When it comes to the battle over the Speaker position in the U.S. House of Representatives, it’s hard to consider the so-called “rebels” like Gaetz and Boebert anything but a bad joke.
These are the types of people voters sent to Washington as their representatives? Then again, remember the worst joke of all time — Trump.
Despite or perhaps because of the cast of characters, we are witnessing an attack on democratic norms by the extreme right-wing faction of the Republican Party.
Republicans have been flirting with these extremists for decades, but rarely have the consequences of that flirtation been on such public display. The dissenting faction seems intent on not only embarrassing the would-be leader, Kevin McCarthy, but in roadblocking the majority caucus generally.
This, of course, is not what they would do if they were actually interested in helping govern, but it is, historically, exactly what a pro-authoritarian faction would do. My two most recent essays — Behind the Authoritarians and The Threat — have explored some of the key factors behind the rise of authoritarianism globally.
In that context. what we are witnessing most definitely is a warning sign of what’s to come if our democratic norms continue to crumble. As frustrating as the traditional two-party structure and its flawed leadership model may be at times, at least they serve as bulwarks against an anti-democratic alternative.
Over the coming days, the current state of disorder may be resolved somehow, though at present it is difficult to see how. But what I’m suggesting is that much more than who emerges as Speaker may be at stake here.
LINKS:
Why Kevin McCarthy’s dream is in big trouble (CNN)
McCarthy faces open GOP revolt as House fails to elect speaker (WP)
Speaker Fight Reveals a Divided and Disoriented House Majority (NYT)
This was supposed to be Kevin McCarthy's moment. Instead, GOP chaos reigns (NPR)
If not Kevin McCarthy for US House Speaker, then who else? (BBC)
Kevin McCarthy’s Loyalty to Trump Got Him Nothing (Atlantic)
What The 20 Republicans Who Voted Against Kevin McCarthy Have In Common (538)
U.S. Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), who have promoted the QAnon conspiracy theory, will be sworn into office this week. While 27 other QAnon-linked candidates across the country didn't win their elections, the presence of so many conspiracists on the ballot is a five-alarm fire for American democracy. [HuffPost]
Amazon Layoffs to Hit Over 18,000 Workers, the Most in Recent Tech Wave (WSJ)
Salesforce, San Francisco’s largest private employer, lays off 10% of staff (SFGate)
Contrary to his national reputation, California’s governor is pro-business and a centrist at heart, and that is increasingly angering his critics. (Politico)
US reopening visa and consular services at embassy in Cuba (AP)
The Food and Drug Administration said that abortion pills can now be offered at retail pharmacies with a prescription from a certified health care provider. While things might not change in states that have outlawed abortion or require a physician to be present to prescribe the pills, it should make it easier for millions of people. [HuffPost]
Euro zone business activity contracted less than initially thought at the end of last year as price pressures eased, according to a survey which suggested the bloc's recession may not be as deep as expected. (Reuters)
Russia blames missile attack on soldiers' mobile phone use (BBC)
Tinder in the trenches: How war has changed love and sex in Ukraine (WP)
National Weather Service warns California of ‘bomb cyclone’ (CNN)
Powerful California storm triggers deadly floods (Guardian)
What are atmospheric ‘rivers in the sky’? (Independent)
Has the Amazon Reached Its ‘Tipping Point’? (NYT Mag)
New Covid strain is the most transmissible yet, WHO says (Politico)
Photos from space show 11,000 beavers are wreaking havoc on the Alaskan tundra as savagely as wildfire (Business Insider)
2.6 billion-year-old ancestors of the CRISPR gene-editing tool are resurrected (Phys.org)
We May Be Able to Find Life on Enceladus Without Even Landing (ScienceAlert)
Scientists Have Created the Most Detailed Map of the Brain’s Memory Hub – And It Could Change Our Understanding of Memory (SciTechDaily)
Complete Psychopath Meets Proper Screen Time, Sleep, Exercise Guidelines (The Onion)
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