Trump: Draining The DC Swamp, Or Reigning Over Corruption?
I’m not a fan of media organs of the leftist establishment like The New York Times or The Atlantic magazine. But I believe in thinking through views I am inclined to oppose until I’m reasonably confident that I can make the case in their favor as well or better than their most accomplished advocates. This means I spend a fair amount of time keeping my opinionated viscera in check, to prevent passion from befogging the path of thought as I focus on that endeavor.
I say this by way of explaining why a throwaway line I read in an article published at the atlantic.com in 2014 came to mind as I was reading about the re-nomination of Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan (reportedly with Donald Trump’s support) for the top leadership positions in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, respectively. Describing the experience of a newly elected member of Congress the article asserts that:
Some time in December, you need to come to D.C. for “freshman orientation.” You’ll meet other members of Congress, learn a little about how Congress works, and discover your fate in the office lottery. After that, you’ll go through the formality of party-leadership elections—not much to see here as a newbie. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll just vote for whoever is going to win anyway.
An almost hysterical euphoria often characterizes the reaction of whichever side prevails in the Presidential popularity contest falsely touted as the election for President of the United States. This is especially true when the perceived victory comes as the reward of stubborn faith, sustained in the teeth of contrary predictions from pollsters and punsters who didn’t see it coming. The victorious side bathes itself in bubbly commentary, overflowing with celebratory predictions of the great change that is in the works.
This time around, that champagne equivalent included thoughts of toppling GOP leaders who either opposed Donald Trump to the bitter end, or else came late to the party that gather in anticipation of his victory. Paul Ryan was prominently mentioned as one likely to be carried away in the flow as Trump change drains the DC swamp.
So how is it that the quisling leaders who have proven their disposition to play Lady GAGA (go-along-to-get-along) in complicity with Obama’s destructively anti-American agenda, have been routinely re-elected to remain at the helm of the GOP’s Congressional majorities, in votes taken while the promised storm of Trump change is still just a scent in the wind?
The Atlantic monthly article rightly gives the impression that the leadership votes that will be taken after freshly elected members of Congress get to town are regarded as a mere formality (like the vote of the so-called “Electoral College’ in December). The votes we’re presently reading about are part of the Washington set-up, calculated to prejudice the environment in which never-before elected members of Congress assume their new responsibilities. Whatever mandate for change from their constituents they imagine themselves to represent, they will be confronted with the need to deal with the power of entrenched leaders who represent the status quo those constituents ostensibly reject.
Those leaders will not come, hat in hand, asking for them to support them for re-election. They will come arrayed in power; power handed to them by the very Congress majorities in their home districts or States rebuked when they cast their votes. This is especially true of voters whose main concerns had to do with issues they believe to be fundamental, but which are regarded as marginal by the power-obsessed elitists in Washington…. read more here
Utah Standard News depends on the support of readers like you.
Good Journalism requires time, expertise, passion and money. We know you appreciate the coverage here. Please help us to continue as an alternative news website by becoming a subscriber or making a donation. To learn more about our subscription options or make a donation, click here.
To Advertise on UtahStandardNews.com, please contact us at: ed@utahstandardnews.com.
Comments - No Responses to “Trump: Draining The DC Swamp, Or Reigning Over Corruption?”
Sure is empty down here...