American Politics III: New President, Same Old Country

[Sundiata]

Good! But why would this bill get pass the House of Representatives and Senate? Aren't almost all congresspeople accountable to special interest groups and reliant on funding from SuperPACs?

Why risk getting re-elected?

In the same way that this frees them from having to actually go to special interest groups and beg for funding, and now that a bunch of people are getting cut off, not only do those people have an incentive, others can look at them and go “that could be me”
Though it’s a bit larger than just SuperPACs, actually

But you're forgetting something. Lobbyists and fundraising organizations often employ congresspeople after they serve their congressional terms, going after lobbying firms and SuperPACs is a long-term professional risk, especially because voters can be fickle. In fact, sometimes lobbyists and professional fundraisers run for congress.

For example, Nancy Pelosi was a lobbyist before she ran for congress. Most people in congress, in my opinion, seem to be winning the lobbying game.

[Kowani]

Impeachment articles to be sent to the Senate on Monday, which triggers the impeachment trial

[Sundiata]

Impeachment articles to be sent to the Senate on Monday, which triggers the impeachment trial

That might be successful.

[Gravlen]

Senate Republicans uniting behind impeachment defense - a defense which is a complete misunderstanding of the constitutional process.

Interviews with more than a dozen GOP senators revealed broad support for the claim that the Senate has no constitutional authority to put a private citizen on trial, which could translate into a substantial number of votes to scrap the trial altogether. The issue came up several times during a Senate GOP conference call Thursday afternoon, according to multiple senators.

Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) said in an interview that concerns about the constitutionality of putting a former officeholder on trial were top of mind among GOP senators — even those who are open to voting to convict Trump on the House’s charge that he incited the insurrection at the Capitol on Jan. 6 that left five people dead.

“Our members, irrespective of what they might think about the merits, just believe that this is an exercise that really isn’t grounded constitutionally and, from a practical standpoint, just makes no sense,” Thune said.

But critics — including scholars from the conservative Federalist Society and other right-leaning organizations — maintain that the argument is on flimsy legal ground. Moreover, federal courts have consistently deferred to Congress’ “sole power” to set its own rules and procedures, including over impeachment proceedings.

[Omniabstracta]

Senate Republicans uniting behind impeachment defense - a defense which is a complete misunderstanding of the constitutional process.

Interviews with more than a dozen GOP senators revealed broad support for the claim that the Senate has no constitutional authority to put a private citizen on trial, which could translate into a substantial number of votes to scrap the trial altogether. The issue came up several times during a Senate GOP conference call Thursday afternoon, according to multiple senators.

Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) said in an interview that concerns about the constitutionality of putting a former officeholder on trial were top of mind among GOP senators — even those who are open to voting to convict Trump on the House’s charge that he incited the insurrection at the Capitol on Jan. 6 that left five people dead.

“Our members, irrespective of what they might think about the merits, just believe that this is an exercise that really isn’t grounded constitutionally and, from a practical standpoint, just makes no sense,” Thune said.

But critics — including scholars from the conservative Federalist Society and other right-leaning organizations — maintain that the argument is on flimsy legal ground. Moreover, federal courts have consistently deferred to Congress’ “sole power” to set its own rules and procedures, including over impeachment proceedings.

If this is their constitutional understanding then I’m going to also assume they think resignation is unconstitutional, because otherwise the entire process of impeachment would make no sense.

[Trollzyn the Infinite]

Senate Republicans uniting behind impeachment defense - a defense which is a complete misunderstanding of the constitutional process.

Interviews with more than a dozen GOP senators revealed broad support for the claim that the Senate has no constitutional authority to put a private citizen on trial, which could translate into a substantial number of votes to scrap the trial altogether. The issue came up several times during a Senate GOP conference call Thursday afternoon, according to multiple senators.

Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) said in an interview that concerns about the constitutionality of putting a former officeholder on trial were top of mind among GOP senators — even those who are open to voting to convict Trump on the House’s charge that he incited the insurrection at the Capitol on Jan. 6 that left five people dead.

“Our members, irrespective of what they might think about the merits, just believe that this is an exercise that really isn’t grounded constitutionally and, from a practical standpoint, just makes no sense,” Thune said.

But critics — including scholars from the conservative Federalist Society and other right-leaning organizations — maintain that the argument is on flimsy legal ground. Moreover, federal courts have consistently deferred to Congress’ “sole power” to set its own rules and procedures, including over impeachment proceedings.

Sniveling partisan worms. They know exactly what they're doing. They're just fifth columnist traitors who put party before country. Rotten bastards.

[Albrenia]

So according to zip-tie guy, it was his mother's idea to enter the Capitol and that he followed her to "keep an eye on her”

If he was just keeping his eyes on his mum then why did he have zip ties... what was he planning to do with his mother...

[The Archregimancy]

Senate Republicans uniting behind impeachment defense - a defense which is a complete misunderstanding of the constitutional process.

Interviews with more than a dozen GOP senators revealed broad support for the claim that the Senate has no constitutional authority to put a private citizen on trial, which could translate into a substantial number of votes to scrap the trial altogether. The issue came up several times during a Senate GOP conference call Thursday afternoon, according to multiple senators.

Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) said in an interview that concerns about the constitutionality of putting a former officeholder on trial were top of mind among GOP senators — even those who are open to voting to convict Trump on the House’s charge that he incited the insurrection at the Capitol on Jan. 6 that left five people dead.

“Our members, irrespective of what they might think about the merits, just believe that this is an exercise that really isn’t grounded constitutionally and, from a practical standpoint, just makes no sense,” Thune said.

But critics — including scholars from the conservative Federalist Society and other right-leaning organizations — maintain that the argument is on flimsy legal ground. Moreover, federal courts have consistently deferred to Congress’ “sole power” to set its own rules and procedures, including over impeachment proceedings.

In slight fairness - and I resent having to write a half-arsed grudging defence of these people - this is in fact the very reason why the only previous precedent for impeaching a Federal office holder after they'd left office failed.

Grant's former Secretary of War William Belknap was impeached in 1876 even though he had resigned when it was clear that impeachment was inevitable. When the impeachment was sent through to the Senate, enough Senators objected to the principle of holding a trial for a former office holder that the Senate first had to vote on whether it had jurisdiction. The Upper Chamber voted 37–29 to declare that it indeed did have jurisdiction, thereby setting the necessary precedent to try Belknap.

However, following the trial, the Senate voted 35-25 to convict; though this was a majority, 40 votes were required for the necessary two-thirds majority, and Belknap was therefore acquitted. From what I understand, the Senators unanimously believed that Belknap was guilty, but those 25 Senators who voted against conviction were resolute in their belief that the Senate shouldn't have the power to try former office holders.

So while there's an established precedent for putting a former office holder on trial in the Senate following their impeachment in the House, there's equally an established precedent for the impeached individual to be acquitted because enough Senators believed that they shouldn't have jurisdiction.

Of course, I don't know if the motives of the Senators making that case in 1876 are comparable to the motives of the Senators making that case in 2021; but even if majority opinion is that the Senate does have jurisdiction, the Senators arguing that they don't aren't totally talking out of their arses, either. Or their asses, if we understandably prefer American English in this thread.

The Belknap precedent potentially works in both directions; it offers a precedent for the trial going forward, and it also offers a precedent for a minority acquittal on the basis of a disagreement over jurisdiction.

[San Lumen]

https://abc13.com/bigfoot-hunting-sasqu ... s/9875983/

A Oklahoma state rep has filed a bill to create a Bigfoot hunting season.
The southeast Oklahoma lawmaker's bill calls for the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission to begin the process, but didn't provide any other direction or specifics.

Humphrey said his intent is to bring more tourism to the state.

What have we come to as a country? Who elects these people?

[Major-Tom]

At this point, I don't care whether or not he's impeached. It would be nice to see, but at this point, I'm more concerned about what the new administration can do with the stimulus, with COVID, with emergency healthcare etc etc. It seems more urgent.

Trump should probably be impeached, 100%, I'm just saying if he isn't? Not the end of the world.

[Kowani]

Jaime Harrison has officially been elected as chair of the DNC

[The Reformed American Republic]

It's even worse, as many of those same colleagues would believe that you are also part of a pedo cabal and are worshiping Satan, and any amount of violence is acceptable to put a "stop" to your supposed wrongdoing and God himself commands them to do it.

The effect of anti sjw echo chambers on the brain is more damaging then any drug.

Any echo chamber is bad for the brain.

[Valrifell]

https://abc13.com/bigfoot-hunting-sasquatch-season-outdoors/9875983/

A Oklahoma state rep has filed a bill to create a Bigfoot hunting season.
The southeast Oklahoma lawmaker's bill calls for the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission to begin the process, but didn't provide any other direction or specifics.

Humphrey said his intent is to bring more tourism to the state.

What have we come to as a country? Who elects these people?

Oklahomans, presumably.

[Albrenia]

https://abc13.com/bigfoot-hunting-sasquatch-season-outdoors/9875983/

A Oklahoma state rep has filed a bill to create a Bigfoot hunting season. What have we come to as a country? Who elects these people?

Kind of amusing that people who believe Bigfoot exists as a rare ape or human offshoot also support hunting them for sport.

[Fartsniffage]

It has been crocheted....

[Major-Tom]

Jaime Harrison has officially been elected as chair of the DNC

He'll probably do a standup job. He's universally well-liked by both progressives and establishment types who work with the party, and he is an amazing fundraiser.

[San Lumen]

https://abc13.com/bigfoot-hunting-sasquatch-season-outdoors/9875983/

A Oklahoma state rep has filed a bill to create a Bigfoot hunting season. What have we come to as a country? Who elects these people?

Kind of amusing that people who believe Bigfoot exists as a rare ape or human offshoot also support hunting them for sport.

One would think you'd want to preserve a rare creature.

[The Reformed American Republic]

At this point, I don't care whether or not he's impeached. It would be nice to see, but at this point, I'm more concerned about what the new administration can do with the stimulus, with COVID, with emergency healthcare etc etc. It seems more urgent.

Trump should probably be impeached, 100%, I'm just saying if he isn't? Not the end of the world.

I mostly agree, but it would be symbolic is he is not convicted by the senate, and it would show that misconduct by a President will not be punished. I would mean the Impeachment power is useless.

[Shrillland]

https://abc13.com/bigfoot-hunting-sasquatch-season-outdoors/9875983/

A Oklahoma state rep has filed a bill to create a Bigfoot hunting season.
The southeast Oklahoma lawmaker's bill calls for the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission to begin the process, but didn't provide any other direction or specifics.

Humphrey said his intent is to bring more tourism to the state.

What have we come to as a country? Who elects these people?

Like he said, it's just for tourism and publicity, just like how Point Pleasant, WV, celebrates Mothman. Nothing to worry about.

[The Huskar Social Union]

It has been crocheted....

(Image)

me irl

[Major-Tom]

At this point, I don't care whether or not he's impeached. It would be nice to see, but at this point, I'm more concerned about what the new administration can do with the stimulus, with COVID, with emergency healthcare etc etc. It seems more urgent.

Trump should probably be impeached, 100%, I'm just saying if he isn't? Not the end of the world.

I mostly agree, but it would be symbolic is he is not convicted by the senate, and it would show that misconduct by a President will not be punished. I would mean the Impeachment power is useless.

Not totally symbolic, it would have the effect of him forfeiting many Post-Presidential privileges. Even then, I think his looming debt deadlines and looming indictments from NY might be more of a hassle to him.

He wouldn't lose any sleep over a lost pension and a lack of protective service.

[Sundiata]

Bernie Sanders made excellent points here.

This sort of honesty is refreshing to hear from American politicians because I don't think that a lot of people have the courage to say it.

[Kowani]

At this point, I don't care whether or not he's impeached. It would be nice to see, but at this point, I'm more concerned about what the new administration can do with the stimulus, with COVID, with emergency healthcare etc etc. It seems more urgent.

Trump should probably be impeached, 100%, I'm just saying if he isn't? Not the end of the world.

Biden ramps up Covid response with use of Executive Orders

[Ngelmish]

At this point, I don't care whether or not he's impeached. It would be nice to see, but at this point, I'm more concerned about what the new administration can do with the stimulus, with COVID, with emergency healthcare etc etc. It seems more urgent.

Trump should probably be impeached, 100%, I'm just saying if he isn't? Not the end of the world.

I think there's something to be said for the idea that since nearly every Republican president since Nixon has behaved criminally in office, the whole idea of not repudiating criminal conduct to avoid division in the country was maybe not the best take after all.

The division isn't going to go away regardless, but we have to establish boundaries that apply to everybody. Ideally speaking, that is.

[San Lumen]

https://madison.com/ct/news/local/govt- ... 2230a.html

10 black lawmakers will be serving in the Wisconsin legislature. More than ever before. Nine are Democrats one a Republican.

https://www.wpr.org/more-women-are-serv ... ZZNQjU758U
41 woman serve in the Wisconsin legislature or about 31 percent as a result of last years elections. 2/3rds are Democrats