Where is Bipartisanship and the Need to Move Forward Together?

I am truly disappointed with the Republican minority in Congress regarding the stimulus package being proposed by the Obama Administration. 100% opposition in the House and being proud of it is not a good sign of things to come.

With Republican Party leadership not yet clearly established (Bush is gone and McCain doesn’t seem able to assume that role), we have a fractured Republican Party whose only agreement is to disagree with everything being offered by the new administration - so much for bipartisanship. With the news media’s attempt to present both sides to the stimulus story, it has given media savvy Conservative Republicans their opportunity to individually step out and offer their own version of criticism of the proposal so that they can “beat their chest” with their “base” back home. One has to remember that Republicans in recent years have shown that they have a natural ability for the role of the “loyal opposition.” Their problem comes to the forefront when they win elections and must move from criticizing to governing. They are once again back in their comfort zone – offering constant criticism with no alternative solutions to solve problems.

Part of the problem is their archaic, over-simplified, and naive view of our economic system. It is like they read Ayn Rand’s great novels – Atlas Shrugged, The Fountainhead, etc.- back in 50’s and 60’s and forgot they were fiction. It helps them that their sound bites always include fears of higher taxes, more government spending, and government involvement somehow limiting individual initiative. These are always popular themes with some people and if they can figure out how to incorporate the big, bad bug-a-boo of “socialism” in their few seconds of fame on TV, they have a sure-fire way to raise big dollars for their next election.

Many of them do have a problem, they voted for the previous administration’s bail-out program which gave billions of dollars to big banks, powerful real estate corporations, insurance companies, and auto industry. Hopefully, these congressmen got thank you notes from these people for the undeserved bonuses they received last year. But, when the present administration starts talking about creating jobs, money for schools, money to support state service programs, investment in alternative energy programs, providing funds to move towards some sort of universal health care, re-building infrastructure, etc., they are opposed. Government money distributed to the people is unpalatable, whereas money to “well-healed” corporate America is OK!

I would love to see the Republicans put together a leadership team that would be willing to work in a bipartisan fashion where possible; and, if they disagree, provide well thought-out, reasonable, constructive criticism. This team should be prepared to offer alternative recommendations of how we can deal with massive unemployment, 2 wars, global economic crisis, collapsing infrastructure, declining middle class, deteriorating schools, inequality in medical care, reduction in dependence on foreign energy, etc.

I am fully aware that what Obama is doing holds a great risk. It will need to be modified and adjusted as we move forward. I am convinced that the only suggestion I’ve heard from Republican’s, significant reduction in taxes for businesses and the wealthy, is not a viable alternative – even though it has voter appeal. Most economists reject it as a bad idea, just as it was in 2001. Tax reduction and smaller government is not a cure-all for what ails us.

I have my own concerns with the stimulus package. For example, I’m not thrilled with the idea that the federal government might increase control over education through funding of “no-child-left-behind.” Although Obama has asked for an “earmark free” stimulus package, I don’t want to see special interest groups and a few powerful Congressmen/women getting questionable projects for their districts and states by “back dooring” the legislative process. I’m less than thrilled with massive amounts of money being spent on new roads (rebuilding of existing deteriorating ones excepted), when it is becoming clear that the time has come for a new generation of light rail and railroads to move people and goods.

I want the stimulus package to be just that – a short term boost to the economy not a permanent establishment of broadened government bureaucracy with an exception or two. Obama has promised that. In fact, he has promised a “house cleaning” of unneeded, over funded, ineffective programs. Unfortunately, it is Congress that controls the purse strings and I have been less than thrilled with the Congressional Democratic leadership up to this point. Hopefully, they will rise to the occasion.

As a private citizen, I really have little clout, just a small voice amongst many others. That is why I would like to see the development of a responsible opposition party that will work together in a bipartisan fashion where possible and offer well thought-out, reasonable alternatives when they disagree. If the Republican Party can’t accomplish that, they do not deserve much respect or support and certainly not the opportunity to govern in the future. If all they can accomplish is negative demagoguery, they are no better than their loud, obnoxious talk radio star – Rush Limbaugh.