[acjohnson55]

The frustrating thing about the center is the propensity to take things at face value, no matter how bad faith. It has been patently obvious for decades that the Republican party plays by a thoroughly cynical playbook. A credulous centrist elite accepts each new plot twist as the status quo, after a genteel interval of whining.

Enough is enough. People in favor of good governance need to end a system that allows a minority of voters to elect a President. That allows a minority of voters to elect a Senate majority that represents a minority of citizens. That allows a minority of voters to elect House majorities. That refuses the franchise to largely minoritized citizens of DC, Puerto Rico, and the other teritories. That does not allow the present and formerly incarcerated to vote. That allows unaccountable moneyed interests to blast the electorate with propaganda. That has, as a final check, a court of 9 life appointees.

For a long time, the country managed to float by on tradition, but our refusal to build a modern government is presently our downfall.

[lawnchair_larry]

The frustrating thing about the center is the propensity to take things at face value, no matter how bad faith.

The far, far worse problem is the extremists propensity to take everything as bad faith, no matter how genuine.

[munificent]

> The frustrating thing about the center is the propensity to take things at face value, no matter how bad faith. It has been patently obvious for decades that the Republican party plays by a thoroughly cynical playbook. A credulous centrist elite accepts each new plot twist as the status quo, after a genteel interval of whining.

It took me a long time to realize this, but I don't think "bad faith" or "cynicism" is the right way to look at how these Republican politicians are behaving. Both of those terms still imply a certain level of respect for the humanity of the other party and a desire to create some consensus, even if through subterfuge.

No, the Republicans are acting like Democratic politicians are enemies in war. It's not "cynical" to hide information from or mislead the enemy. It's just battle tactics. They aren't trying to reach consensus, they are trying to destroy.

[acjohnson55]

I don't think war even describes it. Wars have rules. This is total war (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_war).

[koolba]

Flipping through news channels I hear talk about “Biden packing the court” casually suggested as if it’s a totally reasonable option.

[Clubber]

FDR threatened the very same thing when parts of his New Deal were getting overturned.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judicial_Procedures_Reform_Bil...

It was tactical move and it worked; not unlike what McConnell did to Obama's Supreme Court pick in 2016 when the GOP controlled the House and the Senate. Politics is hardball, always has been.

[lawnchair_larry]

This is ridiculous. It’s also what the republicans believe the democrats are doing. Both sides are absolutely certain they are right. Funny how that works.