A House Divided Against Itself

by John DeProspo

On June 16, 1858, at the Republican State Convention in Springfield, Illinois, a lanky, rather homely politician was chosen as the party’s senatorial candidate. When it was time to address his Republican colleagues, the nominee uttered these famous words, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Of course the politician, Abe Lincoln, would lose that particular election but go on to bigger and better things.
To say the Republican house (both literally and figuratively) is in disarray is beyond an understatement. It is what happens when a national party sells its soul to the Devil for short-term political gain.
By embracing the teabagger fanatics only a few years ago, the Republican cabal is reaping what it sowed. The lunatics have taken over the asylum. The welcomed guest is about to devour its host.
By voting in radicals whose mantra was Reagan’s  “government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem;” and who believed the Federal government should be shrunk in size so it could be “drowned in a bathtub,” Republican voters are now seeing that those “fresh, new, anti-establishment” teabaggers they liked so much actually meant what they preached.
The United States House of Representatives, divided against itself, needs a new Speaker… but no one wants the job! It’s a dead-end; a career-ender for any ambitious politician. That is why Ryan, the one person with the most support, keeps saying ‘no’ to what was once seen as a dream job. What Speaker wants to be the adult in the room with a group of spoiled children who refuse to share or compromise? Who would want to preside over such a dysfunctional mess? No thanks!
Reed (R. N.Y.), a big Ryan supporter and fellow member of the House Ways and Means Committee, is just one of many House members begging Ryan to become the next Speaker.
“Obviously, being a vice pretender candidate, there’s a calling to serve,” Reed said. “I think what he’s going through is making the analysis of how best can he serve the country, how best can he serve the American people. And that’s why this is a tough decision for him.”
No, Reed. Ryan is not thinking of how best to serve his country or the interests of his cabal. He is looking out for what’s best for a young politician who has aspirations much greater than House Speaker. Even though Speaker of the House is only second in line to the presidency, his sights are set on something much higher: the Oval office.