead, perhaps, we should all go touch some grass and reconnect with the world and people who are actually around us."

This is a GREAT idea, Erick. I'm going to go right now and do just that. See you in a few days. Happy New Year, everyone.

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Completely agree on Mike Johnson. You play the cards you're dealt, and he was not given a winning hand. The recent experience will make him better going forward.

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I heard Newt Gingrich once say that Republicans can’t manage their own prosperity. The election has given the house and senate a golden opportunity to move this country and here we go again with some in congress ready to make us fail.

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Thanks Erick for your support of Mike Johnson. I believe he is a good man who will make the best of a terrible situation considering he only has a one vote margin to work with. Give this man a chance. Any one else in his place will have to deal with the same issues. We as Republicans brag about how well we did on November except having only a one vote margin in the house. Let us not make the situation worse by getting into an unnecessary fight. Even Reagan said that if you only get 80% of what you are looking for-go for it!

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Happy New Year to everyone and good health and happiness to all of you.

Give Johnson a chance to show himself after Trump is President and all the new Representatives have settled in.

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When Johnson sells us out (again) to placate the left, I look forward to the comments here then as well. And since he's apparently the only one even remotely interested in the job, we might as well put him in and then brace ourselves, for we know what will be coming.

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Thank you for this information. The history of the first day of the year I did not know. Regarding our current situation, I will be brief. I was against Matt Goetz because of his showmanship and attention seeking which I considered to be his main objective. We were subjected to an embarrassment regarding the Speakership because of that. If the Republicans do not ensure Johnson is kept as Speaker they will have a lot to answer for.

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For the first time in memory, we have a speaker who very likely has integrity. As Mark M. stated, we are not privy to all the speaker is dealing with. And, as a number have stated, who will be a better choice?

Speaker Johnson deserves much more time. I'm of the opinion he will be at least a solid speaker, and has it in him to be a great speaker.

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Agree with your comment on Johnson - but do have a math/calendar question - how is the first of January the 8th day of Christmas? I count 7.....

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Christmas is day 1, New Years Day is day 8

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We who inhabit the cyberspace of social media often forget we aren't actually present for the discussions being held to which Mike Johnson is now privy. We have no actual idea what he said, what they said, or what much of his job description really is. We know what we read. Some read more than others. Some sources are more credible than others, but in the end we all believe we know what's going on, and we comment accordingly. Some humility concerning what Johnson has had to do and will have to do might be in order for those of us who kibbitz his actions.

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