If they want to burn the house down make sure to lock them in it! Keep session open till all confirmations done. Our military do not get to walk away when the mission is not complete bc they want to go home for the weekend.
Tuberville is a terrible coach, a racist SOB, and a carpetbagger - the last of which should have his constituency up in arms, considering the history of that term. He is also a d**k.
I'm actually kind of surprised an attempt hasn't been made on his life. I mean, your talking about armed soldiers being taken advantage of by an outright idiot. I'm not advocating, just saying I'm a bit surprised, and it won't be much of a shock if and when it does happen.
Daniel? In your speculative statement I’m seeing a misguided viewpoint and an insult to the military. Our side, democracy, isn’t known for solving problematic interference by sht birds that way. Nor is the military. Sure, I wish Tuberville would get himself gone, and he will, no question in my book.
Viewing all this from the EU, so admittedly I am not an expert, but The Problem-Solving Caucus? Isn't the whole of Congress supposed to be focused on solving problems? I thought that was their entire raison d'être.
Working across the aisle used to be the norm. It has become the exception after the GOP takeover of the House following redistricting in 2010 and lopsided gerrymanders in many states.
It's very hard to focus on solving problems when you have so many freaking toddlers occupying seats in the House. I know some preschoolers that could do a better job than these knuckleheads that are presently taking up that valuable space.
Aren’t these toddlers and knuckleheads you are referring to really the traitors and haters of America and it’s Constitution who may actually be under the orders of a foreign enemy government?
The EU, or at least some countries in it, are actually a good model to understand what's going on. The US currently has the equivalent of three or four or five parties. The unFreedom caucus is roughly the equivalent of Germany's AfD or Italy's Five Stars or France's Le Pen. Or in the past (mathematically, not politcally) the equivalent of Germany's FDP or Green party. All tiny majorities (at the time), but with dramatically outsized influence because nobody is able to build a majority without them.
Note: the analogy is not perfect in various respects, but may help a European to get a better understanding of the situation.
I am also viewing this from the EU, but as if I were in the USA where my husband currently is and a large portion of my family. Whatever is wrong with the politics where I am, I feel like politicians care to make things work for the people, as they see it working. That is just not true of the Republicans. As far as I can see, it is about campaign contributions and graft. All corruption and no substance. Tommy Tuberville ought to be sent on a mission to observe the armed troops in action. In fact, he should be drafted. Is there some way to bring that about?
Something must be done to get the crazies under control. They want to shut down the government, that is their end goal. They don’t care about the American people, they only care about Trump and bowing to him. They don’t care about the constitution either. They need to be voted out but they have gerrymandered the states to a point that it is next to impossible to vote them out.
The frustrating thing is that they ran with the intended purpose of burning the government down and blaming it on the Dems. That message apparently appealed to enough voters to reward them with Congressional seats--and reelection! WTF is wrong with these idiots?!
I have the same question. Sometimes I think about what it would be like to have the ability to temporarily occupy the minds of these idiots just to experience what they're experiencing and watch how their minds work. Then I start questioning my sanity lol.
In my opinion, many, and possibly the majority, of those voters aren't extremists, but simply frustrated, and have been frustrated for decades. It's not really about extremism, it's simply about "My father in the 1970s could buy a house and a car and have a comfortable life. with only a high school degree. I have a college degree, and can still barely afford a tiny studio apartment working two jobs?" (note that this is primarily a a white-centric view, which of course very much aligns with the "burn the house down" voting patterns).
These voters have felt neglected by both major parties for decades. They aren't primarily looking to "burn the house down" but see that as the only way to get heard at all.
It all depends. Republicans mostly want to pass budget items like reductions in taxes. That doesn’t require a filibuster to overcome. They have a structural advantage when it comes to their priorities.
Oh, you're absolutely right about that, but I was thinking more in terms of a national abortion ban (which I am certain they will try to pass if they get control of the White House and the Senate, and keep control of the House), and a national "voter integrity" (translation: A national "Let's make sure that only Caucasian Christians can vote, to the maximum extent possible") law.
Ian it will be much worse than that. I have been struggling trying to get through Project 2025 written by the Heritage Foundation. It appears their plans are to place the entire Federal government under control of the Executive branch, totally remove any mention of abortion in all documents, eliminate the Department of Education and much more. Ali Velshi had a clip on MSNBC a couple of days ago and covered some of the most important aspects. I am hoping Jay will be able to discuss this further in the near future.
Thanks for the link. I imagine others know the history better than I do, but I think a lot of it started with the take over of Heritage by the tea party, possibly when Jim DeMint took the reins. Either way, yes, it's just turned into a formal mouthpiece for the growing radicalization of the party. The health care initiative report they did was many, many years ago, now.
Schumer has the power to immediately end Tuberville's idiotic tantrum. Instead of threatening to make the senate "work" through the weekend, hold the senate open for voting 24/7 until Grassley's and Tuberville's and Mcconnell's prostates explode. You'd get unanimity by 8 o'clock tonight. The fact that he refuses to do so tells me he really DGAF. Also I don't understand why this idea is not openly discussed by anyone except me. Am I missing something? Is there some inviolate natural law that says Schumer doesn't have this unilateral power to hold the senate 24/7?
Believe me, this has been discussed behind closed doors. It’s not like the Democrats aren’t looking at this from every angle. On some level you need to trust that procedurally this will not work, though why it is I cannot say because I’m not the parliamentarian. There are rules around how these appointments get processed by roll call, and they have to be abided by. Schumer has a LOT of other things to do and get done besides fulfill appointments made more burdensome by one rebel, and if he begins to do things based on Tuberville’s schedule, it would hand him a win procedurally. Remember, he already claimed a huge victory that Schumer had to use up precious Senate time to confirm just three people.
My point is to hold it 24/7, until the Senators are drowning in their own urine and feces and hallucinating from lack of sleep. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Or is this a manufactured crisis? They'd vote 99-1 or 100-1 at that point to end it. As far as I understand the rules Schumer can do that unilaterally. Is there a rule that says he can't?
If I understand it correctly, there might be two problems. First, it may not actually work (as Jay implied). And secondly, it would set a precedent that could later backfire badly.
Although the third problem might well be that, for the last 20 years at least, the Democrats have brought Nerf balls to a gun fight. I still remember Obama unnecessarily bargaining away most of the best parts of what ended up as Obamacare in a naive and futile hope of "bipartisanship".
OK but how would it not work? It seems pretty straightforward to me. And I'm not worried about what may or may not happen in the future, I'm worried about what's happening right now. As to the third problem, you are right. Schumer would never do it sadly. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't demand it.
Pretty odd that Republicans can bend the rules to appoint 3 SCOTUS justices, and Democrats are unable to get military promotions approved because of the perception of a GOP procedural win.
Next November, no one will care about Senate rules...the perception will be that Democrats got played...again.
I agree. How is that they get away with that stuff & Dens don’t. If we’re the only nice guys in the sand box, it’s time to start throwing sand in their faces.
Tuberville doesn't live in Alabama. We need to insist on stronger residency requirements of US Senators and House of Representatives. Challenge his right to hold office. If no one enforces the laws then you end up with what the GOP has become.
U.S. Constitution Article I, Sec. 3: "No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected,
*be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen." *
By the letter of the Constitution, the Carpetbagger from Alabama is, in fact, NOT eligible to hold his office or be elected to it in the first place. Not sure how one would go about enforcing this, but it really needs to be figured out before it gets to be a shoulder-shrugging habit.
First of all, that clause applies only to the time of his election. Once elected, a Senator (or Congressperson) can move anywhere, and keep the office until the next election.
And second, unfortunately, there is plenty of precedent of candidates flouting this rule. I remember a California representative (I believe Duke Cunningham, but I could be mistaken), *in the middle of his campaign* filing some paperwork in Virginia where he had to swear that his VA home was his only residence (I think it was to qualify for something like in-state tuition for his children). He got away with it. Note: I'm not 100% certain it was Cunningham, but it was a Republican Representative from North San Diego County, and he was incumbent at the time. Must have been early 2000's.
Just because someone gets away with something illegal, does that give others the right to do the same? What if we extrapolate out? Like the cops getting away with killing a guy in custody? Does that set a precedent? I’m not being facetious. I hate pettiness. But the GOP is becoming like a runaway train. Desperate times require desperate measures, within the rule of law. I don’t care how obscure or petty, if it gets the job done. My take. Lol.
I was in Clark county Washington looking at suing some neighbors and it said I could sue anybody. I am so tempted, but I think it would be better if somebody in his state did that. No Lawyer is allowed in small claims court.
And I'm an optimist. I wish it were possible and I wish people stood up and demanded their rights because we have rights we don't even use. Voting is the obvious one, there are others
I agree. Dems come across as wimps because we never “call” them on this —-t. If they keep pushing & no one ever pushes back, they’re enabling. How do you think DT became DT? No one ever said “enough is enough, stop, you’re done! So now we have all his little droids in Congress & the Senate doing his bidding.
There is a very small bit of hope in Alabama now that the SCOTUS has denied the GOP's bid to use their gerrymandered congressional map. Granted Tommy T isn't up for re-election until 2026, but maybe, just maybe that seat can flip to a D.
Not relevant to Senate elections - statewide office, not dependent on gerrymandered districts. Would love to have someone with standing put SCOTUS on the spot re: eligibility of Senator Tubby.
Thank you so much for this, Jay - I know I specifically asked questions about these two points, and I really appreciate this. I am curious - is there any particular reason why the Problem Solvers' Caucus hadn't stepped in already? Or does it REALLY have to come to the last possible line - like government shut down - to give them the power to act?
If McCarthy uses any Democratic votes to pass the budget or a continuing resolution, then the far-right has threatened him with removal. For the Problem Solvers solution to work, and for McCarthy to keep his job, a lot of stars would have to align.
Chuck Shumer is partially, a tiny bit partially, to blame for the holdup in general officer promotions. Tubbyville started this stunt 6 months ago. Once it became apparent that Tubbyville would continue to be obstreperous, Schumer could have thumbed his nose at him and started promoting two or three general officers a day. Instead, Democrats wailed "But we've always done it this way! It'll take months to get through this backlog!" Well, it's BEEN months and they've promoted three officers, and only those because it was crunch time with Milley retiring. If Schumer had started the process five and a half months ago, the Senate would have been aways through the list by now. Schumer could have also started the process to get rid of the one-person rule, and I'm willing to bet that Mitch McConnell would have helped him, because even Republicans are getting fed up with Tubbyville. So, fellow Dems, our learned helplessness in the face of Republican obstructionism isn't doing us any favors.
Thank you for all you do Jay. I have enjoyed all your posts, and all the topics. Sadly we have come to this impasse in the senate and in the house. I feel sorry for the students learning about govt in school, they must think we adults all lie to them.
It’s both astounding and not at all surprising that all it takes to get Senators to actually act on something is to threaten to make them work over the weekend.
Oh, you know - the usual suspects. Koch brothers, DeVos family, Heritage Foundation, various super PACs- all dedicated to achieving full minority control of our republic.
It's bundled into some sort of Freedom PAC run by Jim Jordan. Boebert alone got 12 million. Someone had to go out and find her and make her presentable.
Dems need to work to make this happen... It means getting Republican support. Hard but not impossible. Jefferies pls step up, shows us you are a leader!
If they want to burn the house down make sure to lock them in it! Keep session open till all confirmations done. Our military do not get to walk away when the mission is not complete bc they want to go home for the weekend.
Yes!
Tuberville is an enemy combatant.
Tuberville is a terrible coach, a racist SOB, and a carpetbagger - the last of which should have his constituency up in arms, considering the history of that term. He is also a d**k.
I'm actually kind of surprised an attempt hasn't been made on his life. I mean, your talking about armed soldiers being taken advantage of by an outright idiot. I'm not advocating, just saying I'm a bit surprised, and it won't be much of a shock if and when it does happen.
Daniel? In your speculative statement I’m seeing a misguided viewpoint and an insult to the military. Our side, democracy, isn’t known for solving problematic interference by sht birds that way. Nor is the military. Sure, I wish Tuberville would get himself gone, and he will, no question in my book.
Viewing all this from the EU, so admittedly I am not an expert, but The Problem-Solving Caucus? Isn't the whole of Congress supposed to be focused on solving problems? I thought that was their entire raison d'être.
Working across the aisle used to be the norm. It has become the exception after the GOP takeover of the House following redistricting in 2010 and lopsided gerrymanders in many states.
It’s embarrassing to admit that.
🤯😒
It's very hard to focus on solving problems when you have so many freaking toddlers occupying seats in the House. I know some preschoolers that could do a better job than these knuckleheads that are presently taking up that valuable space.
Aren’t these toddlers and knuckleheads you are referring to really the traitors and haters of America and it’s Constitution who may actually be under the orders of a foreign enemy government?
The EU, or at least some countries in it, are actually a good model to understand what's going on. The US currently has the equivalent of three or four or five parties. The unFreedom caucus is roughly the equivalent of Germany's AfD or Italy's Five Stars or France's Le Pen. Or in the past (mathematically, not politcally) the equivalent of Germany's FDP or Green party. All tiny majorities (at the time), but with dramatically outsized influence because nobody is able to build a majority without them.
Note: the analogy is not perfect in various respects, but may help a European to get a better understanding of the situation.
... tiny minorities ... of course!
I am in France also and it's impossible to understand the Govt. of the US.
At the same time I wish Europe would grow a spine and start falling away from the US.
I am also viewing this from the EU, but as if I were in the USA where my husband currently is and a large portion of my family. Whatever is wrong with the politics where I am, I feel like politicians care to make things work for the people, as they see it working. That is just not true of the Republicans. As far as I can see, it is about campaign contributions and graft. All corruption and no substance. Tommy Tuberville ought to be sent on a mission to observe the armed troops in action. In fact, he should be drafted. Is there some way to bring that about?
Accusing the Republicans of graft and greed is preferable to them, because what they really are is the emerging Fourth Reich.
People still see them as an American political party of toddlers and knuckleheads.
That is why I call them the New American Nazi Party, and the AfD in Germany the New German Nazi Party. Not to be duped by a name.
Something must be done to get the crazies under control. They want to shut down the government, that is their end goal. They don’t care about the American people, they only care about Trump and bowing to him. They don’t care about the constitution either. They need to be voted out but they have gerrymandered the states to a point that it is next to impossible to vote them out.
The frustrating thing is that they ran with the intended purpose of burning the government down and blaming it on the Dems. That message apparently appealed to enough voters to reward them with Congressional seats--and reelection! WTF is wrong with these idiots?!
I have the same question. Sometimes I think about what it would be like to have the ability to temporarily occupy the minds of these idiots just to experience what they're experiencing and watch how their minds work. Then I start questioning my sanity lol.
In my opinion, many, and possibly the majority, of those voters aren't extremists, but simply frustrated, and have been frustrated for decades. It's not really about extremism, it's simply about "My father in the 1970s could buy a house and a car and have a comfortable life. with only a high school degree. I have a college degree, and can still barely afford a tiny studio apartment working two jobs?" (note that this is primarily a a white-centric view, which of course very much aligns with the "burn the house down" voting patterns).
These voters have felt neglected by both major parties for decades. They aren't primarily looking to "burn the house down" but see that as the only way to get heard at all.
If the Republicans retake the Senate in 2024, watch how fast they get rid of the filibuster, especially if they have Trump in the White House.
It all depends. Republicans mostly want to pass budget items like reductions in taxes. That doesn’t require a filibuster to overcome. They have a structural advantage when it comes to their priorities.
Oh, you're absolutely right about that, but I was thinking more in terms of a national abortion ban (which I am certain they will try to pass if they get control of the White House and the Senate, and keep control of the House), and a national "voter integrity" (translation: A national "Let's make sure that only Caucasian Christians can vote, to the maximum extent possible") law.
Ian it will be much worse than that. I have been struggling trying to get through Project 2025 written by the Heritage Foundation. It appears their plans are to place the entire Federal government under control of the Executive branch, totally remove any mention of abortion in all documents, eliminate the Department of Education and much more. Ali Velshi had a clip on MSNBC a couple of days ago and covered some of the most important aspects. I am hoping Jay will be able to discuss this further in the near future.
That is horrifying.
The amazing thing is that the original basis for RomneyCare was written by the Heritage Foundation before it got taken over by lunatics.
Ali Velshi said something I was not aware of. Apparently The Heritage Foundation started writing The Mandate for Leadership each year since at least the days of Reagan. They updated it every few years and I think the last update prior to this one was Project 2020. Each time they have updated it they have moved further to the right. Now it seems they are going all in on what I consider fascism. This is the clip from MSNBC: https://www.msnbc.com/ali-velshi/watch/-they-re-already-putting-this-plan-into-action-the-chilling-truth-about-project-2025-s-radical-agenda-193655877904?fbclid=IwAR3YMX8QDzyVotX2Zp-4Us9yyRKhm5ghAf7nXJ5-Yi2DdMxzhdBxIuMjwe8
Thanks for the link. I imagine others know the history better than I do, but I think a lot of it started with the take over of Heritage by the tea party, possibly when Jim DeMint took the reins. Either way, yes, it's just turned into a formal mouthpiece for the growing radicalization of the party. The health care initiative report they did was many, many years ago, now.
Schumer has the power to immediately end Tuberville's idiotic tantrum. Instead of threatening to make the senate "work" through the weekend, hold the senate open for voting 24/7 until Grassley's and Tuberville's and Mcconnell's prostates explode. You'd get unanimity by 8 o'clock tonight. The fact that he refuses to do so tells me he really DGAF. Also I don't understand why this idea is not openly discussed by anyone except me. Am I missing something? Is there some inviolate natural law that says Schumer doesn't have this unilateral power to hold the senate 24/7?
Believe me, this has been discussed behind closed doors. It’s not like the Democrats aren’t looking at this from every angle. On some level you need to trust that procedurally this will not work, though why it is I cannot say because I’m not the parliamentarian. There are rules around how these appointments get processed by roll call, and they have to be abided by. Schumer has a LOT of other things to do and get done besides fulfill appointments made more burdensome by one rebel, and if he begins to do things based on Tuberville’s schedule, it would hand him a win procedurally. Remember, he already claimed a huge victory that Schumer had to use up precious Senate time to confirm just three people.
My point is to hold it 24/7, until the Senators are drowning in their own urine and feces and hallucinating from lack of sleep. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Or is this a manufactured crisis? They'd vote 99-1 or 100-1 at that point to end it. As far as I understand the rules Schumer can do that unilaterally. Is there a rule that says he can't?
If I understand it correctly, there might be two problems. First, it may not actually work (as Jay implied). And secondly, it would set a precedent that could later backfire badly.
Although the third problem might well be that, for the last 20 years at least, the Democrats have brought Nerf balls to a gun fight. I still remember Obama unnecessarily bargaining away most of the best parts of what ended up as Obamacare in a naive and futile hope of "bipartisanship".
OK but how would it not work? It seems pretty straightforward to me. And I'm not worried about what may or may not happen in the future, I'm worried about what's happening right now. As to the third problem, you are right. Schumer would never do it sadly. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't demand it.
Good question. I would like to see it answered.
Pretty odd that Republicans can bend the rules to appoint 3 SCOTUS justices, and Democrats are unable to get military promotions approved because of the perception of a GOP procedural win.
Next November, no one will care about Senate rules...the perception will be that Democrats got played...again.
I agree. How is that they get away with that stuff & Dens don’t. If we’re the only nice guys in the sand box, it’s time to start throwing sand in their faces.
Tuberville doesn't live in Alabama. We need to insist on stronger residency requirements of US Senators and House of Representatives. Challenge his right to hold office. If no one enforces the laws then you end up with what the GOP has become.
U.S. Constitution Article I, Sec. 3: "No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected,
*be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen." *
By the letter of the Constitution, the Carpetbagger from Alabama is, in fact, NOT eligible to hold his office or be elected to it in the first place. Not sure how one would go about enforcing this, but it really needs to be figured out before it gets to be a shoulder-shrugging habit.
First of all, that clause applies only to the time of his election. Once elected, a Senator (or Congressperson) can move anywhere, and keep the office until the next election.
And second, unfortunately, there is plenty of precedent of candidates flouting this rule. I remember a California representative (I believe Duke Cunningham, but I could be mistaken), *in the middle of his campaign* filing some paperwork in Virginia where he had to swear that his VA home was his only residence (I think it was to qualify for something like in-state tuition for his children). He got away with it. Note: I'm not 100% certain it was Cunningham, but it was a Republican Representative from North San Diego County, and he was incumbent at the time. Must have been early 2000's.
Just because someone gets away with something illegal, does that give others the right to do the same? What if we extrapolate out? Like the cops getting away with killing a guy in custody? Does that set a precedent? I’m not being facetious. I hate pettiness. But the GOP is becoming like a runaway train. Desperate times require desperate measures, within the rule of law. I don’t care how obscure or petty, if it gets the job done. My take. Lol.
Somebody please file a suit!
Can I file a lawsuit in Oregon Small claim Court?
I was in Clark county Washington looking at suing some neighbors and it said I could sue anybody. I am so tempted, but I think it would be better if somebody in his state did that. No Lawyer is allowed in small claims court.
And I'm an optimist. I wish it were possible and I wish people stood up and demanded their rights because we have rights we don't even use. Voting is the obvious one, there are others
And Chicken Run Hawley doesn't live in Missouri
I agree. Dems come across as wimps because we never “call” them on this —-t. If they keep pushing & no one ever pushes back, they’re enabling. How do you think DT became DT? No one ever said “enough is enough, stop, you’re done! So now we have all his little droids in Congress & the Senate doing his bidding.
That is partly why I think there is more behind his temper tantrum. He lives in Florida. TFG likes football celebrities. Just sayin.
Right now, even a poorly-engineered AI system would be better than the current Republican Party.
There is a very small bit of hope in Alabama now that the SCOTUS has denied the GOP's bid to use their gerrymandered congressional map. Granted Tommy T isn't up for re-election until 2026, but maybe, just maybe that seat can flip to a D.
Not relevant to Senate elections - statewide office, not dependent on gerrymandered districts. Would love to have someone with standing put SCOTUS on the spot re: eligibility of Senator Tubby.
If a standout candidate such as Doug Jones got trampled by Tubo, who possibly could win as a Dem in AL?
Thank you so much for this, Jay - I know I specifically asked questions about these two points, and I really appreciate this. I am curious - is there any particular reason why the Problem Solvers' Caucus hadn't stepped in already? Or does it REALLY have to come to the last possible line - like government shut down - to give them the power to act?
If McCarthy uses any Democratic votes to pass the budget or a continuing resolution, then the far-right has threatened him with removal. For the Problem Solvers solution to work, and for McCarthy to keep his job, a lot of stars would have to align.
Chuck Shumer is partially, a tiny bit partially, to blame for the holdup in general officer promotions. Tubbyville started this stunt 6 months ago. Once it became apparent that Tubbyville would continue to be obstreperous, Schumer could have thumbed his nose at him and started promoting two or three general officers a day. Instead, Democrats wailed "But we've always done it this way! It'll take months to get through this backlog!" Well, it's BEEN months and they've promoted three officers, and only those because it was crunch time with Milley retiring. If Schumer had started the process five and a half months ago, the Senate would have been aways through the list by now. Schumer could have also started the process to get rid of the one-person rule, and I'm willing to bet that Mitch McConnell would have helped him, because even Republicans are getting fed up with Tubbyville. So, fellow Dems, our learned helplessness in the face of Republican obstructionism isn't doing us any favors.
Thank you for all you do Jay. I have enjoyed all your posts, and all the topics. Sadly we have come to this impasse in the senate and in the house. I feel sorry for the students learning about govt in school, they must think we adults all lie to them.
"And in exchange for their support, Democrats could insist upon some changes of their own".
Won't happen, because who would be the guarantor of "some changes"? That's right, Il Castrato himself, the lifeless Speaker, end of story.
It’s both astounding and not at all surprising that all it takes to get Senators to actually act on something is to threaten to make them work over the weekend.
They all need to get back to the nursing home (Ageism joke but I'm old so I get to say it)
What groups funded the campaigns of the extremists? It had to take money to push them onto the voting public.
Oh, you know - the usual suspects. Koch brothers, DeVos family, Heritage Foundation, various super PACs- all dedicated to achieving full minority control of our republic.
It's bundled into some sort of Freedom PAC run by Jim Jordan. Boebert alone got 12 million. Someone had to go out and find her and make her presentable.
Sorry, Boebert still not presentable. . .
Dems need to work to make this happen... It means getting Republican support. Hard but not impossible. Jefferies pls step up, shows us you are a leader!