The Republican Party has made the exhibition of patriotism a mandatory code of behavior for anyone serving in political office. To be clear, they aren’t interested in actual patriotism, just the brandishing of shallow clichés for public consumption.
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To that end, GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Perv) offered an amendment to the rules of the Judiciary Committee – now chaired by pro-insurrectionist Republican Jim Jordan – to mandate the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance before every Committee hearing. This is a puerile proposal that treats adult members of Congress like 2nd graders. It is hardly a demonstration of patriotism, particularly when Republicans and Donald Trump have so severely distorted the meaning of the word.
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Furthermore, it’s superficial and redundant considering that all members of Congress have already pledged an oath to “support and defend the Constitution” upon being sworn into office. And whenever a Democrat demonstrates patriotism, Republicans twist it into an outrage, as they did this week when President Biden expressed his optimism for America’s future. That was the day after Trump repeated his enduring trust in Vladimir Putin over American intelligence agencies.
So the GOP patriotism is just a facade, and even that is a moving target. Which was evident in Gaetz’s proposal to force members to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. What Gaetz may not have anticipated is that Democrats would see though his charade and take the opportunity to expose it as the mockery of patriotism that it is. Rep. David Cicilline sought to both clarify Gaetz’s proposal and ridicule Gaetz…
Cicilline: I’d like to offer an amendment to the amendment adding … “Provided, however, the Pledge shall not be led by an individual who has supported an insurrection against the government of the United States in any way.” Because I think if we adopt this amendment then we will be truthful in representing that stating this pledge is an affirmation of your defense of democracy and the Constitution. […]
You want to give someone the right to stand in front of the House Judiciary Committee and lead the Pledge of Allegiance, at a bare minimum, let’s guarantee that person has not participated, supported, or in anyway, helped an overthrow of the government of the United States.
“You want someone… to stand in front of the House Judiciary Committee and lead the Pledge of Allegiance, at a bare minimum, let’s guarantee that person has not participated, supported, or in anyway, helped an overthrow of the government.” pic.twitter.com/OZSQwGrPGo
— Rachel Bitecofer ???? (@RachelBitecofer) February 1, 2023
Needless to say, Gaetz did not welcome this amendment. And the resulting debate wasted nearly an hour on this blatantly performative nonsense. Republicans then flagrantly lied, saying the Democrats refuse to pledge allegiance to the country. They said that Democrats hate the pledge and, therefore, America. That is, of course, utter, unadulterated bullpucky. Patriotism isn’t proved by parroting elementary school verses.
What’s more, It ignores the oath they took upon swearing in. It also ignores the point made by Rep. Jerry Nadler, who said that members already “pledge allegiance everyday on the floor, and I don’t know why we should pledge allegiance twice in the same day to show how patriotic we are.” Rep. Hank Johnson added that he found it ironic “coming from people who wouldn’t comply with Congressional subpoenas, disrespected the rule of law, and continue to prop up the Big Lie?”
This is indicative of the seriousness with which Republicans are handling their new majority role in the House of Representatives. And it’s why they are so reviled by the public at large. They have abandoned any pretense to governing in the interests of the American people.
They plan to conduct more of this political burlesque for the next two years, obsessing over meritless probes of Biden and other Democrats. And just as everyone who was paying attention already knew, Republicans have no intention of seriously addressing inflation, immigration, healthcare, the economy, national defense, or any of the other issues they campaigned on. It’s all “woke” politics from now on.
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This Repugnican bullshit makes for perfect sound bites for FUX. That’s all they care about.
All of this makes me wonder what insane asylum did these MAGA congress critters escape from? Why are they even being allowed anywhere near the nation’s Capitol??? They belong in cages and in straight jackets, instead they are getting a sizeable salary that we the taxpayers are funding in our Congress. These despots, including Donald TUMP have ruined our once great nation. This whole thing is a total disgrace.
It is beyond sickening that far right Republican extremists use the word “Patriots” to describe themselves. And, now, sexual pervert Matt Gaetz thinks that by throwing out moral platitudes, he will cover his personal sins. Thanks for Cicilline’s answer. Now the razor-thin Republican House can get back to its business. Not helping the American people.
John, please note that the un-esteemed Fucker Carlson has declared war on Canada already, saying that the kindly USA needs to invade that peaceful sovereign neighbor to keep it from “becoming another Cuba.” As Russia’s proven in Europe, with Putin’s War to “save Ukraine from neo-Nazis,” it’s really hard to get away from murderous morons these days. I suspect we’ll have to take them on, mano a mano, one day soon.
Carlson Tucker is another one of the mental patients that escaped from the insane asylum and now spewing hundreds of lies a day on national television. You are so right, it is indeed very difficult to get away from these murderous morons. I never ever watch this Fox Spews, if i did, i might get so angry and throw my remote control through my wide screen TV. I absolutely despise and hate those deranged baboons that spew hateful and damaging lies 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I do know about their hate for Canada and i know TUMP hates Canadians too. They are just jealous because Canada is so much better governed than the United States is, and the fact that Canada is a mostly a democratic nation. This MAGAt cult has ruined the United States. I am 68 years old and i never thought things could get this bad in this once great nation.
It’s easy to understand the Republican obsession with the Pledge. It began as part of a marketing scheme to sell US flags to schools, and mindlessly reciting jingoistic formulae is the wort of thing that warms the cocles of totalitarian fascists’ hearts.
“…saying the Democrats refuse to pledge allegiance to the country.”
The Pledge of Alliegance has little to do with loyalty to the country; it is a declaration of veneration of a piece of cloth. In fact, as originally written, it began, “I pledge allegiance to my flag, and to the republic for which it stands…” It did not even mention the United States – that was added later.