GOP 'may no longer be a normal party'
Posted on Thursday, July 07, 2011 at 10:05 AM
Larger Text
Print
E-mail
50 Comments
RSS 
Recent Posts
- Will New York Senator Chuck Schumer ditch gay couples for an immigration deal?
- If nobody's happy, it's working – the abortion debate and Irish politics of stalemate
- Conservative news entertainment complex claim Barack Obama leader of Al Qaeda
- Why Irish grudges are passed on - a long tradition of never forgetting
- Boston man confronts Infowars conspiracy nuts over 'false flag' claim
Archives
Brooks argued in a July 4 column for The New York Times that if Republicans can get 85 percent spending cuts and 15 percent tax increases, that's a great deal. 'Democrats have agreed to a roughly 3-to-1 rate of spending cuts to revenue increases, an astonishing concession,' he wrote this week.
But the GOP's insistence that any and all tax increases are off the table in any debt ceiling deal demonstrates that: 'it has been infected by a faction that is more of a psychological protest than a practical, governing alternative,' Brooks contends.
'If you're going to reach an agreement in a two party system, you have to give the other party something. You can't just pretend it doesn't exist.'
But since Republicans look like they have no intention of taking this deal, Brooks writes 'the Republican Party may no longer be a normal party.'
This might be the moment to reflect that the GOP has delivered over three trillion in cuts that the wealthiest have enjoyed in the past decade - coupled with the worst jobs creation record since WWII to show for it.
The GOP first manipulated the populist Tea Party movement but now it's extremist candidates are in office they're finding it difficult to absorb them in the wider movement.
Stung conservatives had a predictable response to Brook's observations this week but the fact remains: the GOP is in real trouble when conservatives challenge their ability to govern.
50 comments
hancock | Jul 10, 2011, 02:14 PM EDT
Sean worry about your own colony.
Report abuse
JimMcGarity | Jul 09, 2011, 11:44 PM EDT
Always half of the story. When Bush was in office the dem did the same. Why dont we get rid of both parties and do what is best for all of us. All we do is line the pockets of a bunch old old men is DC.
Report abuse
seanomelbourne | Jul 09, 2011, 08:07 PM EDT
Kaydog you can help the mega rich carry their sacks of money to their carboots they will appreciate your efforts then send you back to where you belong.it's the millionare class that conduct the class warfare and you are gullible enough not to comprehend. The sad part is you just do not get it.
Report abuse
kaydog1 | Jul 09, 2011, 03:46 PM EDT
Sean, it is officially recognized that 51 % of American households now pay absolutely no Federal Income Tax, up from 48% of households a scant 6 mos of "Obama-Style Economic Growth" ago. In fact, many receive an "Earned Income Tax Credit" refund in excess of what they paid in for withholding - "giving back" to those who never actually "gave" in the first place. "The bottom 50% of the people" you refer to are therefore not subsidizing anyone. Instead, I and my middle-class brethren and those WEALTHIER than us are supporting that bottom 50%. I know it's a problem for you Libtard Class Warriors, so try visualizing a wagon filled with Obama supporters being pulled by Conservatives. Okay, now you've got it.
Report abuse
hancock | Jul 09, 2011, 01:48 AM EDT
We don't need Australians telling us how to live. Worry about your own country.
Report abuse
seanomelbourne | Jul 08, 2011, 11:38 PM EDT
Chevy I am retired and as a business owner for nearly 30yrs. my taxes were substantial,but yours mi cicumstances are irrelevant to the fact that the bottom50% of the people and the middle classes are subsidsing the life style of the mega rich.Chevy your "poor me attitude"is only demeaning yourself.
Report abuse
hollabackgurl | Jul 08, 2011, 08:03 AM EDT
It is disingenuous that the party that increased the national debt limit five times during the Bush administration suddenly cares about our obligations.
Report abuse
hancock | Jul 08, 2011, 12:31 AM EDT
We don't take tax advice from Australians.
Report abuse
seanomelbourne | Jul 07, 2011, 11:32 PM EDT
Chevy fails to understand that 10% of the people own 90% of the wealth and they contribution to the tax dollar is one of the lowest in the western world.The 50% of the people cvhevy blames have less than 1% of the wealth,I suppopse they could pay in kind maybe a chicken for their GP's advice.Simple maths are clouded by his political bias.
Report abuse
hollabackgurl | Jul 07, 2011, 11:21 PM EDT
Republicans are playing a dangerous game by refusing to raise the debt ceiling, says CEO Warren Buffett. "We raised the debt ceiling seven times during the Bush Administration," said this week. "Now, the Republican-controlled Congress is trying to use the incentive now that we're going to blow your brains out, America, in terms of your debt worthiness over time."
Report abuse
Searlit | Jul 07, 2011, 10:45 PM EDT
You call it what you like rpmschevy, all I can say is working class people like myself were able to breathe a little easier during the Clinton terms. The economy was creating lots of jobs and we had a few more dollars at the end of each paycheck. It wasn't like the stranglehold that we felt during the Reagan and Bush administrations. There are few politicians or corporations that deserve respect these days. Sad to say.
Report abuse
seanomelbourne | Jul 07, 2011, 08:07 PM EDT
The GOP fear the tehadists,they allowed the bull out of the pen now they been dragged along by it.he fascist right is now running congress.
Report abuse
hollabackgurl | Jul 07, 2011, 07:09 PM EDT
Our GOP voting business elites perceive that the federal deficit puts the entire economy at grave risk, but they still advocate for policies that will lead to their short-term gain, but long-term ruin. The cognitive dissonance does not bother them overmuch.
Report abuse
johhnyb | Jul 07, 2011, 06:02 PM EDT
Hi jamthecat. Loved your post tearing me apart. What is a troll? I have the luxury of watching American politics from Ireland and hoping for your sake that the US doesn't go all European i.e. broke. If as you say, George W. ran the US into debt, how is multiplying that debt a solution to the problem? Lets have your thoughts. Best wishes, John
Report abuse
Report abuse