WASHINGTON (AP) — For many Americans, the Republican dysfunction that has ground business in the U.S. House to a halt as two wars rage abroad and a budget crisis looms at home is feeding into a longer-term pessimism about the country’s core institutions.
The lack of faith extends beyond Congress, with recent polling conducted both before and after the leadership meltdown finding a mistrust in everything from the courts to organized religion. The GOP internal bickering that for nearly three weeks has left open the speaker’s position — second in line to the presidency — is widely seen as the latest indication of deep problems with the nation’s bedrock institutions.
“They’re holding up the people’s business because they’re so dysfunctional,” said Christopher Lauff, 57, of Fargo, North Dakota.
Part of that business, he said, is approving money for Ukraine to continue its fight against Russia’s invasion, something he says ultimately helps the U.S. — a point President Joe Biden stressed Thursday during an Oval Office address.
“Maybe if we elect the loudest, dumbest, most obviously self-serving people possible, they’ll fix our dysfunctional government.” – Republican voters
I think it’s interesting that so many are accepting that this is chaos. I get that it feels like chaos but I am seeing the predictable end of a political juggernaut and the inevitable realignment of the tectonic plates of Republican politics. Trump’s influence is diminished as evidenced by the rejection of his choice for Speaker. Yet the party lacks an obvious successor. But nature abhors a vacuum including power vacuums so I feel certain an enterprising politician will emerge to take the reins and plot a new course for the Republicans.
