Rebublicans and Democrats, inspired by with the outpouring acclaim for new President Obama, and imbued with a new sense of purpose to engage immediately the problems we face and work together to find solutions to our economic crisis, have all agreed to put aside their petty partisan bickering and work together to pass the necessary legislation to get our country moving forward.
Yeah, that’s a nice fantasy, isn’t it? Elected government representatives of “We, The People” actually working for the common good in a time of economic catastrophe for the millions of their unemployed, underemployed and uninsured constituents to put our nation back on the right track. Giving hope to the hopeless, jobs to the jobless and confidence to the many who have come to doubt that our country cares about them. Now for the reality.
Just days after taking office vowing to end the political era of “petty grievances,” President Obama ran into mounting GOP opposition yesterday to an economic stimulus plan that he had hoped would receive broad bipartisan support. […]
Hoping to recapture the bipartisan spirit, Obama will host nine congressional leaders at the White House today for talks about the economic recovery package, which he has asked to be on his desk by Feb. 16, Presidents’ Day. He also agreed to talk with House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (Va.) and other GOP lawmakers next week about their proposals for more tax cuts.
Republicans have a long list of grievances.
Sen. Arlen Specter (Pa.), who gave Vice President Biden a 17-page list of spending requests, said he opposes the proposed increase in funding for Pell Grants for college students because it would do little to spur short-term economic growth. House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (Ohio) said the plan lacks enough “fast-acting tax relief,” such as a temporary halt to payroll taxes and more relief for businesses. Sen. John Thune (S.D.) said the nearly $1 trillion price tag would add too much to a federal deficit that is already predicted to top $1.2 trillion for 2009.
Gee, where were all these GOP budget hawks when Bush was blowing buh-buh-buh-BILLIONS of UNACCOUNTED and WASTED TAX DOLLARS in Iraq on a war and occupation which was based on a lie? When the bloated Medicare Drug Bill was written to the specifications of lobbyists for the Pharmaceutical and Insurance industries? I guess bipartisan means never having to do anything a Democratic President wants to help ordinary Americans in trouble …
The number of new unemployment claims jumped last week, as companies continue to cut jobs at a furious pace.
The Labor Department said initial jobless benefit claims rose to a seasonally adjusted 589,000 in the week ended Saturday, from an upwardly revised figure of 527,000 the previous week.
… but giving Republican campaign contributors whatever they ask for — and more — no matter what it costs!
Now that we understand the concept of bi-partisanship better, we can see that Congressional Republicans are acting in bi-partisan manner. Bi-partisan whiny ass tittie babies, true, but bi-partisan nonetheless. Which begs the question: Why does Obama want the dubious (cough– euphemism – cough) benefits of bi-partisan agreements with Republicans?
Looks good on paper, maybe?
Then again, Democrats do stupid bi-partisan things like appointing Bush Dogs to the Senate to replace Hillary.
I honestly think Obama is trying to beat the Republicans at their own game. The problem is thinking down to that level is giving him a blinding headache.
Bastard.
My optimistic and hopeful side is leaning this way, too. And if it turns out to be the case, I am going to have a very good laugh at the Republican’s expense when that “Oh shit, we’ve been had” look suddenly appears on their faces.
And if it turns out my hopefulness is misplaced and we once again sacrifice our principles and go along to get along? Well, I’m a Democrat so I’ve become pretty used to being disappointed in our elected Democratic leaders.
Wow, I’m sure all the people who screamed about nepotism (jane hamsher, I’m looking at you) are just delighted with their accomplishment.
as someone who’s represented by the execrable Boob Casey, who was essentially coronated by Chuck Schumer and Ed Rendell in a veritable celebration of nepotism, i am conflicted about your comment CG.
let me start by saying that I don’t like the idea of appointing someone to the senate at all. I would prefer a special election.
But also, as much as i like the kennedys, i do not believe that someone should be placed in office just because of family name and connections. Look at how well Boob Casey has worked out for PA: he fucked us on stem cell research, he’s voted for (i believe) every single blank check for Iraq, and both no-strings-attached bailouts. And this is a guy who spent time as PA’s state treasurer and auditor general, you’d figure he’d have SOME concept of fiscal responsibility…
or maybe it’s just that he’s got name recognition thanks to dear old Dad, the former governer, which is why Schumer and Rendell chose him to be our senator to begin with.
so either way it sucks. gillibrand is a troubling choice, but do you think paterson really cares what hamsher thinks? would kennedy have been that much better, or would she have been a go-along-to-get-along democrat, another post turtle?
I think my point is more that the folks who were crying about nepotism have won the battle and lost the war. It seems to me that sometimes people spend too much time screaming about what they don’t want without thinking realistically about the consequences or screaming equally loudly about their ideas for an alternative. I also wonder if the carrying on would have been as loud if JFK Jr were still alive and was wanting the appointment.
It’s just part of my being fed up with the stupidity and “look at me and how powerful I am” nature of the blogosphere lately. And that extends well beyond my example above.
Glad they chose a woman, sorry she’s a blue-dog, gun-nut, DLC-er.
Carry on.
How are tax cuts going to get people back to work?
Creates more jobs for pool boys at the Yacht Club?
Don’t forget about the caddies at the country club.
I know it runs counter to how the President operates, but after what’s been done to Holder, I think Obama should scrap the tax cut portion and tell the Republicans to fuck off.
the honeymoon is over?
I’m worried. People need work. How are tax cuts designed to bring the GOP on board this plan going to do that?