Now that the debt ceiling “crisis” has been averted, I thought that Washington would FINALLY start talking about jobs. Instead, we are greeted with word that Congress is going on vacation – for A MONTH! They are going, despite the fact that unemployment is still over 9%, the economy is still sluggish (anyone notice the nearly 800 point slide on the Dow this week), and despite record profits at most major corporations, no one is hiring.
I never intended to use this blog as a place to vent frustrations – rather, I wanted to openly discuss the politics of the day in a fair way. However, I am finding it increasingly difficult not to scream at the top of my lungs at some of the big political players in Washington. In order to maintain some semblance of sanity, I would like to talk to the big DC players in this drama.
First, I would like to say something to House Speaker, John Boehner (R-OH).
Mr. Speaker, when you were elevated to this position, you said that the mid-term elections showed that the public was upset with the economy. You said the stimulus didn’t work, and you and the Republican majority in the House were going to focus “like a laser” on jobs so Americans can get back to work.
Well, I still don’t see any jobs. I’d also like to point out that the first 10 bills the House took up (H.R.1 to H.R.10) had NOTHING to do with jobs! H.R.1 was a procedural budget bill. H.R.2 was a symbolic attempt to repeal Obama’s heath care reform bill from the previous year. H.R.3 was an anti-abortion bill. H.R.4 was a Tax Bill that adjusted the rules of the 1099 form. Do I need to go on? Where are the jobs?
The only thing you’ve said about jobs is that Government needs to get out of the private sector’s way - i.e., lower taxes and less regulation – and the jobs will come. Corporate taxes are lower now than they were under Reagan and corporations are reporting record profits in almost every industry, so the regulations don’t seem to be hurting. Corporate America is sitting on hundreds of BILLIONS of dollars – cash – and still no jobs. Your plan isn’t working.
You make a point of saying how much you want to work with the President. I believe YOU want to, but I don’t believe a lot of folks in your caucus do. The Tea Party folks essentially have you in a full-nelson headlock, and you continue to placate them versus doing what lawmakers are supposed to do: work with the other party and compromise so a solution can be found. You and the President are Statesmen. The folks of the Tea Party Express are not. Don’t play this game with our Nation – because in the end – you will lose, and so will your party.
Second, I would like to say something to Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid (D-NV).
You are the Charlie Brown of Political Compromise. The Senate Republicans are Lucy. If it isn’t clear to you now that all of the supposed deals, Gangs of Six, and any other cockamamie idea for compromise Senate Republicans have proposed are false hope on arrival, you should resign. Each of your attempts at an equitable deal between Senate Republicans and Democrats has failed in a spectacular fashion. I understand that you lost several members of your caucus during the mid-terms, but you should not be so naïve as to believe you can build a coalition with Republicans in their current form.
Why aren’t you and the Democratic MAJORITY writing legislation to your standards, and then shopping it around to the few moderate Republicans there are left in the Senate? I know they won’t sign on to anything, but you can at least find 7 Republicans to allow a procedural vote to end a filibuster, right? And if not that, isn’t there some “Pork” you could bribe them with?
Each time I read about another bipartisan “Gang of” whatever – I cringe. I know you’re trying to be optimistic, but the time for optimism is over. Why? Because, it’s not working!!! Voters like to see courage. They like to see guts. They don’t like to see weakness. Each time you agree to one of these bipartisan talks and each time it ends up blowing up in your face, it makes you appear weak. You need to come from a place of strength – actual or perceived – and then fight for your principles. Compromise some, but not on EVERYTHING. Otherwise, what do you stand for?
And, finally, I would like to say something to President Obama.
Mr. President. I voted for you, but I am pretty dissatisfied by your performance. I cannot blame you for the actions of Congress, but I can criticize you for your lack of a message.
You pushed through the Stimulus, the auto bailout, Healthcare Reform, Financial Reform, an extension of the Bush Tax Cuts, the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’, and a host of other things. On most of these, you stated your position, and then let Congress take the lead. Frankly, I don’t understand why – especially now.
The Executive Branch has a unique position in Government: It has the ability to set and drive the agenda. For better or for worse, people will stop and listen if you speak – it takes a bit more for the House and Senate to get everyone’s attention. Why aren’t you out there fighting for jobs? You talk about things you’d like to see. I like the Infrastructure Bank you’ve mentioned. Why aren’t you on TV every day telling us about it? You talk about Rebuilding America’s Infrastructure but you don’t explain how we’ll do it. You don’t adequately explain why it’s important. You don’t ‘sell’ your ideas in a compelling way. For such an eloquent speaker – you as Executive should have complete control over our national conversation. But, for some reason, you’ve been rendered mute.
You continue to reach out for compromise with Republicans. It’s admirable, but at this point, it should be painfully clear that their interest is to take your job away. I understand that’s the nature of politics, but why don’t you get it? I voted for Hillary Clinton during the Democratic Primary in my state because I felt she could handle the swampland that is DC. I didn’t think you could handle it. You may believe you are staying “above the fray” by taking a back seat during the negotiation process, but you are coming across as detached, aloof, and indecisive.
You need to find that inner strength you had during the 2008 campaign. If you can’t rally people, there’s no way anything will get done. The President has the ability to lead like no one else. If you don’t use that ability as effectively as possible, you will lose it forever.
All three of these men have a responsibility to the American People to govern effectively. If they all fail to do so, we all suffer. This isn’t specifically about ideology or party affiliation, it’s about Governing. Our elected officials are elected to Govern. When they fail to do that, we get rid of them.
Over 14 Million People are unemployed right now. That is 50% more people than the margin of votes between Obama and McCain in the 2008 election. If those 14 Million People don’t see a light at the end of this dismal economic tunnel, or at the very least, see our lawmakers diligently working to create that light…
The term MASSIVE UPHEAVAL comes to mind.
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