A Likely Scenario In 2011

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_07/024779.php

A LIKELY SCENARIO IN 2011.... It's hard to say with confidence which party will hold the congressional majority next year, but Paul Krugman noted yesterday that "fake scandals" will be all the rage in the 112th Congress if there's a Republican majority.



This may sound hyperbolic. It's not. In the Clinton era, House Republicans held two weeks of hearings investigating the Clintons' Christmas card list, and the chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform fired a bullet into a "head-like object" -- reportedly a melon -- in his backyard to test his conspiracy theories about Vince Foster. All told, over the last six years of Bill Clinton's presidency, that same committee unilaterally issued 1,052 subpoenas -- that's not a typo -- to investigate baseless allegations of misconduct. That translates to an average of a politically-inspired subpoena every other day for six consecutive years, including weekends, holidays, and congressional recesses.

It would almost certainly be worse in 2011 and 2012. Indeed, the man positioned to lead the committee -- reformed alleged car thief Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) -- has already said he's inclined to leave "corporate America" alone, so he can attack the White House relentlessly.

For that matter, let's also not forget that some Republicans, including two members of Congress, have raised the specter of presidential impeachment once there's a GOP majority.

But Krugman also flagged this item from John Quiggin, reflecting on another likely scenario in the event of a GOP House majority.



Agreed. John Boehner (R-Ohio) has already made some noises about refusing to fund health care programs, and given the party's desperation to please its right-wing base, it stands to reason Republicans would gladly shut down the government as a means towards obstructing the agenda approved in 2009 and 2010.

If I were laying odds, I'd say the chances of a prolonged government shutdown next year are well over 50% -- if there's a Republican majority, that is.

—Steve Benen

is a slogan that looks to be making a comeback.

I need to go out and get a hat and a T-shirt printed up.

He's a Portuguese socialismist, don'cha know!

Luckily, unlike the 90's, we have really huge problems facing not only our republic, or what is left of it, but actually global civilization. So we can afford years of idiocy doing nothing.

The only things that our dear congress will agree to do is to spend lots more money on the endless wars abroad and the equally demented and endless war on some drugs at home.

Just in time for the spoiled brats to get back in charge and show us how tough they are.

I guess they forgot what happened the last time they pulled that shit. Bill Clinton came out smelling like a rose, and their approval plummeted. They think that will work this time? What was it Einstein said about repeating the same failed behaviors and expecting the outcome to be different each time?

Remember Dick Cheney's response to being told that a majority of American's no longer believe we should be in Afganistan........"SO?" was his response. They have stolen at least 2 elections and I'm sure they think they've worked the kinks out of the process so there won't be any of getting caught in the future, so, WHY should they care......answer: they don't.

If they get back in power, it will take a coup to get them out.

It's going to be a Republican landslide, followed by Congressional investigations on everything starting next year.

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