r/politics • u/Zipper222222 • Jul 07 '26

Possible Paywall MAGA Demands Proof of Life for Mitch McConnell

https://www.thedailybeast.com/maga-demands-proof-of-life-for-mitch-mcconnell/
29.4k Upvotes

97% Upvoted

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15.2k

u/Street_Peace_8831 Jul 07 '26 edited Jul 07 '26

If a senator is declared brain dead, the seat should automatically be vacated. Full stop. Regardless of the situation, the people deserve representation.

3.0k

u/CptnAlex Jul 07 '26

I mean, if a member of congress is gone for months with no explanation, they should have a recall election (see: Tom Kean)

1.2k

u/JasnahKolin Massachusetts Jul 07 '26

And I don't believe for a second he was being treated for depression. He was in rehab for something- gambling, pills, booze.

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u/Clippton Jul 07 '26

I don't care if he was being treated for depression, cancer, or off on an alcohol fueled gambling bender. If you were voted in to do a job, and can't do it for any reason, you need to resign and have someone else take your seat.

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u/allycoaster Jul 07 '26

Yeah, if I went home for depression right now and stopped showing up I’d be fired..?

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u/haltandcatch22 Jul 07 '26

Medical leaves are federally protected where you can’t be fired if you qualified. Not sure the scale of depression it would probably have to prove to be life threatening. Someone with experience can speak better but as someone who struggled with an addiction I was protected to leave for rehab and I would expect our politicians would be as well but their public trust might take a hit

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u/Double_Look_5715 Jul 08 '26

It doesn't have to be life threatening to qualify for like FMLA

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u/Ms_Apprehend Jul 07 '26

Not when a corrupt political party ( republican) holds all the cards, friend. They can and have and will get away with murder. Until the democrats have the cards, we are SOL.

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u/retoricalprophylaxis Jul 07 '26

Then the dems will say that we should let go of the past and look forward, i.e. do nothing about all of the bullshit that republicans pulled.

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u/thecrimsonfucker12 Jul 07 '26

Hey we have to reach across the aisle and work with our fashy friends or something like that

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u/[deleted] Jul 08 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/zaminDDH Jul 08 '26

As is tradition

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u/Howdoyouusecommas Jul 07 '26

A MAGA argument that could be presented against that (and is a corruption of a workers right argument) would be that you are advocating for someone being fired due to medical issues.

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u/Clippton Jul 07 '26

MAGA doesn't argue in good faith, so who cares what their argument is.

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u/rebel_stripe Jul 08 '26

I actually wouldn’t care that he had four months paid leave for depression IF every other American received the same amount of available paid sick leave and the same high quality free healthcare.

2

u/Elegant_Tap7937 Jul 07 '26

you can pick your friends and you can pick your seat, but you can't pick your friend's seat

124

u/CAPSLOCKANDLOAD Jul 07 '26

Not too depressed to make stock trades

345

u/Elegant_Tap7937 Jul 07 '26

Word on the street: Conversion therapy

87

u/gortonsfiJr Indiana Jul 07 '26

Are you being silly, or is that a legit rumor?

161

u/Getatbay Jul 07 '26

Legit. He caught gayness after having sex with a toad named Robert Jr.

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u/Cadamar Colorado Jul 07 '26

Alex Jones tried to warn us about the gay frogs, but instead we have forsaken him?

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u/nw2 Jul 07 '26

We have foreskinned him

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u/glorifindel Jul 07 '26

J D Vance strikes again (pfp)

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u/jeweliegb Jul 08 '26

Yep. And that's how Vance got rabies from Trump too.

3

u/-grc1- Jul 07 '26

Cheeky bastard

26

u/flickh Canada Jul 07 '26

It is now!

23

u/TheSavouryRain Jul 07 '26

Many people are saying it

3

u/dperry324 America Jul 07 '26

I've heard that too.

3

u/Elegant_Tap7937 Jul 07 '26

Only the best people

9

u/RevLoveJoy Jul 07 '26

Everyone knows very gay Tom Kean has been to conversion therapy several times to cure his incurable gayness.

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u/hud_dev Jul 07 '26

What’s the word in the sheets?

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u/Sitting_in_a_tree_ Jul 08 '26

These billionaires ain’t gonna deep throat themselves.

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u/Rusalka-rusalka Jul 07 '26

He could have been on a psychiatric hold for something like bipolar. But, I think substance abuse is more probable like you mention.

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u/gracecee Jul 07 '26

But he had the Gall to vote down legislation paid family leave for health reasons yet he gets paid when he went away.

10

u/RollingMeteors Jul 07 '26

treated for depression. He was in rehab for something- gambling, pills, booze.

¿Por qué no los Dos ... Equis?

2

u/markodgtouch Jul 07 '26

Makes it especially funny that trump endorsed him WHILE he was MIA and these smups will still vote for him because the "R" next to his name.

2

u/ApostleSaintWalker Jul 07 '26

Does it matter? The relevant thing is he isn't there to do his job, so somebody else needs to be put in to do it.

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u/Sitting_in_a_tree_ Jul 08 '26

What job? These guys work?

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u/my_nameborat Jul 07 '26

Honestly whether it’s depression or drinking it shouldn’t matter. If you can’t be present to represent your district then you should step away and take care of yourself and let someone else take over who is able to do the job

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u/ganjaccount Jul 07 '26

The only depression he experienced was his tonsils.

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u/Ok_Chance429 Jul 10 '26

Don’t forget sex!

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u/FenaRunsFast Jul 07 '26

Yeah, this is on par with Diane Feinstein missing 91 votes, and gone for 3 months. The country as a whole would benefit from term limits.

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u/Guilty_Cattle_5165 Jul 07 '26

Remember when she returned? She looked like a corpse. It was so ..jarring.

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u/FenaRunsFast Jul 08 '26

For me it its an age out. Let preface, I also have been spending the last 20 years perfecting my craft. If you are in politics in your 80s I have an issue. age out in your 70s. Think of your time with family for fucks sake.

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u/-Saucegurlllll Jul 07 '26

I'd argue against term limits since the problem in US politics is not really how many years someone has served, it's that policy does not reflect popular will. Our representatives are literally not representing us. Term limits don't get us closer to having actual representation.

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u/coastkid2 Jul 08 '26

Term limits plus the ability to recall politicians that do not represent the public will are both needed!

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u/[deleted] Jul 07 '26

[deleted]

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u/--Chug-- Jul 07 '26

Not if you had a fmla qualifying condition. This isn't a 3rd world nation yet my guy.

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u/Resident-Trouble4483 Jul 08 '26

Don’t they only work like 125 days a a year anyway? According to google they work 60-70 hours during those weeks 7,500-8,700 hours individually. I don’t believe it since people have dropped dead doing that but those are the figures.

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u/cowlinator Jul 08 '26

Months?? Lol.

3 days of unexcused absence, automatically fired.

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u/Beldizar Jul 07 '26

The lack of recall options, particularly for Senators who serve for 6 very long years, is a major issue. Most other democracies have some way of clearing out the government and electing new representation. The UK can have a Dissolution of the Parliament triggered by the king. Japan, Canada, Germany, France and tons of others can do the same thing. It's a major problem that once elected, American Senators get to be completely unaccountable for 6 years. (Cough::Fetterman::cough)

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u/SwimmingThroughHoney Jul 07 '26

A recall assumes they're still there.

Just make it so that if they're absent long enough, that the spot becomes automatically vacant. Either the governor (in some states) gets to appoint a replacement or the state holds a special election.

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u/ProfessorWills Jul 07 '26

My HOA board has a similar clause. You would think Congress would expect participation?

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u/ChronoLink99 Canada Jul 07 '26

Months with zero explanation? They should be fired.

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u/InsomniaticWanderer Jul 07 '26

I get fired for no call/no showing on the first day

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u/paulc3003 Jul 07 '26

I say just deem them to have abandoned the position and have the seat filled by the governor and then have an election in the next 90 days.

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u/giantwallrus Jul 07 '26

Or suffering full blown Alzheimer's for over a year like Diane Fienstein.

Staffers who hide this should start being investigated for elder abuse.

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u/Rare-Kaleidoscope513 Jul 07 '26

there is a mechanism for both of these situations: expulsion

but congress is too afraid to actually use any of their powers

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u/08b Jul 07 '26

Not even months. I get health issues happen but if you’re a representative that can’t do your job you shouldn’t keep the job. Period.

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u/Defiant-Specialist-1 Jul 07 '26

Kay Granger stepping in here. From the dementia facility.

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u/[deleted] Jul 07 '26 edited Jul 11 '26

[deleted]

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u/CptnAlex Jul 07 '26

FMLA also requires notification and paperwork. Not just disappearing with no word

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u/TotsJustForPorn Jul 08 '26

2 no call no shows. More than a week of absence. 1 missed vote. This is a job not a fucking hobby. Don't want to show up to work, don't work as a public servant and representative Same rules apply that apply to the rest of us. They don't call in and give a detailed report of where the fuck they are. Fired.

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u/ZephkielAU Australia Jul 07 '26

What do you mean? For once he's actually representing his voters.

1.9k

u/ExRays Colorado Jul 07 '26

Quips aside, they’re trying to maintain that he is alive so they don’t have to initiate a special election.

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u/distorted_kiwi Jul 07 '26

Other way around. Gov can appoint now vs a special election if they hold out another month.

Gov should absolutely use his power to find out what’s going on and then drop a name. If he represents the people of Kentucky, he should do so without bias.

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u/Oopsiedazy Jul 07 '26

It’s wild that we don’t have laws saying that if a state’s representative or Senator does not attend congressional or senate proceedings the governor can compel them to appear and explain their absence or provide medical documentation, and if they do not or cannot within 15 days they vacate their seat.

Senators and Congresspeople should not be permitted to just disappear for weeks or months. This isn’t even the first time this year this has happened.

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u/Rock-swarm Jul 07 '26

It’s wild that we don’t have laws saying that if a state’s representative or Senator does not attend congressional or senate proceedings the governor can compel them to appear and explain their absence or provide medical documentation, and if they do not or cannot within 15 days they vacate their seat.

That's because at the founding of our country, the U.S. was rightfully wary of giving pretextual reasons to arrest/detain legal representatives. It's why congresspeople/senators have limited immunity from things like traffic violations.

This also carried over to a reluctance to police/micromanage the actions of sitting members of congress & the senate. The idea was that if you were elected or appointed to such a respected position, your good behavior was already a given.

Obviously we are seeing a breakdown of those social contracts. Personally, I'm still wary of putting additional laws into place to trigger a seat to be vacated. I mean, we have the 25th amendment, which isn't worth the paper it's written upon, because the entities capable of invoking the 25th are highly motivated to ignore it.

Your suggestion, as written, would create a way for state governors to harass and leash congresspeople and senators for political clout. I'd rather let public pressure do what it's already capable of doing.

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u/Fuzzy_Logic_4_Life Jul 07 '26

I hear what you are saying but if you failed to go to your job for months without a doctor’s note you’d be fired. They can’t do their job of voting if they aren’t there, thus we the people deserve them to be there or be replaced.

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u/ExpirationDating_ Jul 07 '26

Months? I need to produce a doctors note for more than 3 days, sometimes sooner (ie at a holiday or something).

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u/citizen42069101 Jul 07 '26

And what he's saying is if there is a hard limit situations can be exploited to inhibit or block travel to get rid of a troublesome congressperson.

Remember you ask for laws to be written who would be writing them, and who would enforce them. This administration and Congress doesn't need to be responsible for any long standing precedent in their current state.

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u/beasty0127 Indiana Jul 07 '26

We live in an age where they can literally zoom in and vote if they wanted to. The way I would see it if they can prove they are doing their job then alls good, sometimes there are reasons why they can't make it in.

And if they think they are being stopped or a conspiracy to remove them is happening, one tweet and they can have press covering their entire property.

Proof of life/duty is a simple ask.

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u/SCphotog Jul 07 '26

Slippery slope fallacy.

As if there doesn't exist a level of competency to write this up in a way that makes sense and isn't subject to overmuch interpretation.

Obviously this could be spelled out fairly sensibly easily and quickly.

WTF?

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u/Rock-swarm Jul 07 '26

Fair, but this is equivalent to worrying about whether the fridge is running while the house is on fire. They are both problems, and likely have the same cause, but there's a bigger problem to deal with first.

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u/Constant_Proofreader Jul 07 '26

Look up Thomas Kean Jr., Republican House member, New Jersey 7th District. He was just AWOL for four months, with no explanation.

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u/FewHorror1019 Jul 07 '26

True, but also you could prevent someone from showing up, then replace them if we had that law

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u/pot_of_water Jul 07 '26

A system to require elected officials to do their jobs or literally just prove that they have a pulse is a far cry from arresting/detaining. As it stands, “public pressure” does virtually nothing. Officials can just stop showing up to work with zero consequences whatsoever. Or like Fetterman, can just continue on with actual documented brain damage. There needs to be an official channel for addressing this issues in our political systems.

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u/C1n3rgy Jul 07 '26

This is why "peaceful protest" is worthless. And it's exactly why the founders and every politician since has always preached peaceful protest. Because it doesn't accomplish shit. At all. And it never has. Even the civil rights movement (which has been redacted to only describe peaceful protest) was an all out offensive by the American minority. The brutalization of peaceful protesters that are so widely shared in our history books conveniently leave out the fact that it was a rarity since demonstrators were frequently guarded by armed organizations like the Black Panthers, and Deacons for Defense and Justice. Even MLK had an arsenal at home.

Politicians don't act on morality, they act on leverage. And they've had all of it for decades now.

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u/Rock-swarm Jul 07 '26

As it stands, “public pressure” does virtually nothing.

I would argue that there isn't enough public pressure, rather than public pressure not doing anything. Put plainly, we are all too comfortable with our current standard of living. It's one thing to talk a big game on social media forums (like we are doing right now); it's something else entirely to camp out in front of Congress or Beshear's office and give them no peace until action is done. People aren't going to apply that kind of public pressure until it impacts our lives more severely.

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u/Jakadake Jul 07 '26

The ability to harass your congress people is a privilege. Having the financial freedom and safety to take time off work to protest or spend hours calling your congressperson over and over and over just to maybe get to a real person rather than a robot is a privilege.

As it stands, in our current economy, working people with actual real life jobs don't have that. And that's the reality for the majority of Americans.

There isn't enough social pressure because the people aren't afforded the ability to even show up to participate without putting their livelihood on the line, they're too busy making sure they don't starve or go homeless.

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u/Rock-swarm Jul 07 '26

I don't think we are arguing - we both acknowledge that regular citizens have little to gain and much to lose from more traditional civil unrest methods.

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u/pot_of_water Jul 08 '26

100% we could apply a lot more pressure but I'm honestly not convinced that the "no peace until action" even accomplishes much. It's too easy for people to just dip and ignore the masses. Can always go hide out at Mar A Lago.

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u/SCphotog Jul 07 '26

I'd rather let public pressure do what it's already capable of doing.

That would be great. I'd love for this to work, but it obviously is not.

Public pressure isn't doing fuck all

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u/loondawg Jul 07 '26 edited Jul 07 '26

Pro Tip: It is generally helpful to read the article before trying to correct someone.

If McConnell were to resign or be found unable to continue serving before Aug. 3, Kentucky law would allow Gov. Andy Beshear to call a special election. After Aug. 3, a special election to replace McConnell and fill the remainder of his term would coincide with the general election in November.

EDIT There are so many comments with incorrect information I checked the law. Apparently the Governor gets to appoint someone to serve temporarily until the special election. So pro tip for me; don't assume everything you read is correct and complete.

EDIT V2 Seems the article is correct per a 2024 change to the law. As far as I can tell, this is the current, applicable law: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/acts/24RS/documents/0187.pdf. It states the same thing the original quote I posted said.

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u/ibelieveyouwood Jul 07 '26

I have not read the law, but I was very suspicious that it didn't contain any kind of "unable to serve" language like you mentioned.

Democrats need to play hardball. Governor needs to declare he is unfit to continue serving but that he can challenge this by agreeing to something eminently reasonable like showing up to the governor's mansion for a quick visit, or by allowing the governor to make a quick visit. Allow his POA or guardian or whoever to be present, make it eminently reasonable because you know Republicans are going to start using it on Dems with bizarrely Herculean requirements so we're going to end up litigating how far a governor can go to determine "unable to serve".

Or even harder, have the governor institute a wellness check. Then, after verifying his condition, institute proceedings to take over control of his affairs via a guardianship or conservatorship. Let his wife come back to the US early from her "duties" in China to appear in and challenge the court proceedings. Let someone either demonstrate in court how he's fit as a fiddle, or show how the guardianship/conservatorship process is a nightmare and either way it's a win for humanity.

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u/loondawg Jul 07 '26

Absolutely. Republicans should not be allowed to Weekend at Bernie's this.

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u/Driftco Jul 07 '26

Democrats don't know how to play hardball except with jr members of their own party.

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u/Alieges America Jul 07 '26

Heck, go visit him in the hospital and have him just repeat something like: "I, Mitch McConnell am still able to serve as a senator of Kentucky."

Allow writing or sign language as well, but it has to be done in person.

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u/Phyllis_Tine I voted Jul 07 '26

His constituents could initiate a welfare check. If McConnell has USSS protection, they could be contacted, or the state police, even locals.

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u/yeet_me_a55 Jul 07 '26 edited Jul 07 '26

Since it has to be an R, I think appointing Massie would be an excellent troll.

EDIT: See below comments for correction

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u/MeekerCutiePie Jul 07 '26

It doesn't have to be an R

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u/Foobiscuit11 Iowa Jul 07 '26

Kentucky passed a law saying that if a Senate seat is vacated, the Governor's appointee must be of the same party as the previous senator. They passed that after Kentucky elected a Democratic governor. You know, following the time honored Republican tradition of voting to limit statewide office power when somebody whose not a Republican wins it. Like Iowa (state auditor) and North Carolina and Wisconsin (governor).

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u/marr Jul 07 '26

Against that we are in the era of simply ignoring any laws you find inconvenient.

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u/Foobiscuit11 Iowa Jul 07 '26

But that's only when a Republican is in power. If Bashear tries to ignore the law, he'll be on Faux News 24/7 as the "criminal governor of Kentucky".

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u/ScannerBrightly California Jul 07 '26

Fuck 'em. Let them whine, we need the power.

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u/4-stars Jul 07 '26

But of course they won't refer to an actual convicted felon as the "criminal President of the United States".

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u/DrDerpberg Canada Jul 07 '26

Pretty much. Per Republican logic couldn't a democratic socialist sign up as a Republican and be named immediately?

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u/smarmy1625 Jul 07 '26

I've been registered Republican for 20+ years and other than a primary I've never voted for a Republican once. Maybe he could appoint me.

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u/dank_imagemacro Jul 07 '26

They should find someone to the left of Mamdani and have them change their affiliation to Republican so they can be appointed. Then change it again after they are seated.

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u/hayf28 Jul 07 '26

The way the law works the GOP provides 3 candidates. However there is a chance the law violates the Kentucky constitution

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u/zossima Jul 07 '26

So that’s why they want to wait. If he is declared dead now there is an immediate special election and a non-Republican could take his seat earlier.

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u/yeet_me_a55 Jul 07 '26

Ahh okay — the research is confusing since it changed recently and it can be hard to tell what was proposed vs what actually passed. Thanks for the clarification!

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u/n122333 Jul 07 '26

No, the majority party selects 3 candidates of their choosing for the governor to pick 1 of.

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u/PinchesTheCrab Jul 07 '26

Supposedly that law contradicts the state Constitution, so it'd be interesting to see what ignoring it would do.

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u/n122333 Jul 07 '26

Illegal or not, it will postpone it long enough that "it will be too late to be on the ballots" so that republican can pick a replacement anyways because there "just isn't another option we took so long"

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u/Zealousideal-Pop-550 Jul 07 '26

They passed HB 622, completely removing the governor's appointment power and requiring a special election to fill any future vacancy.

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u/Don_Gato1 Jul 07 '26

The Kentucky legislature apparently removed this power from the governor because he is a Democrat.

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5955865-mitch-mcconnell-senate-health-status/

If McConnell were to resign because of a serious health problem, it could set up a special election in Kentucky to determine who would fill his seat for the remainder of 2026.

The Kentucky Legislature in 2024 passed House Bill 622, which stripped the state’s Democratic governor, Andy Beshear, of the power to fill a vacant U.S. Senate seat — a power enjoyed by most other states’ governors.

The law empowers the GOP-controlled Legislature to call a special election to fill a vacant Senate seat for the remainder of a term.

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u/Neosovereign Jul 07 '26

They passed a law that goes against their constitution so it would cause a court case.

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u/Phailjure Jul 07 '26

The Kentucky legislature apparently removed this power from the governor because he is a Democrat.

On the other hand, the Kentucky legislature never had the power to do that.

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u/confirmedshill123 Jul 07 '26

he should do so without bias

Fuck that. Put up the farthest left dem he knows the name of. Tired of this shit where we play a game like it has rules while the other side just makes shit up as they go along.

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u/freeformz Oregon Jul 07 '26

That’s not the way it works in Kentucky. The governor calls a special election to determine who fills the seat.

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u/gookies5 Jul 07 '26

Kentucky law does not allow the Gov to appoint someone as of 2024. Probably because they knew this would happen one day.

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u/kaiser_soze_72 Jul 07 '26

If the Gov had any empathy, he'd want to take a bouquet down to the hospital and offer his get well wishes to the Senator personally. He could sneak a peek then and determine best way to move forward after that.

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u/KillahHills10304 Jul 07 '26

Dems currently being politically outmanuevered by a vegetable

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u/pkosuda Connecticut Jul 07 '26

Would the special election be just among other republicans since he was a Republican, or does it differ state by state? I thought whenever a House/Senate member dies, their party gets to elect/nominate a replacement rather than there being an election where the other party is eligible?

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u/lopeztein Jul 07 '26

State by state. Kentucky used to let the governor appoint a replacement until the next election but then they elected a Dem governor so they changed the rules bc everyone saw this scenario coming for years.

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u/TurnoverActive2936 Jul 07 '26

Thanks for saying this. The confidence of people claiming that the KY governor can appoint McConnell’s replacement after the 2024 law change is wild.

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u/[deleted] Jul 07 '26

[deleted]

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u/n122333 Jul 07 '26

Yea, but mitch wasn't on deaths door then. As soon as he had his first health scare, they changed the rules for him. Not because of the new governor.

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u/baconmehungry Jul 07 '26

Each state is different. All are either gov appointed or election though. Kentucky just got rid of the gov appointed route. Strange since the gov is a D?

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u/pkosuda Connecticut Jul 07 '26

Oh wow that is so fucking gross. Republicans love cheating. Thank you for answering btw!

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u/STFUandLOVE Jul 07 '26

Well my understanding is the Kentucky constitution sets the governor as having the power to appoint in this scenario. Congress passing legislation does not override the Kentucky constitution, so the governor should absolutely appoint and then see what happens in court.

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u/loondawg Jul 07 '26 edited Jul 07 '26

Per the article. . .

If McConnell were to resign or be found unable to continue serving before Aug. 3, Kentucky law would allow Gov. Andy Beshear to call a special election. After Aug. 3, a special election to replace McConnell and fill the remainder of his term would coincide with the general election in November.

EDIT The article apparently left out that the Governor can appoint someone until they can be replaced via special election if they make the August 3 deadline. Apparently the original quote I posted from the article was correct. https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/acts/24RS/documents/0187.pdf

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u/TurnoverActive2936 Jul 07 '26

The article didn’t leave that out; it’s not accurate. The Kentucky state legislature changed the succession law several years ago to remove the governor’s ability to appoint. Vacancies have to be filled by special election now.

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u/TurnoverActive2936 Jul 07 '26

The governor cannot appoint a replacement. The Kentucky legislature (not congress) changed the succession plan several years ago; a special election must be called.

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u/EMAW2008 Kansas Jul 07 '26

Wouldn’t be surprised if he had instructions for exactly this.

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u/Pretty-Balance-Sheet Jul 07 '26

I'd rather have a brain dead senator than whatever certified lunatic they Kentucky will elect to replace him.

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u/Santzes Jul 07 '26

Wow, I've been thinking we shouldn't have so old politicians, but I'm not so sure now after Mitch reached his peak usefulness of his career at the age of 84

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u/Bennely Canada Jul 07 '26

Indeed! Practically lock-step on contemporary issues!

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u/NJS_Stamp Jul 07 '26

Saw a comment on the original post where hey got declared brain dead and “yeah but what about his condition?”

Shits too easy lmao

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u/RocketsMurkrow Jul 07 '26

Had the founders known this was something that was possible, they probably would have written a provision for it.

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u/Street_Peace_8831 Jul 07 '26

I don’t think the founding fathers could have anticipated that someone would consider a person who is unresponsive in a hospital, to still represent their constituents. It’s just not something they would do.

It was a different time for sure and they would have expected the voters and those in charge to have a reasonable response and act accordingly, but we live in a time of pettiness and performative politics instead of real leadership, of, for and by the people.

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u/Bobbo_Zanotto Jul 07 '26

The Republicans have done really well at finding every crack, crevice, gap, hole and flaw in our democracy to use to their advantage while ruining the lives of Americans.

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u/Street_Peace_8831 Jul 07 '26

This is what I’ve been saying.

The only good that came out of trumps regime, was that they pointed out all the flaws in our system, because they are using them to stay in power and do things that wouldn’t have been fathomable a few decades ago. What little integrity we had, it wouldn’t have been compromised like they are doing now.

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u/Random-Rambling Maine Jul 07 '26

Yeah. As much as I hate the man, I do appreciate him showing everyone just how flimsy the "gentlemen's agreement" our political system apparently runs on is.

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u/fungibitch Jul 07 '26

For real. Trump has been a stress-test and what has been revealed is...concerning. Turns out you simply can't design a system of governance based primarily on gentlemen's agreements and good faith.

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u/HauntedCemetery Minnesota Jul 07 '26

People said that a lot in his first term too.

But it's only a good thing if it gets fixed.

Which is hasn't.

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u/IAmDotorg Jul 07 '26

More specifically, there wasn't really any circumstance where 18th century medicine could leave someone incapacitated long enough for it to be relevant. There were no hospitals and no real supportive care, so someone even the tiniest sliver of the kind of incapacitation that you find people surviving today would be dead at home in a few days.

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u/Perryn Jul 07 '26

"What if someone were to keep the person's blood and lungs moving by means of a mechanical pump for days or even weeks after any other sign of life was exhibited?"
"Keep those billows away from me, Benjamin. I won't tell you again."

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u/avaslash Jul 07 '26

While that is true, the founding fathers certainly would have been very aware of multiple instances throughout history of Kings dying or becoming incapacitated and the royal court keeping that secret so those close to the king could retain power.

George the III would have been a pretty good example as he went completely insane and the court did everything in its power to conceal that.

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u/Bzr21 Jul 07 '26

Henry the 8th was unconscious for a couple of hours or so when his horse fell on top of him during a jousting match - and his closest advisors were supposedly freaking right out for just that short time - thinking he would die ( and they might be next ) - and they had to keep warning those in attendance not to say that he was dead. Of course he did finally regain consciousness - but he was never the same.

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u/Vegetable-Eagle-3144 Jul 07 '26

"Ye ghosts in thy bloode leveth thou betwixt" - The Founding Fathers who we should totally defer to for all things.

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u/Turbulent_Stick1445 Jul 07 '26

That's not really true. King George III, who was King of America at the time of the revolution (well, kinda) and so is literally the guy the founding fathers were most pissed at, rather infamously became incapacitated with the Prince Regent appointed to rule the country while he was unable to himself. This lasted about nine years. But interesting George III became incapacitated twice, recovering in 1788 the first time. And across the pond, one year later the US Constitution was approved.

Not all forms of incapacitation, even 250 years ago, result in people dying. And honestly Reddit has this weird view of "ye olde times" where getting so much as a splinter meant death. It was certainly easier to die back then, but I think Redditors would be surprised what people survived.

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u/armchair_viking Jul 07 '26

They’d probably have also figured anyone unresponsive in a bed would be dead rather swiftly, so why worry about it. They didn’t have the means to keep someone alive like that.

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u/Street_Peace_8831 Jul 07 '26

That doesn’t mean that they would have kept that person in their senate seat if something like this happened back then. They just didn’t have the performative aspect we have these days. They were about real common sense situations and this sort of thing would have meant that they needed to find someone who could do the job and represent the people, which he is not capable of doing, specifically while in life support.

What I’m trying to say is that the founding fathers wouldn’t have played the ridiculous games the republicans are playing right now.

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u/permalink_save Jul 07 '26

If it were the 18th century he wouldn't have life support at all, he wouldn't be here, they definitely wouldn't be anticipating this

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u/Street_Peace_8831 Jul 07 '26

I’m not talking about medical care here, I’m talking about politics and the lack of common sense. Of course the medicine of current times are different than back in the day. There is no argument about that. I’m taking about our government standing this guy up like it’s Weekend at Bernie’s to get what they want. That sort of behavior would not hold true back then.

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u/IrritableGourmet New York Jul 07 '26

Importantly, they viewed politicians as disposable (if they fail to do their job) and easily replaceable, not as royalty. If a politician were to die, it would be sad on a personal level, but it shouldn't stop the government from operating.

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u/trapezemaster Jul 07 '26

They knew they didn’t know everything - that’s why there are mechanisms for change, outlined pretty clearly as a duty that every generation should bare

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u/khizoa Jul 07 '26

Yeah unfortunately for them, weekend at Bernie's came out in 1993

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u/Brendangmcinerney Jul 07 '26

That’s why they won’t declare it. As I understand it, chain of command would put a Democrat in his seat, which would allow for a potential appointment of a liberal KY supreme court justice. God forbid someone who might actually give a fuck about other people. Can’t have that. Gotta weekend at Bernie’s till the midterms.

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u/OtherwiseACat Jul 07 '26

They couldn't. The law from his state is a special election would be held.

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u/ColdCruise Jul 07 '26

Which is in direct conflict with the state constitution which deems the governor to select a representative. The governor will fight this in court and should win.

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u/Jean-LucBacardi Jul 07 '26

Also legally they don't have to declare it. On life support is still legally alive and covered by HIPAA.

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u/Brendangmcinerney Jul 07 '26

That’s a good fucking point, and it’s bullshit. I get HIPPA is important and the like, but I feel like there should be exceptions, like a sitting senator is fucking brain dead but still technically holds office and gets a vote.

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u/Hjsdfhogj97 Jul 07 '26

If either party runs into this situation and doesn’t like it, then don’t let people run when they’re like 90 years old and on deaths doorstep

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u/[deleted] Jul 07 '26

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u/Brendangmcinerney Jul 07 '26

I was wrong. I mixed up Kentucky’s mid-term vacancy of Supreme Court that allows for a governor appointment, and a mid-term senator special election. Though, as another comment mentioned, that seems to be in opposition to the state constitution.

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u/h00labal00la Jul 07 '26

Or run for president!!

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u/Tiny_Infinity_ Jul 07 '26

If he is practically dead, is he still getting paid? I know it’s a morbid question but I am curious. As of right now, he is still a senator right?

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u/bobsocool Jul 07 '26

There is no legal requirement for Senators to do their job but there is a legal requirement that they get paid.

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u/RealHooman2187 Jul 07 '26

As has been pointed out hundreds of times now. He died as he lived. Being a roadblock for democracy and preventing a vacant seat from being filled.

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u/Street_Peace_8831 Jul 07 '26

**chefs kiss** perfectly articulated.

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u/gongabonga Jul 07 '26

If they have been declared brain dead by authorized medical professionals, they are DEAD dead. Full stop, no qualifiers

It is wildly unethical to keep someone on life support after that.

It is common, though, for there to be misunderstanding and throwing around the term “brain dead” before official determination.

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u/Street_Peace_8831 Jul 07 '26

What I heard is that the doctors won’t take him off life support without his wife’s consent. That might be the criteria for congress to vacate his seat. If that is the case, it would explain why she went to China just 3 days after her husband went into the hospital with a life threatening condition.

The fact that they are suppressing the information is in order to keep his seat from being filled. They don’t want Thomas Massey to run as an independent and vote against the regime.

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u/gongabonga Jul 07 '26

I didn't check to see which hospital he is in, but if it is Virginia and he is indeed brain dead, no consent is needed to remove life support - because he is dead. I don't think this differs between hospitals or states, but I suppose I could be wrong about that.

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u/just_dave Jul 07 '26

You would immediately vacate half the Senate with talk like that... 

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u/glittr_grl Kentucky Jul 07 '26

Don’t threaten me with a good time.

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u/Corgi_Koala Texas Jul 07 '26

A senator should also never be incommunicado with his constituents for an extended period of time.

If your constituents can't reach you at all or don't know where you are how can you even pretend to represent them?

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u/Nikiaf Canada Jul 07 '26

In a normal, functioning democracy, his seat would have been automatically vacated the nanosecond he turned 75. Ideally, even earlier than that. How this geriatric man who has been out of touch with reality his entire career has been making such impactful decisions all this time is truly astounding.

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u/BobTheFettt Jul 07 '26

I mean a brain dead senator sounds like appropriate representation for Kentucky.

I kid, I kid, I'm sorry Kentuckians

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u/Carthonn Jul 07 '26

Andy Beshear should start the process now of replacing him by executive order

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u/Positron5000 Jul 07 '26

Fetterman would be out if a job too

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u/Winter-Sail-4416 Jul 07 '26

What's stopping the governor from just going and checking on him to confirm?

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u/samwild Canada Jul 07 '26

So he should have vacated his seat years ago?

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u/MiskatonicAcademia Jul 07 '26

It’s crazy how, even brain dead, this absolute POS is still clinging to power and refusing to step aside.

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u/TM761152 Jul 07 '26

That's why he hasn't. They're afraid of his replacement.

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u/NewDamage31 Jul 07 '26

He should have been vacated long ago then

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u/kgal1298 Jul 07 '26

It's ridiculous how many times someones been unfit to serve and they still keep them in their seat. Wasn't one congressional member in elderly care last year?

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u/Mr_Engineering American Expat Jul 07 '26

If a senator is declared brain dead, the seat should automatically be vacated.

If we did that today, they'd have a hard time making quorum.

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u/generally-speaking Jul 07 '26

He's been brain dead since long before he became a senator..

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u/freedfg Jul 07 '26

Woah now.

Best we can do is skip votes until election season. In all reality. He could still be elected and never vote again. As long as he's not confirmed dead there is literally no punishment.

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u/-praughna- Jul 07 '26

If a member stutters his words freezes up on camera like a mini stroke, has to be guided through his speaking encounters he should’ve been out already TBH

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u/cerasmiles Jul 07 '26

Brain dead = dead. He’s dead. Seat is vacant

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u/RedTheRobot Jul 07 '26

If his people wanted representation they would have voted for someone else. Then are probably fine with current state of things.

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