November 21, 2010
To: The Editor
Nov. 2 has come and gone, and now is time to speculate about what "the American people" said. In just about every other word they speak, Republicans are spinning that "the American people" said they want what Republicans want. And they spin it as if Republicans simply want what "the American people" want. The fact is: the American people want different things. But what we all want, is a quick return to the days when there is a lot less threat to or uncertainty about our future.
I was hopeful that voters would conclude that their best hopes rested in the character and agenda of the Democratic Party. It was Democrats that at least tried to produce jobs with stimulus legislate,--which worked, though not to the extent needed or expected.
It was not Obama's fault, however, that cities, counties and states did not have plans in place that could make use of the money. It is not his fault that many cities, counties and states that were prepared to use the money chose instead to leave workers unemployed. Voters rewarded Republicans for limiting the success of the stimulus they limited. Because of Republican repudiations, too many voters gave Democrats no credit for either their intent or for whatever success was achieved.
The message that voters sent rest in the fact that they gave Republicans the House but denied them the Senate. It would have been easy for voters to vote straight Republican tickets and elect enough Republicans to the Senate to give them a majority. The message was: We're hurting. We're worried. We don't know what is needed, but we expect the President and Congress to figure it out. Its like a patient going to a doctor and saying, "Doc, I don't feel well. Nothing hurts; I just don't feel good." Obama and fellow Democrats have been prescribing medicine, but Republicans have done everything within their power to prevent the patient's accessing and taking the medicine. The patient still feels bad, but blames the doctor rather than those who denied them access to the medicine.
In this election, voters are saying to Democrats: Maybe it wasn't your fault that we didn't receive the medicine, but we're going to blame you until you find a way to get that medicine, whatever it is, to us. Voters said in effect: maybe you'll have to give it to us in your office or bring it to our home. But find a way. Their message to Republicans is: Get in there and help get the medicine to us. If someone tells you another medicine is better, discuss it with the President. We elected him to be our personal physician. If his medicine is not right time will tell.
The fact is Republicans were not obstructing Democratic ideas because Republicans thought they were bad ideas. They opposed them because they were afraid they would succeed. Defeating Democrats, not healing the patient, was the goal of Republicans from the beginning. That goal has not changed. And whatever they agree to will be with hopes that it fails--with a little help from them if necessary.
I suggest the following strategy for any bipartisan compromise: (1) Identify the sectors where there are new ideas or concerns by either party, for example, health care, financial regulations, education, energy independence, clean energy and the environment, comprehensive immigration legislation. (2) Within each sector, allow each party to identify in writing changes it would like to see made in each sector. (Parties would have met in advance to decide what changes they would recommend.) (3) List by party all recommendations submitted for each sector. (4) Allow the parties to take copies of both sets of ideas back to their caucuses and choose between alternatives. (5) Pair up the ideas about each area and have caucus prioritize their choices from most important to them to least important. (6) Flip a coin to determine who gets the pick first. During the first cycle, the winner picks the area that party determined to be highest priority. The loser gets their 2nd and 3rd choices, then winner the 4th choice. During the second cycle, the loser of the first cycle chooses first, the loser 2nd and 3rd and winner 4th, etc. In case there is only set of ideas left, flip a coin to determine which party's idea will be accepted.
It seems complicated, but it's fair.
A far as extending the tax cuts for the wealthy, Democrats had better get something mighty good in return. Extending tax cuts for the rich only became an issue when it was almost too late to negotiate a deal with health care, comprehensive immigration legislation, the environment, etc.
The president had a great press conference on Nov. 3. He took blame for results that were not his fault. Critics questioned as if they also bought it was his fault, and that he felt none of the people's pain. But nobody can feel the pain of a situation like someone who has been there.
The President did more than say he felt the people's pain, he tried to alleviate it. He stimulate the economy to save and create jobs, he extended unemployment benefits, he provided money for small businesses to be better able to hire people. He lowered middle-class taxes so people would have more money during tough times. He kept American auto manufacturers in business, saving automaker jobs and jobs at the dealerships and suppliers. These jobs kept people in homes, and gave workers buying power that kept other workers employed.
Yet, the President is constantly criticized for seeming not to care. But Republicans, who have tried every trick in the bag to prevent help from going to these people, are never asked how they feel about not helping those in need, nor are they criticized for seeming not to care.
Again, President Obama seems anxious to reach across the aisle. And, again no Republican talks about reaching back to compromise on something that Republicans feel passionately about. Democrats should demand that Republicans reach back with things they value. If they won't compromise their "principles," why would they (and the American people) expect Democrats to compromise theirs.
Ronald
No comments:
Post a Comment