[Now we must focus on the very important chairmanships of the senate committees that John Thune will decide.]
In the first ballot the results were: Thune 23, Cornyn 15, Scott 13.
Scott was removed and the Senators went to the second ballot between Thune and Cornyn.
As expected, the Scott coalition split 50/50. Thune picked up 6 votes from Scott’s group. Cornyn picked up 7 votes from Scott’s group.
Final Vote: John Thune 29, John Cornyn 24.
It was always going to be this way. Remember, the Senate is a silo -by design- isolated from influence of the American public.
If we want to change the dynamic, we must repeal the 17th amendment and return to the original constitutional construct: Senators appointed to represent the interests of each state, by State Legislature.
The Senate was designed to represent the interests of the State, not ‘the people’; that’s the job of the House of Representatives.
Machiavelli said, “It must be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to plan, more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to manage than a new system. For the initiator has the enmity of all who would profit by the preservation of the old institution and merely lukewarm defenders in those who gain by the new ones.” A prescient and oft repeated quote that is pertinent to the situation.
When our founders created the system of government for our constitutional republic, they built in layers of protection from federal control over the lives of people in the states. Over time those protections have been eroded as the federal bureaucracy has seized power. One of the biggest changes that led to the creation of the permanent political class was the 17th amendment.
Our founders created a system where Senators were appointed by the state legislatures. In this original system the senate was bound by obligation to look out for the best interests of their specific states. Under the ‘advise and consent‘ rules of Senate confirmation for executive branch appointments, the intent was to ensure the presidential appointee -who would now carry out regulatory activity- would not undermine the independent position of the states.
The nucleus of corruption amid every element of the federal institutions of government is the United States Senate. The U.S. Senate, also known as the “upper chamber,” is the single most powerful elected element in modern federal government.
The Intelligence Branch is the most powerful branch of government. However, the U.S. Senate is the most powerful assembly of federally elected officials. We pretend the IC branch doesn’t exist; that’s part of our problem. At least we admit the Senate exists.
All other elected federal corruption is dependent on a corrupt and ineffective Senate. If we correct the problems with the Senate and reconnect the representation within the chamber to the state-level legislative bodies, we will then see immediate change. However, there would be ZERO institutional allies in this effort.
When the 17th amendment (direct voting for Senators) took the place of state appointments, the perspective of ‘advise and consent’ changed. The senate was now in the position of ensuring the presidential appointee did not undermine the power of the permanent bureaucracy, which is the root of power for the upper chamber.
Senate committees, Homeland Security, Judiciary, Intelligence, Armed Services, Foreign Relations, etc. now consists of members who carry an imbalanced level of power within government.
The senate now controls who will be in charge of executive branch agencies like the DOJ, DHS, FBI, CIA, ODNI, DoD, State Dept and NSA, from the position of their own power and control in Washington DC.
In essence, the 17th amendment flipped the intent of the constitution from protecting the individual states to protecting the federal government.
Almost every source of federal issue: ex. spending, intervention and foreign assistance, conflict with the states, burdensome regulation, surveillance and spying on American citizens, the two-tiered justice system and the erosion of liberty & individual rights (see COVID examples), can be sourced back to the problem created by the 17th amendment.
Because of the scale of their power, the Senate will not give up control easily; and every institution of society and government will actively work to block/stop We The People from taking back control of the upper chamber. Every entity from Wall Street to multinational corporations, big tech, banks, foreign governments and world organizations would align against us. When you truly understand the epicenter of the corruption, then you are able to see the tentacles extending from it.
It would be easy to say “repeal the 17th amendment;“ it is ‘another kettle of fish’ entirely to walk through the process to make that happen. Yes, ultimately, we do need a full repeal of the 17th amendment and return the selection of the senators from each state with a nomination and appointment process within the state legislature. [Common Explainer Here]
Seventeenth Amendment- “The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.
When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.” (link)
Prior to the 17th amendment, there was significant state level corruption as business interests and senate candidates worked in power groups with party officials to attain the position. Politicians seeking Senate seats began campaigning for state legislative candidates in order to assemble support.
The state legislative races then became a process of influence amid powerful interests seeking to support their Senate candidate. Get the right people in the State legislature and you can get the Senator appointed.
Those state-level entities, bankers, wealthy people of influence, later became the permanent K-Street lobbying groups once the 17th amendment was ratified. In essence, they just shifted the location of their influence operation from the state to an office in Washington DC. [Those same power groups, albeit much larger, now write the physical legislation we see in congress.] Additionally, prior to the 17th amendment, there were issues of vacancies in federal senate seats as state legislatures could not agree on an individual Senator.
The biggest issue following the passage of the 17th amendment became Senators who were no longer representing the interests of their state. Instead, they were representing the interests of the power elite groups who were helping them fund the mechanisms of their re-election efforts.
A Senator only needs to run for re-election every six years. The 17th amendment is the only amendment that changed the structure of the congress as it was written by the founders.
Over time, the Senate chamber itself began using their advice and consent authority to control the executive and judicial branch. The origination of a nomination now holds the question: “Can this person pass the Senate confirmation process?” The Senate now abuses this power to ensure no one challenges them. Additionally, the Senate began using their oversight capacity to control elements within the executive branch and judicial branch. The full scope of that issue in modern form is OUTLINED HERE – which is the cornerstone of the Intelligence Branch of Government.
If we can repeal the 17th amendment and return the selection to the state legislature, you can see where the background work of Tactical Civics and Extreme Federalism begin to take on importance. [NOTE: Within the repeal effort we would need to include a recall process for states to reach out and yank back their Senator if they go astray; the ability to recall was missing in the original construct of the framers; it would need to be added.]
◊ PATH ONE is the expressed primary platform of a presidential candidate…. a visible and emphasized mandate that includes: “vote me into office and you are voting to repeal the 17th amendment “.
This specific election issue would need to be the #1 priority of the candidate and spoken at every event.
◊ PATH TWO is the parallel path built along with the election platform path and put into place in the event that Congress refused to accept the mandate.
Obviously, this would be an ugly battle. The second path is a convention of states in the first year of the new President’s second term in office.
The ‘convention of states‘ would be detailed, strategically planned, and the future schedule determined during the GOP convention preceding the November election (assuming the right candidate wins). That way, if congress refuses to act on their own, within say the first 100 days of the new administration, the state legislatures will then assemble a convention for the singular and limited purpose of one action item: “repeal the 17th amendment “. That’s it. Full Stop. Nothing more. Nothing else entertained.
There is a lot more to this, and a lot more to cover in discussion of this. However, this is the path that can resolve most of the issues we face with an out-of-control federal government. The shift in power would kneecap the Intelligence Branch of Government by re-instituting genuine oversight and control. A repeal of the 17th amendment stops Senators from campaigning, needing to raise money and puts them directly into the accountability position as a steward for the interests of their state.
The people within each state would then have a mechanism to address any negative federal action by contacting their state legislative representative. In a worst-case scenario, a rogue Senator could be removed within days if they support any federal legislative activity that is not in alignment with the state interest. This approach also wipes out most of the power amid the Senate Majority Leader, as he/she could also be recalled by the state and would be less likely to work against the interests of the majority in the chamber.
The House of Representatives was created to be the voice of the people, ie, “The Peoples’ House.” However, the U.S. Senate was structurally created to be the place where state government had representation in the federal government decision-making. The 17th amendment completely removed state representation, and we have been in an escalating battle over state’s rights ever since.
Overlay that DC structural issue with the fact that almost all of the bureaucracy created by this skewed DC system is now in place to defend itself from any outside effort to change it, and you get this UniParty problem that Donald Trump fully exposed.
Repeal the 17th amendment and we would see the most significant restoration of freedom, liberty and social balance in our lifetime.
One of the more challenging facets to awakening the general public on the scale of corruption within Washington DC is the need for people to drop party designations.
This is never truer than within the U.S. Senate where the mistaken “us -vs- them” perspective remains a pesky hurdle.
The blue team and red team are mirror images of themselves. They are not opposites, they are mirrored – a big difference.
The policy objective is the same, the business model within DC (K Street) benefits the upper chamber the most.
Within this dynamic Mitch McConnell is the mirror image of Chuck Schumer. Mitch has been grooming his replacement for a long time; that replacement is John Thune. Senator Thune is in a position that demands stealth. Ideologically, think of John Thune as the mirror image of Gavin Newsom. They are not opposites, they are mirrored – a big difference.
The system of affluence and influence has been created to self-sustain regardless of party affiliation. The Senate is one club with one ideological perspective. Within that club rule #1 dominates: none of the members will ever expose another member. So, when there is corrupt activity within the Senate no-one from within the institution will expose another. This is the code of Omerta within the upper chamber. This is the way of the “my good friend” Senate and how it operates.
The Senate is a silo.
Now we fall back to watch the super important Committee Chairmanships that John Thune will decide!



Just as I expected. The Deep State will “always” win just like in casino gambling the house always wins. You might win a game here and there but overall the house always wins. Just get used to living your best life as @sundance always preaches. Don’t hurt your head over these things that we cannot change.
You and Emerald Robinson should go on a date.
You can both prepare together.
She’ so hot.
Nope. Not this time. The Deep State will not win.
Elon taking over Twitter was a huge game changer.
The other social media will follow suit and increase their “freedom of speech” too.
There will also be some legal changes in that regard. Bobby, as a lawyer, likely has some ideas re: how to do that.
Speaking of gate-keepers:
https://nypost.com/2024/11/13/us-news/trump-ally-alina-habba-says-she-would-very-seriously-consider-serving-as-his-press-secretary/
I could get used to seeing her on a regular basis.
Married, with children, but no Al Bundy.
HUZZAH! Finally! I’ve only been screaming this from my rooftop for two decades! But alas, no one seemed to be listening. Until now. Kudos Sir, kudos.
So then is the entire chess game of Thune for Noem and Cornyn for Rubio and Scott for McTurtle out the window then ?
Never was such a chess game being played, IMO.
It was just a theory that some people had.
the worst Bannonism of all time was all that “we got this” “trust the plan” garbage. Appalling and it has taken hold like any other pernicious meme. It’s pure nonsense and magical thinking.
Yup. They were all playing 5D, Quantum, and Parallel Universe chess where those things could have happened that you just mentioned. In our universe we lose. Game Over!
“Game Over!”
No. Game over would have been if Harris ‘won’ last week. Trump won last week. It’s Game On now.
Some days, I really find this place distasteful. A pack of unfaithful eeyores who give up after every setback.
Today is one of those days.
Have faith, OS,…. Sundance has herein explained the reality and the rules of the game for the eeyores about,… and that’s a good start. Besides, you’re right,… it’s a New Day and it’s Game On now.
IMHO,… 47 will have his ways and means to ‘negotiate’ with Thune/company to achieve his goals,… and he’s the best Negotiator President the USA has had to date.
How many VETOS did he use first term?
Channel Gerald Ford.
Naah,… just return the favor when Mitch/Ryan quietly allowed the DOJ/FBI to Illegally attack 45 with “Russia, Russia” and a coup attempt.
Now 47 can use his new DOJ/FBI to Investigate Thune/company until they say ‘uncle’ and go along with Trump’s MAGA mandate to get along,…..sans prison sentences..
Two can play this “game for keeps.” Ain’t that right, Matt Gaetz?
Right.
I know what you mean. The black pilling around here is most distasteful. Some days I simply read the op Ed and scroll.
<Game Over!>
No…Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Nor was it when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor!
Well played Animal House reference.
“Game Over Man”
SD told us on day 1 that Thune taking the spot was a foregone conclusion…. that we needed to concern ourselves with things we could control… nothing has changed. SD was totally right even though some of us held some false hope that things would be different this time.
You have to go to war with the army you have, not the one we wish we had.
we are making gains every day.
Repeal the 17th ammendment? Seriously? Sorry, not gonna happen in a million years with this corrupt cartel of grifters. They can’t even agree to pass a budget!
They have no say so in an Art 5 Convention.
Absolutely! The state legislatures have been granted by our Founding Fathers thru the Article V amendment process tremendous powers. And we over halfway there (19 states of the required 34 states) to hold such an amendment convention as proposed by Convention of States Action. The application petition covers three items: 1) limit the terms of office for its officials and for members of Congress, 2) impose fiscal restraints on the federal government , and 3) limit limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government. # 3 could easily include repeal of the 17th amendment that would return some balance of power from federal to state. For more information and to sign petition to call for such a convention , visit https://conventionofstates.com/?ref=237. President Trump has supported term limits and JD Vance supports the Article V process .
Dennis:
“The state legislatures have been granted by our Founding Fathers thru the Article V amendment process tremendous power.”
Read Article V again, slowly, and tell me that.
The States are limited to APPLYING for a convention.
Congress, upon receipt of the application, CALLS the Convention.
How does that give the States “tremendous” power??
Do you agree that this is what Art. V says?? The COS loves to take liberties that do not exist.
Well I read it again, very slowly, and I don’t see the words “the states are limited to applying” . The call is limited to determining the TIME and PLACE> The Article V process was amended on the last days of the Constitutional Convention in 1787 to include the states in originating amendment proposals, not just the Congress. The whole purpose of the 2nd part of the Article was to bypass congress.
Well, Dennis,
It’s basic English…notice commas.
Art 5 “Congress … shall call a convention for proposing amendments”
We have no experience on what such a “call” would look like, so it’s all theory ATM. The plain wording suggests that either the “call” or “convention” itself would “propose amendments”.
I’m assuming any “call” would specify rules for selection of delegates and procedural rules of the convention.
Soooooooo … if the “bright idea” was to draw Thune back to South Dakota to run for Gov’ by appointing the completely unqualified and useless Kristi Noem to DHS … how’d THAT work out for ya’ … ???
At least we know Kristi has got a fall-back position — making dental hygienist TV commercials …
Once again, the American citizen is getting screwed. We gave them the keys to the Ship of State with the birth of the TEA Party in 2009-2010 and the “leadership” of the Republican Party has done NOTHING to move the ball forward ever since …
Is this — Thune’s ascendance to “leadership” — more of the same ??? I suppose it is …
Noem is there to keep businesses that use illegals quiet. Her state has illegals all through food processing factories.
The ship of state has been in dry dock for the last 50 years.
President Biden must know where a lot of skeletons are buried, and dirty tricks played on Trump by Obama. If Biden could be turned he could at least Tarnish Obama’s reputation beyond repair. Also Nancy Pelosi.
I doubt he knows anything. The moron can’t keep his mouth shut so Obama would have been really stupid to keep him in the loop
Kind of hard to keep him out of the loop since he is the acting president (His minions rely on his seeming mental disconnect but he is not as disconnected as he may appear at times). Who has “the power” is sort of like a game of hot potato or whack-a-mole they all have their dominions but plausibly deny it when asked. They all have powers of sorts and wield them as needed. Their powers are sort of like the various rings OF POWER held by the various species of beings in TLOTR that accentuate their (un)natural abilities.
WHO is “president” Biden? No one by that name exists, let alone is president!
Like giving up his hidden document stash at University of Maryland for amnesty?
Staged releases of incriminating DOJ / FBI evidence / illegal behavior?
One can hope. I imagine the IC has a ton of evidence on every Senator that could easily be used as leverage.
The problem is, the IC is likely already using this evidence to leverage exactly what just happened. The incoming Trump team will never gain access to these files for sure. There will be deep state long-timers that will be able to stay hidden, keep anything that they want hidden, weather this storm and outlive any incoming newcomers (Musk included).
We certainly won’t win all the battles that need to be fought in the coming four years+. We may not even win most. But, we will win some and hopefully enough to make a positive difference.
Keep moving forward, inch by inch.
I’m as disappointed as anyone here, but since Thune and company are saying they want to help fulfill President Trump’s agenda President Trump should very publicly THANK him for being willing to work with him for the American people, and say that he’s looking forward to working together on our behalf.
Tie him down.
Make every communication very public.
Recess appointments will give the executive an insurmountable momentum.
I’m shocked! The fix was in? I thought a secret ballot was nothing to worry about.
But I agree with Sundance on returning to the constitution. It was created as it was for very specific and documented reasons. The STATES could have been responsible for term limits on Senators. But alas. What we have now is two houses of representatives and little more.
Representatives of the STATE would NOT have to run a CAMPAIGN and thus would NOT mysteriously accumulate lots of corrupting influence money from private business interests.
The 17th amendment opened the doors to LOBBYISTS and all of the rest.
You can talk about “silos” all you like. We have mass media and everything else. The reason for the states to appoint senators is to have politicians in place who are not beholden to DONORS.
<“Representatives of the STATE would NOT have to run a CAMPAIGN and thus would NOT mysteriously accumulate lots of corrupting influence money from private business interests.”
Sure. You might have heard of the Lincoln-Douglas debates back in school? Recall that Lincoln and Trumbull both sought endorsement by Ill Repubs in 1855 with Trumbull getting the nod and agreement that Lincoln would get it in 59.
Has anyone heard from Patriot Sidney Powell?
Has Lawfare buried or humbled her?
She referenced specific reforms that were needed at the FBI / DOJ. Those reforms might help renew our republic.
One of her books covered the abuse of DOJ power.
Maybe she’s writing a new book?
Either way, we wish her well.
P.S. Why do we need 17 intelligence agencies?
No reforms. Just shut them down.
Also this:
Nothing butt a f-g ass rino……some one needs to kick the crap out of mcconnell jr…
Cornyn got 24 votes. How damn scary is that.
A Rino that is really a Democrat, that Texas keeps sending back, too screw us more.
Come on Texas get rid of this rat bastard.
.
Where did he pick up an additional two votes?
Original vote yielded 15 for him, and we are told he got seven out of the 13 that were cast for Scott.
My math says that he should have ended up with 22 . . .
Hold everything, everyone!
CNN just reported that more votes on the secret Senate vote have just been found!!!
Apparently, most of them were for Chuck Schumer, surprisingly.
Final count, to be made public at 3AM tomorrow, is rumored to be:
Thune 29
Cornyn 24
Schumer 30
The reported reason that there were more votes than Republican voters was: racism.
I think on the first ballot there were supposed to be two write-ins. Read that on some link from Citizen Free Press. So on the second ballot I’m guessing those two write-ins voted for him. If they had voted for Scott on the first ballot Scott and Cornyn would have been tied.
Just Wondering
It’s clear the base of the Republican Party is primarily MAGA. I would be at least 50 million of the 75 million votes for President Trump are strong MAGA supporters and want the Republican Party to embrace MAGA principles and policies. And yet most of our elected representatives and senators are more Establishment UniParty oriented.
Why could we not have two wings of the Republican Party possibly under the RNC(if you had trusted leaders)
The MAGA wing would collect money for MAGA candidate support and selection of candidates and a general wing that would primarily support the regular Republicans.
I would bet the MAGA wing would significantly out collect the other wing and provide the momentum to change the party from within. I think they would at least feel the pressure of the people and donors.
Anyway, so disgusting how our elected officials continue to ignore the will of the people who elect them.
UGH
I’m hopeful.
I think PDJT will do a great job as will his team… and we will be able to primary out several/most RINOS in 2026… IF… they refuse to implement the Trump MAGA agenda.
John Cornyn from Texas is up for reelection in 2026-Let’s find a good MAGA candidate to primary him and make a BIG MAGA push him out of the senate and, of course a MAGA senator.
Mark, please let me know where to donate. I’m in!
Don’t know about your “50 million strong MAGA”, but sure, parties in particular Republican have always been fusions of different parties/sub-parties. Politics is about creating coalitions, not growing by shrinking.
Back in the early days you had Lincoln leaving the republicans in 1864 and forming a fusion party with war democrats like Andrew Johnson as the “National Union Party” to distance himself from the radical (liberal) wing of the Rs. The liberals would continue to fight, forming a coalition with the Dems to nominate Greeley in 72. Those battles would continue through the election of Garfield in 1880 resulting in Garfield’s assassination.
Wasn’t the argument a day or so ago that Thune would become the next governor of South Dakota?
In 2026
It was only a wishful theory.
The Senate was never intended to be ‘elected’ by the people but by the State Legislatures, so the people (House); State (Senate) each had representation. We need to abolish the 17th amendment and return to the intent…
… i.e. Mitch keeps his stranglehold on the Senate… he’ll ransom every item of PT’s agenda… some items will be NO GO! He’ll be ruthless… ‘We The People’ can eat cake!
Just as the House was conceived as the branch whose representatives that spoke for the “People”, the Framers conceived the Senate as the branch that spoke for the “States”.
The Senate was intended as the body that would check potential abuses and encroachments by the federal government and stop it from expending beyond the limited power granted under the Constitution.
That went out the window with the 17th amendment.
As I understand it… The 17th came about because of rampant corruption in the house and the quagmire that became Senator appointments. The 17th was the effort to correct the problem. Unnnnnnfortunately it only compounded the problem to a near unsolvable mess .
Most amendments do that. Many stealthily give power. Take the 19th, for example.
Ask anyone and they will tell you the 19th gave women the power to vote. Rubbish!!
Where in the Constitution are women forbidden to vote??
The federal government never had a say-so in the matter of voter sexuality until the 19th, under the guise of women’s rights, was approved. Once passed, now the federal government had the say-so on matters of (sex) gender. Neat, eh??
Then Amendment 26th gave the federal government State approval to mess with the age of voters.
Previously, these two matters were left entirely to the States to decide.
So! While the 17th did decrease State sovereignty, so did these two amendments. By ratifying those three amendments, the States (and the people) voluntarily surrender their much sought after sovereignty!! And the COS wants more amendments???
It’s a mistake to think any branch of the federal government somehow represents the states. The only power of the states is Art 5.
Cogently stated, Sundance.
At the heart of this issue is this most important historical fact that was ordained by our Founders to preserve the form of self governance they Constitutionally ratified for We The People – that the States created the Federal Government, not vice versa,…. the erroneous basis that the current Fed Govt insists on operating on today, most notably within and by the US Senate.
Hence, our century old and current battles over States’ Rights, most notably wherein the Feds blithely ignore and mock the direct language and meaning of the Tenth Amendment to the US Constitution.
Freedom and Liberty for all, as well as, our Pursuit of Happiness/Property, won’t be fully restored as We The People’s God given rights as our Founding Fathers designed,… until and unless the 17th Amendment is rescinded and repealed.
An Article V Convention of the States may be the only way to achieve this now.
NO!!!!
<“the States created the Federal Government”
No, “We the people”, as sovereigns created the Federal Government.
YES!!!
I can’t find anywhere it explains the process of choosing majority leader and the possibility of replacing a majority leader. How long does the majority leader serve? Who decides whether the vote is secret?
And you (we) won’t, cuz the US Senate is an Exclusive Club that operates on secrecy and elitism and we ain’t in it. The “Trillion$ at Stake” like it that way.
With the prestige, MSM support, perks and campaign $$$$$ they raise, it makes it very hard to replace them via elections,…. even if they take a secretary swimming late at night after an office party,…. while in the confines of a upside down Oldsmobile sedan.
Most of this stuff is “made up.” There is no official recognition of political parties in the constitution. Start down your rabbit hole with that. Political parties are “a union.” The house has a “house speaker” but the senate has a “president of the senate.”
The Senate president, or vice president of the United States, has several powers, including:
Presiding over the Senate: The vice president presides over Senate sessions, joint sessions with the House, and the counting of electoral ballots.
The “majority leader” is not an official constitutionally recognized office or positional role. Senate.gov discusses a lot of things specifically mentioning Democrats and Republicans but when the US Constitution was written, there was no such party as “The Republican Party.”
https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/creating-the-united-states/formation-of-political-parties.html
Political parties are also called “FACTIONS.” Today they are more akin to being factions. The fact that political factions are recognized as part of official proceedings is an abomination.
All of this made-up sh!t is how a RELIGION was founded within the government of the United States. “Secret Votes and smoke emerging from a window announcing a new senate leader is decided.”
JD Vance needs to LEAD THE F’ing SENATE.
I’ll say it again:
JD VANCE NEEDS TO LEAD THE F’ING SENATE
Art I/3:
“The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice President”
ArtI/5:
“Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two thirds, expel a member.”
“Over time, the Senate chamber itself began using their advice and consent authority to control the executive and judicial branch. The origination of a nomination now holds the question: “Can this person pass the Senate confirmation process?” The Senate now abuses this power to ensure no one challenges them. Additionally, the Senate began using their oversight capacity to control elements within the executive branch and judicial branch.”
Seems to me the separation of powers should not allow this “control” over the Executive and Judicial branches. The difficult task of getting the 17th amendment repealed would likely bring back the old grifting even stronger.
I would suggest a lawsuit by the Executive Branch saying the Senate infringes on their separation by interpreting “advise and consent” to mean they have authority to block any nominee from serving. The Executive Branch should only need the authority of the President to put someone in place. If the Senate does not consent, that might change the mind of the president but not the authority. What if the Senate were to deny all Cabinet positions? Would the Supreme court say that is OK? I doubt it.
You could look at it like approving a loan. The underwriters gather all the advice and consent and make the decision. I see the President as the underwriter with the Senate doing the credit history, income verification and other documentation.
The 17th amendment could be used in the case to refine what “advise and consent” really means. With a SC on the side of originalists, a ruling clarifying authority would be doable and the whole Senate power position crumbles forcing them back to representing the states.
Much more simple than an Article V States Convention process.
Well, we had an impeachment over the question of whether the “advice and consent” clause extended to removals. The Senate did not vote to convict. Don’t know all the reasoning, but Johnson’s defense team argued that SecWar Stanton had been appointed in the prior Lincoln administration and that appointment did not automatically extend through the next 1865-1869 term. So there was no “removal” as such. At any rate the Senate has always made its rules under Art I/5 to include an executive “advise and consent” calendar.
There has been debate in recent years as regards the “treaty-making” power and when foreign policy agreements have required advice and consent.
There is HOPE! Must iisten!
R/T 1:13
Homeland Security is the department where the corruption is embedded. President Trump needs a nominee that Thune can’t block. Thus Noem, his own state Governor.
and
SHE WANTS ” precious “…
as BAD as GOLLUM did
I honestly think the only way to fix this is to get the vote back to the people via removing the 17th amendment.
However, for it to work, I believe the state representatives must be beholden to their constituents. The founders were dealing with smaller numbers.
Given current population numbers, we would still need to find a way to make it too hard for big money interests to buy up the votes of legislation that is against the interests of the people they represent.
Something along the lines of representatives underneath the representatives. Perhaps broken down into neighborhoods of 3-5000 people. That way your rep is known to you and beholden to you.
You don’t want anymore people in the state house or senate, but maybe, beyond a certain number of citizens, we need reps to vote in our State reps.
I think I remember reading somewhere our founders actually limited the number of people a state rep could represent. If so, it probably just fell by the wayside as populations grew bigger …
I don’t see any other way for the common man to have a voice.
I was right about founders wanting to limit the number. They capped at 30,000.
https://thirty-thousand.org/blog/the-founders-rule/
To prevent the numbers in the State House from getting too large, you could have reps of 30,000 max voting in the State reps…. Much like we are suggesting we do with the US Senators.
You’re correct that the last reapportionment was after the 1920 census in 1922. The last major change was after the 1970 census, when Congress required states (Hawaii) to elect representatives by district instead of at-large. Nothing magic about the number 435. But consider how the electoral college vote changes with, say, 1,000 representatives.
I think they should cap the number of representatives for the reason you say, but I wonder if they could put a layer of reps beneath the ones who vote in the state house. Those reps would represent no more than 30,000 (or less) and they would basically vote for the Rep who gets to go to the State House as their representative.
I know it is not that easy, but something along the lines of what we are suggesting the State Reps do to vote for the US Senators if 17th is appealed.
How can we remove the 17th Amendment? Is there any group of patriots or an organization working on this
Barrasso – majority whip
Lankford – vice chair GOP policy committee
T Scott – nrsc
As the great pretender, thune makes my skin crawl when he says they are united in passing trump’s agenda. One can only hope that the SD governorship will be available soon…
Wow 261 Black Pill comments.
i Apologize for ” Yelling ” Folks in my writings.
BAD Habit in my writing style.
i’LL try to get better.
Thune, Brasso and SC Scott ( money bags as NRSCC ) … EGG SUCKERS
Does Thune rhyme with Ghune?
I wonder how Thune feels since a large portion of the Republican Party looks at him as a Darth Vader.
New criminal. Same as the old criminal.
Apparently, Thune’s biggest donor for the past five years has been AIPAC. Add him to the long list of elected officials in the federal government who have been captured by the Israel lobby.
What happens if PDJT & DOGE cut so much funding for most of these Federal Departments that the Uniparty can no longer make millions of dollars in kickback/bribes/foundations?
Will they retire and ride off into the sunset?
If PDJT shuts off the gravy train then won’t most of them leave “public service”?
I say we use a famous democrat tactic which is to peacefully protest outside his home day and night and make his life pure misery if he dares go against Trumps agenda .
Great idea…need to make sure the wife is there. Perhaps a bit of family pressure will help him make a better decision.
Tulsi for DNI. Wowsers
Could Mark Cuban be reached for comment?
The Madcow transitioner is an advocate of strong women.
Sheesh. He’s picking recognizable household names as opposed to the most qualified.
Tulsi was just a mediocre officer who now pounds the podium and says what we want to hear. Just another Lindsay Graham and we are all supposed to think she’s qualified for DNI? Because she used to be a Clinton supporter who saw the light and has a pretty face?
Call me super unimpressed with Trump’s choices.
Thanks Sundance for all you did and do to prevent this lame lineup we are witnessing.
On the bright side, at least we can hopefully get the economy back on track instead of watching Kamala cackle as she seizes businesses for raising their prices to cover their inflationary costs.
Time to live my best and accept what I cannot change.
That reduces the House Membership by 3 now.
I few more and we have the
Leftists in charge again.
This is getting Crazy.
Wow, Tulsi Gabbard just nominated to be Trump’s DNI.
Lil Havana going world traveling, it’s a great day here FLA!
And Matt Gaetz as AG. HHmmmm.
My take is that Trump is focused on his domestic agenda, so needs institutional support, not months wasted as ‘bruised’ egos plot revenge and the IC forment more ‘bombshell revelations’ that they can leak to an MSM who desperately need credibility. I guess his hope is that the MAGA revolution can be embedded during his second term and then grow, to eventually tackle the institutional corruption, outlined by Sundance here.
–
Wonder who the 3 were in the initial vote that decided they’d make sure it was a 2 way between Thune and Cornyn?
Excellent article. We must understand the issues in order to confront them intelligently and with a chance of making change
Hmmm…we all knew in advance Thune was going to take it. Hope and a prayer for Rick Scott, a quick letting the Senate know we’re pissed at “business as usual”, but in the end, Thune got the position.
That said – here’s the test for Rick Scott, and the rest of the MAGA core in the Senate: Don’t be claiming “MAGA” and that you’re backing PTrump’s agenda, if you aren’t going to be that ONE Senator to object when Thune wants Senate business to run when they should be recessing.
Don’t be saying you’re going to back PTrump, yet allow Thune to blackmail you with threats to your committee positions, bill referrals, and pork money for back home.
Does everyone understand (and I doubt they do) that Recess must be at least 10 days to make an appointment — by a Supreme Court Decision?
As Sundance points out, before the 17th amendment was ratified, this was the situation: “Prior to the 17th amendment, there was significant state level corruption as business interests and senate candidates worked in power groups with party officials to attain the position. Politicians seeking Senate seats began campaigning for state legislative candidates in order to assemble support.The state legislative races then became a process of influence amid powerful interests seeking to support their Senate candidate. Get the right people in the State legislature and you can get the Senator appointed.” He continues:
“Those state-level entities, bankers, wealthy people of influence, later became the permanent K-Street lobbying groups once the 17th amendment was ratified. In essence, they just shifted the location of their influence operation from the state to an office in Washington DC.” So how would repeal of the 17th amendment eliminate the “influence operation”? Perhaps Sundance believes that eliminating the need to raise funds for an election would make senators impervious to lobbying? Also, why would senators chosen by their respective state legislatures be, simply by virtue of that arrangement, immune to the blandishments and threats of the IC? I hope I am not being obtuse, but I just don’t see how repeal of the 17th amendment would solve the problem.
This is what the founders envisioned.
https://thirty-thousand.org/blog/the-founders-rule/
In view of population growth, maybe we could add another layer of representatives, of no greater than 30,000, electing our state representatives.
Much like we are suggesting to do with the US reps by appealing the 17th amendment.
NOTHING will work with a constitutionally illiterate voter population.
FLASH – GAETZ FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL:
It is my Great Honor to announce that Congressman Matt Gaetz, of Florida, is hereby nominated to be The Attorney General of the United States. Matt is a deeply gifted and tenacious attorney, trained at the William & Mary College of Law, who has distinguished himself in Congress through his focus on achieving desperately needed reform at the Department of Justice. Few issues in America are more important than ending the partisan Weaponization of our Justice System. Matt will end Weaponized Government, protect our Borders, dismantle Criminal Organizations and restore Americans’ badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department. On the House Judiciary Committee, which performs oversight of DOJ, Matt played a key role in defeating the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, and exposing alarming and systemic Government Corruption and Weaponization. He is a Champion for the Constitution and the Rule of Law…
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113477516524300359
Matt Gaetz was named as Attorney General per Fox news
AG is one of the key ones.
Gaetz is a Patriot. Excellent pick.
Need to tear the place down and start over.
Gaetz for AG
Another curve ball from Donald,… Rep Matt Gaetz nominated for AG.
Looks like we both have FOX on lol,
That’s a Nolan Ryan fast ball.
Gaetz measured and then took down McCarthy. He’s got brass ones.
He needs to go in there with a flamethrower.
Knowing the Law is helpful as A G.
Gaetz has always been a
Politician from a Political Family.
Gaetz has a JD degree and practiced law prior to Congress.
Loved watching the best Heat Hurler ever, Nolan on the Astrodome mound in the early 80s. Nobody could get a hit off of him,…. the games put you to sleep. Great guy, as well.
12 o’clock to 6 o’clock sinker, too hard to hit.
Can we use the AG’s office or the DOJ to get rid of Thune? Asking for a friend
Can the outrage be so huge, he willingly steps down?
No.
Can’t you find a yes for 500 ATM?
Lol.
We ain’t got the sand..
Or the Brains
BWAHAHAHAHAHA!
Yes, let’s become the same as Lawfare Democommunists.
Turnabout is fair play, fight fire with fire, it’s the only method your lawfare democommunists will understand.
YEEEEEEEEEEEES !!!!!
I thought Looney Thunes was tired and wanted to go home? He does not look well.
Pray
With all that pheasant hunting going on in South Dakota, I would hate to see an accident out there…
Calling Dick Cheney!!!!!
Where’s Dick Chaney?
Thomas Wolfe you can’t go home again – or maybe you can check out any time you like but you can never leave. D. S. Mitch owns Thune either way
Matt Gaetz nominated for AG.
Wow.
a new sheriff in town.
Barney Fife
Booya!!!
I don’t think he’ll get confirmed. I’d like him to, but it just won’t happen. Not with the Senate as it is currently configured. I would wager this was a “flamethrower” that President-elect Trump wielded to show the American people “who voted how” In the recent secret ballot Senate majority leader vote. No Democrat, and most likely NO RINOS who voted for Thune would vote to confirm Gaetz.
I would love nothing more to be wrong.
Senator Susan Collins announces she opposes Matt Gaetz as Trump’s Attorney General.
Of course, here we go.
How am I not surprised?
Now there’s a shock…How about the BEAST from Alaska? Taking odds?
when can we fire that snob???
Collins is so stupid, it’s a wonder she remembers to breathe. Then again if she forgot to breathe she’d stop wasting the air of normal people
Kick that croaking witch out of the caucus!
I oppose Susan Collins being anywhere in government!
She’s a dem at heart anyway, I don’t know how Maine lets her get away running as a republican.
I doubt anyone is surprised by that. She is now a shark, gaming the system. Her vote will go to the highest bidder
Awesome!
Political orgasm.
I like it!!!!
I ain’t the brightest political observer but Gaetz sounds like a pretty dumb choice when ya coulda had Ken Paxton or Tom Fitton!
You do know Tom Fitton is not a lawyer?