Inmates running the asylum

Anyone who's ever had a child, dog, or recalcitrant Roomba knows that without the ability to dole out consequences, domestic tranquillity is as elusive as a balanced diet in Willy Wonka land.

- JONATHAN KRONSTADT

Imagine for a moment a home with kids, pets and other wilful creatures where there are no consequences, no matter how obnoxious the behaviour, then quickly dash the image from your mind, as it will haunt you, I promise.

Sadly, that's pretty much where US politics lives right now. The latest and most egregious example involves Kevin McCarthy, minority leader of the House of Representatives and one of Donald Trump's most treasured sycophants. The New York Times recently reported that McCarthy, shortly after the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol, told fellow Republicans he'd "had it with this guy", and planned to advise Trump to resign. In a classic Maga-era reflex, McCarthy denied the report, calling it "totally false and wrong". Hours later, to almost no one's surprise, an audiotape confirming the report surfaced, and he was shown to be a liar of almost impressive purity.