The more things change, the more they stay the same. Not sure why that phrase came to mind as I’m contemplating another rant. Of course, anyone paying close attention to American politics in the past week or two has to be aware of the fiasco in the House this past week when Kevin (I have no clothes left to give) McCarthy made a series of SECRET agreements with the right wing members of the republican caucus in the House of Representatives allowing him to achieve his fever dream of becoming the Speaker of the House. He’ll likely be the WEAKEST speaker in American History and the next two years should be – I’ll say it – interesting. Personally, I believe – OK, I should say “I hope” – the next two years will be enough for the American public (ie voters) to say “enough” and FINALLY, get these thugs out of our government.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve spent MANY years being one who questions our government – although, I’ve NEVER believed the solution lies anywhere than the ballot box – but, these right wing thugs – in and out of government – show all the classic signs of the authoritarian. Undermine the “free” press, investigate the intelligence services and the – in America – FBI. And, again, I’m in no way opposed to investigating the FBI or the intelligence services – but, not in a way designed to tear them down no matter the results of the investigation. In other words, when the “investigation” has alterior motives, then, well, count me out. (disclosure, I grew up in the days of J. Edgar Hoover – if you know anything about American History, that should give you a better idea of what I’m try ing to say here.)

Here’s where I have a problem with the FIRST announcement of an investigation in the new House – it appears both Jim Jordan and Scott Perry will be part of the committee charged with investigating the Justice Department’s INVESTIGATION of the January 6th, 2021 INSURRECTION. Both Jordan and Perry were integral in Trump’s plan to OVERTHROW the results of a “free and fair” election. (NO evidence was EVER produced suggesting it wasn’t a FREE and FAIR election) From my standpoint, both Jordan and Perry are very likely targets of the Justice Department’s investigation of the CONSPIRACY involved up to and including that fateful day. Both were advising Trump on the scheme to use FAKE electors to STEAL the election from Joe Biden.

This new House is threatening to cut off funding for any government institution which they think may be less than friendly to their ridiculous claims pushing their agenda of grievance. These people continue to push the LIE to their STUPID (sorry, as I’ve said, I hate that word, but can’t think of something more appropriate) constituents who believe the MOUNTAIN of LIES coming from their LYING lips. A good example of how these people work is George Santos, the newly elected GOP member from New York who LIED about, well, just about EVERYTHING regarding who he is, how he got where he is, where his money came from, etc. etc. – EVERYTHING. As Kevin McCarthy was announcing that Ilhan Ohmar, Adam Schiff, and Eric Swallwell would be removed from committee assignments – in retribution for democrats (and SOME republicans) voting to remove Marjorie Taylor Greene (MTG) and Paul Gosar from committees due to violent THREATS against members “across the isle” – again, why? RETRIBUTION. And, only retribution!

Not only are MTG and Gosar being re-instated to the committees of their choosing, but Mr. Santos, who had no idea what committee he wanted to be on – will be placed on a committee assignment which is more important than it should be. To me, none of these three SHOULD be in Congress, but MTG and Gosar did “win” elections (surprisingly, Gosar unopposed in Arizona), but Santos SHOULDN’T be in Congress regardless. They’re all LIARS, but Santos is in a world of his own. Think about it, though, McCarthy absolutely NEEDED Santos vote for Speaker to “win” the gavel. He “won” without a vote to spare. Many have suggested what “we the people” are facing over the next two years would be a “sh#t show.” It is unlikely any legislating will happen until, at least, 2025 coming from the House. Then the American voters will once again face the choice of having a government which works from the bottom up or a government focused on more tax breaks for the rich.

McCarthy can only afford to lose 4 votes in order to pass ANYTHING, or, for that matter, to remain in the Speaker’s chair – because ANY member of the House can cause a vote of no-confidence at ANY time. There are 18 members of the House who were voted in from districts which voted for Biden for president and any five of them can turn this entire scenario upside down for, shall I suggest, ANY reason. Do you actually believe these 18 members want to endure two years of Matt Gaetz controlling the House’s agenda? Do you believe these 18 members want to go to their districts and support a vote to impeach Biden? Nothing republicans do surprises me anymore, but, as I’ve said, the next two years should be “interesting.”

What do you think Matt Gaetz will do when 5 of these republicans decide maybe they’d like to get re-elected in 2024? When House republicans decide to “work across the isle” what is Kevin McCarthy going to do? Will he be able to stop them? Personally, I don’t think he can. Will Gaetz resort to turning the House back upside down by calling for a vote of no-confidence on McCarthy? Clearly, McCarthy is putting up with Santos – tonight I saw him being interviewed in the “Halls of Congress” where he was asked if he was going to ask Santos to resign. His response was not surprising – he used the word “due process” to deflect from the actual issue and, then, astonishingly asked the reporters “what has he done wrong?” Not a good journalism look considering NONE of the journalists could muster a response. That brought me to my question of the day: Who will be ousted from the 118th Congress first, George Santos or Speaker Kevin McCarthy?

Final Thought: As I’ve pointed out here, ad nauseum, Trump and the republicans one consistency is they are all about PROJECTION. I’ve been pointing this out for YEARS. If you don’t understand what PROJECTION is – think of it this way: If Trump, or virtually anyone in the republican party are accusing someone of some nefarious act, you can rest ASSURED they, themselves, are GUILTY of that “act.” I say this because today it was reported Trump accused Biden of sharing the documents found in an office he used as Vice President which SHOULD have been in the possession of the National Archives – classified at some level – with the Chinese. Of course, Trump, as usual, found a backhanded way of making this accusation only to suggest “I would never do that.” I’m sure you know where I’m going with this – we now have a good idea what Trump did with the HIGHLY sensitive documents found at Mar a Lago. Stay tuned………………….