Sunday, January 8, 2023

Bill Crawford: Bipartisanship v. Factionalism Kicks Off New Year

 Right out of the gate in 2023 the juxtaposition of images was stark.  

There were Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Democratic President Joe Biden standing next to each other in Kentucky praising the bipartisan infrastructure bill. There were Republican and after Republican in the House disparaging the bill and condemning McConnell and 18 other Republican senators who voted for it. (Sen. Roger Wicker was one of them.)


There was the Senate calmly electing Democratic Sen. Patty Murray as President Pro Tempore by unanimous consent. There was the House in frantic turmoil unable to elect its Speaker.

There were 20 or so Republican fanatics in the House denying the Speaker position to Rep. Kevin McCarthy time after time and saying they were representing the “will of the American people.” There were the other 202 or so Republicans in the House backing McCarthy and saying no they represented the will of the people. Then there were 212 Democrats in the House backing Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and saying, of course, that they represented the will of the people.

Fascinating that the will of the people could change stripes so quickly so often. The opposite of fascinating that just 20 House members could so easily shutdown Congress. Without a Speaker, the House could not function and Congress could not enact legislation.

Of course, nothing positive was said about bipartisanship in the House.

Nobody seems to pay attention to our nation’s founders any more. But I’ll put this out there any how.

President George Washington warned about political parties in his Farewell Address: "However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion."

He also warned about factionalism: "The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism."

Future President James Madison censured factionalism in The Federalist Papers - #10: “The instability, injustice, and confusion introduced into the public councils (by factions), have, in truth, been the mortal diseases under which popular governments have everywhere perished; as they continue to be the favorite and fruitful topics from which the adversaries to liberty derive their most specious declamations.”

Images of bipartisanship in the Mississippi Legislature look dim this election year. On the other hand, images of factionalism among Republicans appear likely with issues such as abolishing the personal income tax and extending Medicaid for postpartum care the triggers.

Happy New Year!

“For many false prophets have gone out into the world” – 1 John 4:1.

Crawford is a syndicated columnist from Jackson

 

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

The GOP majority will not last thru the end of the year. Several will resign or switch to Independent. The extreme rebels are going to give them no choice.

Anonymous said...

What a bunch of drivel.
The deep state stands before the nation, naked and exposed thanks to Elon.
A tiny bit off pushback from a few patriots and the deep state cries out as if these public servants shouldn’t do their job and representing their electorate!

Anonymous said...

11:03
You and Elon won't share the same ward in the psych unit no matter how much support you give his delusions of grandeur and infallibility.

Anonymous said...

You never go full MAGAtard, everyone knows that.

Anonymous said...

Bill Crawford, three days older than dirt, and still too dumb to see the uni-party in Washington, D.C.

Don Drane said...

@ 12:30 - It really pisses you off that Musk has pulled back the curtain that previously closeted democrat treason, doesn't it.

Seek help. It's available.

Anonymous said...

This is all drivel including the posts above. $31T in debt equals more than $90K for every man, woman, and child including illegals.

With all the government handouts and the younger generations more interested in social media than work, we are toast!

Whether it’s 2 years or 20 years it’s going to be ugly!

Anyone want to dispute me? Please explain how we turn it around!

Anonymous said...

@3:20 - By posting/bitching about it anonymously on a shitty blog, of course.

Anonymous said...

People don't want to work because they've figured out all their hard work has done is turn billionaires into multi billionaires, while our infrastructure crumbles, healthcare drops in quality and costs more, and their 401Ks (if they have them) go down the tubes. The only way to turn this thing around is with the tax code, and both Republicans and Democrats are there, primarily, to protect the billionaires and their business interests. Things will continue to decline, regardless of the party in charge, until we start demanding accountability from our elected officials, regardless of party. The elites have done a wonderful job of "divide and conquer" in this country.

Anonymous said...

@3:20
We have a currency backed by nothing more than the debt ledger owed by the US Taxpayer. What do you think backs the US Dollar? Did you think it was gold or silver? We can’t ever pay off the debt. It must increase forever and ever.

Anonymous said...

4:37. The tax revenue collections are setting new records every quarter yet they are spending $1-2T more every year! If you think we can tax the rich into prosperity you are lying to yourself and the rest of us!!! Government is WAY too big!

Anonymous said...

Gold and Silver are chump change. The only way to 'turn it around' is to prop our currency up based on a per-gallon value of water in the Mississippi River.



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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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