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This is deeper than one bill. This is about a constitutional crisis in Texas, brought to you by GOP hyperpartisanship.

This is deeper than one bill. This is about a constitutional crisis in Texas, brought to you by GOP hyperpartisanship. | Texas Democrats walk out in protest over new Republican-backed voting rights restrictions, denying a quorum to proceed — a tactic permitted by the rules in their own legislative chamber. (They did this because the GOP refused to listen to their alternative bill proposals or include them in the process whatsoever.); Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) (who has already vetoed funding the legislature for the next two years in retaliation for the Democrats’ political stance) angrily threatens the lawmakers with ARREST upon their return to the state — stating he intends to lock them in the chamber and force them to participate against their wishes. Wherever you land on the voting rights debate, if you support the notion of an executive branch official sending the police after duly-elected legislators for merely taking a stand and exercising their constitutional rights, you can’t claim to support freedom any longer. YOU’RE A FASCIST, PLAIN AND SIMPLE. | image tagged in texas democrats walk out,texas governor greg abbott,police,texas,democrats,fascism | made w/ Imgflip meme maker
17 Comments
[deleted]
5 ups, 3y
mexican word of the day | I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE THINKING BUT NO THANKS. Y'ALL CAN KEEP TEXAS. | image tagged in mexican word of the day | made w/ Imgflip meme maker
5 ups, 3y,
1 reply
Scumbag Texas, Chapter 2741. | made w/ Imgflip meme maker
Contrasting developments in Washington and Texas provide a neat study of what happens these days when Democrats have the majority (Washington, D.C.) vs. when Republicans do (Texas).

In Washington, D.C., Democrats have made continual efforts to get Republican buy-in on priorities like the infrastructure bill, Covid relief, even the Jan. 6 commission. Most times, Republicans won’t play ball. But sometimes, there’s a breakthrough, like the bipartisan infrastructure agreement. And even where Republicans shoot down proposals like a bipartisan Jan. 6 commission, they are still ultimately included. There is talk of reforming or eliminating the legislative filibuster, which effectively gives McConnell a veto, but it hasn’t happened yet. (It wouldn’t be unfair since McConnell himself already nuked the filibuster regarding judicial appointments.) And so, the business of government proceeds according to familiar established rules.

In GOP-led Texas, hyperpartisanship is a first resort. Democrats are treated with total contempt, like bugs to be squished. The thought of consulting Democrats at all when their “votes aren’t needed” is treated as a total waste of time. And when Democrats play by the rules of the chamber to deny a quorum and give themselves leverage to finally be heard, they are threatened with handcuffs.

Believe it or not, dysfunctional as Washington, D.C. is, it is still working better than Texas, which is already several steps down into the road of the fascist future the Trump-era GOP craves.

Final thought: Yes, Texas has always been full of trolls. See: A Capitol building built ever so slightly higher.
3 ups, 3y
👏👏👏
[deleted]
1 up, 3y,
1 reply
I thought filibustering and attempts to obstruct the operations of the legislative branch were wrong?

Or is that just when the Republicans do it?
1 up, 3y,
1 reply
It doesn't f**king justify ARRESTING POLITICAL OPPONENTS!
[deleted]
0 ups, 3y,
2 replies
Never said it did. Let's stay on topic.

I'm wondering why it's suddenly such a heroic deed for a Democrat to essentially filibuster when the Republicans in Congress have been shouted down and derided for attempting the same.
2 ups, 3y,
1 reply
Because they're killing a voter suppression bill. And a quorum is far more reasonable than a filibuster.
And because Republicans are showing their fascist colours in response.
[deleted]
0 ups, 3y,
1 reply
Hey I don't care why they're doing it. I've got no issue with utilizing such measures. I just dislike the sudden hypocrisy displayed.
[deleted] M
0 ups, 3y,
1 reply
Hypocrisy is part of politics.

The sooner you accept that, the better off you'll be.
[deleted]
0 ups, 3y,
2 replies
I accept it exists. Won't ever stop me from calling it out. Someone who can't live by solid rules can't be entrusted with my faith in turn.
[deleted] M
0 ups, 3y
And in case you're wondering, that was last year. Republicans did it again this year. So, clearly, they aren't looking to clean up their act. We shouldn't go to keep kicking the football so Lucy can just pull it away every time. If they can walk out, so can we. That's the precedent they set, this is on them for setting that new normal and establishing that behavior as "ok"
[deleted] M
0 ups, 3y,
1 reply
That's nearly every politician in our government. Hypocrisy is the rope by which they use to fight over support. There is hypocrisy on both sides with such saturation that it really doesn't make a difference anymore. I've just accepted it, tossed such moral highgrounds to the wind, and focused on their actions alone and what they seek to accomplish. I guess here, you could say I look not at their immediate action, but their potential action and what they can bring. But, that's politics. I mean, it wasn't that long ago that Oregon Republicans walked out of session to avoid having a quorum. In fact, they do it quite often over here and it has gained national attention.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/24/us/republicans-oregon-climate.html

I actually won't support someone who is soft on their opponents. If someone plays "dirty" I expect them to do it right back to fight for what I support. I don't like weak politicians. If Republicans can stop their shenanigans, I would expect Dems to as well. But I don't see that happening any time soon.

TLDR; It's about time Dems gained some backbone!
[deleted]
0 ups, 3y
As you will. I prefer someone who sticks to their guns in all situations and refuses to descend to the level of their opponent.

Lacking that, I'll support whomever is closer to my views at the time it comes to vote...😂
[deleted] M
1 up, 3y,
1 reply
Whether it's right or wrong is irrelevant. They are playing by the current rules etc that the right wing has used and gamed for gain. Now that the left is playing their game, they're mad.
[deleted]
0 ups, 3y,
1 reply
No, it's entirely relevant. Ends don't justify means. I support the use of these measures because I disavow the notion that a legislative minority should have no voice, but when people say it's sometimes wrong and then other times right I have a real problem.
[deleted] M
0 ups, 3y,
1 reply
Subjectively, it is relevant, of course.

As far as legality goes, whether or not we decry such actions is irrelevant. They can do it. Democrats did decry such actions and the Republicans did it anyway, even though the Dems opposed it.
Kind of a tit for tat. Is it immature? Maybe... I would agree if there was any other way to get shit done. But given Obama's Presidency, we found that Republicans do not operate in good faith. We compromised and compromised and compromised. But when Trump got in office and the entire government flipped red? There were no compromises. Dems are playing by the Republican playbook as well the should.
[deleted]
0 ups, 3y
And I don't have a real issue with it. I just find it illuminating is all.
Created with the Imgflip Meme Generator
EXTRA IMAGES ADDED: 2
  • Texas Democrats walk out
  • Texas Governor Greg Abbott
  • Police
  • IMAGE DESCRIPTION:
    Texas Democrats walk out in protest over new Republican-backed voting rights restrictions, denying a quorum to proceed — a tactic permitted by the rules in their own legislative chamber. (They did this because the GOP refused to listen to their alternative bill proposals or include them in the process whatsoever.); Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) (who has already vetoed funding the legislature for the next two years in retaliation for the Democrats’ political stance) angrily threatens the lawmakers with ARREST upon their return to the state — stating he intends to lock them in the chamber and force them to participate against their wishes. Wherever you land on the voting rights debate, if you support the notion of an executive branch official sending the police after duly-elected legislators for merely taking a stand and exercising their constitutional rights, you can’t claim to support freedom any longer. YOU’RE A FASCIST, PLAIN AND SIMPLE.