Relishing for 1913

It has been a terrific Republican day for Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX). This just might qualify him for the most bona fide Republican day in the history of world crazy as a loon Republicanism.

First things first, he introduces a resolution endorsing an Israeli military strike on Iran. For people who don't chest thump war, that would be enough to qualify for some serious crazy talk. Or in the GOP, that's enough to catapult him into a leadership position and possibly on a national ticket in the near future.

But Louie doesn't stop there. And why should he when he's on a roll like that?

He actually one ups himself by declaring the direct democratic election of U.S. senators via free and fair elections is the cause of an unbalanced federal power grab that has led us to such things as health care reform.

Ever since the safeguard of State legislatures electing U.S. Senators was removed by the 17th Amendment in 1913, there has been no check or balance on the Federal power grab for the last 97 years. Article V requires a minimum of 34 states to request a Convention which in this case, would be an Amendment Convention for only ONE amendment

Yep, way back when, when senators were not elected by the people this country was a better place. For 97 years now, we've been at the tyranny of federal power because only a few elite office holders are competent enough to be able to decide for us who will represent us. Seems kind of fitting too that in 1913 women couldn't vote which is what Republican John Derbyshire suggested we go back to, and Jim Crow ruled the South which is exactly what Republicans proposed we go back to at CPAC. It really does all run together now.

It pains me to say this but I've been wrong all along. I've been referring to Republicans as having 18th and 19th century ideas. To be precise, they have pre-1913 ideas. There's a huge difference there, give or take a lynching/democratic election or two.