I am trying to imagine this country in March of 2014

[cali]

after more than a year of Republican control of all three branches of government. No, this isn't an op trying to scare you into voting for Obama and dems. That's your own business- though the above prospect does it for me.

Will there be an EPA? I doubt it. Further decimation of regulations that apply to corporations and Wall Street? Of course. Complete gutting of the social safety net? That's pretty clear. The Federal bench and the SCOTUS? Shudder. Opening virtually all federal lands to pillaging? Yep. Defunding HUD, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the arts, the Department of the Interior, etc? Yes, yes and yes. The further encroachment of religion in government? You betcha. Reproductive rights? Wave bye bye sooner rather than later.

I'm sure there's more. That's just off the top of my head.

[Denninmi]

1. Can you say Third Reich?

Or American Taliban? One or the other, and you get the idea.

[NightWatcher]

2. After Dec 2012 manatees will rise from the ashes of the apocalypse to rule.

Seriously, the EPA won't make it through 2013 for sure, but I'd go further and say that all of the Interior Dept will cease to be...causing me to take refuge at ____ National Park as myself and others defend the park from corporate invaders with concrete trucks and chain saws in tow.

USDA is threatened along with NOAA and other protection and regulations based agencies. We are going to be sold out and sold off and soon, I'm afraid.

[Ineeda]

3. We might never recover

if that were the scenario. A year ago I thought it wouldn't be possible. Now I think it could be, with all the crazy we see. I know a lot of folks are justifiably disappointed and most of us are worn out emotionally, but each and every one of us will have to dig deep and find the energy and enthusiasm again. The alternative would be just too catastrophic.

[robcon]

4. Nonsense scenario. Filibuster in Senate will still hold.

None of the above will happen.

[Fumesucker]

6. The Republicans would never be hypocritical and change the Senate rules..

To modify or do away with the filibuster if they had a majority.

That's one thing you can count on with Republicans, they are never hypocrites.

[doc03]

10. Democrats don't have the balls to use it n/t

[Syrinx]

5. The Handmaid's Tale n/t

[Fumesucker]

7. Well, 2012 *is* the year of Nehemiah Scudder after all..

http://www.issuepedia.org/Nehemiah_Scudder

[Syrinx]

8. I'm not familiar with that

Thanks for telling me about it. I've been in need of reading material lately, and that might be old enough that my local library has it. :)

[RevStPatrick]

11. Yep... Crazy Years indeed.

Is Rick Perry Nehemiah Scudder?
He could actually get elected next year...

[Motown_Johnny]

9. It's a race to the bottom and by then we will be winning!!!

Of course to those of us who understand it is just decline we will see it as moving in the wrong direction, but you can't explain that to them.