Yesterday on CNBC, Rand Paul appeared to enter the "mocking sarcastic acceptance" phase of grief over his party's election loss, throwing his hands up and flatly suggesting that he loves America so much that it's his duty to stand back and let it screw itself, because dammit that's the only way it'll learn:
"I have yet another thought on how we can fix this. Why don't we let the Democrats pass whatever they want? ... All the Republicans vote present and let the Democrats raise taxes as high as they want to raise them ... and then make them own the tax increase. And when the economy stalls, when the economy sputters, when people lose their jobs, they know which party to blame."
Folks, I love this idea.
I love that a true firebrand conservative icon, defacto leader of the Paul-ite movement and Jim DeMint disciple is coming to the conclusion that it's time to raise taxes on the rich. Big of him.
And of course I thoroughly enjoy his fatherly scolding way of doing it. "So go ahead assholes!" he's saying, "I double dog dare you! Return from today's temporarily low rates to the slightly higher rates of the recent past. Morons! You'll regret it!"
"In the Senate, I'm happy not to filibuster it, and I will announce tonight on your show that I will work with Harry Reid to let him pass his big old tax hike with a simple majority if that's what Harry Reid wants."
Cool! Thanks Rand! Thanks for stating up front that you're willing to pass on using your
Constitutionally-granted about-to-expire minority veto power over Senate debate to allow an actual vote on this issue.
Oh but actually, before you kick a chair, scream at an intern, toss your papers into the air and storm out, it's probably important for you to recognize that this isn't, actually, "what Harry Reid wants." It's what the American people want, Rand.
I mean, not your people -- not the far-right, immigrant-crazed, Benghazi-obsessed, brown-fearing, anti-science stump remnant of the once-respectable Republican party -- but the rest of us.
The majority of us, Rand.
Most Americans.
Most Americans want to see marginally higher taxes on the rich as part of a broader solution to our long-term fiscal woes.
But thanks for your concern trolling Rand. You just sit on your hands or vote 'present' or pout in the corner or do whatever it is you need to do, and let the adults govern as the people elected them to do. When it all goes south, you can say you told us so! (oh -- and vice versa, mmmk??)
"Why don't we let the Democrats pass whatever they want?"
Letting the majority rule? Wow. Just when you thought Rand Paul couldn't get any crazier.
9:37 AM PT: First rec list --- thanks all! I think we can all agree that Rand Paul has all the answers. Also let's all remember that the letters in "SPIRO AGNEW" can be rearranged to spell "GROW A PENIS." Happy Friday!