I've noted several times in the past -- before he took the post, when he took the post, and afterwards when House Republicans proved the point -- why it would be flabbergasting to me that Paul Ryan (R-WI) would agree to become Speaker of the House. For someone with presidential aspirations, it was only a no-win position, sure to either angry Republicans on the far-right if he tried to create compromise and move laws through the House, or infuriate the general electorate if he gave in to the far right and basically shut down action, if not the government.
And once again, the far right so-called Freedom Caucus in the House has helped prove the point. As the House budget plan, put forth by the Republican Party itself, tries with increasing difficulty to make it through the Republican-led House (something one would think a no-brailer), Speaker Ryan met with the Freedom Caucus last week to try to convince them to go along with its won party. It didn't go well. How not-well did it go? "There’s not a snowball’s chance in hell that I’ll vote for that," one of the caucus members, Mo Brooks (R-AL.) told The Huffington Post after the two-hour meeting. Again, keep in mind that these are members of Paul Ryan's own Republican Party. "Paul Ryan has two choices," Rep. Brooks said. "He can either support a financially responsible path that rises to the challenges that America faces, or not." Thems fighting words. From within the same party. Of course, Mr. Brooks has left out a third choice, one that the far-right Freedom Caucus could embrace. After years and years of cutting taxes, and thereby helping devastate the budget deficit, they could agree (rather than cut taxes even more) to increase them. They won't, I know that, but I'm just saying that they could, that it's another choice, other than the mere "two" he suggests. There probably are even a whole lot more choices than just three. But when you're close-minded, even two choices is generally one more than you're willing to consider. Freedom, indeed. The next sound you hear will be Paul Ryan begging John Boehner to come out of retirement. Followed by the wail of Paul Ryan moaning, "What on God's green earth was I thinking???!"
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AuthorRobert J. Elisberg is a political commentator, screenwriter, novelist, tech writer and also some other things that I just tend to keep forgetting. Feedspot Badge of Honor
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