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Kevin McCarthy has had a tumultuous time since taking over as speaker of the House but MSNBC host Alex Wagner argues that many of his problems are a result of a nasty model created by former Republican speaker Newt Gingrich.

When Republicans reclaimed the House in 1985 and elected Gingrich as speaker, Wagner said he ushered in a new style of House politics that prioritized conflict with the White House and with Democrats. She noted that Gingrich was able to extract big concessions from Democrats, including spending cuts, work requirements and cuts to the social safety net. That nasty arrow one came in the form of the impeachment of then-president Bill Clinton.

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Despite Republicans losing public support and seats in the House over the impeachment, Wagner argued that the nasty model from Gingrich continued on after his term was over, becoming more extreme under John Boehner.

It was under Speaker Boehner that the Tea Party and its extremists first decided to put the gun to the head of the American economy, Wagner said. That standoff ultimately resulted in downgrading the U.S. credit for the very first time in history, which Republicans seem to view as a success because they did not change their tactics after that.

Eventually, the party got even more extreme, Wagner said, forcing Boehner to resign in 2015. His term was followed by the short-lived speakership of Paul Ryan, who resigned from the position in 2019.

Do you see a pattern here? she said. Things get nastier and the speakership gets sort of resignier.

Now, McCarthy is trying to survive his historically weak speakership by appeasing an increasingly rebellious conference and holding the American economy hostage once again to try and extract concessions from another Democratic president, Wagner said.

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At the same time, his numbers are suggesting that no concession may ever be enough, she added. After all, this is not Gingrichs nasty arrow one, this is McCarthys nasty era two.

Recent examples that Wagner cited of the Republican partys nastiness include a bill being introduced to expel Democratic congressman Adam Schiff after McCarthy suggested that he shouldnt be serving in the House anymore and Marjorie Taylor Greene moving to introduce articles of impeachment against President Biden, FBI director Christopher Wray, U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia Matthew Graves, Attorney General Merrick Garland and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas.

Remember when Republicans would just impeach the president of the United States and leave it there? Now they have to impeach nearly the whole cabinet, too, which makes this particularly odious for speaker McCarthy, particularly bonkers for his conference, because Marjorie Taylor Greene is not some fringe lunatic not anymore, anyway, Wagner said. The Congresswoman who aligned herself with Jan. 6 insurrectionists, she is now also considered an ally of the speaker of the House. The two of them have cemented the path between what is left of the Republican House establishment and the partys radical right-wing.

So this is the party, this is the GOP, this is who they are now, Wagner concluded. Newt Gingrich would be proud.

Watch the full segment in the video above.

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Alex Wagner Pins Kevin McCarthys Speakership Problems on Nasty Model of Newt Gingrich: Prioritized Conflict (Video) - Yahoo Entertainment

President Joe Biden talks with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., as he departs the Capitol following the annual St. Patricks Day gathering in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

With less than two weeks until the United States government essentially runs out of money to pay its bills, a new ABC/WaPo poll finds President Joe Biden with a dismal 36% approval rating, and trailing former President Donald Trump by 6 points in the 2024 race for the White House.

For months, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and his GOP allies have demanded spending cuts in exchange for voting to raise the federal debt ceiling. Biden and congressional Democrats have refused to acquiesce, citing the bipartisan tradition of lifting the countrys borrowing limit without preconditions.

To be sure, Bidens argument prevails in a vacuum: both parties accrue debt, and thus are equally responsible for ensuring the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. It is regrettable and dangerous that House Republicans are using the debt ceiling as a political football, and there is merit to Bidens claim that McCarthy is holding the economy hostage.

That being said, with just days until default, it is simply not feasible for Biden whose approval rating hit a record-low just after he announced his reelection campaign to continue digging his heels in. Not only is striking a deal to reduce spending good politics, as most voters actually support many of the House GOPs proposals; it also makes practical sense, given how high both inflation and interest rates currently are, and the fact that the U.S. is over $31 trillion in debt.

This showdown comes at a time when half (48%) of the country has almost no confidence in Biden on the economy, per a Gallup survey, and the majority (60%) also believe the federal government spends too much money, according to AP-NORC polling.

Accordingly, the electorate supports several of the budget cuts Republicans have proposed, as well as McCarthys plan to roll these policies into one bill in exchange for raising the debt limit, per the April 2023 Harvard CAPS Harris poll. In addition, nearly two-thirds (64%) of registered voters believe Republicans should hold out until Democrats agree to spending restraints.

Evidently, Biden recognizes that he doesnt have the upper hand in this fight. This week, he designated top aides to negotiate with their GOP counterparts while he attends the G-7 Summit in Japan, which he will return from prematurely to continue talks. This is a step in the right direction, though there is still much to be done before the June 1 deadline.

Biden is no stranger to debt ceiling deal making. In 2011, then-Vice President Biden played an active role in negotiating $2.4 trillion in spending cuts with Tea Party House Republicans in exchange for raising the countrys borrowing limit. In 1995, then-Senator Biden advocated for a deal that would lift the debt ceiling and restrain federal spending, while still protecting vital social programs. Biden will need to strike a similar compromise in the next two weeks, despite facing pressure from the progressive left to reject all of the House GOPs proposals.

Biden has already indicated an openness toward rescinding billions of dollars in unspent pandemic relief funds, which most registered voters (65%) support, per the aforementioned Harvard CAPS Harris poll. Additional GOP proposals that also have majority support are strengthening certain work requirements for recipients of some federal assistance programs (62%) and freezing U.S. government spending at last years level (61%).

Most importantly, Biden must come out in support of capping federal spending which is the big-ticket item in the House GOP proposal and back away from his initial plan to increase discretionary spending by nearly 10% in 2024.

Work requirements will likely prove to be the most difficult piece of the deal for Biden to hammer out, which McCarthy has indicated are a must for any deal, though progressives have deemed entirely unreasonable. On Wednesday, Biden took the smart approach by leaving the door open to expanding requirements, with the exception of those programs related to health care, i.e., Medicaid.

These House GOP proposals are not unprecedented, nor as draconian as some on the left have suggested. When I advised former President Bill Clinton, we worked with Republicans in Congress to pass bipartisan welfare reform that required recipients to begin working after two years of receiving benefits, among other measures. We also reduced government spending, decreased the debt and deficit, and achieved a balanced budget. Clinton left office with an approval rating of 65%, per Gallup, higher than that of every other departing president since Harry Truman.

Beyond the politics of the debt ceiling debate, it is self-evident that a default would be completely catastrophic for the U.S. and world economy. If a deal isnt reached in time, the consequences could include a worldwide recession, frozen credit markets, tanking stock markets, and massive layoffs, according to an October 2021 report from the White House Council of Economic Advisors.

In 2011, when House Republicans pulled a similar maneuver, a prolonged impasse over raising the debt limit led to the first ever credit rating downgrade for the U.S. government, even though an agreement was ultimately reached at the eleventh hour.

The current stalemate is already producing real economic consequences: according to Bloomberg, the cost of insuring against a U.S. default is now higher than in emerging markets, such as Brazil and Mexico.

Clearly, there are no winners in this debt ceiling deadlock not Democrats, not Republicans and certainly not Americans. But if a deal isnt reached in time, even if McCarthy and his GOP allies are to blame, President Biden will be the biggest loser.

Douglas Schoen is a longtime Democratic political consultant.

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The time has come for Biden to negotiate on debt ceiling - San Bernardino County Sun

'Time for Tea', which opens today (May 19), explores the worldwide significance of the popular beverage, and why it is so entrenched in British culture.

The free exhibition, held in the Weston Gallery, will run until November 5 - and includes complementary, immersive activities.

Believed to be brought to Europe by Dutch traders in the 1600s, tea was a favourite of Princess Catherine of Braganza, wife of King Charles II, who set the trend for drinking tea which continues to this day.

Tea appears across literature, TV and pop culture, including at the Mad Hatter's tea party, served by penguins in Mary Poppins and enjoyed by Downton's Lady Violet Crawley.

The exhibition will take visitors through what tea is, how it comes to the UK and how it is packaged, stored, made and drank.

The Time for Tea exhibition will be held at St Albans Museum Gallery (Image: St Albans Museums)

Visitors can learn about how different cultures enjoy tea- as well as see a community-sourced display of people's favourite tea mug.

Sarah Keeling, curator of post medieval to contemporary art at St Albans Museums, said: "We are delighted to bring this wonderful exhibition to St Albans.

"Time for Tea celebrates the nations love affair with tea exploring its history, how its made, drunk and its significance across the world.

"Visitors can also enjoy anostalgic look at the tea houses and cafs St Albans has been home to in the past.

"There will be engaging imagery, including 'A Tea Party at Napsbury' by artist Louis Wain, beautiful displays of ornate tea bowls and decorative teapots from our collection, and after a wander through the exhibition visitors can relax with a cuppa in the museums Courtroom Caf."

In addition to the exhibition, there will be a range of family activities, talks, creative workshops and a Georgian Costume Ball on Saturday, August 26, held in the museum's Georgian assembly room.

Guests are invited to wear modern day formal attire or an outfit befitting 18th century Georgian society, and there will be live music, dancing and canaps.

For more information go tohttps://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/.

Original post:
Calling all tea lovers to 'Time for Tea' exhibition at St Albans ... - The Herts Advertiser

Opinion

Republicans want to force spending cuts by threat instead of legislating and the cuts theyre asking for are appalling

The shamelessness and recklessness of todays Republican party seems to know no bounds. As the deadline for raising the debt ceiling or defaulting rapidly approaches, the party continues to hold the country hostage, telling Democrats: give us what we want things we cannot get by going through normal democratic processes or we will pitch the global economy off a cliff.

Democrats in Congress are doing their best to get their Republican colleagues to behave rationally, but its notoriously difficult to negotiate with terrorists. The Republicans want major spending cuts, but they want to force those cuts through by threat instead of having to legislate normally. And the cuts theyre asking for are appalling: they include slashing funds to things like cancer research, rental assistance for the poor, support for schools with large numbers of low-income students, and pay for Americans in uniform. The Republican bill would end Bidens attempt at student loan debt relief, repeal tax breaks for renewables and clean energy while increasing reliance on fossil fuels, raise already-onerous work requirements to receive food stamps and welfare benefits, and decrease the efficiency and abilities of the IRS.

The Republican proposal would leave a great many Americans worse off but it would be a boon for oil executives and wealthy tax avoiders.

Its also an unconscionable display of bad faith and manipulation. This is not the first time that Congress has needed to raise the debt ceiling, and the stakes are so high that, traditionally, its been a bipartisan effort, with Democrats and Republicans alike largely agreeing that it would be wildly irresponsible and disgustingly devious to use such a vulnerable moment to strong-arm the opposing party. The big exception came during the Tea Party takeover of the Republican party in 2011, when Republicans also used raising the debt ceiling to start a fight. Those Tea Party radicals seemed crazy then but they had nothing on the absolutely unhinged lunatics of the Maga Republicans.

In a sane Congress operating in a functional country, everyone in Congress would agree that the US cannot default, and would behave accordingly. But this is not a sane Congress operating in a functional country, and thats 100% because of the far-right takeover of the Republican party.

Todays Republicans are a party of destruction. As much as they claim to want to make America great again, they seem much more intent on sowing division, fomenting chaos and embracing an ethos of nihilism. There is no school shooting brutal enough to make them reconsider Americas extreme gun laws; no pregnant woman who suffers enough to make them take a step back on criminalizing abortion; and virtually nothing their unelected leader Donald Trump can to do make them reject him allowing a deadly attack on the Capitol, being deemed a sexual abuser by a New York jury, and undermining Americas tradition of free and fair elections have not been enough to end the Republican partys love affair with Trump. As the party has not only embraced Trump but molded itself in his image, it has become all the more dangerous to the nation.

It was clear on 6 January 2021 that a dangerous number of Republicans had gone off the deep end, and were willing to take America down with them. Even after a rightwing mob attacked the Capitol complex in an attempt to overthrow the results of the presidential election, 147 congressional Republicans stood behind them, and voted to overturn the election results. These 147 elected officials voted against American democracy that day; they showed that they were willing to override the will of American voters in order to install their man in office. This is nothing short of fascistic, and it was a sign of dangers to come.

Now, that same party is pushing an unpopular agenda, but is filled with elected officials who either dont care or are totally delusional ideologues. Which is how we wound up watching the days tick down until a default. Democrats, and clear-thinking people, understand just how disastrous this would be: it would likely mean a global economic crash, a downgraded credit rating for the United States, and huge financial repercussions, including significant job losses, for Americans and for lots of people outside of our borders.

Too many Republicans, unfortunately, seem to be fine with that, perhaps because they also seem to enjoy burning things down and they seem bizarrely confident that theyll be able to blame the fallout on Biden.

They shouldnt be so sure. Its obvious what is happening here: Republicans want to get their way, and are willing to use any means to do so. The blame wont fall on Biden for failing to adequately negotiate with the extremists willing to threaten global financial stability to get their much-wanted cuts to cancer research and help for the poor. Blame will fall on the people who deserve blame: the Republicans acting like cartoon supervillains.

Hopefully it doesnt come to that. Hopefully, Republicans come to their senses, allow the US to raise the debt ceiling without major concessions, and avoid torpedoing the world economy. But even if this immediate crisis is averted a big if the fact that were here in the first place signals just how dangerous Republicans have become. Many members of the Republican party have already made clear that they have no respect for American democracy, and no desire to maintain it. Now, even more members of the party are making clear that they have no respect for Americas role as a stabilizing global economic force.

This isnt playing hardball. Its hostage-taking. And unless Republicans manage to pull their party back from the brink, its only going to be one more sad example of Republicans attempt to make America into an untrustworthy, undemocratic shambles.

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The US debt ceiling crisis is more proof of Republicans cynicism and bad faith - The Guardian

Published 9:26 am Thursday, May 18, 2023

In a council meeting discussing code changes that would allow for downtown bars, Dr. Bramlett made an honest, respectable proposition that I dont see a bar as being anywhere but a place to go get drunk. However, I counter that bars have been the birthplace of much American innovation. The inspired and uninspired both drink.

Bars were the original social networking in America. Some examples would be the Sons of Liberty having met in Green Dragon Tavern when contemplating what would become the Boston Tea Party; George Washington and John Adams met the first time at City Tavern in Philadelphia; Abraham Lincoln was a bar tender in New Salem, Illinois; and the USMC was birthed in Tun Tavern.

Why not meet for tea or coffee? Why not meet in the library?A well run and maintained bar offers an atmosphere for a most excellent understanding of the social aspect of a city.

Who are the people and what do they think? Lawyers, laborers, doctors and joggers meet together at the bar. They learn from each other and they are introduced to new thoughts where iron can sharpen iron.

Entrepreneurs appreciate bars. When I entered new towns, the first place I would go was to a bar, not because I craved some ungodly poison, but because I wanted to hear what was happening, and more importantly, what people really wanted to happen in town. I gained insight and I had people introduce me to other people with similar interests. Business blossomed like a fresh burst of green after the summer rain.

No one can promise you a problem free city. As Proverbs 14:4 says, Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; but increase comes by the strength of an ox.

I encourage the city not to sacrifice a positive bar environment for an unrealistic philosophy that prohibiting liquor will keep downtown free of problems. It wont, but it could hinder local innovation.

Mr. Hicks, whom I have no connection to, has proven that he can maintain a positive business that has alcohol as its primary offering. It is doubtful that offering delicious whisky with the cigars available is going to create a ruckus. Such environments are more conducive to creating friendships, invention, businesses and stronger sense of community.

Downtowns are built for bars. The concentration is less straining on public safety resources. It is one of the densest zones because downtown is the place you go to be around others. Downtown isnt for those who want to be alone after 5 oclock. So why not open it up to one of Americas original and most well established social traditions?

I respect the concern. However, the stigma does not truly fit the reality. Albemarle has a growing, intelligent and innovative people arising, and they will appreciate the fellowship with added choices.

Thank you for looking after Albemarle, and I welcome you to a drink and a discussion anytime.

Ill buy you a water.

Bryan MaplesAlbemarle

Originally posted here:
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Albemarle needs bars - The Stanly News ... - Stanly News & Press