Insert a Trite Metaphor for a Corral #104

Posted on July 3, 2011 in Roundup

I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody. –Bill Cosby

Dirty tricks. It has finally sunk into the Democratic leadership what progressives and liberals on Twitter has known for two years: that when the Republicans are not the leading power in our country, they do everything they can to sabotage the Democrats. Their blackmail and obstruction strategy goes against the oath they take as representatives, which is to preserve and to protect these United States.

I think we have lost sight of what representation is for. First, there’s the matter of who to blame for our government’s policies. We forget that most of the things that we fault the president for are really the fault of the Congress which passes the budget and enacts the laws. We can’t turn to the president for repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, for example, because he cannot overturn it by himself. Obama is right for saying that the people must lead on this issue and pressure their legislatures for change. The same is true of jobs, net neutrality, the two wars, Guantamano Bay, etc.

Second, are our expectations. We take positions and then insist on no way except our way. Now the Democrats have been willing to compromise — more willing than many progressives wish. The tactic in this last Congress has been to begin with past Republican issues in order to seize a quick compromise. But the Republicans are out to avoid compromise at all costs so that they might bring the Democrats down. Other governments with political parties such as Germany do not fall into this trap. They agree on a series of principles — including jobs and social services — that they attempt to protect while devising solutions and balancing the budgets.

The Germans have a country of which to be proud. My friends over there are shocked that the fascism of the Tea Party has been allowed to thrive here.

The Republicans have become obsessed with ever lower taxes despite evidence that shows that the tax cuts have not produced employment. It is clear that they represent only 2% of the population, that they have become the equivalents of reactionary parties in the banana republics. Do we really want to allow ourselves to be the world’s largest third world country?

• The Debt Limit Option President Obama Can Use — This piece by a Republican economist came out several weeks ago, but only now is getting notice. Best quote: “Preventing default is no less justified than using American military power to protect against an armed invasion without a congressional declaration of war.”
• The Single Greatest Threat to America — With eradication on their lips and corruption driving their elections, there can be no doubt who it is. Also see this Salon story on Eric Cantor’s conflict of interest. And then there is this bit about whether the president can be bipartisan in times when, frankly, one of the parties refuses to do anything except pander to the rich. Finally, see what the Republicans have done aside from creating jobs.
• Countries where you could go to jail for calling the president a dick — And I am glad that this is not one of them. Still, Mark Halperin deserves the scorn he’s been getting. Haven’t we had enough penis in the news lately?
• 14 Propaganda Techniques Fox “News” Uses to Brainwash America — As the person who gave me this said, most of the people reading this probably already know….
• A Dirty Business: New York City’s top prosecutor takes on Wall Street crime — It’s not so easy to nail a dirty stock market billionaire.
• Flooding of Ancient Salton Sea Linked to San Andreas Earthquakes — And now for a little local reporting….
• Why I’m Not a Long-Term Traveler — A friend explains why home makes you appreciate what you see on a trip more
• Why Do These Cost So Much? — An artist lays out the facts about the price of his work
• Is Facebook the Right Place to Report a Crime? — A story that the media misreported gets its fact check
• Expert on Mental Illness Reveals Her Own Fight — Given the stigma surrounding borderline disorder, this is brave indeed.