As of this morning, I’m hugely pessimistic about the future of United States governance. Not specifically because Scott Brown beat Martha Coakley for Ted Kennedy’s old Senate seat–Coakley’s misconduct as a prosecutor was staggering, and I couldn’t have voted for her under any circumstances–but because Senate Democrats are already folding like wet newspaper. In a chamber where Republican Party leaders actively condone the abuse and murder of prisoners and refuse to reduce the bloating national debt, the only hope for a government with a shred of decency and responsibility was that Congressional Democrats would come out swinging. Maybe Pelosi and Reid can keep their fractious party together, but it’s not looking good at the moment.

I don’t see any way this country can maintain its course. Senate Republicans have voted unanimously against every major piece of legislation, and can now filibuster everything they want. We have a non-functioning government, and I don’t see it getting any better in the future. This country is at the crumbling edge of a high cliff, and as Republicans stomp their feet with nihilistic determination, Senate Democrats are unwilling to band together and pull back from the brink.

As of this morning, I am convinced that I will see the United States collapse during my lifetime.

More potentially-related posts:

1. The 80% minority.
2. “I didn’t have many job options.”*
3. I like math, too. And blockquotes.