Wow, what a week

What is wrong with the Republican Party?

OK, OK, I know that is a loaded question. But does it really take more than three weeks to elect a new Speaker of the House?

For that matter, did we even need to elect a new Speaker?

Because Republicans are searching from within their own caucus for a nominee, and apparently can't find one, does that mean even they have to admit their party is drowning in chaos? 

And now, the search for a Speaker comes at a perilous time for this nation, what with international democracy-threatening conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. And, of course, there's that little matter with a previous president who is overwhelmed with indictments while trying to run for re-election.

To my mind, the whole mess began in January when Kevin McCarthy, so transparently eager to become Speaker, agreed to terms whereby if he was chosen, his position could be ended by a vote of the House after a single motion to vacate the office.

Big mistake to agree to that, Kevin.

But that's what happened. Congratulations, Kevin. You outdid yourself. You're the first Speaker in American history ever to have his seat vacated by House vote. See ya.

Incredibly, Representative Matt Gaetz, a Republican bomb thrower who is currently under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for a number of allegations, including violating sex trafficking laws, presented the motion to vacate. You can't make this stuff up.

After a harried search for a nominee to replace McCarthy, the Republicans came up with ... Jim Jordan? Well, there's a winner for you. He's been in Congress 17 years, and has yet to sponsor a bill that has become law. So why does he keep getting re-elected? Do they not teach civics in Ohio? Jordan is also a bomb thrower and a Jan. 6 election denier (or rather, Big Liar) to boot. Just who you want to run the House and be second in line for the presidency, right?

But he, too, failed to gain the necessary 217 votes to become Speaker. In fact, after three ballots, he kept shedding votes. He eventually became the first Speaker nominee in modern history to fail to reach the 200-vote level. And this after apparently trying to bully other members (the Republican way, it seems) to vote for him. Ha.

Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right. Here I am stuck in the middle with you.

So now what? The House can't vote on anything unless it has a Speaker. Which means, for the time being, funding for Ukraine and Israel is on hold. Funding to keep the U.S. government operating runs out in November, so there's that. And God knows what else.

Unless the GOP comes up with a consensus candidate, the best solution I can figure is some kind of shared government leadership with the Democrats. That would mean, heaven forbid, concessions, cooperation and compromise. Imagine that. A true democratic government that actually works for the people.