The New McCarthyism is Coming. Is That You, Kevin?

[appalachiablue]

- 'The New McCarthyism is Coming. Is That You, Kevin?' By Jeffrey C. Isaac, Common Dreams, Jan. 10, 2023.

It has always been clear that a Republican takeover of the House of Representatives would signal real danger for American democracy. Last week’s drama surrounding Kevin McCarthy’s ascension to the House Speakership was a sideshow. The demands of the so-called “far-right” Gaetz Gang—“so-called” because the entire House Republican leadership and most of its members are far-right—for House rules changes was never a sincere effort to promote greater transparency and deliberation.

More important, the changes were always motivated by a genuine far-right agenda far beyond legislative “process”: to weaken the Biden administration and the Democratic Party, to harass and intimidate all so-called “deep state” agencies of the federal government, and to wage a culture war against liberalism.

"[Republicans] cannot govern. But they do not seek to govern. They seek to lay waste to what they despise..." McCarthy’s nauseating encomiums to “democracy” notwithstanding, it is now even clearer that what House Republicans have in store for us is a version of “democracy” best described by the influential, Carl Schmitt, whose political ideas helped to pave the way for the rise of Nazism in the 1930’s:
“Every actual democracy rests on the principle that not only are equals equals but unequals will not be treated equally. Democracy requires, first, homogeneity and second—if the need arises—elimination or eradication of heterogeneity... A democracy demonstrates its political power by knowing how to refuse or keep at bay something foreign and unequal that threatens its homogeneity.”

This is precisely what the new McCarthyism promises: the investigation, punishment, and suppression, if not the more ominous “eradication,” of what is “foreign” and “threatening” to the MAGA vision: the Democratic Party, liberalism and progressivism in all of its variations, and especially “wokeness” as it has supposedly corrupted and debased all educational, scientific, and legal institutions. And while McCarthy himself speaks out of both sides of his mouth—playing to his red base while also pretending to be “moderate”—his entire leadership team, with his blessing, is already laying the foundation for this latest MAGA assault on liberal democracy...

- Read More, https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/new-mccarthyism-is-coming
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- Also:
'Communism Isn't What Terrifies the GOP? It's High- Quality and Well- Funded Public Education',
https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/republican-attack-on-public-education

'Teacher Exodus Proves We Are Willfully Destroying Public Education,'
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2022/10/31/teacher-exodus-proves-we-are-willfully-destroying-us-public-education

[LetMyPeopleVote]

1. Kevin McCarthy just upholding the traditions of his namesake Joseph McCarthy

Link to tweet

[appalachiablue]

2. Similar playbooks used by antidemocratic forces at work for many years. The erosion

of democratic institutions and policies here and elsewhere is an enormous challenge we face in these critical times. The many stalwart defenders of democracy who have been fighting for freedom for years and others who have become engaged more recently will find a way to uphold the values we cherish I think. The time to participate and become educated is now. Matters are that serious, the battle has been brewing for decades.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

3. McCarthyism is still a danger to America

Link to tweet

[appalachiablue]

4. IK, got it, the1st round. Bad name, bad news (Sorry to good McC's out there)