Where We Are

Yesterday was a punch in the gut for millions of women.  On a political level, it sucked for me and other men, but for women...I saw tears yesterday.  Of course, millions of white women were fine with approving Kavanaugh to "own the libs," and I don't know what to say about that.  It has been a striking fact that for decades, WWC men and women have voted against their economic self-interest, and now we can add basic personal self-interest. 

Josh Marshall makes an important point (as usual).  Kavanaugh was going down to defeat after Blassey Ford's testimony.  He would be replaced by another revanchist judge from the Federalist Society and the Court would lurch further rightwards.  Instead, Kavanaugh embraced the basic tenet of Trumpism: attack, attack, attack.  Then, yesterday, that simpering pile of Jell-o knows as Susan Collins got up and mewled about civility and fairness.  FUCK.  YOU.

Trumpism - that attacking your enemies is more important than serving the public interest - is now the default position of the GOP.  There is no core set of policies positions or ideological takes on limited government.  That is all bullshit.  The GOP serves a set of corporate donors who want to reduce the federal government to the protectors of their property and screw the rest of you.  (Seriously, read Yglesias on the Court).  But aside from that, the great mass of voters basically want to attack and destory the Democrats.  It's difficult to say "the Left" because this isn't ideological, it's partisan. 

Yes, Democrats are furious, especially Democratic women.  But starting with Merrick Garland and then Donald Trump, it is apparent that the GOP will do literally anything to win and hold on to power, despite representing a minority of the population.  Perhaps...please God...Democrats can win back both Houses (or even one House) of Congress and begin to swing the pendulum back in favor of democracy (not just Democrats).  Perhaps Florida will re-enfranchise former felons, giving citizens who have done their time a say in their government (and turning Florida bluer).

And maybe...just maybe...the average citizen and the purer-than-thou leftist will get off their ass and open their eyes and vote as if their life depends on it.  Because it very well might.