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John Oliver Explains SLAPP Suits, an Intimidation Strategy to Shut Down Public Debate

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Jay C11/11/2019 10:26:27 am PST

From last thread:

re: #268 NO SMOCKING GUN!

Fortunately they don’t need a supermajority in the House, just a solid majority like they have now. Its amazing how much politics has changed just since 2008 when the Democrats managed to win 60 seats in the Senate, which is now pretty much unthinkable. 40% of America has gone fascist, which is why the filibuster really needs to be abolished or radically reformed.

Only if the President is of the same Party, IMO: while a “solid majority”in the House is fine, without the 2/3 necessary to override a Presidential veto - and never mind the systemic imbalances in the Senate - even the most progressive Congress is still going to be hamstrung by WH hostility (if it’s there): maybe not a problem with a President Pence or a President Romney, say: assholes as they are, they at least know how The System works, and would/will work within it. The nightmare scenario, though, is getting another - competent and smarter - “Trump” in the WH, learning from his predecessor’s mistakes, and installing a fascist regime despite Congressional opposition.

We may be seeing a preview of this in the (very) near future: while the prospect of Trump holding the government hostage over the impeachment inquiry (the budget CR expires next week(?)), may seem chancy; given the near-nihilistic responses of Congressional Republicans to the blatancy of Trump’s incompetence and criminality, we may see a real-life example of the consequences of a lack-of-override-power quite soon. Unfortunately.