Wednesday Open Thread [3.4.15]

Wednesday Open Thread [3.4.15]

5 Comments
Like Jason330, I enjoy reading RedState during these moments of Democratic victory and Republican defeat. Their tears sustain me. From the New York Times:
The fight over funding the Department of Homeland Security that began with Republicans thundering about a lawless president abusing power to change immigration policy ended with a quiet capitulation Tuesday when the House voted to fund the agency and avert a partial shutdown. In the end, Speaker John A. Boehner was forced to build a majority on Democratic votes to pass the bill, 257 to 167, with just 75 Republican supporters. But although the uprising among conservatives burned hot into the week, there was no suggestion that Mr. Boehner’s leadership was imperiled. Instead, many Republicans expressed a sense of resigned relief.
During every shutdown / hostage-taking episode we have endured since 2011, the outcome was always entirely predictable: Republican capitulation. Let they keep doing it. Best proof yet that they are all insane.
Your ‘King v Burrell’ Thoughts Go Here

Your ‘King v Burrell’ Thoughts Go Here

19 Comments
I realize American voters (and let's face it - particularly liberal leaning American voters) are a lazy bunch of losers, but if Chief Justice John Roberts decides to strip 7 million people in some three dozen states of health insurance on a technicality, I think things could actually go Ka-Plewey.
DL Exclusive: Hundreds of Politicians/PACs in Violation of State Campaign Finance Law. Nobody’s Collecting the Fines.

DL Exclusive: Hundreds of Politicians/PACs in Violation of State Campaign Finance Law. Nobody’s Collecting the Fines.

35 Comments
Deadbeat campaigns, committees and PAC's currently owe the Delaware Department of Elections (long pause to change the batteries in my calculator)...$769,240.  I count 258 individual fines that have been assessed, but never collected. Some of the outstanding fines are gargantuan.  Some appear to have close correlation to key political events, so the committees involved not only owe the money, they have some 'splainin' to do. Since the largest fines have been imposed on the Sussex County Democratic Executive Committee, and since they date back to the year (2008) when an incredible array of resources were poured into the race to elect John Atkins to the General Assembly, possibly cementing a D majority in the House, and since not a nickel has been paid back, I can only ask, "Why?".  Why no action? (Late-breaking news: According to both the Commissioner of Elections and the current Sussex County chair, that $160,000-plus fine has now been labeled an 'error'.  Because, as we all know, $160,000 fines are levied in error every day. Where is Rose Mary Woods when we need her?) Here's how the system is supposed to work, according to sources both within the State Department of Elections and the Office of the Attorney General.  After about 60 days or so, uncollected fines/violations are turned over to the Attorney General's office for follow-up, according to Elaine Manlove, Commissioner of Elections.  It is clear that little to no follow-up has occurred since, well, 2008, at least.  Multiple sources have told me that they have not even received any notification from the AG's office that they are in violation. Not that they shouldn't already know, but still... Here's what Carl Kanefsky of the AG's office says of the way it's supposed to work....
Tom Carper Ready to Fight the “Elizabeth Warren Wing” of the Democratic Party

Tom Carper Ready to Fight the “Elizabeth Warren Wing” of the Democratic Party

32 Comments
First of all, ...the "Elizabeth Warren Wing" of the Democratic Party? Where do I sign up? Secondly, if Tom Carper thinks that Democrats can win back the House and Senate by being MORE LIKE Tom Carper, he is either deranged or lying. Anyway, if you feel like throwing up read the whole thing. If you want to simply feel queasy the rest of the day, skip to Carper's quote:
Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), who is viewed as a centrist, said the centrist strain of politician is declining and estimated that "there's fewer than 100" left in Congress. "We need more moderates and centrists in both parties," Carper said. "Part of politics is the art of compromise."