Friday, September 30, 2016

After the fire

If, as now seems likely, Hilary Clinton wins the presidential election this November, she will almost certainly face a Republican Congress. She can expect little more cooperation from Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell that Obama enjoyed.

First, Congress has gotten into the habit of doing nothing; while it could be argued that they lost the White house as a result of 6 years of obstructionism, the GOP failed to reach out to minorities after the its loss in 2012, so learning doesn't seem to be its strongest suit; thus more of the same isn't off the table.

Second, much of the latent motivation for that obstructionism might be attributable to the unarticulated (until Trump) bigotry of many in the GOP. And that applies as much to women, and thus to Hilary Clinton, as racial bigotry did to Barak Obama.

Finally, another loss, particularly after all the shit-stirring Trump has done this last year, will only fuel the anger and resentment of those who feel disenfranchised and there will be still more pressure on GOP representative not to give an inch.

So we may well dodge the Trumpocalypse, but get ready for another 4 years of Congressional inaction.