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May 7, 2022·edited May 7, 2022

Structurally, U.S. government (federal, state and local) is hostage to the crass cynicism and moronic chutzpah of the GOP. To break the grip, at least we must soon remake the senate filibuster along the Norm Ornstein model - whereby the opponents of a bill must mobilize 2/5 of the members (40 senators) to continue debate. If 40 members cannot be mustered, debate will be closed and the bill can then pass with a simple majority.

After the recent SCOTUS leak, American women will now focus clearly on the hypocritical machinations of the cult of Trump - and the midterm elections should swing to the blue.

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Thanks Jonathan. Just read the fascinating James Pogue piece in Vanity Fair & your post provides a clear, critical take on the context for it. I was struck by a couple things in that piece. Later in the article, when Pogue wants to sum up the essence of the New Right philosophy, he finds he can’t (highlighting its incoherence & reactionism). Also, part of what’s troubling about it is the apparent seductiveness of this stuff for some smart young people.

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JON--Thanks, I guess, for the J.D.Vance Ruminations. BUT, I thought I had paid the $60 bucks to become a regular subscriber--this was after your fine piece, I think reflections on your Father, or some such. HOWEVER, you are listing me as a 'FREE" RUMINATIONS person. Can you have the record checked, please. If you have gotten my $60 bucks, good. If not, kindly advise so I can SEND, as I most appreciate your work and want to PAY FOR IT. Cheers, <Barry@barryjagoda.com>

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May 6, 2022Liked by Meredith

Who knew democracy could be so fragile that a few hundred thousand votes have the power to topple a 245 year old democracy?

We've never had a big voter turnout as a country. For all the patriotic crowing, only about 30 percent of people eligible to vote actually do so. And when those few Americans vote authoritarian, what then?

We have sociopaths and outright psychos controlling GOP politics, and an electorate feeding on conspiracy theories and self-righteousness. Oppressing everyone who isn't a white male, keeping poor people in penury, shutting the borders and handing the nation's car keys to the corporations are what they have in mind. There will be no free and fair elections because the GOP wants control of the election system.

Vance is a symptom, as are Gaetz, Paul, Greene, Cotton, Hawley who were elected by American voters too ignorant, literally, for their own good.

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