Jim Stillman
Nevar
The party of No-No
March 4th 2009 16:38
This is not the first time that I have noted the collapse of the modern Republican party from being a vital participant in the nation’s political discourse, a necessary brake on too-extreme and ambitious progressive ideas from liberals and a source of alternative rational programs. The recent repudiation of the policies of the Bush administration could have been the impetus for a re-birth of this once-responsible party. Instead we now witness a split in the GOP, one faction willing to explore with the Obama administration possible solutions to the economic crises in the United States and the other content to condemn any initiatives of the elected president as socialistic or fascist or generally un-American and evil. The latter group has no possible alternative proposals, no counter suggestions, other than to reduce taxes and allow private business to regulate itself, free from government interference.
The party of the previous administration now demands fiscal responsibility and frugality, after spending billions on a war that was now seen, universally, as pointless.
The President’s address to Congress and, to a greater extent, to the country, was a blueprint of goals and aspirations. The Economic Recovery law was a start and should have been, in the minds of many serious economists, greater.
President Obama expressed additional areas that would be addressed by his Administration: education and health care. In the long run, our fiscal house cannot be put in order without a comprehensive overhaul of health care and the availability of health insurance for everyone, resulting in a reduction of Medicare and Medicaid and other entitlement programs.
There are a handful of GOP legislators who are willing to listen and suggest modifications. There are a number of Republican Governors who see the stimulus money as a way to put people to work and to fund construction projects in their respective states. Among the latter is, of course, Florida’s Charlie Crist, who has been the object of harsh criticism by doctrinaire Republicans who would rather have the country fail than accept the 2008 election.
However, while the President urges bi-partisan action to correct the fiscal folly of the past years, to adopt a policy of transparency in discussing our budget and debt situation, the GOP has, for the most part, refused to recognize that the American public wants to give the new administration a chance.
Unfortunately, many in the Republican ranks are hoping the Obama team fails.
The Republicans who have arisen as spokespersons (Rush? Glenn? Sean?) have indeed asked for the failure of the Obama initiatives. Note that they do not wish for the defeat of those initiatives during the legislative process; their wish is that the country fails. The larger part of the Republican party would rather the people of the United States suffer economically, be unemployed, have inadequate health care – all in pursuit of their ideology.
The choice of Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal to be the voice of the Republican opposition to the President’s address to Congress was symptomatic of the GOP’s role. Totally devoid of any alternatives to the Obama initiatives, Governor Jindal’s address was universally panned by spokespersons and pundits of both parties. The whole point of the Governor’s address was pure and unadulterated nihilism. At times, Mr. Jindal spoke of specific portions of the Stimulus bill and proved that he, or the persons who wrote the speech, had never read it. Among the “provisions” that were cited was a high-speed train to run from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, something not proposed by the President. Another was a modest sum of money to monitor volcano activity in an area in which such activity was happening. (Governor: remember Mount St. Helen? Think Louisiana could stand some additional knowledge of natural disasters?)
When my children were small, there were T-Shirts for sale in many stores with “My Name is No-No” across the chest. The point was, of course, that toddlers hear that expression so often that they might confuse it with their name. The modern GOP is in danger of becoming a party of “No-No”, refusing to enter into bi-partisan discussions with the Democrats, refusing to offer rational alternative policy proposals, condemning all administration proposals as evil, communist, and un-American.
If it takes that route, it will become the problem and not part of the solution; it will be repudiated by the majority of the American people. It will be a party accepted only by the far right radio talking heads, Rush, Sean, Glenn and their ilk, praying for the Obama administration to fail and, ultimately, for the failure of the United States.
What a horrible fall for a once great party.
(A portion of this post has been previously published in Examiner.com)
The party of the previous administration now demands fiscal responsibility and frugality, after spending billions on a war that was now seen, universally, as pointless.
The President’s address to Congress and, to a greater extent, to the country, was a blueprint of goals and aspirations. The Economic Recovery law was a start and should have been, in the minds of many serious economists, greater.
President Obama expressed additional areas that would be addressed by his Administration: education and health care. In the long run, our fiscal house cannot be put in order without a comprehensive overhaul of health care and the availability of health insurance for everyone, resulting in a reduction of Medicare and Medicaid and other entitlement programs.
There are a handful of GOP legislators who are willing to listen and suggest modifications. There are a number of Republican Governors who see the stimulus money as a way to put people to work and to fund construction projects in their respective states. Among the latter is, of course, Florida’s Charlie Crist, who has been the object of harsh criticism by doctrinaire Republicans who would rather have the country fail than accept the 2008 election.
However, while the President urges bi-partisan action to correct the fiscal folly of the past years, to adopt a policy of transparency in discussing our budget and debt situation, the GOP has, for the most part, refused to recognize that the American public wants to give the new administration a chance.
Unfortunately, many in the Republican ranks are hoping the Obama team fails.
The Republicans who have arisen as spokespersons (Rush? Glenn? Sean?) have indeed asked for the failure of the Obama initiatives. Note that they do not wish for the defeat of those initiatives during the legislative process; their wish is that the country fails. The larger part of the Republican party would rather the people of the United States suffer economically, be unemployed, have inadequate health care – all in pursuit of their ideology.
The choice of Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal to be the voice of the Republican opposition to the President’s address to Congress was symptomatic of the GOP’s role. Totally devoid of any alternatives to the Obama initiatives, Governor Jindal’s address was universally panned by spokespersons and pundits of both parties. The whole point of the Governor’s address was pure and unadulterated nihilism. At times, Mr. Jindal spoke of specific portions of the Stimulus bill and proved that he, or the persons who wrote the speech, had never read it. Among the “provisions” that were cited was a high-speed train to run from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, something not proposed by the President. Another was a modest sum of money to monitor volcano activity in an area in which such activity was happening. (Governor: remember Mount St. Helen? Think Louisiana could stand some additional knowledge of natural disasters?)
When my children were small, there were T-Shirts for sale in many stores with “My Name is No-No” across the chest. The point was, of course, that toddlers hear that expression so often that they might confuse it with their name. The modern GOP is in danger of becoming a party of “No-No”, refusing to enter into bi-partisan discussions with the Democrats, refusing to offer rational alternative policy proposals, condemning all administration proposals as evil, communist, and un-American.
If it takes that route, it will become the problem and not part of the solution; it will be repudiated by the majority of the American people. It will be a party accepted only by the far right radio talking heads, Rush, Sean, Glenn and their ilk, praying for the Obama administration to fail and, ultimately, for the failure of the United States.
What a horrible fall for a once great party.
(A portion of this post has been previously published in Examiner.com)
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Comment by Jonathan Biviano
Marriage Bits
Republicans were shut out and shut up at the conference committee to craft the final stimulus bill.
All Republican attempts to offer alternatives were kept from the Senate and House floor.
The most popular solution offered by Republicans: Suspend the payroll tax for 9 months to put money back in people's pockets, give businesses an immediate infusion of cash and get them investing again. It was rejected out of hand.
The Republicans all said No, along with 24 Democrats, because they weren't allowed to incorporate any of their suggestions into the solution. It was the Democrats' solution or shut up.
The Democrats idea of bipartisanship: Obama told them when they tried to offer alternatives: "We won."
In 1981 Reagan began getting us out of the Carter recession of 12% unemployment, 12% inflation and 21% interest rates by cutting taxes and ushered in the longest period of peace-time prosperity in history. Obama is doing the opposite. He's raising taxes and increasing spending.
Many people are going to be voting for the party that voted 'no' when they see the stock market at 3,000 and unemployment double digit.
Comment by PopulistConservative
Angry Electorate
And, if I remember correctly, the Dems were the party of "no" when they were out of power. The GOP, at that time, tried to shut the Dems out of the process -- much like the Dems are doing to the GOP now. It's all a big game. That's how the game is played. All that matters to ALL of the jackals in Washington is power. The party out of power digs in its heels and hopes the other side fails. That's the way it goes. It's regrettable, but it's true.
Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
No government interference? Is that after the government has interfered and given them money?
Nice to see you back, Jim.
Comment by Mike Pouraryan
Outsider Views:
Smooth Political
Kitten Politics
let me begin by noting the role of the Federal Reserve during the Reagan years. I will remind all that Paul Volcker's Fed was the one that broke the back of inflation and helped sow the sustained growth that we have enjoyed. The reality of what Reagan-Era economics was debunked in large measure by folks like David Stockman (who was Reagan's Budget Director) ....David stockman's memoirs is iinteresting reading indeed.
As for the Republicans, they will be back. The internal debate going on is fascinating to watch. I remind all that the Democrats went through a 12-Year rebuilding process (and two Presidential defeats) before the election of Bill Clinton. Jindal stumbled, but he will overcome. Charlie Crist is another strong player, Mark Sanford is also interesting...and let's not forget Sarah Palin. She has been quiet for a while.
Comment by NoaIzumi
Fine Politics
Anime Bottle
Jonathon, you might be right on the procedural thing, but I don't suppose you'd a link or something to back it up? And would that apply to the whole Congress or just the House? Because it doesn't seem like the Democrats need to muzzle their oppostiion in the House.
By the way, I don't know how you're counting the votes, but it wasn't 24 Democrats who voted against the stimulus. Eleven voted against the House version, and seven of those voted against the final bill.
Comment by Jim Stillman
Political Certainty