I’ve been wondering for a while now why each Democratic “victory” leaves me feeling sour at best and angry at worst. Coming to this site used to be fun, exciting, energizing, and informative. Now it’s deflating, informative, provocative and depressing. To combat that feeling, I’m proposing a death watch. The winner will be the person who can predict correctly the day and hour a Republican leader will again halt all legislation because our only priority will be to cut the deficit by any means possible. We’re all sick at heart, and we know this is going to happen, so what the hell, let's get it over with and move on. (.org)
Why will another screeching halt come to the process? It’s simple. Now the Republicans have everything they want:
- A majority in the house.
- A shadow majority in the senate
- A president who will compromise on anything
- Tax breaks for the rich
- Health care “reform” with no single payer provision, and no real cost containment
- Insurance companies that are fine with this “reform”
- A continuing war in Afghanistan to ensure the military-industrial complex will be funded, including the reconstituted Blackwater
- Financial “reform” that basically means business and bonuses as usual
- A Chamber of Commerce that is happy with the latest compromise
- A foot in the door to ending social security because of our disastrous and growing deficit
- An estate tax reduction for the rich
- A reduction of social security contributions that will require cuts in that system
- An American administration that will protect Republicans from charges of torture
The pattern here is simple: The system is rigged by lobbyists, money from corporations, career politicians in fear for their jobs, strange senate rules, an entire network repeating propaganda points by the hour in newspeak, an American public that is angry and isn’t sure why, or at best is misinformed, a lack of Democratic leadership, and an economic crisis created by the Republicans and used to their great advantage in the most recent election.
To make matters worse, I see that each “reform” is reform in name only and is so full of fine print, loopholes, and giveaways that when someone in the middle class finds the “needle in the haystack,” the reward isn’t worth the effort of finding it. Billionaires will save millions and the unemployed will struggle for a few more months on subsistence payments while their homes are foreclosed and businesses sit on bankrolls they don’t have to spend on hiring. Mitch McConnell couldn’t even contain his smile in the last press conference.
It seems to me, the only thing in question is WHEN the ruling Republicans will call another halt to government business until the deficit is addressed and they achieve the cuts they want in education, food stamps, social security, and everything else they loosely label “welfare.” Our best players, Russ Feingold and Alan Grayson, have fouled out. The game is over.
I’m gearing up for the next game.