DRW50

One of the problems is many are accustomed to believing nothing will ever change - not just the professional nihilists, but also many others who have been conditioned to believe Republicans won't do this or won't do that because they don't want to go too far. I think that was a factor in years like 2014. Another factor is that some of the voters who do want change voted for Trump because of his empty promises of changing the system - apparently that is why some Obama voters voted for him. That's also one of the reasons why the GOP and the media are working so hard to make sure nothing gets passed by Congress - inaction means many voters don't care. I feel like 2016 and 2020 both showed the limitations of how much power white progressives have, especially 2020. They do a lot to dampen spirits and can help lose close elections, but they reached their peak with the disastrous campaign they ran for Bernie in 2019 and early 2020. Some of the 2016 losses I can chalk up to them, due to Jill Stein, but many in 2020 are more down to Trump districts removing Democratic Congresspeople, or voter suppression, or Latino performance. I also feel like it's going to be a major miracle to keep Congress with or without ending the filibuster. So at this point it's either get something done and lose, or get nothing done and lose. I can't find the exact article, but apparently one Democratic Senate aide said 10 D senators don't like a lot of the bills which the filibuster is stopping, and are happy to let Manchin "take the arrows." If that is true, then I guess we are just staying where we are now - until January 2023, when it likely gets a whole lot worse.

As Steven Breyer asks us to just talk it out with Republicans and Manchin cries blood tears over the beauty of bipartisanship, this is our reality, and is just the tip of the iceberg.

The intro is just gorgeous...it annoys me a little that now most people only know the cover. His voice truly soars, similar to his cover of I'm So Lonesome.

He had such a beautiful storyteller's voice - his late '60s work is timeless.

From Devere's book (mostly bringing this up because the dead-enders and Republicans are still trending the Reade lies):

Murray was such a wonderful character - I can't imagine anyone else bringing him to life.

This is just pathetic. These economists continue to have much of the political world at their fingertips, with Politico, Silver, Matthew Yglesias, etc. pushing hard for them, yet they are actually comparing themselves to those who were blacklisted, driven to despair and death. Beyond shameful.

Jason Furman, another Obama-era alum who now loves to get media attention for trying to undermine Biden's economic plans, contacts the media because he was not getting enough credit. Nate Silver, whose main shtick here and with the lab leak theory is now joining right wing broadsides against "experts," is amplifying him in attempts to further gaslight Democrats into opposing the economic plans.

I think this is at least the second Politico piece in the last few months claiming that some in the White House are listening to Larry Summers and reminding us of how important he is.

This is the last thing I'm going to post about Congress or the filibuster for a while, because it will just be seen as doomcasting and we know how this story is going to end anyway, but I did want to post this, because I think it does speak to many voters at this point and unless something changes, then along with voter suppression, a media that will do anything to help Republicans win, and gerrymandering, it's going to lead to a devastating midterm.

As everyone predicted once McCarthy and Trump got involved, the Senate blocked the commission. (insert remarks here about the "brave" Republicans who voted for it). Manchin is giving his best Susan Collins before looking for another camera to shove his face in front of. Things are sure going to change this time...like every other time... And, what a surprise, here is Manchin's Senate sister in not giving a damn about anyone but herself:

I did. Thank you!

In other news, Rahm finally got some job after humiliating himself long enough. Garcetti is a mess, from what I've heard, up to having people around him with a history of assault allegations - given India's problems I am not sure why anyone would vote for him but then I guess this is typical hiring for these positions. Tom Nides used to work for Lieberman and has his support, which tells you all you need to know.

Joe Manchin, always good for a laugh: He and his cohorts are willing to watch this country burn in order to delude themselves under the guise of moral superiority.

With Feinstein's alleged memory issues I'm not even sure if she is just doing the usual political BS or if she literally does not remember being asked about this before.

A quick glimpse of just how quickly FMB's tenure fell apart. The scenes of Emily joyriding with Diego's corpse were embarrassingly bad.

I try to tell myself we'll make it through somehow, but the people in power who just don't care (I guess because they will mostly be fine even if we won't) make it difficult to not be more concerned about all the different assaults going through.

Is this Marie Wallace in the ad around 3 minutes?

I agree, but I don't think ABC gives a damn. I guess it's only fitting that Easton clogs up GH as it was Port Charles that infected us with him in the first place. Maybe whoever canned him from DAYS in 1992 can join the staff.

Considering the use of Lucky and Steven Lars on their returns, we caught a break.

This man riled up people who were planning to kill members of Congress, and yet he still gets bipartisan support. No wonder so many have no faith in the system.