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Decmber 3, 2010
There’s politics and then, more politics. This is the name of the game in Capitol Hill for years on end but it has never been more pronounced, out of control and shameless as it has been over the last three years. The rhetoric has gone way too wild and the attitude and philosophy of the players have taken on the most irreverent position of “our way or no way” at the expense of the greater good.
It is so frustrating to see these government leaders incredibly unmindful of their duties and responsibilities and simply focused on one thing, politicking. Barely a month after being elected, these people couldn’t think and talk about anyhing more than the next elections, even publicly and proudly declaring that making President Obama a one term president is their foremost (if not their only) concern. Indeed, their audacity is quite intriguing.
Meanwhile, a number of urgent bills await passing, among them, the extension of unemployment benefits. It already expired last Tuesday but it needs to be passed soon. As most economists and The White House argue, “helping long-term unemployed Americans stay afloat isn’t just a good idea, it’s an economic necessity.” And unless unemployment benefits are extended immediately, the White House Council of Economic Advisers says, “2 million people will lose coverage this month and nearly 7 million will be cut off by November next year.”
Republicans voted down the unemployment insurance bill and instead, stuck to their position of refusing to pass any bill unless the Bush tax cut is passed in its entirety. While the lame duck Democratic Lower House Congress just passed the tax cuts for the middle class (individuals who make no more than $200,000 a year and couples , $250 annually), Republicans are determined to filibuster the bill in the Senate.
Pundits say that in the end, the Bush tax cuts will prevail. As much as progressive and liberal Democrats denounce it, the tax cut for the rich will be extended, because Republicans will not budge until it does. And unlike the splintered Democrats, Republicans are united in their stand and goals, foremost of which is obstructing this President and eventually preventing him from getting a second term.
Political grandstanding at the expense of real action has become the norm in Capitol Hill. While the hardworking middle class lose their homes left and right, elected officials think of nothing but the next election, doing what’s politically right but not necessarily righteous, and favoring and protecting the sector where political contributions come easy and plenty. What a shame!
Meanwhile, the sharks swimming freely in Wall Street continue their ‘monkey’ business as usual. They feed the ignorant, selfish and power hungry politicians, who, in turn, protect them against government sanctions and interventions. And when their solvency is threatened, they get the taxpayers’ money in the form of government bailouts. At end of quarter, Wall Street distributes profits and multi-million bonuses to their CEOs and managers. On the other hand, Main Street, whose taxes bailed them out, continues to suffer from loss of jobs, foreclosures and all the problems that came with economic meltdown that Wall Street’s irresponsible and risky speculations brought about.
Shame! Shame!