Think of the filibuster as a check valve that only goes one way. To the right. — I can recall the days of Trump. I distinctly recall Trump calling for the end of the filibuster. Then Senate Leader Mitch McConnell refused to consider the notion, much less put it to a vote. Former President Donald Trump (the former guy), one of the most popular politicians in history…

You’re too late — The mantra of the Republican Party is “states’ rights”. Everywhere I turn I see them extolling the virtues of states’ rights. Lately, states’ rights have been the GOP’s defense of new rules enacted in many states that impose greater restrictions on voters. It seems to them that states have the…

Imagine you’re on the beach, hip-deep in water. The sun is shining, there is a gentle breeze, and the water feels cool around you on a warm day. You feel the waves go in and out. The scene is almost like a dream. And then you notice a big wave…

It’s about time we open-source our patents, and Elon Musk did just that. — I’m not a giant fan of Elon Musk, but here’s one thing I really appreciate about his attitude toward technology. Musk doesn’t believe in patents. He would be one to know why. As a leading technological innovator, he knows firsthand how patents are used, and what they’re for. In a…

The ghost of the Contract on America returns. — Republicans have just rolled out their Commitment To America. In it, we’ll find familiar talking points. An economy that’s strong. A nation that’s safe. A future that’s built on freedom. A government that’s accountable. I think we can agree that both Democrats and Republicans want those things in America. …

I guess cooperation is not the goal, division is the goal. — Every day in the news, I see an unending stream of gotchas, embarrassments, insults, and stunts. Overturning Roe v Wade was a big one. Shipping immigrants around the country against their will was another. The filibuster never ends. And that’s just the Republicans in their quest to “own the libs”. …

It’s not a very subtle form of blackmail. — They tell us that if Trump is indicted, there will be violence. Then they tell us that if Trump loses in 2024, there will be violence. This is what we can expect from the king of the rentier class, Donald J. Trump. The irony is hard to miss. The same…

There is just something so mesmerizing about watching that guy clear the table. — In recent months, I’ve taken exercise to heart. Every day, I walk around the neighborhood and I use a little trampoline. When I use the trampoline, I like to put something on YouTube. I’ve tried watching dramas, but then I have to read subtitles, not an easy thing to do…