~
So, just like in Dec 2010, with the Bush Tax cuts and unemployment benefits, we have another national political "hostage" situation. This time, it's the Debt Ceiling, and the USA's debt rating and economy are on the line against the Republican position of "no new taxes". Never mind that President Obama has offered a 3 to 1 plan, of spending cuts to tax revenues, to address what the Republicans ran on - Deficit Reduction. But the Republicans can't say "yes". Are they crazy? Good question.
The thing about Republicans is that they turn against any of their own ideas as soon as they are adopted by President Obama and the Democrats. Not only that, but neither the media nor the public hold them to account for this. Instead the mainstream media, in their commitment to presenting both sides of the story, foster a complacent approach of moral equivalence.
Let's look at this briefly in another setting -- one that is important to most concerned Jews. Supporters of Israel like to point out that fair-minded people should not fall into the trap of "moral equivalence" - where Palestinian Terrorist acts are given the same moral standing as the actions that Israel takes when exercising its right to self defense. The media and Israel's enemies are rightfully blamed for propagating this moral equivalence.
In the context of US politics, equating right wing actions as simple mirrors of actions on the left is similar in this regard. On the one side are mountains of bad faith activity, and on the other, a bunch of mole hills. But superficially, both sides do it. When the media reports an issue, both sides of an argument are presented, leaving the impression that all issues are 50/50, but they are not. Fox news is not simply the right wing version of MSNBC, and Republicans, who play for winning at all costs, with the stakes set at "all or nothing", constantly outplay the ninny Democrats, who get tied up in nuances and are always willing to compromise.
The habit of saying "No" is not about principle. If it was, everyone would acknowledge that the Republicans are unable to say "yes", even to things they initially believed in themselves. It's simple hypocrisy.
Let's be specific now, on 2 counts in regard to health-care reform. The "individual mandate", meaning that everyone has to buy health insurance, and which the Republicans now oppose, was
originally proposed in the 90's by the Heritage Foundation. It was a counterpoint to the Clinton's proposal of universal managed care. Mitt Romney, to his credit, went on to enact this concept in Massachusetts. But as soon as it became a Democratic "idea" for health-care reform proposed by President Obama and the Democrats, nope, the Republicans were automatically against it. Simply changed their minds!
Same thing with deficit reduction. The recent offer, of 3 to 1 - budget cuts to increased revenues, was more than reasonable, except to the Republicans.
Oh yes, I forgot, everybody does this, no?
Anyway, here is
Paul Krugman's take on the issue of Republican Sanity. Look it over . . .
and make your own diagnosis!
~
