The “good ol' boys club”? Really? That tired trope about backroom deals, veiled alliances, and shadowy handshakes. It's the last refuge of those who can’t substantiate their allegations with an ounce of real evidence. You’re painting a picture that’s about as accurate as a carnival funhouse mirror, distorting reality to fit a fantasy. If Biden were this nefarious, backdoor dealer you claim, where’s the smoking gun? Where are the proven cases of corruption, the financial crimes, the bribes? Spoiler alert: they don’t exist.
And as for Trump being “shunned by the establishment” because he wasn’t part of this imaginary club? Let’s be real. Trump wasn’t sidelined because he was an outsider; he was resisted because his approach was chaos incarnate. He had no understanding of legislative processes, no interest in collaboration, and no respect for governance norms. Trump’s so-called deal-making magic might work in the boardroom where he can throw his weight around unchecked, but that bluster is useless in a constitutional system built on negotiation, compromise, and yes -- respect.
Your argument hinges on a caricature, not facts. If the “establishment” really were the problem, Trump had four years to dismantle it. Instead, he amplified it, packing his administration with lobbyists, former industry insiders, and -- you guessed it -- career politicians. You’re grasping at shadows, Patriot, while ignoring the blinding light of reality.
You missed the point by a mile. The obstructionist tactics Republicans wielded against Obama and Biden were an organized, deliberate strategy to prevent policy progress, regardless of the consequences for Americans. They weren’t denying Democrats because they thought Obama and Biden were out of their depth or because they were unqualified; they were blocking for sport, for power, for partisan triumph at all costs.
Trump, on the other hand, wasn’t stonewalled by Congress because they were playing political games; he was thwarted because he had no coherent plan, no sense of the rules, and no ability to build the alliances required in a democracy. The Republicans weren’t unwilling to “work” with Trump out of principle -- they were unwilling because his approach was a scattershot mess of whims and grudges, not governance.
So let’s be clear: when Republicans obstructed Obama and Biden, they were wielding power as a blunt instrument. When Congress resisted Trump, it was often because he was trying to use the presidency as his own personal fiefdom, free of oversight or accountability. It’s not the same thing, Patriot. Not even close.
Forced? Republicans weren’t “forced” to obstruct; they chose it, gleefully and willingly, as a political weapon. Let’s get real: the filibuster isn’t some noble shield Republicans were reluctantly driven to wield against a supposedly “radical” Democratic agenda. It’s a tool they’ve exploited time and time again, regardless of the policy or its benefit to Americans.
And this narrative that Democrats have moved “unprecedentedly to the left”? It’s a tired talking point, Patriot. Healthcare access, climate action, voting rights -- these are mainstream issues supported by a majority of Americans. When did protecting the planet, expanding healthcare, and defending democracy become some sort of wild-eyed extremism? Are Republicans so out of step with the country that they now see the needs of everyday Americans as a “left-wing agenda”?
And as for that “record” you so eagerly cite from 2019-2020 -- look at the context. Democrats used it because they were a minority resisting a barrage of reckless proposals under an administration known for bending the rules and eroding norms. This was resistance to policies that lacked popular support, driven by an administration that treated governing like a reality show.
So, please, spare us the “forced to obstruct” excuse. Republicans filibuster because it’s easier to block than to build, to tear down than to reach across the aisle, and because obstructionism is their playbook -- not some reluctant, tragic duty.
The FR is not a 'problem solving' agency, that's the province of Congress. The FR is a money supply management/fiscal policy agency.
Actually, Patriot, methinks you do not know what you are talking about regarding THIS FR. Jerome Powell, the Fed chairman, is a conservative Republican and is conservative in his approach, heavily influenced by market-oriented, neoliberal principles. Under Powell, the Fed’s policies have leaned toward promoting stability and market confidence, rather than heavy-handed control. So your suggestion that the current Federal Reserve somehow embodies ‘government control’ over consumer choices just doesn’t hold water. Powell’s policies are rooted in conservatism -- focused on cautious adjustments to interest rates and money supply rather than attempting to micromanage the economy
See above
OMG, no, you are the one who is 'naive' if you believe that Trump’s tariff threats are some grand chess move rather than blunt-force economic recklessness, then you’re the one who’s missing the plot here. These aren’t strategic maneuvers; they’re headline-grabbing gambits devoid of substance, announced without a hint of follow-through or understanding of economic consequences.
And let’s get real -- Trump has a track record. His tariffs, particularly those slapped on China, didn’t spur some magnificent trade renaissance; they cost American consumers, burdened businesses, and sent shockwaves through supply chains, all for minimal gain. The so-called "chess board" isn’t some brilliant strategy; it’s a haphazard patchwork of impulse decisions. He didn’t lay out a coherent tariff strategy -- he tossed tariffs around like confetti, regardless of the economic fallout.
So please, spare us the notion that Trump’s tariffs are part of a master plan. The record is clear: they’ve been more disruptive than effective, a “strategy” that’s as hollow as it is costly
President-elect Trump may want to impose tariffs to encourage investment and work, but his strategy will backfire. Tariffs will certainly create benefits for protected industries, but those benefits come at the expense of consumers and other industries throughout the economy.
taxfoundation.org
