Politics - such a dirty game. This is fairly standard operating procedures by the right in state legislatures. When the people vote them out, they simply limit the incoming powers of the dems through last minute measures like this.
And per Jim's point - this is why most people hate politics. Most pols do not truly care about the people they represent. Big sigh.
I live in North Carolina. The top 5 offices did NOT go to Democrats because of Mark Robinson, although he helped. The Democrats won because they were quality people, and quality candidates with quality agendas.
The way the Republican legislature acted demonstrates that. They know they can't win on their programs and issues. So they used their gerrymandered (one of the 2-3 most gerrymandered states in the country) super majority to hamstring the incoming Dem governor.
Yes it is dirty politics. It also shows how gutless and cowardly the NC Republican Party is.
It’s a great example of corruption inspired by Trump and the Republicans. It’s clearly unconstitutional and will likely get overturned by the courts. If it doesn’t, all red states will do this removing democrats from any government power effectively ending the Republic. Blue states have the $ and their own military might to become their own countries. That’s where we are headed, I think.
It’s not hard politics Chris. You can’t sane wash such obvious corruption in the name of being neutral lol.
I think we are done with the idea that there are legal mechanisms that still hold given that we are going to have a criminally indicted President. lol. My point was that Blue states would secede if Red states all behaved unconstitutionally. But that said, I’m sure Texas and Florida would both jump at the chance.
It begins with polling state citizens. If they approve secession, the Federal Government really can’t stop it because of the 10th Amendment. It grants power to states who give state citizens more rights. Clearly a federal government (including the US Supreme Court) which allows a state to remove power from democrats would be seen as an erosion of state citizens rights which secession would fix.
I think that it’s precious to believe that norms, conventions and laws will hold in the time of Trump. That’s clearly baloney.
I don't think "King Donald" is saying that California would secede because a Republican won a national election. I think what he's saying is that, if the Republican legislators in Red states limit incoming Democrats from power, then it's no longer a democracy or a democratic republic or whatever phrase we're using to describe our nation and secession would seem to be an appropriate response. At least that's what I think he's saying. And, for what it's worth, I would support that move.
Seems a bit of a stretch that California would leave the union over one election cycle gone wrong. So, I sort of echo what Bob said....really?
But, for the sake of argument - let's say they did or wanted to attempt to. There is no legal mechanism by which a state can simply unilaterally remove itself from the Union.
Personally, I'd be curious AF to see it happen and how it turned out. It would def be a get out your popcorn moment. But thoughts of this just happening peacefully w/the stroke of a pen or pronouncement seems less than likely.
When your policies and ideas suck, the only thing you have left is to try and make it more difficult for folks to vote or yield their voter approved authority.
I'm not seeing the MAGA winners screaming about all the great things they are going to do for America.
I do see tons of stuff about what they are going to take away from us.
It doesn't matter the level of government, the GOP has a history restricting the will of the people and subverting our democracy. It is only getting worse. How anyone can vote Republican is beyond me.
Just like it doesn’t make the other side bad or evil. Voters need to demand the specific change that they want and if that doesn’t get done whether Dem, Rep or independent they need to be voted out until the will of the people is carried out.
Rachel Maddow has been covering this for the past few weeks as it has evolved on her MSNBC show. And kudos to ordinary North Carolinians for loudly and vociferously protesting these moves by the Republicans.
I’m surprised that the governor’s appointment responsibility/authority can be changed by mere legislation. That would seem like a constitutional prerogative. But every state is different.
As a very blue North Carolina Democrat, I am appalled at this awful legislation. It was an override of the Gov’s veto of the bill that stripped the newly-elected Attorney General and Gov of their ‘normal’ abilities. For sure, if the tables were turned, the Dems would have probably done the same things. Nothing is fair when the other party wins. So, in 2026 Dems will try to turn the tables. (The county boards of elections will turn Rep due to this legislation.)
Red-state legislatures are turning Talibanic. Lashing out at any beliefs and practices different from their own. Tennessee is fully turned — the Tennessee Taliban.
I live in a super majority GOP state Missouri and I have no doubt that they would do the exact same thing whether they are threatened by Democratic wins or not. It is frustrating, and a very helpless feeling.
Politics - such a dirty game. This is fairly standard operating procedures by the right in state legislatures. When the people vote them out, they simply limit the incoming powers of the dems through last minute measures like this.
And per Jim's point - this is why most people hate politics. Most pols do not truly care about the people they represent. Big sigh.
I live in North Carolina. The top 5 offices did NOT go to Democrats because of Mark Robinson, although he helped. The Democrats won because they were quality people, and quality candidates with quality agendas.
The way the Republican legislature acted demonstrates that. They know they can't win on their programs and issues. So they used their gerrymandered (one of the 2-3 most gerrymandered states in the country) super majority to hamstring the incoming Dem governor.
Yes it is dirty politics. It also shows how gutless and cowardly the NC Republican Party is.
I am angry - beyond angry.
It’s a great example of corruption inspired by Trump and the Republicans. It’s clearly unconstitutional and will likely get overturned by the courts. If it doesn’t, all red states will do this removing democrats from any government power effectively ending the Republic. Blue states have the $ and their own military might to become their own countries. That’s where we are headed, I think.
It’s not hard politics Chris. You can’t sane wash such obvious corruption in the name of being neutral lol.
I think we are done with the idea that there are legal mechanisms that still hold given that we are going to have a criminally indicted President. lol. My point was that Blue states would secede if Red states all behaved unconstitutionally. But that said, I’m sure Texas and Florida would both jump at the chance.
It begins with polling state citizens. If they approve secession, the Federal Government really can’t stop it because of the 10th Amendment. It grants power to states who give state citizens more rights. Clearly a federal government (including the US Supreme Court) which allows a state to remove power from democrats would be seen as an erosion of state citizens rights which secession would fix.
I think that it’s precious to believe that norms, conventions and laws will hold in the time of Trump. That’s clearly baloney.
You think that a state like California will withdraw from the Union because a national election went to the Republicans? Really?
I don't think "King Donald" is saying that California would secede because a Republican won a national election. I think what he's saying is that, if the Republican legislators in Red states limit incoming Democrats from power, then it's no longer a democracy or a democratic republic or whatever phrase we're using to describe our nation and secession would seem to be an appropriate response. At least that's what I think he's saying. And, for what it's worth, I would support that move.
Seems a bit of a stretch that California would leave the union over one election cycle gone wrong. So, I sort of echo what Bob said....really?
But, for the sake of argument - let's say they did or wanted to attempt to. There is no legal mechanism by which a state can simply unilaterally remove itself from the Union.
Personally, I'd be curious AF to see it happen and how it turned out. It would def be a get out your popcorn moment. But thoughts of this just happening peacefully w/the stroke of a pen or pronouncement seems less than likely.
This sucks. Bad.
I will keep on saying the unpopular thing.
When your policies and ideas suck, the only thing you have left is to try and make it more difficult for folks to vote or yield their voter approved authority.
I'm not seeing the MAGA winners screaming about all the great things they are going to do for America.
I do see tons of stuff about what they are going to take away from us.
How the heck could we be so stupid?
It doesn't matter the level of government, the GOP has a history restricting the will of the people and subverting our democracy. It is only getting worse. How anyone can vote Republican is beyond me.
You do realize from roughly 1865-1965 a good deal of democrats did this right? Before the parties flipped.
This is true. The Democrats then became the Republicans of today. That doesn't make today's Democrats bad or evil.
Just like it doesn’t make the other side bad or evil. Voters need to demand the specific change that they want and if that doesn’t get done whether Dem, Rep or independent they need to be voted out until the will of the people is carried out.
Egregious gerrymandering that provides imbalance in both the state legislature and the House is hard to out-vote. That's the point.
Rachel Maddow has been covering this for the past few weeks as it has evolved on her MSNBC show. And kudos to ordinary North Carolinians for loudly and vociferously protesting these moves by the Republicans.
They're not exactly being subtle, are they?
If you wonder why people hate politics, this is why.
One would assume that this move will have to survive a court challenge. It does not seem to pass the constitution smell test.
The NC GOP is also currently doing battle to overturn the state Supreme Court election, which went to Dems. They never stop.
I’m surprised that the governor’s appointment responsibility/authority can be changed by mere legislation. That would seem like a constitutional prerogative. But every state is different.
Yeah, but now UNC has Bill Belichick running their football. That can sway a lot of votes
As a very blue North Carolina Democrat, I am appalled at this awful legislation. It was an override of the Gov’s veto of the bill that stripped the newly-elected Attorney General and Gov of their ‘normal’ abilities. For sure, if the tables were turned, the Dems would have probably done the same things. Nothing is fair when the other party wins. So, in 2026 Dems will try to turn the tables. (The county boards of elections will turn Rep due to this legislation.)
This has become a pattern in NC since it became an otherwise purple state. I'm not aware of any comparable actions by Democrats in any other state.
Typical. Oh so typical.
Red-state legislatures are turning Talibanic. Lashing out at any beliefs and practices different from their own. Tennessee is fully turned — the Tennessee Taliban.
I live in a super majority GOP state Missouri and I have no doubt that they would do the exact same thing whether they are threatened by Democratic wins or not. It is frustrating, and a very helpless feeling.
MO GOP is very focused on overturning or circumventing the results of referenda that don't suit them.
So is the problem with a veto that the current governor is Republican and willing to sign it?
They overrode his veto!
Oh wow. Thank you.