Tony StarkJan 19, 2023

If you don't think that the virulent and open racism that’s always been prevalent in this country is present and continuing today, then you are either not paying attention or are unwilling spend any time thinking critically about things that happen all around you.

Think if you want that it’s limited to Florida and that DeSantis has no national appeal, but it’s not just going on in Florida. It’s part of the Republican plan.

Ron DeSantis is pushing education in Florida much further right-
https://wapo.st/3JiSOMX

Ron DeSantis is pushing education in Florida much further right

Under the guise of protecting parents or academic freedom, DeSantis is reshaping education in his state.

The Washington Post
Show threadSteven SavageJan 20, 2023

@TonyStark I'm concerned about DeSantis, but think he's overplaying. However, he should still be taken seriously - and we should worry about any "not Desantis."

Right now the Republicans could throw up someone less arrogant and irritating than DeSantis with 80% of the same policies as they'd fly under radar very easily.

Show threadTony StarkJan 20, 2023
@StevenSavage I’ve said this before and I don’t see Republicans learning any lessons but anyone who’s going to get the 2024 nomination or really any serious position with this party now is going to be someone with the same fascist mindset. They have no chance of nominating a decent person. There’s not one to find. So, agreed.
Show threadDoctor Fate

@TonyStark @StevenSavage

Strong agree, Tony.⚡​

A caucus this dysfunctional can only turn out dysfunctional candidates.

And fascist tendencies within the Republican Party tend to be only ripening at the moment.

Anyone trying to pull them back from the edge within their own party - gets threatened with a primary challenge, and ousted.

Jan 20, 2023 at 9:23pmWeb
Show threadAlexJan 20, 2023

@KentNelson @TonyStark @StevenSavage

Agreed and welcome Doc.

As we're all aware the driver for this is the great fear of "other". They've just drilled so far down into the recursion that at this stage anyone not looking directly into the mirror and smiling is being questioned.

The painful fact remains that these are not people who gained position by cunning, skill, or even hard work. At least not the majority of them.

These are the leftovers, the people who couldn't dominate in the private sector. Or they are people who are assigned their roles and responsibilities at birth due to birth order.

It wouldn't shock me to learn half of them literally have no idea beyond who they report to. They don't need that information, and they're not the types of people who seek to become people who do. Similar to "Jerry Smith" from Rick & Morty, they just keep groveling and it keeps working.

Show threadDoctor FateJan 20, 2023

@mentallyalex @TonyStark @StevenSavage

All signs indicate that you are correct here, Alex. Just take a look at who we now have in positions of power within one of our most sacred and revered institutions - The House of Representatives - Our House of Representatives.

And thanks for the welcome. Great to finally arrive here.

There's a lot of good folks doing some good work around here.⚡​

Show threadAlexJan 20, 2023
@KentNelson @TonyStark @StevenSavage glad to have more.
Show threaddingodogJan 21, 2023

@KentNelson @mentallyalex @TonyStark @StevenSavage they have also caught themselves in a tough dynamic. The most effective way for an ambitious new player to rise to prominence is to denounce the current player as weak, soft, and insufficiently zealous.

That doesn't lead to a stable equilibrium.

Show threadSteven SavageJan 21, 2023

@dingodog19 @KentNelson @mentallyalex @TonyStark well said, and we definitely see it. The GOP is a place for "climbers" willing to be subserviently to monied interests and foreign dictators.

Not only does that encourage infighting, it encourages people to kiss up to unsavory characters for power.

Show threadSteven SavageJan 20, 2023
@KentNelson @TonyStark they cannot be pulled back. Between Fox, the internet, bad actors, and grifters radicalization is too fast to stop in smoky back rooms.
Show threadStargeezer SmithJan 20, 2023
@KentNelson @TonyStark @StevenSavage
Their best future is from those no longer in office, who see the lunacy and could collaborate to build a new conservative party.