Marjorie Taylor Greene falls flat on her face
The “America First Caucus” apparently did not go over too well. That should come as no surprise, given the racist, ridiculous “policies” promoted by the group. Even John Boehner said it was crazy during his appearance with Chuck Todd: “I can tell you that this so-called America First Caucus is one of the nuttiest things I’ve ever seen,” Boehner said. No one in their right mind would support such a group. You can say one thing about Marjorie Taylor Greene: she has no qualms about embarrassing herself. According to CNN, she confirmed the existence of the group Friday, but by Saturday afternoon, her spokesman Nick Dyer said she was “not launching anything.” He further stated in an email to CNN that the manifesto we all read Friday was merely an “early planning proposal.”
Greene’s denials are based on pushback from members of the Republican party who know the rhetoric goes too far. CNN reported that Kevin McCarthy denounced the document, stating that: “The Republican Party is the party of Lincoln [and] the party of more opportunity for all Americans—not nativist dog whistles.” Liz Cheney also chimed in with a scathing rebuke: “Republicans believe in equal opportunity, freedom, and justice for all. We teach our children the values of tolerance, decency and moral courage. Racism, nativism, and anti-Semitism are evil. History teaches we all have an obligation to confront [and] reject such malicious hate.” It is then no surprise that Matt Gaetz on Friday tweeted his “pride” in joining Greene in the caucus (that allegedly did not exist). These Republicans repeatedly show their true colors and reveal why they do not belong in Congress.
Once the proverbial shit hit the fan, Paul Gosar—who reportedly started this nonsense with Greene—claimed he had never heard of the caucus, according to the Independent. He wrote in a statement Saturday that “he will continue to work on America First issues in the House Freedom Caucus.” Nice try, Gosar. There is no “America First.” Adam Kinzinger, one of the very few decent Republicans in office, said that he was “disgusted” by reports of the caucus. Kinzinger further said that anyone involved in this sham caucus “should have their committee assignment stripped and be expelled from Republican conference participation,” and he made clear that he does not support this type of Republican and will not embrace them. He is correct but let us go one step farther and expel them from Congress while we are at it.
This kind of thought has no place in our government. You cannot make policies and laws that benefit one group of people while excluding others. Our government does not work that way. If they fail to understand how government works, perhaps they should willingly step down. We are and never will be a dictatorship that rules without thought nor will we become a country that reveres White people with no room for anyone else. That contradicts everything this country has been built on, especially on the backs of immigrants both willing and unwilling.
Shirley is a former entertainment writer and has worked in the legal field for over 25 years