A House GOP Obsessed with 'Magical Thinking'

September 29, 2015
Blog Post
Less dysfunction and more unity in the so-called ‘New American Congress'?  We don't think so.  Utter mayhem continues to rule.  From outrageous infighting for top leadership positions to promising more radicalism and continuing the GOP war on women – Republicans are just all over the place.

But don't take it from us – take a look at what they're up to:

The House committee investigating the Benghazi, Libya attacks is now the longest congressional investigation in history…

As of Monday, the House Select Committee on Benghazi has been active for 72 weeks -- surpassing the record previously held by the Watergate Committee in the 1970s.

"The Benghazi Select Committee has now become one of the longest and least active congressional investigations in history," ranking member Elijah Cummings, D-Md., wrote in a statement.  "The Committee has squandered the last 16 months and more than 4.5 million taxpayer dollars dredging up political attacks to impact the 2016 presidential election -- a severe misuse of taxpayer funds and Congressional power."

The House is considering a vote this week to create a special panel to investigate Planned Parenthood…

And when it comes to Americans' health coverage, as CQ reported, "14 million fewer people would have health coverage in 2025" under the GOP's reconciliation.  That hasn't stopped Republicans from destroying the Affordable Care Act and dismantling the newfound health security of millions:

Planned Parenthood and Obamacare are probably the two things the GOP hates most.  House Republicans are targeting both this week…

Bottom line:  even if Leader McCarthy is installed as the new Speaker, "things are about to get way, way worse" because, as the New York Times states, the House GOP and far-right, radical extremists…

…have no realistic alternative solutions of their own.  Even to contemplate the negotiations and compromises such policies entail would sully their ideological purity.

…[they] are…a faction without the ability to accomplish any positive program.

The extremists have the ability to disrupt the Congress, but not to lead it.  Their belief that shutdowns will secure real concessions is magical thinking, not legislative realism.  And the more power they gain, the less likely it becomes that a Republican-controlled Congress can pass conservative legislation, or indeed any legislation at all.  [9/29]