Will the cult members ever be deprogrammed?
Herd Normality
Mind Melding
President Joe Biden’s sit-down on Wednesday with Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and other congressional leaders comes as the White House accelerates its efforts to reach a bipartisan infrastructure agreement — or at least aims to show it’s trying. But McConnell is plainly stating in advance that he’s not interested in the plan as proposed.
The president’s meeting with McConnell, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy is the first formal gathering of the “big four” congressional leaders since the president took office — a late start after a tumultuous new year. But the timing is crucial for White House’s outreach on Biden’s two-pronged $4 trillion American jobs and families plans.
At the center are Biden and McConnell, two stalwarts of the Senate who have traded expressions of friendship but whose ability to find political common ground seems limited. In a Washington controlled by Democrats by the slimmest of margins, it’s unclear if they actually need each other to accomplish their political goals.
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They Deserve Each Other, But We Deserve Better
Only Serious Candidates Need Apply
At any level of government, it would be commendable if candidates actually started at the bottom and worked their way up…or at least had the chops to handle the job.
Some of the names being floated for various offices don’t seem to have any actual interest in doing the job or any idea how to do the job. It’s very different to have a stance on an issue and the understanding and ability to work within the parameters of government to make it happen.
Being elected is not a magic lamp where you get what you want. It’s a job interview and now you have to do the work.
It started with electing military heroes who had had a certain skill set which included the ability to strategize and lead.
But then came a new kind of fame and we were served unwelcome helpings of Ronald Regan and He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named.
What’s next on the political sideshow menu?
Kaitlyn Jenner (athlete and reality show figure) How does that qualify her to govern a state?
Dan Rodimer (pro-wrestler from NJ who lost an election in NV, so he ran (and lost) in TX this month, after holding a “Wrestle For Your Rights” event. I mention him because I doubt that this will be his last bid for election.
Duane “The Rock” Johnson (pro-wrestler and actor, who said he would run for POTUS if the polling showed people wanted him to run) What would he do if he actually got elected?
Matthew McConaughey (actor, possibly running for TX Governor, although nobody knows where he stands politically) Qualifications? *Meanwhile, Beto O’Rourke is doing community action after the storm, while the guy he lost to fled the country, and, he was knocking on doors before the state and local elections this spring, but he wasn’t even a candidate.
That doesn’t mean someone can’t be in the entertainment industry and hold elected office, it just shouldn’t be their only qualification. No matter what you thought of their stance on issues, Al Franken and Fred Thompson were actually suited to hold office.
How can the free publicity of being a celebrity be mitigated?
ps – Thanks to Mark Cuban’s family for pumping the breaks on any ideas about a presidential run. A good man, but he can do more good as a businessman.