HOUSE SPEAKER SENDS CLEAR MESSAGE TO THE GOP

…House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi

The House Speaker challenged both the US President and the Senate Majority Leader

It’s time to stop writing about the many negative aspects of our president. Yes,  I know that as a writer, the Trump well is very deep and it will take decades to fully deal with all the issues against our so called, “national leader”.

But for now, it’s time to move in a different direction.

In going forward, let’s take a  look at our Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.  (Are you aware that, after the Vice President, the Speaker of the House is next in line to succeed as the US President.)

Now, our twice time Speaker, is not known, as is our president for speaking out of turn.  But I will say, she has recently turned her attacks on to the GOP because they seem to be going against the American public, and they seem to be acting politically against their own well-being.

The speaker’s challenges both the president and against the Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell (R-KY), leaving no doubt that she is highly confident that she may have them somewhat on the run.

Pelosi made it clear in supporting “Voting by Mail,” as she and several members paid tribute to the 101st anniversary of the House vote to extend the franchise to women.  Also that her recently passed Heroes Act includes $3.6 billion to ramp-up state voting for the coronavirus era, building on the $400 million in the Cares Act.

She stated that the Republicans totally misunderstand what’s going on by ignoring that there is wide bipartisan support for allowing people to vote by mail, without risking their health.

She even said the Republicans’ opposition to mail-in voting is absolutely in keeping with their efforts to make it harder to vote.  “This is for the people,[there is] no need to be afraid of the people,” she said. “That’s just another [GOP] insecurity.” She argued that Republicans misunderstand what’s going on in politics today….?  She added that the Republican opposition to any funding for mail-in voting is, “in keeping with their voter suppression in general.”

On the Heroes Act, she expressed the idea that McConnell would eventually come to the table.  Nevertheless, for now she says, “He has decided to obstruct.” As for more funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), otherwise known as (Food Stamps), in order to combat food insecurity, she spoke against Republican opposition. “Aren’t they ashamed to say … I don’t want to spend money to feed people in America?”

When asked about mask-wearing, Pelosi cautioned that it matters how we return to our interaction with others. She then joked about “double-dipping the chips into the guacamole” at family get-togethers. “By the way, it’s never a good idea,” she advised the reporters in attendance.

She said to people who don’t wear masks: “The mask is not to protect you. The mask is to protect other people. So when you don’t wear the mask, [you are saying], ‘I don’t care about you, but I hope you’re wearing a mask and care about me.’”

She left no doubt about the objects of her concern, she continued, “It does matter how you interact. And that’s why I would hope that the president and the vice president would wear a mask. They don’t wear a mask. Why not? … They should set an example.” She went on: “They have doctors around them all the time to administer to their various needs. But everybody else does not have that.”

Pelosi’s message was very clear: 

• Republicans do not give a damn about the public’s health.
• As to the money for testing and to allow you to vote safely from home? Forget it. 
• Feed hungry families? No way. 
• Wear a mask so you don’t make others sick? Not a chance. 
• Republicans’ personal conduct and policy “decisions”
• (i.e., blind objection to spending money on needed items is not merely reprehensible, it’s bad politics.)
• If you tried today, you could not take any actions that were better designed to alienate voters.
• Then again, you could always threaten to cut off lifesaving aid (as the president has done) to devastated states that are critical for a win in November
• If we stop making it easier to vote. That would be political suicide.

Yes, that is a very clear message.  But will the voters see it her way, or the president’s…..?

Copyright G. Ater 2020