“We don't want a war. We want peace and stability,” says Taiwan’s representative to the U.S., Ambassador Alexander Yui, regarding relations with China. “We are sovereign, independent away from the Chinese People's Republic of China's attempt to swallow us as one of their own. They have never ruled or controlled Taiwan, ever,” he adds. “Those are intruders trying to get into our house. We're trying to beef up our security system. And then they complain, the intruder complains that because we're trying to improve our security system it’s making his job harder.”

I cannot imagine being a Republican lawmaker today. You are not allowed to have an independent thought, much less legislate. You are permitted only cult-like devotion to the Dear Leader - and any wrong move will mobilize a cult-like mob of nihilistic primary voters. Why bother?

The vision for a new Democratic Party. A laser focus on ending corruption. Rooting out cronies at every level of government, with real consequences for everyone engaged in it. Staunch, unflinching support for our allies. New multilateral alliances and free trade agreements built for the 21st century. Tolerance, empathy, and genuine care for the poorest among us. Radically rethinking entitlements with a focus on access and personal control over how people use their benefits. Education as a true priority: massive investment in public schools, new models of teaching, and real flexibility and support for parents and the next generation. Serious deficit reduction. Rethinking the tax code and entitlement programs with a clear mandate to pay down debt before we reach the fiscal cliff. Freedom across the board. Embracing patriotism, owning the flag, defending every amendment, and building institutions that are independent and resistant to executive overreach. The return of Congress. Decentralizing power, restoring individual members as legislators, and reorienting the presidency toward shepherding legislative outcomes rather than accumulating executive authority. Dynamism and innovation: making America the best country in the world to immigrate to and start a business in, with serious supply-side reform on housing and beyond. The party becomes one of dynamism, tolerance, freedom, and responsibility. One focused on building a better future for our kids. It's within our hands to make it so.

He’s right. The Republican Party isn’t a party of ideas. Or policy. It doesn’t stand for anything. It’s just a bunch of people being blindly loyal to corrupt madman who controls the primary voting base, but is unpopular with the rest of the country.

Briahna Joy Gray: "I know many people on the left who would happily vote for Tucker Carlson before AOC..." Your friendly reminder that the extremes of the horseshoe have more in common with each other than they do with anyone in the center.

Republican C-SPAN caller: “It’s hard for me to say this, but I think if I can open up about it in public it might help others… I regret my support for Trump, and I should’ve known better. He’s a con man. A liar. The worst, most corrupt president we’ve ever had.”

All people deserve the right to self determination. That includes the people of Taiwan. Activists struggled under dictatorship and the white terror. When the chance came, they grabbed onto freedom from tyranny. They deserve peace, safety, and the freedom to choose their future.

When you listen to Trump talk about Taiwan (or many other topics) it’s the stuff he doesn’t say that is more revealing. Asked about Taiwan he blathers on about how big and strong China is, how tiny Taiwan is, about tariffs and dumb American presidents who didn’t use them. What doesn’t he talk about? Alliances, obligations, democracy, values, honor, etc. Keep in mind, if you don’t care whether Trump throws Taiwan under the bus, that wouldn’t be the only betrayal involved. We’d be screwing Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and Australia too. I’m not saying we should get into a shooting war over Taiwan. I am saying Trump shouldn’t betray our allies, our values, and our national security and national honor just because he’s got a man crush on Xi.

Mike Johnson says Congress can't survive on $174k because of inflation, and uses that to justify letting members trade stocks. Incredible take from the guy who decided his only job was taking orders from the President.