Coming soon to a congress near you, another Republican budget proposal from the Democratic Whitehouse.
Mitch McConnell was correct when he said “it may not look like it but we’re actually winning”.
When Republicans propose a budget they don’t even pretend to compromise. Of course they lie about the consequences using doubletalk and misdirection, but they come across as standing for something. They know it will never pass but they simply don’t care because it sets the agenda and keeps the country talking about deficits, government spending and blames democrats for both, even though it was the Republicans that destroyed the budget in the first place. The media covers the proposal, covers the Democrats screaming about it and then again Republicans defending it (lying), so it just becomes one big feedback loop.
The Progressive Caucus may propose a Democratic budget but it’s not covered in the media so only diehards know it even exists.
The President’s budget, although it’s only a suggestion, will always get news coverage, but the Whitehouse keeps proposing a Republican themed budget that people can’t rally behind. It’s the same Republican message just a little less draconian. Republicans immediately reject it, often before it’s even released, then scream the President is not serious about debt reduction. Democrats scream back that we are serious about the debt, but don’t want hurt anyone and the same feedback loop starts up again. The general public sees both parties agreeing that we need less government and debt is the number one problem. Republicans will win this debate easily because they are at least perceived as being serious about it. In politics, perception wins the day.
Where is the change? Republicans are executing their long term plan to perfection. It will be a Democratic President who slashes Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid, a Democratic President who guts government services, a Democratic President who has already locked in permanently almost all of the Bush tax cuts, a Democratic President who gets next to nothing done regarding sensible gun control. Republicans are also pushing the Democratic senate majority leader to end the filibuster just in time for Republicans to take control of the senate in 2014. It will be DEMOCRATS who fulfill all the Republican’s dreams.
Mitch McConnell knows what he’s talking about.
These Republicans are not interested in democracy, they never have been, it’s conquer or be conquered, winner take all. They believe in the Golden Rule, He who has the Gold… Rules!
Why do you think they idolize Dirty Harry? Harry sneered at and ignored the slimy bloated liberal establishment that always let the bad guys go free. Harry made his own rules and kicked ass himself. Do you think John Wayne is going to negotiate with a bunch of winey liberals? Hell no! He’s going to tell you what the law is and if you give him any gruff he’ll punch you in the jaw. Democracy is for wimps. I enjoy those movies as much as anyone but I realize it’s only fantasy, in the real world, people who ignore the law and become a one person dictator never seem to have the good character and intentions of a Hollywood created Duke or Dirty Harry.
Back to the budget! Democrats want to talk and be friends while Republicans come for a fist fight. It’s time for the Whitehouse to release a budget that stands for the principals of the Democratic Party, aka fight back! Quit trying to be reasonable with people who don’t respect reason. Actually, it might be nice if the President became a little unreasonable himself. They’re going to scream that President Obama a socialist no matter how conservative his budget is, he might as well give them something to scream about and along the way give the majority of the country something to get excited about. Let's actually have a public debate!
2014 is already shaping up nicely for Republicans, just like 2010 did. Republican voters are still steaming about 2012 and it won’t take much to bring them out in force next year. Obamacare implementation time is here, the new exchanges are going to have glitches, setbacks, unexpected consequences, higher costs for some, and people who are still left out in the demoralized cold, not fired up to stand in long voting lines. The healthcare law is a big change, a good change, but there is simply no way it’s going to go smoothly, especially with so many trying to make it fail or at least make it look like a failure. Implementation will provide multiple opportunities for Republicans to hit the ceiling, lie, misrepresent and foam at the mouth again to fire up their base. Here we go again. I can see Boehner now, after a big 2014 win and Republican control of the Senate (with no filibuster?), “The American people have spoken once again! This abomination of a law has to be fully repealed! Did Obamacare live up to the Presidents’ promises? HELL NO IT DIDN’T! Does this President still think he can still shove this disaster down the throats of the American people? HELL NO HE CAN’T!
Sigh.
We have to get out in front of it. The Whitehouse budget should immediately propose a ‘Strong Public Option’ that will be on all exchanges and show the healthcare cost savings. Democrats, fight like hell for it. The President could use an interview or 10, several press conferences to explain that “we know Obamacare implementation is going to have glitches, but as a country we owe it to ourselves to try and implement the conservative solution, aka Obama/Romney Care, originally proposed by Republicans, and it’s going to take cooperation from both parties to make it work and tweak it when needed. If Obamacare doesn’t work or proves too costly, we will have to move forward with Single Payer Medicare for all.”
If 2014 becomes a referendum on Obamacare and we are losing the argument, Democrats can agree saying “We tried the Republican plan of a market based solution, it’s time to enact Single Payer Medicare for all, U.S. citizens will have guaranteed healthcare, birth to death, if you vote for Democrats”.
Let the American people decide between Republican and real Democratic proposals, then live with the results. The key is to get out in front before the argument is lost. Also, when bringing up Medicare for all, be ready to show the details as to how it could be implemented and the cost savings. Stay in front.
Other Budget suggestions: • An immediate 15% raise for Social Security recipients and a promise to keep Social Security strong. That will get Grandma out to vote on a cold morning and it’s a good idea for seniors and the economy.
• Remove the upper limit cap on FICA taxes for employee side, but keep the cap on the employer’s side.
• Raise the minimum wage to $11.00 hr.
• Significantly increase the NASA budget.
•Get mad and have a plan to go find the hidden offshore money. People need to go to jail. To hell with amnesty for wealthy tax cheats.
• See the Progressive Caucus Budget for more, but you get the picture.
• Make sure the numbers add up!
• Somewhere propose complete public financing of elections, all elections. Get the money out of elections, I mean ALL the money except for the public financing. Propose it even though there is no chance of it passing right now.
We shouldn’t be afraid to act boldly!
Americans respect leaders with a vision. If we lose, then we lose. I can accept losing on Democratic ideas but not losing while trying to act like Republicans lite.