105 Comments

The last several years have truly laid bare all of the inadequacies of our process for selecting leadership in this nation. I thought it was bad enough that we don't require even an elementary-school level understanding of civics (we got MAGAGOP congresspersons out here who seem to be of the belief that if they vote on something, it's automatically law - at least make 'em watch a few episodes of Schoolhouse Rock before you swear 'em in ffs)

But no, here come George Whateverhisrealnameis to remind me that GOP has no bottom and no shame and that we apparently have no meaningful standards or vetting protocols whatsoever.

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When Tommy Tuberville (nice name) was asked what the 3 branches of the government were he said "the House, the Senate and the Executive"

https://www.dailydot.com/debug/tommy-tuberville-3-branches-government/

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The best thing I can say about Senator Tommy Tuberville is that he is exactly what you'd expect from a former football coach named Tommy Tuberville.

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Once was at a dinner with a bunch of HS recruits. Phone rings. He leaves to take the call. It’s a job offer. He took it.

Then snuck out the back door without going back to the table.

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HA! Oh god, that's just on-brand hilariously awful.

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Couldn’t agree more with you, Steve. Santos should be GONE. However, while he’s still there, Democrats need to ruthlessly go after this guy and make him the very face of the modern Republican Party alongside loons like MTG & Boebert.

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Santos IS the GOP, the party of Trumpism. What can you expect from a party that foments an insurrection & excuses it, just like they excuse, celebrate & mimic their party leader who is a career criminal, sociopath, grifter & insurrectionist?

I’m a mental health professional considering a run for Congress in MA-01 on the basis that Congress under the GOP majority IS crazy. We have an unaddressed mental health crisis in this country & no mental health profs in Congress who understand what people are really going through after several years of the trauma of Trumpism, the pandemic & the insurrection. I have heard their hopes & fears for over 20 years. Isn’t it time Congress has someone who knows how to listen, to put their personal needs aside to truly “represent” the needs of the district & the country?

Or am i the one who’s nuts?

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Necessitating a new DSM code

Gaslightus Republicanus

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You are not nuts. You are educated. You are needed. Run, if you can. This country needs more educated people in government, someone who WILL listen and put their personal needs aside.

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"We have an unaddressed mental health crisis in this country & no mental health profs in Congress who understand what people are really going through after several years of the trauma of Trumpism, the pandemic & the insurrection." We need you in Congress, Marlene!

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Please run in a LOCAL election instead 🙏🏻 The real dismantling of our democracy is happening at a lightning pace on local school boards and city councils everywhere. Please stay LOCAL. ♥️

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The Dems have our locals locked up. I don’t want to endure hours long City Council meetings about pickleball.

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I hear you. But- please. Congress isn’t any different from that. Do you really think Lauren Boebert, High School Dropout makes policy?

Mr Smith was always a fictional character. Your local Board of Elections literally needs you, so that Dems *retain* control. Or try your local Democratic Party Reps. They do real business of policy. Remember the lesson of Sargent Shriver.

Please don’t seek the spotlight until you know more about how government actually works.

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I appreciate the feedback. Please know that I am not seeking the spotlight. My CV includes working for the NYC DOHMH, work on state, federal & local government contracted programs, training thousands of mental health professionals & the public, and implementing DOD DHAP trainings in Central America and the Caribbean including in Honduras & El Salvador. This is in addition to providing community mental health services. I love my elected state reps and here in MA.

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My husband is a PsyD too. His work has been in the HIV/AIDS LGTBTQIA advocacy world. I’m a college professor. (yes, we’re poor)

Please listen to Thom Hartmann for all the wonderful, fulfilling, enriching reasons to stay local. He does a better job than I at this.

All the real politics is done at the State/Local level. Our Congress doesn’t need any more “do gooders”. It needs Professionals. You get training at the State level. Run for your State house first, to really learn what a Congressman does. You might actually learn how to be a Federal Congressman. It really is a profession, like you & I spent our lives getting educated for! Would you see an untrained “therapist”? These jobs are the same. Please - listen to Thom Hartmann. Your state reps won’t be there forever. Someone with skill needs to be ready to replace them. Please. I

https://www.thomhartmann.com/

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I listen and read Thom Hartmann. While I recognize the importance of local politics, there is no way to do what is really needed at the local or state level. Someone, somehow has to release the stranglehold of insurance companies on healthcare. They have nearly destroyed it and I would do whatever I can to help rebuild a sane healthcare system. I’m a patient and a provider and they are screwing us all.

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I agree with everything said here, except the Democratic party should not offer a substitute vote in order to get rid of Santos. Nothing should be done to help little kevin at this time when it should be his decision to do the right thing. I don't think the R's will accomplish anything in the next two years, except make a lot of noise and cause a lot of trouble. But I think they will do that regardless if santos is there or not. Mr. Jeffries and the D party should hold their ground and let the R's implode without any assistance. I still believe that before too long, enough R's will either resign or vote with the D's in extreme cases. (at least, I hope) In the meantime, the N.Y. DA should be charging santos with fraud against the voters of Long Island. And soon. The disabled Vet and his dog were defrauded as well, and there should be charges there, too. Put the "congressman" in jail where he actually belongs.

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Extradite him to Brazil for his fraud crimes there.

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Well, Brazil needs to come forward and request his extradition. I'm pretty sure the U.S. government will happily oblige. Immediately.

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Absolutely correct. No help for this group of idiots. Let them swirl the drain on their own

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Um, they already did. George’s opponent?

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You can follow Rep. @ritchietorres on Post.News. He and Rep. Daniel Goldman have filed a complaint with the FEC but of course the FEC is feckless. However NY-AG Tish James and the Nassau County Prosecutor are conducting investigations.

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You have one of the most keen observant political minds that we have access to. I am grateful to read your articles every day. The process takes efforts and endurance. You keep going and taking us along. We argue and worry with you but your contribution has been crucial to our political awareness and actions. I worry what we can’t see that you are seeing. You are miles ahead, and we have to keep pace with you just to be sure we are covering all the angles.

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Agree. If there was ever Exhibit A for corruption we are staring at him of multiple names (which one?) he needs to be gone. While he may be marched off the floor when extradited to Brazil, or possibly based on illegal campaign financing, he must go

Stealing from a dog needing surgery speaks to the core of darkness within him

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Okay, here's a bit of what I really think. It occurs to me that Santos has a cruel mouth. He broadcasts a toothy smile with sneering lips while scheming to slam a door in your face. (Watch the video clips of him bolting for the waiting elevator.) Listen, Santos is only one of many, but this is nothing less than a takeover of the Republican party by Russian puppets. Santos (not his real name) will say or do anything, except stray from his programming. The same is true of the other defiant, outrageous troublemakers who are subject to foreign money and ideology. Our situation is not very different than the frog who suddenly realizes his warm bath is suddenly a caldron of boiling water. There are some Dem pretenders, as well. The plan is to cripple this country and these people are being enriched, like oligarchs, as they do their work. Maybe I'm a voice in the wilderness this morning, but it all seems obvious to me.

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Name the Dem pretenders.

You can't

They're not all perfect but to say "there are Dem pretenders too" in the context of a discussion about this idiot is the essence of "what about-ism"

This need to both sides things is killing us.

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Sinema and Manchin come to mind.

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Yes. Russian puppeteers manipulating, and winning, with money.

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This guy ran for Congress twice. I don’t understand how at least some of his sh** didn’t come out BEFORE he was elected. The media and the voters both failed miserably.

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Seems like a basic background check should be required of every candidate for state and federal office.

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Amen.

Despicable reprobate doesn't even scratch the pathologic surface of the amalgam of wanton disturbance that makes up the protoplasmic ooze of George Santos.

He must go, with all prejudice, never to return, and to be held accountable for every single misdeed.

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George Santos is the result of a political party which constantly lies to its base. The whole party is corrupt and full of liars. Why take it out on poor George. He is only following the lead and trying to live up to the Republican Party mission statement, to gaslight and make a mockery. They have no agenda except to obstruct, gaslight and disgrace themselves. This is the beginning of their new reality TV series, Kevin in the house. Stay tuned kids because he is only getting started. The coming episodes will be cring worthy all for your entertainment. There is nothing honorable about any house Republican and George Santos is a product of their dishonor.

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So you’re saying there aren’t Jewish space lasers?

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Only over California, lol

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Flashed the white power sign at his swearing in. Who will tell him that new “friends” do not see him as “white”?

Fascism relies on the principle of Law Applies to YOU, Never to Me. Watch McCarthy keeping his tiny, fractious coalition together with actual criminals. It’s a hallmark of every Fascist government.

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I've seen numerous opinions that say this horrible story about the animal cruelty will be the breaking point.

"They HAVE TO get rid of him now"

Has no one been paying attention?

They don't "have to" and they won't

In fact, if an indictment from one of the several investigations hits, that won't do it either

"He hasn't been convicted of anything" will be the new mantra

I don't know if a breaking point exists.

Remember, this is a group that wears their phony Christianity, homophobia, racism and misogyny like badge of honor.

I read this morning that every GOP member on the Homeland Security Committee asked for a pardon

This includes MTG who's likely the person who traipsed around DC dropping off pipe bombs on 1/5

Expect nothing from the GOP except more and worse terribleness and you won't be disappointed

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Yes, he should be expelled, and the feckless Kevin McCarthy is just the person to NOT do it.

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Humans love their dogs. We must never allow this story to fade away.

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If it was a frog I’d be outraged

I’m a lifelong animal lover and dog owner.

Any behavioral psych doc will tell you that cruelty to animals is a near automatic predictor of a seriously damaged, frequently dangerous person.

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So True!

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There is safety in numbers. Americans, particularly democrats must take assertive measures and demands NOW with the 118th congress. Let’s face it there is a full out assault on the constitution and it’s democratic principles. When Americans are called to action under threat we arrive ready to answer the call. Now us that moment. Make a commitment, write to your congressional legislator weekly with your demands. Simplify, remove Santos, raise the debt ceiling, support Ukraine, expand Medicare, the list can be unless, prioritize your demands. Write so your legislator knows your name. There are many outlets to accomplish this, here us one, have telegram? text 50409 #resist get your letter written. Take up your sword, do an action. Carry each other and we will get through this but everything starts with step, take one.

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