Consider "the Hastert rule", and its impact on politics.

[guillaumeb]

From Wiki:

The Hastert Rule, also known as the "majority of the majority" rule, is an informal governing principle used in the United States by Republican Speakers of the House of Representatives since the mid-1990s to maintain their speakerships and limit the power of the minority party to bring bills up for a vote on the floor of the House.

Dennis Hastert was the first Speaker of the House to use this as the only criterion for allowing a vote on legislation. And the effect of this was to eliminate the idea of compromise. Under Hastert, and Newt Gingrich, and Paul Ryan, only GOP ideas could be voted on.

So when pundits call for reaching out, and bipartisan compromise, remember that the GOP operates under the idea that any compromise really means that Democratic lawmakers must adopt the GOP position.

[MagickMuffin]

1. Madam Speaker Pelosi should use the Hastert Rule

I'm almost certain the White Supremacists Party wouldn't have an issue with it.

[guillaumeb]

2. How could they?

Well, they do use the double standard.

[LazySusanNot]

22. Yes

This practice used for good instead of evil is a measured and appropriate way to right some wrongs. As evidenced by the 43 yesterday, there ain't no middle ground to be had here.

[MagickMuffin]

23. M 2 Seditionists senators as always worthless hate democracy

And we are stuck with Cornyn for an additional 6 years, and Coup Cruz for 4 more.

[LazySusanNot]

24. I'm worried about more of the same myself...

and we've all seen where that got us. I agree that Democrats can do better and this procedural "sword that cut's both ways" is problematic. IMO that doesn’t mean just giving away the advantage. Use it as a negotiating tool for a better method going forward. Some kind of longterm rules that everyone can play by = Good Government in my book.
If they won’t play fair, well…that's why it's called a rule.

[uponit7771]

3. House and Senate have "rules" that the kGOP abolish or abuse to their own liking, we need to stop

... acting like these people are interested in a democracy to move forward

[guillaumeb]

5. True. The GOP is "flexible" in interpreting their own principles. eom

[BComplex]

28. Absolutely. They are definitely NOT interested in a democracy where the majority rules.

They've never believed in our form of government.

[rgbecker]

4. Yes, and to be clear on the implications.

If, in a house controlled by the Republicans, say 50 Republicans agreed with the Democratic position and the measure could pass and move on the Senate, it would be stopped from ever even be allowed to go to vote.

Just one more way the a GOP minority can put a stop to getting something done for America.

[guillaumeb]

6. True.

The GOP is the permanent minority Party.

[gulliver]

7. That's a bad rule. Republican Party loyalty is now a refuge for perverts and criminals like Hastert.

I think if it's possible to work out a compromise to make progress, then we should work out a compromise. Success is what will sell and lock in Democratic leadership more than anything else. I'm sick of 50-50. The Dem approach, especially what's going on now with the Biden Administration can get us to a 60-40 lead over the broken unit Republicans.

I think a lot of Republicans like Jim Jordan, etc., put on a major show of fanatic loyalty because they are dirty in their private lives. Trump may do this too. If you're a crook or a pervert, it pays to be a Republican fanatic. When they're caught with their hands in the cookie jar or somewhere else they shouldn't be, these Republicans can just play the partisan martyr card. Republicans will defend any level of lowness if it is perpetrated by someone with an R after their name.

[redstatebluegirl]

8. Dennis Hastert, R of Illinois who I think is still in jail for child sexual abuse.

That figures, named it after a sexual predator.

[leftieNanner]

10. He's served his prison sentence

and has been out for a few years.

[Mazeltov Cocktail]

13. Until just now, I thought he was dead...

[Rebl2]

15. I did too

Thought he died a couple years ago

[Progressive Jones]

26. Hastert and my Father-In-Law were golf course buddies.

My F-I-L believed, or claimed to believe, that the Hastert sex abuse case was a "liberal hoax" until the day he died, despite all of the evidence in the case.
My F-I-L was a very level-headed and intelligent man. A Republican, for sure, but not a right wing crazy by any stretch of the imagination. I think he saw the truth, but just couldn't accept seeing his old pal Denny in that light.

[redstatebluegirl]

27. My Grandpa was like that with Paul Powell

The Illinois Secretary of State who had shoeboxes of money hidden in his office.

[Progressive Jones]

29. I remember Powell. nt

[ProfessorGAC]

30. I Played Golf With Him Too

Couple occasions. Also, dinner with him & his wife.
A couple of dreadful, sanctimonious people.

[paleotn]

9. Who said anything about bipartisan compromise?

Oh, that. Technically, yes, but it may not really mean what many think. In reality, anything from the Sedition Party right now is so nutty or filled with so many poison pills that compromise is impossible. But, if you mean compromise between the left and right of the Democratic Party, hey, I'm all for that.

[William Seger]

11. Congressional Republicans have proven they are unfit to govern

... if they can't uphold their oaths to defend the Constitution against a wanna be fascist dictator. Push past them like they're not even there -- they should not even be asked what they think of any legislation -- and we should laugh in their faces when they whine about it.

[Lonestarblue]

12. The GQP is no longer a political party.

Members of the GQP have not been interested in governing for decades. They want only power to stay in Washington while doing nothing but tax cuts for their wealthy donors—and themselves since most of them are wealthy. They are content to see democracy die and permanent Republican rule replace it.

[RussellCattle]

14. Tie this together with the Tom Delay's ambition to create a "permanent Republican majority"......

.....through gerrymandering and voter suppression and you see again why the republicans have no interest in compromise.

[LazySusanNot]

19. +1

Never forget Tom Delay....

[BobTheSubgenius]

16. And Hastert turned out to be a very sick f*** who ended up in jail.

Seems kind of appropriate to this OP, actually.

[central scrutinizer]

17. They want Biden to fail

Who gives a shit about the plight of Americans? If life doesn’t improve dramatically, the anger will directed at the party in power. 2022 will be a disaster if vaccinations stall, schools don’t reopen, sports, concerts, restaurants, houses of worship, etc., don’t reopen.

[guillaumeb]

25. Agreed.

A repeat of what they did in 2009.

[Fla Dem]

18. I refuse to even consider unity until they stop referring to us as the Democrat Party.

[keithbvadu2]

20. Thr Hastert rule is his chair by the boys' shower room for his viewing pleasure.

Thr Hastert rule is his chair by the boys' shower room for his viewing pleasure.

[FakeNoose]

21. It's time to get rid of the Hastert Rule

We Democrats can do better, we need to set standards for the next generation.

ENOUGH of this shit!