kanesrealm

The new session of Congress officially began yesterday. The super duper amped up Republican control of all branches of government is at hand and up first in the House on the night of January 2, while no one was watching a group of Republican delinquents moved to get rid of the Independent House Ethics Commission. Speaker Ryan and Majority Leader McCarthy didn't want this to happen but they were ignored which tells you they have no power over their own caucus. But the public was watching and reached out in rage bombarding Congress with phone calls. Even Donald Trump tweeted his displeasure that they had chosen this as their first act. To be clear, Trump doesn't mind them getting rid of the ethics commission, he just feels they should wait, (read the tweet.) So down the drain went this first initiative. So what to do? Oh yes, the chestnut, the official introduction of the Bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act. If you read regularly you're about to experience dejavu, get u...

Christopher Hitchens referred to Ayn Rand's philosophy as "excrement on the page", I don't know that I would go that far, well actually I have on more than one occasion. So yeah, it's crap. My real problem with Rand isn't her, it's the majority of her devotees. Her philosophy, which she called objectivism is easy to understand. She was born in Russia to a wealthy family. The Soviet Union stripped her family of their wealth and social standing, so she was pissed off. I don't blame her, any of us would be but not all of us turn our bitterness into a political philosophy skewed from experience with communism. Rather than blaming the ruling elites, she chose to blame the masses, everywhere. Her basic gripe comes down to this, there is a small number of smart productive people who make the world work and then there's the rest, who are nothing more than leaches. Very similar to Mitt Romney's 47% statement in 2012. Rand's prominence came about ...

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg aka Notorious RBG has criticized Donald Trump as a faker and she has concerns about him being President. Trump has of course lost his mind over it and is engaging in his normal sandbox retaliation. That's fine, she criticized and he's punching back. He is as usual wrong on the facts. That would also be fine because that's Trump. Unfortunately there is a whole bunch of people who are commenting on Ginsburg's statements, including politicians and the media. They are all incorrect in their framing of the issue and all are in need of a history refresher. I wasn't going to write about this kerfluffle until Speaker Paul Ryan said this, "political appointees should not be commenting on elections." Appointees Mr. Speaker? You are smarter than that. The United States Supreme Court is not a collection of appointees. Those nine Justices are a co-equal branch of government. They are nominated by the President, confirmed by the Senate and o...

Paul Ryan loves to play the reluctant virgin. Under no circumstances would he accept the job of Speaker of the House. He doesn't want it no matter what. After all who would want the most powerful position in Congress. Later he gave in and was deflowered. As the Republican Presidential race began to devolve into a free for all that seems headed to an open convention, Paul Ryan once again donned his chastity belt. Open speculation of maybe  Ryan could ultimately be tapped as the nominee if those that actually ran can't win the first ballots. But no, Ryan protested, not me, I'm not looking for that. I'm the chairman of the Convention and just want to do my part. Paul Ryan has released a video that he says is just informational in his role as Speaker. It looks and sounds like a direct message to the Republican Party at large that Paul Ryan, though reluctant, would, could and can rise to the occasion of these difficult times and deliver the party from hell. Paul Ryan is a...

Paul Ryan has been elected Speaker of the House by his fellow Republicans, at least enough of them. The public vote will occur on the floor tomorrow. Enjoy the evening Paul, sit in the Speakers chair, spin around and soak in the glory cause after tomorrow your nightmare begins. John Boehner did Ryan a big favor by cutting a budget deal, including raising the debt limit into 2017. Ryan's response was to say it stank but then he said it's okay. After winning the grand poobah seat he gave Boehner a backhanded compliment for his service but then made it clear there's a new sheriff in town and things are gonna change. If you aren't really familiar with Paul Ryan here's your best insight. He is a disciple of Ayn Rand. He began playing that down when he ran for Vice-President in 2012, particularly when he was hit with questions revealing that he is as ignorant of the true Ayn Rand as everyone else who embraces her political philosophies. But there is a long on the recor...

When last this little blob of insight seriously addressed the issue of Speaker of the House, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy was about to ascend the throne. On the very day of the preliminary vote he said emphatically he was running, less than four hours later he was out and the vote delayed. Oh to be a fly on that wall. What could possibly of transpired in that four hours to stop the ambition of a man who so clearly wanted the job? For most of the history of our country anyone serving in the House of Representatives most certainly would like to be Speaker of the House. Only in the last several years of Republican dysfunction has it become a stinko position. For a party that was once known for it's discipline they can no longer agree on what to have for lunch. The cries went out, we need a hero, we need Paul Ryan, the one man who adamantly said he didn't want the job. Yes his Chairmanship of Weighs and Means is the plum job of the House but it's not better than being Speak...