An unparalleled squalor

Sullivan weighs in on the Fallows "Coup" thesis--which I have previously and repeatedly endorsed--and concludes that "It's just the system at work."

No, there's something else at work here, something miasmic, and definitely malodorous.

I, too, cited Roosevelt's post-1935, post-SCOTUS smackdown as historical evidence of Obama's future possibilities. What I omitted from that argument, however, was this: In today's environment a reelected President Obama, given the U.S. Senate's hyperpartisan configuration, would be unable to see his nominees--those heralding a fresh start--through confirmation. Things are that needlessly rancorous, and the GOP is that mindlessly hostile.

Nor did the GOP of the New Deal era resort to extortion, hostage-taking, and lethal threats of all manner so that it could have its way--and the New Deal, and the nation, and Constitutional balance be damned. Congressional Republicans were indeed livid about many of Roosevelt's economic prescriptions, but they refused to take down the country, if necessary, to block those prescriptions from enactment.

One could go on, of course, with an almost endless list of fundamental, political differences between then and today--starting with the insufferably pernicious game-changer of Citizens United (with special emphasis on its piercing effect on the congressional make-up that Obama will confront in 2013). In the end, though, assuming one could reach it, one would find only a rather new and unparalleled squalor.

Comments

[japa21]

I am somewhat hopeful that, providing the Dems keep the Senate (which thanks to the Tea Pary in IN they may do) that there will be some changes in the rules. reid has already indicated that those who encouraged changes in the filibuster rules were correct. One change may well be that appointments cannot be filibustered and will require up or down votes.

[nk007]

I am totally with you p m. Carpenter! I've been observing politics for almost fifty years and I've never seen an opposition party act like the way the teabag dominated Republicans are acting towards President Obama. Ominously, the opposition is practically in control of Congress (majority in the house + every vote now subject to supper majority in the Senate) and the Supreme Court. On top of that, this delusional opposition enjoys tacit support of the media and unprecedented backing of the most powerful moneyed interests.