Democracy In action

The big summit at Blair House has come and gone, and things remain as they were. Is anyone surprised by this? Predictably, the Republicans used it as a forum to speechify about how appalled they are by the proceedings thus far. Without asking any specific questions, or offering any detailed recommendations, they simply used the occasion to replay the past year in a series of speeches in which they continued to perfect their already superb rendition of fake outrage: “We can’t believe that you would put unrelated things in that bill! It’s pork, I tells ya, and we wouldn’t touch it with our dainty fingers! And just look at how big this thing is! Yuck!” Like they never put out a bill that wasn’t loaded with special favors, or massively larger than it neeed to be. Suddenly the age-old traditions of bill-processing catches them unawares, and it is just too much for their delicate sensibilities.

Eric Kantor predictably brought a copy of the bill (or else several reams of blank copy paper) as a prop. What’s next, a rubber chicken? Rep. Kyl actually lectured the President about the issue, which is like explaining the Theory of Relativity to Albert Einstein. After a full day of this kind of blather and posturing, Obama’s jaw was so tight from flexing that it began to resemble a bicep.

And the Democrats were scarcely better. Realizing that the entire event had turned into nothing more than another Republican campaign stop for the 2010 election, they became progressively less polite as the day wore on. Harry Reid looked (finally) as though he realized he should have crammed reconciliation down their throats months ago. Not too late, Harry. The GOPs continued to demonize the legislative tactic they were only too happy to use when it suited them, only to become belatedly fastidious when the opposition uses the same means.

We’re in a dangerous position here, and it extends beyond this one (albeit crucial) issue. Nourished by a repetitious media, the American public is increasingly despairing of the ability of Congress to function in any way, other than to protect special interests. This is nothing new of course. The lure of power and largess has turned many an honest man bad before. It was so bad during the Great Depression, that over 20% of the population turned towards Socialism or Communism as a preferred means of obtaining relief or redress.

What’s different now is that the drum beat of anger is being stirred up by so many more television and internet apostles of revolt. A population under severe economic stress, being told that Congress is irredeemably broken, that radical change is necessary and right, and with access to untold amounts of weaponry, is a dangerous thing indeed.

On a lighter note, Dick Cheney suffered his 67th heart attack recently. I’m not going to make the obvious joke that the doctor found nothing in there. In fact, I don’t even want Dick to die. Not yet. See, I’m still holding out hope that he will be called to account one day, that the hoped-for war crimes trial will be held, and that we will get to enjoy his perp walk to oblivion.Then, let nature take its course.

Keep smiling.