Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

“The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.”

You can’t love your country only when you win.

Never entrust democracy to any process that requires Republicans to act in good faith.

You’re just a puppy masquerading as an old coot.

No one could have predicted…

This fight is for everything.

When the time comes to make an endorsement, the pain of NYT editors will be palpable as they reluctantly whisper “Biden.”

Let the trolls come, and then ignore them. that’s the worst thing you can do to a troll.

I’m starting to think Jesus may have made a mistake saving people with no questions asked.

Maybe you would prefer that we take Joelle’s side in ALL CAPS?

Speaking of republicans, is there a way for a political party to declare intellectual bankruptcy?

Relentless negativity is not a sign that you are more realistic.

The choice is between normal and crazy.

If you’re pissed about Biden’s speech, he was talking about you.

We cannot abandon the truth and remain a free nation.

Fuck these fucking interesting times.

Despite his magical powers, I don’t think Trump is thinking this through, to be honest.

The most dangerous place for a black man in America is in a white man’s imagination.

Republican speaker of the house Mike Johnson is the bland and smiling face of evil.

Trump’s legal defense is going to be a dumpster fire inside a clown car on a derailing train.

Historically it was a little unusual for the president to be an incoherent babbling moron.

Everything is totally normal and fine!!!

“Cheese and Kraken paired together for the appetizer trial.”

Never forget that he train is barreling down on Trump, even as he dances on the tracks.

You are here: Home / Politics / Republican Stupidity / They’d Fuck Up a Ham Sandwich

They’d Fuck Up a Ham Sandwich

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The House will have to re-vote on a slightly modified version of the tax bill tomorrow because the bill they passed today violates Senate rules.

Everything they do adds to the (true) narrative that they rushed through a tax break for the Trumps of the world, as well as actual rich people. In my neck of the woods, Tom Reed (NY-23) just signed his political death warrant by voting for a tax increase for his constituents. He didn’t have to do it, and I hope to hell he has a decent opponent who will jam that vote down his throat next year. If Santa is really good to me this year, Chris Collins (NY-27) will also get thrown out on his ass, but that’s probably too much to wish for.

Reader Interactions

123Comments

  2. 2.

    A Ghost to Not

    They’d steal the sandwich, then fuck it. Then they’d try to give it back as an example of their largesse.

  3. 3.

    different-church-lady

    @A Ghost to Not:

    They’d steal the sandwich, then fuck it. Then they’d try to give it back as an example of their largesse say the sandwich deserved it.

  4. 4.

    jackmac

    Peter Roskam, an Illinois Republican in a suburban Chicago district Hillary Clinton carried in 2016, was on the conference committee, voted for the bill and says he’s going to run for reelection on that vote.

    He already has a 54 percent negative rating in the district.

  5. 5.

    different-church-lady

    @jackmac: Are we going to find out there’s payoff money involved, and this time it has nothing to do with the Russians?

  7. 7.

    Jerzy Russian

    Maybe if they had committee hearings and the like, experts can weigh in and offer guidance and advice about matters of procedure and law. That way, the bills they offer up won’t violate rules and be subject to lawsuits, etc. I am beginning to think that the current crop of GOP lawmakers did not absorb the lessons offered in Schoolhouse Rock.

  11. 11.

    Yutsano

    One of the rules getting struck down is the political action in churches provision. Wonder if that might cause a couple more no votes in the House.

  13. 13.

    eclare

    @JPL: Posted in an earlier thread, finally got through to Corker’s DC office today (his Memphis office has gone straight to a full voicemail for the past several months, constitints services!). Told the staffperson that Corker would be flushing his supposed integrity down the drain, among other things, and the staffperson said cheerfully that he would tell Corker, and have a great day! Staffperson was way too chipper.

  14. 14.

    rk

    Serious question for knowledgeable people. Can any of this be reversed if democrats win in 2018 or 2020? Or are we permanently screwed?

  15. 15.

    Yutsano

    @chopper: I smell a reverse ratfucking. What if…those were only the first problems to raise to the Parliamentarian’s attention? Could they keep stalling and stalling until it’s too late?

  17. 17.

    japa21

    @Yutsano: Somebody on Twitter mentioned the same thing. If the Senate votes on it first, then it won’t be able to be done. But if House votes first, then I think, if there are other things, yes it can be done.

  18. 18.

    mike in dc

    @Yutsano: Paul and Mitch would keep Congress in session until New Year’s if necessary. And then stall on seating Doug Jones if they had to. We probably can’t stop this bill. But we can make them pay for it.

  20. 20.

    chopper

    @Yutsano:

    possible. just goes to show why it helps to know how to write a bill. wouldn’t surprise me if mcconnell is having people look through the bill to ind any other issues the dems could possibly raise. or not, these guys are just schmucks.

  21. 21.

    germy

    @A Ghost to Not:

    They’d steal the sandwich, then fuck it. Then they’d try to give it back as an example of their largesse.

    “I specifically requested no mayonnaise.”

  22. 22.

    Another Scott

    Meanwhile, …

    TheHill – Abortion fight threatens Collins deal and risks shutdown:

    House Republicans say two ObamaCare measures that Senate GOP leaders are expected to attach to the stopgap as part of a deal with Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) must include Hyde Amendment language prohibiting the use of federal funds for abortion.

    It would be a “stone cold non-starter” for many House Republicans to vote for the stopgap that does not includes the ObamaCare measures without the abortion restrictions, said one House GOP appropriations aide.

    “It won’t pass the House if you don’t have Hyde protections,” said House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-Ore.)

    But Democrats oppose including the language, which they see as an expansion of the existing Hyde Amendment. They argue including the language could discourage private insurers from covering abortions, and insist they won’t back the stopgap if it is added.

    Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (N.Y.) said Tuesday that adding Hyde language would “kill it altogether.”

    Senate Republicans need at least eight Democrats to back the stopgap to overcome a filibuster. The government will shut down on Saturday unless a new funding measure is approved.

    The Teabaggers couldn’t manage to run a one-car parade without having the car flip over and burst into flames… I’m glad that the Democrats are refusing to – yet again – yield to these stupid, unreasonable demands.

    Here’s hoping that the Trumpists manage to mess up their “Win for Glorious Leader Donnie” also too.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  23. 23.

    chopper

    truth be told if the parliamentarian stops this up another time or two McConnell will likely just shitcan her anyways.

  24. 24.

    NotMax

    @eclare

    Call again and, in light of what is publicly known about certain tax breaks inserted at the last moment, insistently ask the staffer to remind Corker of one of the official standing rules of the Senate, Article XII, paragraph 3:

    A Member, notwithstanding any other provisions of this rule, may decline to vote, in committee or on the floor, on any matter when he believes that his voting on such a matter would be a conflict of interest.

    @A Ghost to Not

    Ah, the gentile version of Portnoy’s Complaint.

  25. 25.

    Walker

    Tom Reed (NY-23) just signed his political death warrant

    As a constituent of that idiot, I hope this is true, but I am not holding my breath.

  26. 26.

    Kay

    I’m pleased Democrats are throwing wrenches into this. People want their advocates to get a little bloodied up. Don’t go down gracefully. The only thing worse than a losing battle is no battle at all.

  27. 27.

    geg6

    I hate these people. Hate, hate, hate them. I can never forgive them for all they’ve done and this is just another nail in the coffin. They are not human. They are monsters.

  29. 29.

    JoeyJoeJoe Junior Shabadoo

    One of the Dems running against Reed is Martok from DS9 (JG Hertzler). He may literally be able to ram the bill down Reed’s throat.

  30. 30.

    debbie

    @germy:

    i just saw your post about TNC quitting Twitter. I checked West’s Twitter feed and he’s not getting a fraction of the push-back he deserves. Gah!

    I hope Cornell enjoys being the toast of the White Supremacy movement.

  31. 31.

    debbie

    @Kay:

    In that same vein, I enjoyed Sen. Kennedy’s (R-LA) evisceration of Trump’s judicial nominee. Three so far have withdrawn their nominations. Happy news!

  33. 33.

    mai naem mobile

    If this monstrosity passes, I want Jared indicted on Friday. Dolt45 will have a twitter meltdown like you’ve never seen before

  35. 35.

    a thousand flouncing lurkers (was fidelio)

    My late supervisor used to say about some of our staffers that they could fuck up a two-car funeral if you spotted them the hearse.

    It seems there are others who aspire to that level of accomplishment.

    I wonder just how hard Boehner is laughing as he orders his pre-dinner double.

  37. 37.

    Yarrow

    I saw the chyron on CNN “House Must Vote Again” and wondered what that was. What a bunch of idiots. Thanks for the post.

  39. 39.

    Kay

    @debbie:

    I read the last one’s resignation letter. He feels very sorry for himself. These people. I swear.

    You can’t be a judge, buddy! I can’t be a federal district judge either, but I don’t think that’s unfair. It isn’t just godammned random assignments!

  40. 40.

    TenguPhule

    @chopper:

    truth be told if the parliamentarian stops this up another time or two McConnell will likely just shitcan her anyways.

    Fuck him.

    Let him try.

  41. 41.

    randy khan

    The Republicans are impressive in their incompetence as legislators. And a lot of the trouble they’re having here is the result of setting the $1.5 trillion number in the reconciliation instructions when they didn’t have a bill yet. If they’d waited to do the reconciliation instructions until after they had written a bill, it would have gone much more smoothly.

  42. 42.

    germy

    @debbie:

    i just saw your post about TNC quitting Twitter.

    He’s quit before. Possibly he’ll return. And if not, he still has work to do, books to write.

    Here’s the thing, though. I agree with some of what West writes. This, for example. He was asked to define the term “neoliberal”

    Well, “neoliberal” is somebody of any color who sees a social problem and does three things; privatize, financialize and militarize. You’ve got a problem in the schools, privatize the schools, push back public education. Bring in the financiers, the profiteers. Make money on the test, make money on the teachers while you push out the teachers unions, and then you militarize the schools. You bring in security. We’ve got precious young brothers and sisters in the hoods going to schools like you and I going through the airport. That’s the militarization of the schools. Police, the same way. Outsource, militarize right across the board, so that a neoliberal is somebody who is obsessed with markets.

    But the rest of it, his support for Jill for president, his bizarre attacks on Obama and Coates… I just can’t follow him there.

  43. 43.

    TenguPhule

    @rk:

    Can any of this be reversed if democrats win in 2018 or 2020? Or are we permanently screwed?

    No in 2018 unless we have 2/3rd majorities in both house and Senate.

    Yes in 2020 if we win all the races.

    And if we don’t, bad things happen.

  44. 44.

    Patricia Kayden

    @chopper: Democrats standing together and voting against this atrocity of a bill is a plus for our side. The ads write themselves — especially if the negative consequences of this tax scam start showing up early next year.

  46. 46.

    Roger Moore

    @rk:

    Can any of this be reversed if democrats win in 2018 or 2020?

    Any of it can be reversed by Congress in the future, provided they have either a President who will sign it or enough votes to override a veto. That means it probably can’t get overturned until 2021 at the earliest. And, of course, repealing it won’t undo any of the damage it’s done in the meanwhile.

  48. 48.

    Patricia Kayden

    @TenguPhule: Yep. We need Congress and the Presidency to reverse everything that Trump has done. Hopefully, Mueller is working hard to ensure that he doesn’t even serve one full term.

  49. 49.

    debbie

    @germy:

    Cornell West isn’t big enough or strong enough to wield a brush broad enough to make the statement you referenced. He’s far too hyperbolic, as he usually is. However, the crap he tweeted to TNC was uncalled for and just plain wrong. He’s proven himself to be nothing more than dried up, old hack.

  52. 52.

    Bill Arnold

    Copy/pasted from previous post just for handy table:
    Looking at the vote table (NYTimes) (try private window if out of nytimes quota, perhaps), I see 4 NY Republican congresspeople voted for this tax bill, but it’s all “upstate”[1] (typically much less wealthy) districts. NY-24 voted for Clinton in 2016 according to wikipedia (haven’t confirmed).
    NY-22 Claudia Tenney Y
    NY-23 Tom Reed Y
    NY-24 John Katko Y
    NY-27 Chris Collins Y

    CA-1 Doug LaMalfa Y
    CA-4 Tom McClintock Y
    CA-8 Paul Cook Y
    CA-10 Jeff Denham Y
    CA-21 David Valadao Y
    CA-22 Devin Nunes Y
    CA-23 Kevin McCarthy Y
    CA-25 Steve Knight Y
    CA-39 Ed Royce Y
    CA-42 Ken Calvert Y
    CA-45 Mimi Walters Y
    CA-50 Duncan Hunter Y

    [1] NYC suburb residents think of themselves as suburb residents, not upstate residents, though they’re “upstate” to NYC residents.

  53. 53.

    Brachiator

    @Patricia Kayden:

    Democrats standing together and voting against this atrocity of a bill is a plus for our side. The ads write themselves — especially if the negative consequences of this tax scam start showing up early next year.

    There is a bit of a delayed reaction built into this tax mess. Some people won’t really know what hit them until they file their 2018 tax returns in 2019 and see that the have a balance due or a teeny tiny refund.

  54. 54.

    Yarrow

    Apparently Wolf Blitzer just interviewed Bob Corker and asked him real questions and Corker was Not Happy about it. “I know you’re having a great time with this interview and I’m happy for you in doing so. I’ve said what I’ve said and I’m doing what I’m doing. And for me to sort of rehash all that gives you an opportunity over the next week just to replay and replay and replay. I’m a very direct guy. I say what’s on my mind and what I think. I don’t walk away when I do those things. I’m ready to move on and deal with those issues. …You know all of these things are totally malicious, they’re not true and you know that. And people in the press that are responsible know that and I’m disappointed that you chose this opportunity to do what you did… I know you had a good time with this interview.”

    Wolf must have inadvertently committed journalism. Jeffrey Toobin called Corker’s answers pathetic. LOL.

  55. 55.

    debbie

    @Brachiator:

    Some people won’t really know what hit them until they file their 2018 tax returns in 2019 and see that the have a balance due or a teeny tiny refund.

    Hopefully, they’ll know to duck when they get their 2025 tax bill and it’s even higher than it was 7 years earlier.

  59. 59.

    japa21

    I wonder how many GOP Representatives are getting major negative pushback tonight and if the changes that have to be made will give them cover to change to a no vote. Particularly the one relating to churches.

  61. 61.

    Brachiator

    @germy:

    @debbie:

    Here’s the thing, though. I agree with some of what West writes. This, for example. He was asked to define the term “neoliberal”

    West is little more than an old crank jealous of Coates success and cowardly using false “criticism” to disguise his personal agenda. It’s just sad.

    The best takedown of West, whose most infamous claim to fame is how he ruined the Matrix trilogy, is humorously found on the latest “black guy who tips” podcast, Blackademic Beef 2 – Neoliberal Boogaloo.

  62. 62.

    Mnemosyne

    @germy:

    Outsource, militarize right across the board, so that a neoliberal is somebody who is obsessed with markets.

    And his evidence that TNC advocates any of that is … ?

  63. 63.

    Mary G

    Well, the protests here in CA 49 caused Darrell Issa to vote no. He and Rohrbacker probably got the hall passes from Paul Ryan. Mimi Walters and Duncan Hunter voted yes, so they have become targets. Longshots but you never know.

    Issa and Rohrbacker are still toast.

  64. 64.

    Yarrow

    @Brachiator:

    There is a bit of a delayed reaction built into this tax mess. Some people won’t really know what hit them until they file their 2018 tax returns in 2019 and see that the have a balance due or a teeny tiny refund.

    True. But for planning purposes and for anyone who files quarterly the effects will be seen pretty quickly. I’m sure tax people will be telling their clients right away that the SALT and mortgage deductions are affected. People need to plan.

    Not to mention that the health insurance plan prices are going to go up, if plans are available at all. It’ll be pretty easy to point at this tax bill when someone can’t get/can’t afford health insurance.

    All those things will be in play and happening before the 2018 election.

  65. 65.

    BlueDWarrior

    @japa21: Not likely enough to tank the bill, but it will be another bullet point for Democrats playing the “Republican are ineffective legislators” card.

    Even when they have free reign to do whatever they wanted, they still can’t do it in a way that makes sense to anyone observing from the outside, because what they are doing is really unpopular and if it was easy for an outsider to rationalize, it’s that much easier to organize against.

    The Republicans are in full “Damn the Torpedoes” mode and I don’t believe anything is going to make them stop; outside of getting them out of office that is. So Democrats should run on “Every Republican is a toady for [wealthy industrialist/financier everyone hates], even that nice sounding one you think you know locally”

  66. 66.

    debbie

    @Brachiator:

    Love this comment from your link:

    Cornel West reminds me of the “pick me” women on Facebook and Twitter. Essentially, anytime he is not the guy of the moment he launches an attack against the person who is under the guise of Black people, let’s band together and turn our backs on *insert adversary* because they are the neoliberal puppet of the white man. The kicker however is anytime a Bill Maher or CNN pundit needs saving West is the first to lay across the tracks of forgiveness and understanding. Whether intentional or subconscious West wants to be THAT ONE BLACK GUY and doesn’t believe there is enough room for everyone else.

  68. 68.

    BlueDWarrior

    @Mnemosyne: He though poorly of Brother West, therefore he must be a neoliberal shill out to get him.

    Once upon a time I was excited to get my Cultural Geography book signed by him, but that was 12 years ago. Now I just sit and shake my head at an old man who fears his time has passed. Also Brother Coates has a much better way with language and ease when talking to younger people, which is why Coates is doing better than West was in his heyday.

  70. 70.

    Enhanced Voting Techniques

    @Yutsano: Could be an attempt to have it both ways. All the GOP can’t be so stupid as to not see jacking the taxes on the middle class and rich would screw their party.

  71. 71.

    Eric S.

    @jackmac: My ex-gf is a teacher and became nationally board certified. It’s a Big Biden Deal. Her school is in Roskam’s district and he was there to glad hand. It was her night and i wouldn’t ruin it for her but it was tough not to call him out on his policies.

  73. 73.

    germy

    @Mnemosyne:

    And his evidence that TNC advocates any of that is … ?

    Zero evidence.

    I suspect it is no coincidence this dustup coincides with the anniversary of Race Matters.

    He’s been quiet on the downward spiral of Tavis “Where else am I supposed to meet people??” Smiley. I’m wondering if West will eventually say something on the subject that will make some fans say “gasp!”

  75. 75.

    Ohio Mom

    @eclare: My Congressman Brad Wenstrup also has an overly chirpy, perky phone-answer in one of his local offices. I think of her as a Good German, the type who says, “No, I never noticed the smoke coming out of that stack,” even as she’s coughing.

  76. 76.

    Barbara

    @Bill Arnold: Even if the Republican house members voted no, the point is, they contribute to the majority that is obsessed with hurting states like New York, New Jersey, Illinois and California. The no votes from those states ought to be the first ones to go down — they know the bill hurts their state and they are powerless to persuade their own party to protect the interests of their constituents.

  77. 77.

    Brachiator

    @Yarrow:

    There is a bit of a delayed reaction built into this tax mess. Some people won’t really know what hit them until they file their 2018 tax returns in 2019 and see that the have a balance due or a teeny tiny refund.

    True. But for planning purposes and for anyone who files quarterly the effects will be seen pretty quickly. I’m sure tax people will be telling their clients right away that the SALT and mortgage deductions are affected. People need to plan.

    Yep. And there are good tax estimators that people could use right now and get a good feel how their taxes would look like using info from their 2016 tax return.

    Given how comprehensive a lot of the new changes are, I’m surprised at the number of people who are simply taking the Republicans at their word that there is going to be tax cut heaven for everyone.

  80. 80.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    Is it possible Wolf Blitzer accidentally stumbled into making some good television?

    David Corn‏Verified account @ DavidCornDC
    -Blitzer asks Corker about his statement that he would not vote for the tax bill if it added “one penny” to the deficit. Corker: “That’s the way I felt during that interview.” #Sheesh
    -Corker telling Blitzer: “I know I am being maligned….It’s just malicious.”
    -Wolf asks Corker re Clapper saying Putin plays Trump as if he is his case officer. Corker looks very uncomfortable. Says nothing in direct response.
    -Wolf asks Corker if he still believes Trump has great difficulty with the truth and is debasing the nation, as he said in October. Corker doesn’t answer, says, “I know you’re having a great time with this interview.” Then chides Wolf for having “fun.”

  81. 81.

    germy

    @ruemara: The Spencer thing was the last straw for TNC.

    Look, if you’re going to call the first Black President “niggerized” don’t be surprised if you gain a white supremacist following. Sorry y’all West defenders are so pressed in my menchies, but where is the lie? ?— Imani Gandy Canes (@AngryBlackLady) December 19, 2017

  82. 82.

    debbie

    @germy:

    I heard him interviewed. He’s confident when people see less taken out of their paycheck and get a bigger refund, they’ll fall in love with the bill, just like he has.

  83. 83.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @debbie: I’m sure the extra $20 per pay period and hundred dollars in their refund will make folk so giddy no one will notice cuts to Social Security and an increase in Medicare eligibility

  86. 86.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @JPL:

    I have tried reaching both Perdue’s and Isakson’s offices, in both GA and D.C. Get nothing but voice mail and messages that the mailbox is full.

    Probably just as well. At this point, I’m not sure I could control my vocabulary.

  87. 87.

    encephalopath

    If they change the bill, doesn’t it have to get an new number and get re-submitted? And doesn’t that provide more opportunity for procedural challenges?

    This isn’t a markup version of the bill anymore. They were voting on a bill that was supposed to become law.

  89. 89.

    Bill Arnold

    @chopper:

    it appears the democrats were the only ones to actually read the fucker.

    Out of curiosity, when people call the Representative/Senator, do they ask whether the representative/senator has read the bill or conference report?
    https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CRPT-115hrpt466/pdf/CRPT-115hrpt466.pdf
    and
    http://docs.house.gov/floor/Default.aspx?date=2017-12-18
    Something like (a) read the conference report (b) find something particularly egregious (c) call Yes-person X, (d) “I’m concerned about some details in the section starting on page 214, [express concern]. Has representative/senator X read this provision? He/She now has some additional time.”
    Just curious whether they pay attention to this sort of thing or it just irritates them. Just reading this stinker irritates me.

  94. 94.

    Roger Moore

    @Mnemosyne:

    West is the kind of academic who makes me wonder if tenure really is an unalloyed good.

    Hardly anything is an unalloyed good. That said, for every person like West who stops doing good work once they get tenure and their head swells up, there are probably ten who start doing better because they’re freer to follow their own ideas when the threat of job loss isn’t hanging over their heads.

  95. 95.

    Kathleen

    @geg6: I am with you. I had homicidal fantasies this morning as I was stomping on the Stair Master at the Y. Like wearing spiked shoes and pretending the steps were the side of a cliff and Paul Ryan’s fingers were….I’ll stop here.

  101. 101.

    Yarrow

    I’ve rarely seen a legislator look as uncomfortable & testy as @BobCorker just did after being pressed by @wolfblitzer on Corker’s switch on tax bill. “I know you’re having a great time with this interview and I’m happy for you,” said Corker, not looking the least bit happy.— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) December 19, 2017

    Corker is a pathetic worm.

  102. 102.

    Shana

    @SiubhanDuinne: When congresscritters’ phones are unavailable, what’s the best way to get your message to them? Facebook? Twitter? I know people say fax, but other than that what’s preferred?

  103. 103.

    debbie

    @JR:

    Not a fan of his, but this afternoon, I heard him already talking about repeal and replace of this tax bill, as in this tweet:

    Repeal and replace of the GOP #TaxBill could preserve any growth incentive at half or less the cost and could help the middle class.— Lawrence H. Summers (@LHSummers) December 19, 2017

  106. 106.

    ArchTeryx

    @Roger Moore: There is one thing most people aren’t realizing – they can repeal or moderate that by passing their *own* budget, under reconciliation rules, and dare Trump to veto it or shut down the government. Newtie tried that trick to force cuts and partial privatization of Medicare and ended up drummed out of Congress for it. Let’s see what an extremely unpopular lame duck president is willing to do.

    Even Dubya wasn’t willing to ride that tiger. He simply signed the budgets a Democratic Congress put in front of him.

    It would, however, require us to own both chambers (with at least 51 votes in the Senate), and get every red-state Senator to climb on board with tax increases for the rich. That’s a pretty heavy lift, but not impossible, especially if Trump and the current Republican leadership are so radioactive there’s a huge clamor to repeal it.

  107. 107.

    ruemara

    @Shana: Fax or postcards/letter. really. Those are the only things they notice as much as phone calls. Emails are digital waste.

  108. 108.

    Fair Economist

    @Mary G:

    Mimi Walters and Duncan Hunter voted yes, so they have become targets. Longshots but you never know.

    Walters represents an upscale district where a lot of constituents have expensive homes and are going to get hit by the SALT and mortgage deduction changes. She’s not a longshot target anymore. Hunter represents a more exurban district without so much pricey property and with a strong R lean, so he is still a longshot to take out.

    Ed Royce is also extremely vulnerable. His district had an even lean in 2016 and now he’s voted for the abomination.

  111. 111.

    TriassicSands

    In my neck of the woods, Tom Reed (NY-23) just signed his political death warrant by voting for a tax increase for his constituents.

    I don’t know anything about Reed or his district, but Americans are not exactly known for long-term thinking. Those who see a tax cut next year are not likely to be angry about tax cuts that may or may not happen in the future.

    If most Americans were capable of ration thinking, we’d have veto-proof majorities in both houses and a Democrat in the White House. The last time I checked that isn’t how things have worked out.

  115. 115.

    jackmac

    @James E. Powell: Seven Democrats running for the nomination, including five women and two men:

    • Becky Anderson, a Naperville City Council member and co-owner of Anderson’s Book Stores;
    • Sean Casten, a scientist and clean energy entrepreneur;
    • Carole Cheney, former district chief of staff for Rep. Bill Foster (D-11);
    • Amanda Howland, a College of Lake County trustee who ran against Roskam in 2016;
    • Ryan Huffman, a data analyst for a healthcare startup firm;
    • Kelly Mazeski, a former North Barrington village trustee;
    • Jennifer Zordani, an attorney.

    Roskam has an outsized financial edge with $1.3 million in campaign cash on hand as of Sept. 30, according to Federal Election Commission reports.

    The seven Democratic candidates reported a combined total of less than $1 million, led by Mazeski’s $342,755 as of late September. Mazeski has also earned endorsements from two current Illinois Democratic congressional representatives — Cheri Bustos (17th) and Jan Schakowsky

  116. 116.

    TenguPhule

    @Yarrow:

    All those things will be in play and happening before the 2018 election.

    The problem of course being they’ll still be around for the 2020 campaign too.

    And Republicans will either stonewall on fixes or offer poison pill “bipartisan” deals which will be worse then ever.

    We have to be able to not only pin this on them, but keep them pinned with fucking 10 meter slabs of sharpened steel rammed through their guts to the pavement.

  117. 117.

    Central Planning

    @JoeyJoeJoe Junior Shabadoo:

    One of the Dems running against Reed is Martok from DS9 (JG Hertzler). He may literally be able to ram the bill down Reed’s throat.

    That’s cool. I would make a short drive down to attend one of his rallies (and wow, that really does not look like the plural of rally)

  119. 119.

    efgoldman

    @Brachiator:

    West is little more than an old crank jealous of Coates success and cowardly using false “criticism” to disguise his personal agenda.

    And worse, he has the political acumen of his buddy, Stein.
    These naifs never learned lesson number one: first, count the votes.

  120. 120.

    SteveNKY

    @rk: permanently screwed bc we would achieve suoer-majorities, get scared at the non-stop “Dems are over-reaching!” And my 11 yo son’s future is eff’d.

  121. 121.

    Lyrebird

    @germy: Thank you for demonstrating some areas of agreement, since I tend to just read “Cornel West” and think “media-loving contrarian” and leave it at that.

    I recommend this article on the Black Left (?) for anyone interested in more thought-out critiques of TNC’s latest book that what CW offered. The section I read from West’s response suggested he’d written the review without reading the book, so I skipped the rest.

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