Robert Reich: "Where are the grownups in the Republican Party, and why aren’t they speaking out?"

[babylonsister]

https://www.facebook.com/RBReich?hc_location=stream

Robert Reich
2 hours ago near Berkeley, CA


We’re told as children that ends don’t justify means. But that message hasn’t got through to congressional Republicans who are so opposed to the Affordable Care Act they’re willing to shut the government and default on the nation’s debt if they don’t get their way. Yet our system of democratic government is all about means. Whether you agree with the Affordable Care Act or not, our democracy cannot function if one party can repeal, delay, or amend a law of the land by shuttering the rest of government and threatening to blow up the economy.

Fortunately, most Americans feel this way. According to the latest national survey by the Pew Research Center and USA Today, fewer than half of those who disapprove of the Act – including fewer than half of Republicans and those who lean Republican -- want lawmakers to do whatever they can to make it fail. Most of those who disapprove say lawmakers should do what they can to make the it work as well as possible.

So Ted Cruz, John Boehner, and others who are willing to sacrifice our democracy for their own ends are out of step with the vast majority of Americans. But how do we stop these extremists? Where are the grownups in the Republican Party, and why aren’t they speaking out? Why isn’t the first President George Bush, along George W. Bush and former senior Republican lawmakers like Alan Simpson sounding the alarm? Why aren’t the captains of American industry who have bankrolled Republicans for years condemning these dangerous antics?

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

1. Why not ask "where are the ethical and sane people in NAMBLA?" nt

[Zorra]

2. A rhetorical question, one that everyone except republicans knows the answer to. nt

[JHB]

3. One of the architects of this was Reagan right-hand-man Ed Meese...

Remember the poll a few years ago, which said the some percentage of middle class families couldn't raise $2000 on short notice. To which Bill Maher quipped "the percentage of middle class families that can't raise 2 grand is zero. If you can't, you're not middle class anymore."


Same principle at work here.

The Conservative Movement "grown ups" are for this, and they don't have any other ones left. If they did they'd have already spoken.

[Downtown Hound]

4. Do you really need to ask Robert?

The grown ups left that party years ago.

[Warpy]

5. They're afraid they'll be primaried out

by huge infusions of Koch, Blue, and other right wing billionaire cash to primary opponents. It's a perfectly justifiable fear.

They will be, too, and in an off year election, any Democrat is likely to be defeated by a well funded teabagger opponent. It's what happened in 2010.

[DJ13]

6. The grownups in the GOP

wear diapers.

[babylonsister]

7. How about those who have no political career to risk?

From OP:

Why isn’t the first President George Bush, along George W. Bush and former senior Republican lawmakers like Alan Simpson sounding the alarm? Why aren’t the captains of American industry who have bankrolled Republicans for years condemning these dangerous antics?