So what’s bipartisanship really all about and what has President Barack Obama really been trying to say about it? In this Guest Voice post, AverageJoe looks at these issues. Guest Voices posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its readers.
The Stimulus, Right Wingers, Left Wingers, Obama And Bipartisanship
by AverageJoe
Principle was sited as the left and right wingers did battle on the House and Senate stimulus bills. With the caustic atmosphere in on Capitol Hill being anything but “post partisan”, President Obama suggested bipartisanism takes time:
Oh, I don’t think — I don’t think I underestimated it. I don’t think the — the American people underestimated it. They understand that there have been a lot of bad habits built up here in Washington and it’s going to take time to break down some of those bad habits.
— President Obama’s first prime time press conference
I may have some insight into what the president was trying to tell those stubborn lawmakers.
The President’s Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, is adept at the divide and conquer game. Obama might be telling the wingers they need to be a part of the team. Given the negative conservative infomercial which has played out over the past few weeks over the stimulus bill, Obama seems to continue to have Teflon polling numbers. 68 percent of the American people still believe he is doing a great job. Why do the right wingers care?
Obama may believe they should care for reasons not related to the economic stimulus package. They might want to be a part of the team to participate in future legislation.
The future legislation will probably start with the re-regulation of Wall Street. Beyond philosophical interests, the conservative Republicans will probably want to deliver for several of their contributors. Their contributors will demand they begin the mantra of less government regulation when Democrats want to regulate them into a Soviet style planned economy. If Obama can peal a few Republicans in the Senate, they will have no input.
Conservative Republicans will also want input in legislation bringing entitlements under control. America may need their help because too many liberal Democrats will insist on the status quo. I hope the conservatives will prove to be a good partner for President Obama on Capitol Hill. The alternative will pale in comparison to the Great Society.
The last unfulfilled function of the Great Society is healthcare for everyone. If the Conservative Republicans want socialized medicine, the quickest way to get there is to alienate the President on this legislation which is so important to him.
Republicans owe their constituents the truth. They understand and appreciate the need for spending at this juncture. Their mouthpieces like the Heritage Foundation have found a few economists who will sell their scientific soul. However, conservatives understand most economists tell us there are no bullets left in the gun beyond government spending.
When interest rates are effectively zero and marginal tax rates as low as they have ever been (adjusted for inflation), Americans are faced with an extended recession. That extended recession will rob both treasuries and families of money for years. When America recovers, China and India will rule the economic world. They need to help the President make the stimulus case instead of sabotaging any collateral psychological benefits of the spending and tax cuts.
Unless they play ball, I am sure the Obama Administration will be happy to allow liberal Democrats to draft legislation on all of the previously mentioned legislation. The Republican leader, Rush Limbaugh, may want to direct his troops to play ball with President Obama.
AverageJoe works as a civil engineer in the transportation sector. He has both owned a consulting engineering business and worked in the public sector. He lives with his wife and daughter in north Alabama. He describes himself a “militant moderate” who prefers solutions over rhetoric and personality. After unsuccessfully submitting an op-ed a week to the New York Times and Washington Post for several years, he began blogging at www.americansilentmajority.com in 2007.