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babylonsister

(170,967 posts)
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 08:00 AM Nov 2021

'Toxic is spot-on': House members describe roiling animosity among lawmakers


'Toxic is spot-on': House members describe roiling animosity among lawmakers
By Lauren Fox, CNN
Updated 11:24 AM ET, Wed November 24, 2021


(CNN)Many members within the House of Representatives have told CNN in recent days that they find themselves in a toxic work environment, wrought with bitter exchanges, threats and fears about what the erosion of decorum in the chamber will mean for a body that has still not recovered 10 months after the Capitol Hill riot.

In interviews with more than a dozen members, CNN heard from Democrats and some Republicans who say things are as bad as they can remember, with no sign things will get better soon, and the fears and concerns aren't just coming from members, but their families as well.

snip//

On the outskirts of the House chamber, metal detectors are still stationed at every door, a reminder of the fears that remain. And an effort to investigate the root cause of the attack on January 6 has been politicized and met with resistance by most Republicans. Some have even downplayed whether the events of that day were all that bad. It's a constant reminder for some members about the state of their workplace.

"January 6th made things so much worse. I was on the floor that day. That was a forever life-changing moment on a personal level, but it was also a moment that changed Congress," Rep. Cheri Bustos, a Democrat from Illinois, told CNN. "It started with the incessant lies that weren't challenged and were amplified to January 6th to a member of Congress threatening lives of friends and colleagues."


snip//

Standing on the steps of the US House Friday, Bustos told CNN that all of the bitterness and lies impacted her decision not to run for reelection.

"My interns are down there," she pointed. "I always write them five pieces of advice and one of those is 'don't take things personally.' I've tried to live that in politics. This, you can't help but take personally. All of this has contributed to the fact that I'm not running again. I want to love what I do. I want to love who I work with. I want to respect the people I work with and that has been compromised in ways that I hope can be repaired at some point, but right now I do not feel like I can repair."


more...

https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/23/politics/congress-anger-house-fights/index.html
32 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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'Toxic is spot-on': House members describe roiling animosity among lawmakers (Original Post) babylonsister Nov 2021 OP
This, obviously, is all on republicans. HUAJIAO Nov 2021 #1
Sad thing is the Dems IMHO are doing the wrong thing giving up...this is allowing the Rethugs to win Tommymac Nov 2021 #5
"Cold Civil War" KS Toronado Nov 2021 #11
I've seen it out there for months... Tommymac Nov 2021 #13
Yes, it is a very apt description of the situation KS Toronado Nov 2021 #17
not giving up azureblue Nov 2021 #20
I agree Rebl2 Nov 2021 #28
+1 Solidarity. Tommymac Nov 2021 #29
Pushing good people out is the whole reason for Baitball Blogger Nov 2021 #8
And town councils, county government. they've ben going after these HUAJIAO Nov 2021 #10
I've served on mine in the past zeusdogmom Nov 2021 #23
School boards are another target of the RW. LastLiberal in PalmSprings Nov 2021 #32
That's exactly it. 2naSalit Nov 2021 #24
Are the toxic winning? tetedur Nov 2021 #2
idiocracy azureblue Nov 2021 #21
I wonder what community rebuilding we can do to help it make it possible for good people to stay. mahina Nov 2021 #3
The problem is hydrolastic Nov 2021 #4
This environment in congress assures that only thugs will run for congressional office... CousinIT Nov 2021 #6
If every session of Congress is going to be like a Mad Max movie, 70sEraVet Nov 2021 #7
One sentence says it all and can NEVER be overlooked: DFW Nov 2021 #9
This is why the wrong- doers of Jan 6 need to be prosecuted Ohioboy Nov 2021 #12
This is what I'm thinking NJCher Nov 2021 #15
Don't want to investigate? keithbvadu2 Nov 2021 #18
Yup! 2naSalit Nov 2021 #25
the solution azureblue Nov 2021 #22
WTF can you expect rambler_american Nov 2021 #14
A toxic lot keithbvadu2 Nov 2021 #16
The entire Republican Party is toxic, including their voters. Lonestarblue Nov 2021 #19
Alarming bucolic_frolic Nov 2021 #26
Hasn't been this bad since Preston Brooks attacked Charles Sumner paleotn Nov 2021 #27
I remember seeing an illustration at the Smithsonian museum kimbutgar Nov 2021 #30
Probably the one. paleotn Nov 2021 #31

HUAJIAO

(2,362 posts)
1. This, obviously, is all on republicans.
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 08:13 AM
Nov 2021

But, it is honorable Democrats who will decide not to run because of what congress has been turned into by ignorant, hateful, spiteful fascists.

Tommymac

(7,263 posts)
5. Sad thing is the Dems IMHO are doing the wrong thing giving up...this is allowing the Rethugs to win
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 09:22 AM
Nov 2021

by attrition. I hope her district is solid Blue, that will lessen the impact.

Dems need to recognize we are in a Cold Civil War. I understand some of them do not have the fortitude to deal with this situation, but just walking away looks so bad and gives the rethugs reason to hope that their authoritarian dreams are coming true at last.

The Party needs to provide extra support to it's legislative members in these troubled times. That may be occuring, but the public is not seeing it - only the resignations that the M$M is gleefully reporting.

Tenacity is a trait that is lacking.



On edit - consider the source of this news - the libertarian clowns at C(0)NN. I abhor the M$M.

KS Toronado

(16,931 posts)
11. "Cold Civil War"
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 09:36 AM
Nov 2021

Is a term that's likely to go viral. Should we be using it running up to the midterms?

Tommymac

(7,263 posts)
13. I've seen it out there for months...
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 09:41 AM
Nov 2021

I'm not the originator. But it is an apt description of the situation in my opinion.

Whether the powers that be promote that meme remains to be seen.

KS Toronado

(16,931 posts)
17. Yes, it is a very apt description of the situation
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 10:15 AM
Nov 2021

I don't remember seeing it before and I'm on here about everyday.
Beginning to think my memory is in decline.

azureblue

(2,131 posts)
20. not giving up
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 10:27 AM
Nov 2021

as much as trying to maintain decorum and process. But the Repubs don't care if they wreck the whole thing, and they see civility as a weakness. It's all a big game to them, and they don't care what they destroy to win. Repub leaders refuse to yank back the worst offenders, and there is no effective legal precedent to stop them. Once upon a time, thee whole thing honor, integrity and comity. The Repubs are a bunch of 4th grade brats who are out of control, and they know they will not suffer consequences.

Rebl2

(13,313 posts)
28. I agree
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 11:09 AM
Nov 2021

Ignore the rethugs, because walking away means they get away with their behavior. My husband worked at the post office for thirty plus years and most of that time was spent around right wingers. He stood up to them and gave it right back to them and called them out on their hypocrisy at times. Time to vote in democrats who will stand up to the rethug bullies by playing their game.

Tommymac

(7,263 posts)
29. +1 Solidarity.
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 11:12 AM
Nov 2021

We need to elect strong Democratic leaders who will call the crazies out AT EVERY TURN instead of meekly resigning.

Baitball Blogger

(46,577 posts)
8. Pushing good people out is the whole reason for
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 09:28 AM
Nov 2021

The animosity. They do this in our communities to take overs the HOAs. And now they are doing it to the school boards and Congress.

HUAJIAO

(2,362 posts)
10. And town councils, county government. they've ben going after these
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 09:33 AM
Nov 2021

since 1980. Guess what happened in 1980!

BTW, I must be the only person or one of the only people on DU who is on a great HOA Board.

zeusdogmom

(979 posts)
23. I've served on mine in the past
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 10:41 AM
Nov 2021

It is still a good HOA Board. It is a reflection of the good people living the neighborhood. FWIW - a very Republican community if yard signs during elections are any indication. I like and trust the people who live here. I know if I need help (I'm old 😄 ) a neighbor is a phone call or text away. I am the backup daycare for several families. We are a caring community and when that atmosphere is prevalent, good things happen.

32. School boards are another target of the RW.
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 01:38 PM
Nov 2021

In addition to shutting down meetings with their lies and noisy anti-mask anti-vaccine protests -- and yelling complaints about critical race theory, which I doubt a single one of them can explain -- members of the Radical Right are getting themselves elected to seats on the school boards. They see this as an strategy to shape the hearts and minds of upcoming generations.

tetedur

(816 posts)
2. Are the toxic winning?
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 08:53 AM
Nov 2021

If they are forcing out those who wish to do their work with respect, without being threatened, more room is made for those noxious, vile personalities. Soon we will have a federal government where no honest person of goodwill wants to work.

mahina

(17,508 posts)
3. I wonder what community rebuilding we can do to help it make it possible for good people to stay.
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 09:00 AM
Nov 2021

Reading Adam Schiff's book Midnight in DC, I'm thinking about his wife. Eve was alone in their home in California one night when a man came two nights and sat outside their front door. He had some kind of sign.

Our people's hearts are so big...thinking of AOC, Adam Schiff, our Mazie, our Brian, Swallwell, so many, and the amazing lovely humans we've lost already. We must protect them and their families at least as long as the hate machine is in place.

Really. It's too much to ask of them to risk their loved ones and they get actual fucking death threats from these goon's flying monkeys. Apology to monkeys.

hydrolastic

(481 posts)
4. The problem is
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 09:14 AM
Nov 2021

They are trying to work with the same people that were directing insurrectionist to where they were hiding. Yup a little bit of a problem... And the president is saying to cooperate with them and work it out.

CousinIT

(9,160 posts)
6. This environment in congress assures that only thugs will run for congressional office...
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 09:22 AM
Nov 2021

...no more decent, sane, common-sense congressional candidates; only thugs who enjoy violence and war.

70sEraVet

(3,430 posts)
7. If every session of Congress is going to be like a Mad Max movie,
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 09:23 AM
Nov 2021

only the 'deranged' will want to run for Congress.

DFW

(54,064 posts)
9. One sentence says it all and can NEVER be overlooked:
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 09:29 AM
Nov 2021

" And an effort to investigate the root cause of the attack on January 6 has been politicized and met with resistance by most Republicans."

House members are RESISTING an effort to investigate the root of the attack?? That means, to me, at least, one thing, and one thing only: they already know the root of the attack, and they don't want it known. Why wouldn't they want it known? One reason only: either they, or people they know who are close to them, ARE the root of the attack.

Yes, I WOULD find it difficult to work with people like that. But I would not find it difficult to work AGAINST people like that, which is why I disagree with what Cheri Bustos is doing by retiring. Now, of all times, when voices like hers are needed so desperately, is not the time to throw in the towel, no matter HOW bad things look. If we let things slide now, the current situation will seem like the good old days within 14 months.

Ohioboy

(3,224 posts)
12. This is why the wrong- doers of Jan 6 need to be prosecuted
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 09:37 AM
Nov 2021

They need to be the ones pushed out, not the good lawmakers that are trying to do the work of the American people.

NJCher

(35,437 posts)
15. This is what I'm thinking
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 10:01 AM
Nov 2021

When the investigations are over with, they will be gone. Why is this investigation and prosecution taking so long?

As I’ve mentioned here before, I do nonprofit work with the criminal justice system. I know it will not surprise you when I say I have cases that have gone on for 10 years—people who are caught up in appeals because of mistakes made by the justice system.

The length of time and complexity of cases needs change.

keithbvadu2

(36,376 posts)
18. Don't want to investigate?
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 10:16 AM
Nov 2021

Who was in the Jan 06 insurrection/riot smearing poop on the walls of Congress, attacking police, seeking Mike Pence for execution, and vandalizing the Capitol Bldg?

The ONLY proof you need that Antifa had nothing to do with January 6th is the Republicans' refusal to form a commission to investigate it.


azureblue

(2,131 posts)
22. the solution
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 10:30 AM
Nov 2021

s to come down hard and fast. Jail a few, even temporarily and they will wake up. They know they can hide behind the legal process - Trump taught them that.

rambler_american

(789 posts)
14. WTF can you expect
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 09:47 AM
Nov 2021

when one side downplays or even justifies insurrectionist threats to kill members of the other side, when some members even enabled the insurrection, when one side would destroy Democracy? Healing is going to take a long time and may even require some surgery to remove the cancer that infects that body.

keithbvadu2

(36,376 posts)
16. A toxic lot
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 10:10 AM
Nov 2021

Greene, Boebert, Hawley, Gaetz, Gosar, and Cawthorn are just pure hatred and vitriol. Cruz, Newt, and Gym Jordan are/were evil and effective. Gohmert and DeLay used to be toxic but this new bunch makes them look like moderates.

Sinema and Manchin are in it for themselves.

Like Dotard, they don't want to lead or govern. They want to rule and are in it for themselves whether it be money and/or power.

Undoubtedly, I left some out.

Lonestarblue

(9,884 posts)
19. The entire Republican Party is toxic, including their voters.
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 10:24 AM
Nov 2021

Murdering protesters is applauded while a member of Congress fantasizes about murdering a Democratic member. Republicans from small communities to cities are attacking anyone who disagrees with them on anything with threats of violence and death. Democrats in towns and cities no longer want to run for office because they and their loved ones are under frequent attack—the whole point of the hatred and violence.

And soon the new South African variant will be here, and cases and deaths will spike again. It’s long past time for taxpayers to stop picking up part of the tab for those who refuse to be vaccinated for no viable reason. Insurance companies need to increase their premiums for the unvaccinated, not quietly but publicly and in ads on Fox Snooze and on hate radio. I’m sure some of the unvaccinated are on Medicaid, so we taxpayers are paying to treat them as well. I waffle about changing that because if you’re on Medicaid, you’re poor and already have worse health outcomes.

paleotn

(17,783 posts)
27. Hasn't been this bad since Preston Brooks attacked Charles Sumner
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 10:58 AM
Nov 2021

on the floor of the House. And that wasn't the only incidence of violence in Congress back then. The House became even more polarized in the 1858 election, but the moderate and anti-slavery factions gained seats by painting Brooks and the then Democrats as dangerous extremists. Here's hoping the same happens in 2022 and the now Democrats hold on to the House.

Ironically the then Democrats didn't become the now Democrats until we shed the racist, dixiecrat faction who became the core of the modern GQP. In some ways, Goldwater and Reagan did us a favor by carving them off, leaving a much more progressive Democratic Party. The political orientation we know today. It was inevitable. The Democratic party of FDR connected to the Democratic Party of Strom Thurmond was a house that could not stand for long, and Strom lead the exit, joining the Republicans in 1964. They're welcome to him.

kimbutgar

(20,888 posts)
30. I remember seeing an illustration at the Smithsonian museum
Sat Nov 27, 2021, 12:15 PM
Nov 2021

Where one congressperson was whipping another. And I think it’s the one you mentioned.

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