Faced with public outrage and an indignant press, as well as a couple of tweets from their peerless leader, House Republicans reversed their decision to gut the Office of Congressional Ethics.
House Republicans, facing a storm of bipartisan criticism, including from President-elect Donald J. Trump, moved early Tuesday afternoon to reverse their plan to kill the Office of Congressional Ethics. It was an embarrassing turnabout on the first day of business for the new Congress, a day when party leaders were hoping for a show of force to reverse policies of the Obama administration.
The reversal came less than 24 hours after House Republicans, meeting in a secret session, voted, over the objections of Speaker Paul D. Ryan, to eliminate the independent ethics office. It was created in 2008 in the aftermath of a series of scandals involving House lawmakers, including three who were sent to jail.
What can we learn from his fast turnaround?
Even the lackeys of plutocratic power respond to public outcry.
Now we know what they intend, only now they know they will have to do it in secret.
Their first action on the first day of the New Year shows who they are. It also shows they are gutless wonders.
Let all of their mean-spirited actions be met with public outrage, demonstrations, protests, and resistance.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
What if they aren’t gutless wonders but are parasites, minions, lackeys who will do what their billionaire masters tell them to do.
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Yes, it always goes back to the billionaires who want to gut government so they can water board it in the bathtub. The same damn billionaires who want to destroy public schools and our precious public school system.
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Amen, sister!
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amen – keep it going Diane. Your passion and caring are both wonderful and inspiring.
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Interesting response from Trump – I wonder if his desire to be popular will make him more subject to public relations than the tea party loonies which opens up some interesting possibilities when and if there is broader based opposition than just from what he sees as the usual suspects.
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Some actions are too egregious even for Trumpsters. It is a PR problem. Not a reality problem.
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We need to be on our toes, and keep close watch on the dirty dealings. We should forge an alliance with like minded groups that will unite to defend public schools. The more allies we have the better.
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Let’s hope that these right wing trolls will back down when they get blow back from their attempts to kill off the ACA, Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. The trouble is that a lot of these dirty deeds can be committed behind the scenes without any congressional intervention necessary. The scum that Trump has appointed to head the essential social programs can enact deleterious procedures and policies all on their own. You know, we have the wolves guarding the hen house.
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Joe,
I read an interview with the lowlife who is likely to run Social Security. He said they would not touch the benefits of those already receiving them, but would cut future benefits. Get ready.
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I don’t trust whatever false assurances GOPers say about SS. I think that the GOP will cut current retirees benefits (the COLA) as well as future retirees benefits. I want Social Security to be there for future retirees, they are paying into it and deserve to have it when they retire, especially low wage working class folks. Easy solution: raise or eliminate the SS wage tax cap which is currently set at $127,200 for 2017.
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So, in the dead of night the congressional swamp creatures arise from the slime, try to devour the watchdog over them, but are beaten back by We the People carrying torches lit from the torch of Lady Liberty.
The lesson is that from this day onward, We the People must gather and demonstrate for our rights and for what’s right with even greater intensity and persistence that that which was shown during the Civil Rights activism of the 1960’s. Never, never, never give up or give in no matter how much force is brought against you.
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Thanks for the imagery! The people are going to have to be watchful and persistent to overcome the assault of the billionaire barbarians.
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